Italian Trip - 2011

[kev131]

I'm just back from a European road trip covering 6022 kms in 3 weeks (at an average fuel consumption of 47.2mpg) - It began in Roscoff (France) spending a week on the Dordoigne, a week in Cipressa (North East Italy), a couple of days in San Marino for the Monster Scambio (Autojumble) followed by a leisurely return drive over the Stelvio Pass (almost 3kms UP the Alps) emerging into Switzerland and later Paris and Cherbourg to catch a rough ferry crossing to Ireland suffering the last sputterings of Hurricane Katriona.  

Plenty to share in relation to 131s, classic Fiats, buying spares (and model cars) and fantastic roads for possible future 3MAs...

[kev131]

There wasn't much to see of an Italian flavour in France but as soon as we crossed the border my eyes were peeled for anything classic & Fiat. On our first Monday in Italy we decided to go to Turin to visit City Motors. I knew they had a low mileage 132 for sale and I wanted to see it in the metal. We decided to take the scenic route on the outward leg which meant heading over the mountains to Cuneo. Just 10 kms from the coast we chanced upon this 131 obviously still in use. Badly affected by sunshine but quite rust free.















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[kev131]

Here is a sample of some the roads on the drive north to Cuneo...







If there is one thing that you have to credit the Italians with it is their vision and design capability to construct roads and even high speed AutoStrada in the most challenging terrain. On a stretch of Autostrada measuring 100kms in length it is not uncommon to encounter 50 short tunnels (carved into solid rock) each one followed by a viaduct built on concrete columns 100s of metres tall.

More to follow....

[mirafioriman]

Lovely scenary. Makes me wish I was there!

[stathe174]

Very nice scenary!

[Rob 131]

You have certainly covered some distance (however you ahve the right car for it in a 520D). What did you think of the Dordogne. This is one of our favourite parts of France (3rd Visit with the Children). This was the final leg of our holiday between the 26th August and the 5th September.

[kev131]

Hi Rob - We stayed near Sarlat and Belves - Lovely country - very serene and the medieval towns are perfect to spend a leisurely afternoon sipping beers & watching the world go by. The rural way of life in France is very appealing - The only drawback is that they seem to have thrown away most of their old Fiats. 

The following pics are of the Fiat 132 2000 in City Motors, Torino. This has been for sale at ?7000 for over 2 years. It has driven only 16,000 kms which looks genuine. However some idiot has at some time driven the car off road and the complete underside is covered in what looks like dried cement although it could be "caked on" mud. The floor pan looks like it needs some welding and overall the paintwork is quite dull. In my view the car is worth buying but at a price of approx ?2000/?2500.

[Rob 131]

Hi Kev

We stayed at a 5 Star Rated Campsite in a Mobile Home Near Sarlat in a place called St. Nathlene (3rd Time). I can really recommend this place and it is mainly Irish and Brits (don't froget this is Dordogneshire) with decent pools, restaurants and great walks around the area.

Never has been many Italian Treats in France (except this year, details and photos to follow). However I didn't see any in Italy last year  .

Did you go to the car model shop in Sarlat . My wife and I did on seperate occassions ( on the same day). Hence, I now have an Abarth Model like Simons and an Orange Abarth sat on the dresser. That's one benefit of seperate shopping.

Still lots of old French cars in France. To kill time in the car; my children have to spot certain cars and get paid accordingly, based on a price list; i.e a Mirafiori is Euro 50, Peugeot 604 Euro 30, 605 Euro 5, Fuego 15 etc. Keeps them amused for hours and pays for all the ice cream 

[mirafioriman]

Looks like a decent car but I wouldn't pay 7000 euro for a car that needed welded.

[kev131]

Here's another update with a motoring flavour. We were staying approx 70kms from Monaco so we had to pop by and see the sights....especially the roads and corners made famous by the Grand prix. It's always an eye opener to actually visit a race track only previously seen on TV - Your perspective totally changes.

This is the view of the Principality shortly after leaving the Autoroute. It certainly looks like a billionaires' playground from here....



This shot is the tunnel exit which is a two way road in normal use.

 

This is the famous Loews hairpin - The slowest and some say the most famous corner in F1.



This is just after Casino Square and the bump in the road ruins what is otherwise a perfectly viable overtaking spot - It always annoys me to see cars swerve to avoid it thereby compromising the car behind. I wanted to see how significant it was and how difficult it would be to remove it...



Of course the cars were awesome and nothing but the best would do...although I did spot a Series 2 Ritmo parked on a side street.  This Roller  was probably the most ostentatious car I saw...

[jasonh131]

You lucky bugger  All i got was return trip to north devon 

[kev131]

Back to 131s, we did pass an oncoming white series 2 Panorama that looked very clean and in regular use but I couldn't get my camera out in time. We also found this one parked at the side of the street in Genoa. The earliest and cheapest 131 version and intriguing to see one still being maintained despite it's low budget status. I had noticed a shortage of filler in the car accessory shops and after seeing this I now know why... Definiely not one for Heini's growing collection...!! Or as a donor for an "Enzo special"!!  

[Heini131]

Hi Kev,
sure this one isn`t a concourse winner but i love these cars because
they are still in regular use
After 35 years they still do what they were built for

[kev131]

Continuing the story (for anyone still reading) the highlight of the trip for me and what dictated our itinerary was Il Mostro Scambio at the old Grand prix circuit in San Marino in the town called Imola. This is an annual Monster Auto Jumble and unlike the equivalents further north, it has a very heavy Italian and Fiat bias. Despite almost 80% of the stands being dedicated to Motos (Motorbikes) the circuit is crammed to capacity with vendors and if you had the time, I'm sure you could either find any part or model you wanted...or at least make the right contacts. This was my third trip and the first time with my own car so I was determined to make the most of it. I had two sessions both in baking 33 degree heat but you didn't mind as every corner revealed a treasure trove. I've tried to capture the feeling of the place with these pics. I added significantly to my model Fiat collection while sourcing a few parts for my 131 and some forum members.

[mirafioriman]

Lots of nice wheels

Don't suppose there were any series 2 Argenta wheel trims?