Italian Trip - 2011

[Heini131]

Kevin, you aroused my curiosity...

What parts did you buy and was there some place left in your BMW for some
CD 30?

[Rob 131]

Looks an interesting market and as you mention it was hot at 33 Degrees. I went to San Marino last year to the World Superbikes (Circuit Misano)and was stood on the Bank all day in temperatures approaching 38 Degrees  . It has put my son off watching Motorbike Racing for life  .

Did you actually stay in San Marino. I would be interested to know, as it looked like quite a nice place  . I found when drivng from Lake Garda to the Circuit, there was a serious lack of signs on the route  Did you find the same in Italy.

[kev131]

Further update and to answer some questions...

I did find the model shop in Sarlat Rob - better than average but more expensive that Ebay even when taking postage into account.

Also, we did stay in Imola in the Olympia hotel. Walking distance to the track but quite expensive. I dont think we would have stayed there were it not for the event. The town was sort of taken over with the influx. Wow 38 degrees - Not pleasant. 

Heini - I didn't see any CD30s but I'm expecting a second hand set to come up for sale on the forum soon...!

One of the features of Il Mostro Scambio is that it is an opportunity to sell classic cars of all marques. Obviously a lot were Fiats and the following show the selection for sale...less two very special examples, more about which later...

[Thotos]

I want that blue 124 CC

[stathe174]

Get in line

[stathe174]

Further update and to answer some questions...

I did find the model shop in Sarlat Rob - better than average but more expensive that Ebay even when taking postage into account.

Also, we did stay in Imola in the Olympia hotel. Walking distance to the track but quite expensive. I dont think we would have stayed there were it not for the event. The town was sort of taken over with the influx. Wow 38 degrees - Not pleasant. 

Heini - I didn't see any CD30s but I'm expecting a second hand set to come up for sale on the forum soon...!

One of the features of Il Mostro Scambio is that it is an opportunity to sell classic cars of all marques. Obviously a lot were Fiats and the following show the selection for sale...less two very special examples, more about which later...

But you have posted a picture from cd30's in the first page.

[Robert]

Sorry boys, the blue one is for me, to complement my blue Alfa. You can struggle for the red one  

[kev131]

Sorry boys, the blue one is for me, to complement my blue Alfa. You can struggle for the red one  

You can all fight over the CC - But there was another dark blue Fiat there that got my juices overflowing..... Details to follow...

You're quite right about the CD30s now I've looked again but I wasn't in the market for them while there....

[kev131]

Here is the car that outshone all the other cars for sale including classic Ferraris and Lambos. My father had one of these new in 1973 - Pale green and having replaced a 124 Berlina 1200, the 1600TC was a race car in comparison. I can remember being entranced by the quad headlights with black surrounds, the way the rev counter went around when the car was stopped and how the clear lines appeared on the foggy rear window when a magic switch was pressed on the dash. The reg was STI 466 and it was the coolest car on the street when you consider the competition was Mk2 Cortinas and Hillman Hunters.

It was also the very first car that I travelled in as a passenger at exactly 100mph (160 km/h). It was on a narrow but arrow straight country road between Kilkee and Carrigaholt (for local readers). That was when just Dad and I were in the car but whenever Mum raised a slight eyebrow about the speed, we used to point to the rev counter and say look Mum, only 40 mph when it fact the speedo said twice that.  I can remember Dad being stopped for speeding only once in the 1000s of miles that I travelled with him...and it was in this car. I have some old pics that I'll try and scan in sometime.

Anyway this was the car of the show for me and it was great to sit in one again after 36 years.

[kev131]

[kev131]

The car was obviously for sale. It was a 1975 and "run out" model. One of the run out features was front seat headrests which I had not seen before. The interior was excellent as you can see and the paintwork was to a high standard. I couldn't see if it was original or not. It had a current Revisione, had a new cam belt at 71000kms (now showing 78000kms), new brakes and shocks and a full service recently. It has also had a recent LPG conversion which I'm not a big fan of but in broken conversation I learnt why these are so common amongst old Italian Fiats for sale. These old cars are no longer permitted into the centre of old some old cities if they are pumping out petroleum waste, so gas is the solution.

The seller was very enthusiatic about the car's condition and offered a test drive the next day if I was still around. The price was ?7000 with a possible reduction to ?6500. Still way over market value and I would estimate top price to be ?5000 with ?4000 being closer to a price if he is serious about selling. Anyway, some more pictures...

[kev131]

[Thotos]

That is truly wonderful  I love the look of the 124 Special/Special T. It's such a simple design but so beautiful at the same time. As you said Kev, the quad headlamps with the black surrounds and the small front grill gave the car such a purposeful look. What I really liked about these cars is the way the rear lights were moved further in than the standard 124 and a chrome strip surround was added to the back. I thought that little change made the Special/Special T look so much classier than the standard 124. I had a red series 2 Special (1438cc ohv engine) with this look and I loved it. It used to impress anyone I gave a lift to. Even things which we now take for granted such as intermittent wipers were standard on these Fiats but not on other mainstream cars. I part-exchanged my 124 Special for a 131S 1600 at Fiat Kingsland Motors - Dalston. I had to take the 131 back after a couple of weeks to rectify some problems and they gave me back my 124 Special as a 'courtesy' car. I thought then that it was a mistake to exchange the 124 for the 131 but unfortunately the 124 was dissolving at an alarming rate and of course my 131 ownership continued from then to this day.... 

[simon131]

Stunning 124 ST!! I love 124s  Always have and always will.

Aren't there two blue 124 CCs in your photos Kev - one with alloys and one without?

Personally I love the red 124 CS - had one just like it back in 1989, back when the wife had a 124 AC Coupe. Those were the days - when kids "happened" to other people and two door cars were the order of the day.

I think we need a forum visit to that Auto Jumble one year Kev. What an amazing place Your pics really got my Fiat/Italy juices flowing I can tell you. I'd need a second mortgage just to buy all those 'essential' bits and pieces - especially that fantastic enamelled Abarth sign.

[Thotos]

Aren't there two blue 124 CCs in your photos Kev - one with alloys and one without?

Well spotted Simon! In fact the interiors are a different colour too!    I should put on my glasses more often ...