(first posted 9/1/2014) I’ve been to exactly three car shows since I got a cameraphone two years ago. All at the same place; beautiful Como Park nestled in a crook of the River Yarra. And always featuring Italian cars. These photos have been burning a hole on my computer and I was going to post them on the Cohort, but to be honest it was too much fun doing the research so I thought I’d write them up for CC.
Fiat Otto Vu, otherwise known as the 8V. It was named as such because Fiat thought Ford owned the ‘V8’ name. Designed by the incomparable Dante Giacosa and styled by Fabio Luigi Rapi, the 8V featured a narrow 70 degree 1996cc engine pushing out 105hp which could reach 118mph in standard factory-body form. The canted quad headlights show this to be one of the second series to come out of the factory.
The 8V was a short lived model. It was in production from 1952 to 1954 and only 114 were produced. Most came with the factory body, but approximately 40 were clothed by carrozzerie including Zagato, Vignale and Ghia. Siata was also involved with this model, being a company aligned with Fiat to help them with their premium products. From this angle the flowing curves of the bodywork are at their most sensuous.
In 1954, Fiat produced the Turbina; a gas turbine prototype that was tested on the legendary rooftop track of the Lingotto factory. The Turbina featured a much modified version of the 8V body but alas, it and the 8V did not point to the future for Fiat. Whilst some special bodied versions of the 8V enjoyed racing success, this program was scrapped in favour of Fiat’s more proletarian offerings.
Winged cars are not my forte, but I believe this is a Fiat Balilla Sport Spider 508S; co-created with Siata and designed by Ghia. It’s based on the Balilla saloon of which about 113,000 examples were produced. Two variants of the Sport Spider were available, the Coppa d’Oro (Gold Cup) with cycle wings and the ‘Mille Miglia Spider’ version with the more flowing fenders.
That fin on the rear earned this model the nickname ‘insect tail’. These cars were assembled by Fiat in Italy as well as in Germany, France and Czechoslovakia by affiliated businesses. The sportiest of these were powered by a 27kW engine and enjoyed some racing success in 1933 and 1934. It’s rakish in a Noddy sort of way.
Fiat Eveline from 1967-71. Vignale designed and built 200 of these specials based on Fiat 124 mechanicals. This is the sort of vehicle that was keeping smaller carrozzerie (barely) alive in the 60s; a rebodying of the basic Fiat sedan that sold in some (but not great) numbers. Whilst the factory-built Fiat 124 Sports Coupe started with the 1438cc engine, these were a straight transplant of 124 Sedan mechanicals including the 1197cc version of the OHV engine. It looks like there was one built with the 1438cc engine and it was called a ‘Special Export’
In profile you get a sense of some of the body’s awkwardness. I find it frustrating because, at a glimpse, this is a very handsome car. But when I spend more time looking at it I invariably end up focusing on its styling shortcomings. The unique coachwork was complemented by a raft of interior luxury appointments which were designed to appeal to the well-to-do who still had to contend with the congestion of Italy’s cities.
That overly-long rear end may be its failing in profile, but the rear three quarter is this car’s best angle. A nice sweep down with a beautifully discrete C-pillar. Still, this car is more successful stylistically than the later 128-based Vignale Samantha. Vignale was bought by De Tomaso in 1969, which was then swallowed up by Ford in 1974, so the brand is now a Ford trademark. They are apparently going to revive it and use it as a luxury spec badge, as they have with Ghia in the past.
The 2300S Ghia Coupe, like the 8V, sat at the top of the Fiat model hierarchy. In 1959, Fiat introduced the six cylinder engine for its premium saloons and wagons. Starting as a 1800/2100cc range, the 2100 was replaced in 1961 with the enlarged 2300cc engine. The coupe originated as a styling exercise displayed at the 1960 Turin Motor Show and entered production in 1961. Whilst it was designed at Ghia, lack of production capacity meant that another small manufacturer – OSI – helped put these together.
Styled by Sergio Sartorelli, the 2300 Coupe shared the same wheelbase as the factory saloon, albeit with a slightly wider track. The body was welded to the saloon platform and wears its length remarkably well. Clean lines with very little adornment mark this as a very sophisticated design. The reverse cant on the C-pillar may be a bit of an affectation, but one that works very well within the overall proportions as well as with the canted profiles of the front and rear ends.
The 2300S was a twin-carb hotter-cam version of the 2300 Coupe. This power upgrade produced 136hp compared with the standard 105hp. The difference in price between the 2300 and 2300S was so small most buyers opted for the ‘S’, making the standard Coupe by far the rarer model. Production numbers for this beautiful coupe are estimated at around 7000 over its seven year lifespan.
Another late sixties rarebie, the Lombardi Grand Prix. Powered by a 35kW version of the Fiat 850 engine, one of these is claimed to have achieved 95 mph due in no small part to its windcheating Kamm areodynamics and a curb weight of 1390 lbs. Pictured here is the first of the breed, the series one with the original Fiat 850 vented engine cover.
These went to market under a variety of brands; there was the Lombardi which was the base spec progenitor, then there was a convoluted collaboration with Moretti to produce the OTAS, which featured more power in various engine guises, and then Abarth put these out as the Scorpione. By the end of its short life, Abarth had managed to fit a 1.3 litre engine to achieve 109mph.
Speaking of Abarth, here is one of the 500-bodied variants. There were at least five 500-bodied Abarth variants so I’m not game enough to take a guess at which exact model this is. A nice baby to own, but I’m struggling to think where I’d drive one of these at even 7/10s. A bog standard 500 was my first drive at the age of 11. Through the streets of Rome. From the back seat (I was doing the steering). Fun.
Autobianchi A112 Abarth. First Autobianchi I’ve seen in Australia, and the first Abarth version I’ve ever seen. Owned by Fiat, the base Autobianchi model was essentially a repackaged 128 and was instrumental in the development of the 127. It’s a neat, unobtrusive design, except for the wheels and those stickers. The Abarth A112 had two engines over its lifetime maxing at 69bhp in 1050cc form.
Fiat 130 Coupe; object of my dreams since about the age of 8. My favourite 3-volume design ever. Paolo Martin penned this for Pininfarina and eventually 4496 were built out of PF’s Grugliasco works. It was based on the factory saloon which shared none of its styling sophistication. Released in 1971, it was still influencing car design at the end of that decade.
I plan to do a comprehensive CC on this model, but let me assure you that owning mine was exactly the nightmare every sane person who never owned one has managed to avoid. Most of my time with this car was spent looking at that gorgeous rear end parked in my garage. I’ve also found a curbside example recently; not a driver and tragically deteriorating in the elements.
Another Pininfarina, the Fiat Dino Spider. As Paul’s CC on the Fiat Dino Coupe notes, these were introduced as a series to help Ferrari homologate the V6 Dino engine for racing. It’s a really appealing car in the flesh, the curvatures over the body delineate this as every inch the exotic. I remember seeing a patinated dark red one driving around Melbourne twenty years ago and it’s a tight little design.
It’s really a Ferrari. Whilst the first series 206 versions were assembled by Fiat, these IRS 246s were assembled on the same Ferrari production line by the same Ferrari engineers in Maranello with the same engines as the mid-engine ‘Ferrari’. In fact these Spiders are the rarest of the 246 Dino range with only 424 built, making it less numerous than the mid-engined GT and GTS. Given its visual similarities to the mid-engined Dino GT, these are an under-appreciated exotic.
Tune in next Monday for Indigestion Part 2: The Alfas of Como Park.
This is quite the assembly of Italian cars! If you don’t go to very many shows, I would say that you have certainly picked some good ones when you do go.
The face of the 8V is a little tough to overcome but the rest looks pretty good. Upon seeing the Fiat 130, I was intrigued until I read the rest. Sounds like its best to treat it like another man’s wife; look, but don’t touch.
I’m going to tame a 130 coupe one of these days. Need the help of a rich widow.
Fiat’s beautiful heartbreaker, like a Citroen SM. I covet both, but know too much to dare!
Fix It Again Tony!! Nice cars
Let me be the first to thank you for this terrific look at some special Fiats.
Always loved the 8V, ever since I first saw one in the summer of 1959 at an upscale hotel near Innsbruck.Wow! It took me a bit to figure out what it was…a Fiat! Austria and nearby Italy were crawling with Fiat 600s and 1100s, but I had no idea Fiat built a “Ferrari”.
I had a similar aha! moment with that Eveline coupe. I’m quite surprised that I ave no conscious memory of that car. Fascinating; attractive but definitely a wee bit “off”.
Always had a special place in my heart for the 2300 Coupe.
About 16-17 years ago, my neighbor right across the street opened his garage one day, and what was in it? A red Abarth Scorpione. He was storing it for his son. I fell in love, again. I tried getting in it, but it was not scaled to my size.
Ah; the 130 Coupe. That one really left a deep lasting impression when it appeared. I used to ask myself endlessly “Why couldn’t Detroit build that?” I understand your obsession with it totally, and do look forward to hearing ore about your painful love affair.
The Fiat Dino Spyder! The most beautiful girl in 8th grade you obsessed on endlessly, and new you’d never get near enough to even smell properly. The more beautiful of the Fiat Dino twins, for sure.
You’ve kind of overwhelmed me this morning, Don. Almost all of these cars were new or fresh during the time I was like 15-16 or so, and you know how intense one feels at that age. These were the foreign sweethearts of my youth, lust objects that I had no one to share with at the time. There wasn’t another kid my age I knew who would have recognized one of these cars back then. Pontiac GTO, yes. Dino Spyder?? It’s nice to know I’ve finally found my proper cohort!
Thanks again.
I grew up with Fiats. Dad bought a used 125 when he got rid of the beetle and it was his first ‘proper’ car in Aust after having owned a Topolino and 600 in Italy. Work put him into the Volvo wagon, but he got Mum a new 131 Mirafiori. What a contrast; nice looking but disintegrated in front of our eyes. Yes, it’s so satisfying being in a cohort with people who appreciate cars from all around the world.
Paul, not quite OT, did you ever see one of those back then? In all my time in Austria (12 years) and with all my contacts in the classic car scene I never managed this, they are apparently like unicorns…
Pic from http://www.zuckerfabrik24.de/steyrpuch/steyr2000_1.htm
But Detroit did build that, 6 years later! (The Fiat 130 Coupe that is.) The 1977 Buick Lesabre Coupe!
And the inspiration: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-european/curbside-classic-1972-77-fiat-130-coupe-bill-mitchells-regards/
Well yes. But that was quite a bit later. I was referring to the time when the 130 coupe first came out, in 1971.
I figured but I couldn’t help myself because I love the 1977-1979 lesabre coupe!
Lovely Fiats! Definitely something most of us don’t see every day.
Am I the only one that sees a lot of 1st gen. Plymouth Barracuda in the 2300 coupe’s profile?
Thanks for these!
That’s what instantly came to mind at first glance, then upon second glance I see Studebaker Lowley coupe
Studebaker was my first thought too.
All cool cars that I’d be happy to own (after I win the lottery).
I ‘d assume the Fiat was influenced by the 1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 by Bertone; look at the grille even:
Yep, that was a signature Bertone from the period. They also clad a Jag XK140 (150?) in a very similar body.
Nice 130 Don.I saw one in Fleetwood Lancashire near Blackpool around 1980,same colour with a gold Citroen SM parked next to it.I’ve admired the 130 but wouldn’t have the nerve to buy one.
The 2300S reminds me of the gorgeous Dual Ghia from around the same time.Thanks for a great read again
Take a look around the net…you’ll probably find some rare pics of the Fiat 130 WOODY WAGON (factory made original)…with automatic transmission…
Nice woody,Thanks for the info,another car I never knew about
The 130 4-door sedan -by my opinion- is also an elegant limousine with all the right proportions. I’d recommend this austrian video of a mighty 3.2 Litre V6 / manual transmission: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsXS_9a4RVU and an original italian ad of a 3 Litre version with “cambio automatico”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7XaCi-u52M I agree about the nerves to source any version of a 130… By the way if we are talkin’ about big Fiats…here is another favorite of mine among others,
the Fiat Argenta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd7l2ToL4RY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3E0Ptjb8Aw These cars are I think serious cars in their categories…
Look up the Maremma as well, Gem. Gianni Agnelli drove both that and the woody Szilard mentions. Wish I owned Fiat.
Thanks Don it’s another beautiful Italian car I never knew about
Nice shots, Don, That 130 Coupe especially is a stunner, I look forward to hearing more about yours. And Alfa Romeo next week! As it starts to cool down on this side of the world and a lot of the interesting cars get tucked away, it’ll be nice to see what you folks down under have to show off during your summer…
I wonder if ’61 Chryslers were inspired by the Fiat 8V….
Also a small correction : the Vignale Samantha was based on the Fiat 125, not the 128.
Or this:
John Blatchley, paragon of good and discrete taste, was responsible for those headlights. Trying to get the article on him written before the end of the year.
Personal taste of mine: this RR is the nicest among all RR’s…
Thanks for the correction on the Samantha, M.B. Not sure about the 61 Chryslers being influenced by Fiat, but both were engaged with Ghia at the time.
Same 1100 4-door, next to the 130 had been a kind of playground to me in my early childhood as a neighbour of ours kept one for daily use in the garage and another sat on his yard for spareparts. We kids used to play inside that sparepart 1100. In that period my dad had been a proud owner of a newer (and bigger) 1300 (Milletrecento) 4-door sedan. While a few years later he had been replaced it to a 128 4-door as well as his employer company sourced the biggest and most luxurious 132 4-door sedan. Then few more years later he got rid of the 128 and has bought a Fiat 124 sibling a bit more luxurious Lada 1600 ccm with lots of chrome on the outside. After few Yugos finally he could never took off from Fiat so dad’s latest car is a Punto Mk2B. Nice Fiats enjoyable article.
By the way I almost forget: the Fiat Argenta the successor of the 132…
Not the start of the rot, but the clearest indication. This one sits forlorn over here.
Is that Argenta sits somewhere in Britain maybe?
No Szilard, it sits in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
That exhaust tells me it doesn’t get around much.
Ahhh…it’s too far away…for this car… I mean from the aspect of eventual transportation in case of buying… But it’s quite intiguing for me… This body colour fits amazingly this probably ~1982-1983 Argenta Mk1… I’m still crawling around Argentas since those times and the first ever car had been almost a LHD Argenta like this that I’d looked at in Germany… But as it is usual for this type, the floor panel looked like a sieve… To find one with a reliable chassis and eventually with an automatic transmission it seems (ummm) like an impracticable job…as I checked few others to buy through the decades… Anyway thanks for posting these few more pictures from different angles. Seems to me that this Aussie variant has its original paintjob… I like the RHD… It would be a real rarity in this combination in Europe 🙂
Is it an automatic Don?
Ah ! A circa 1980 Fiat 132 4 door sedan. Yes, very nice car, and pretty luxurious.
I made a hell-ride in one, about 30 years ago. As a passenger. A classmate had his dad’s Fiat 132 (silver metallic, 4 round head lights, 2.0 liter gasoline engine) and because it was raining he offered me and a friend a ride to the bus station, a few miles from our school.
Good idea !…First we almost ran over an old man on a bicycle, obviously the man was not amused….then we were slipping and sliding througout the city during rush hour, at high speeds, like we were in some sort of Ronin car chase….rev it baby ! At the station he entered the parking lot of the buses like a mad man, pulled the hand brake, the fast Fiat (damn it was fast !) sliding sidewards to a group of people. We hit the sidewalk pretty hard and we came to a rather abrupt stop. Obviously the group of people was not amused…. “Did you feel that ?”, our chauffeur said, “aquaplaning !”….
Right.
I remember a family trip to Italy in 78. Dad borrowed my uncle’s 500 and packed mum, me and my brother in for a trip to the beach. On the way, he swerved to miss a massive pothole in the road and ends up collecting a guy on a motorcycle. No damage all round thank goodness.
You see, you don’t need a minivan to pack a whole family. If it had been a big and heavy car you’re dad may have fully hit the pothole, killed the biker, and ending up with massive dents in the family car all around. It proves that tiny cars were already very safe back then.
I also had avesome rides both with the 132 and the Argenta. My dad’s former company car had been the latest one before the Argenta. Few years and approximately a million kilometres (!!!) later they sourced an Argenta Mk2 which served the management till a fatal crash. Everybody had survived it with minor injuries as the Argenta fell down into a gulch stoped by a tree… Just like in the action movies… One of dad’s colleagues celebrates his 2nd birthday every year by that misadventurous occassion and blesses Fiat Argenta… As until the time of that ominous accident Argenta was discontinued by Fiat, they’ve replaced it in hurry to a momently available Renault 25 V6…
Our road cycling sports club also kept a 2 Litre 132 as a touring car…
I can also include as rarities the polish 125P and yugoslavia made 125PZ into my “big-Fiat” experiences as well the 124 alike luxury Lada 1600… Powerful and fast gas guzzlers in today’s terms…
I almost forget…my last ride in 132 was a “cambio automatico” version… It was damn fast either! The maestro from the workshop who kept it as it was for sale toldme that the transmission is/was sourced from GM…
The Fiat Dino Spyder – as you no doubt witnessed, it is even more beautiful in person than in photos. Believe it or not, I saw one and talked to its owner about two weeks ago, outside of the town hardware store. It was a dark red, almost burgundy, and beautifully restored. The owner said that he had done a lot of mechanical work himself to get it back on the road, which made the car/owner combination even more great. Of course, I had left my phone at home during the 2 block walk to the hardware store and therefore did not get a photo.
Thanks, that’s some collection of special Fiats you’ve got here ! Several loyal Fiat owners among my relatives, basically since the early seventies.
My brother’s first car was a lime green Fiat 127 with a 1,050 cc engine. A screaming little go-kart.
A dark red unkempt Dino ragtop overtook me on Alexander Pde in Fitzroy many moons ago, the only one Ive ever seen, Awesome collection of Fiats there are quite a few left in Aussie, Theres a guy who Targa races a 500 Abarth here in NZ its quite a sight at full noise but 500s are getting rarer here there is a local who vacuums them up and exports them to the US of all places, I’ll wait patiently for the Alfas I dont see very many here.
That must have been a very enjoyable show in such a nice setting with all those rare Fiats! I did not know the reason behind the 8V name. Thanks for the pics and info Don.
wow, great cc! i love fiats but didn’t know about most of these until now. i can’t be the only one who thought ’64 baracuda when they saw the 2300 coupe:
http://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/146491-500-0.jpg?rev=2
A very different face 8V, at the Classic & European show in Calgary few years ago:
Ah, the Supersonic.
Yes, 2010’s feature was the “jet age”, and several Alfa BATs showed up. Bit off topic, but here’s one of the strangest Alfas I’d ever seen.
No way you’re off topic. This is what these threads are for. Willment Ghia 427 Cobra below. When you say several BATs, do you mean the 5/7/9 trio?
Memory is playing tricks on me. Searched the archives of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Calgary, and didn’t find the 5/7/9 BATs. But did find the “supersonics” together. You may enjoy gallery from 2010, as the Moretti 850 is first up.
http://www.vsccc.ca/gallery/ECCM2010/index.html
Prettiest car at Calgary show 2010, a Moretti 850, beautifully restored by owner. Stock 850 engine, perfect cafe latte paint.
Hmmmm… Peter you’ve got me going. These Morettis are my favourite Fiat derivatives and I’ve never seen one in the flesh.
Here’s the front view for you. No need for grill, but otherwise very similar to Fiat Dino Spyder.
There were a few of these with minor body variations. As a coupe I think it’s closer to the Dino GT than the Fiat. Pininfarina tried putting a roof on the Spider, both as a fastback (below) and as a close-coupled coupe. Neither as pretty as this Moretti.
Agree that Moretti coupe looks more like Dino GT. I just meant that the front fender contour reminds me of the Fiat Spider, minus a grille. Had never seen photo of Spider with fixed roof, thank you!
Hanging on my living room wall- Dino prototype advert from an old Quattoruote magazine.
I would give my wife and kids away for a Moretti!
Of these cars, the 130 coupe is the only one I’ve seen in person…along with “garden varieties” of the Autobianchi and 600.
The 130 was nearly brand new, seen on a Navy deployment in 1971-72. Up close, it was/IS quite impressive. A recent multi car test by 1 of the British classic car magazines declared the 130 a bit of a letdown to drive….think Italian idea of a 70s Ford Thunderbird and you get the idea. But it’s the only car here I would want to own.
Build issues aside, the 130 suffered two main shortcomings. Underpowered and wind noise at speed. It actually held the road quite nicely though.
Don – Como Park is about 1 km from where I work and a beautiful spot it is.
To all our northern friends, Melbourne is home to many wonderful classics of all shapes, sizes and origins. The climate is relatively warm and dry. No snow (no salt), no sea spray. However, old car interiors need to be kept out of the summer sun and red cars can go “chalky”.
There’s almost a “silent army” of classic car enthusiasts and their professional supporters tucked away all over the city. There’s a Citroen specialist in Fairfield, a Lancia specialist in Carlton, a Lotus restorer out in the Basin at the foot of the Dandenong ranges, independent Porsche shops just about everywhere – and hundreds of others. It would be great to do a map of city’s classic garages (hmmmm… keep that idea for another day – the research would be fun).
There is also a very good club registration scheme in this part of the world. It helps to keep many classics on the road. Like flowers, they’re coming out now with the spring sunshine.
The same as others responding here, I think the Fiat 130 to be a most beautiful car. There’s one currently for sale in NSW but your comments confirm my fears about the reality of owning one. That’s one thrill i am willing to enjoy vicariously.
I look forward to the next installment.
Good to meet another local, Ghillie. If you’re inclined to do some writing for CC, would love to read it. Cheers.
I didn’t know about the park, and I have been maybe 1 km from it as it is on the route we use to go to Elsternwick.
Spot on Ghillie on all accounts (although I dunno about the shops). My beloved E34 525i DOHC is 2-3 years away from the club permit. There’s a guy in my suburb with a 560SEL on a CP.
If you need any 130 seriously and a lil’ bit closer sources, You can check around the ads in the Netherlands and Italy… Just a suggestion…
That’s a nice collection to show us!
Fiat are dear to our family almost as much as Renault. After the local BMW/Renault dealer turned BMW only dealer my dad found himself looking for an alternative: Fiat Uno. He had 2 of them and followed up with a Punto.
Before all that there was a couple living in our rental flat. They owned a Fiat 850 Coupe.
I also admired the 500 and 600 Abarth at the annual Autoslalom (auto-x) and hill climbs. The 500 was the loudest engine ever.
Thanks Don, some pretty superlative cars amongst that bunch! I’ve been to that show a few years ago, so I am expecting an Alfa Giulia wagon and a Montreal at least (bonus points for green or brown!). It has been a much longer time ago that I visited Como House itself, one of the oldest houses existing in Melbourne (1847) but I remember that it was pretty impressive. I’ve never seen a Fiat 8V that I can recall. There is/was a French car show too, not sure if it is still running.
One part of me thinks you’re going to be disappointed with the Alfas. The other part hopes you might overlook my omissions.
There’s talk of subdividing the Como House grounds because they can’t make enough money. Unlike Ripponlea, Como House is surrounded by tight-sphinctered Toorak residents who object to any serious commercial activity there – like for example a nice restaurant that would suit the location to a T.
Sorry for the late reply Don. I’m not worried about being disappointed, your commentary on the cars is entertaining whether they are rare or not, I was just thinking of the ‘usual suspects’ that I see around. Perhaps I should be hoping for an ‘other makes’ report? (Maserati, Ferrari, Lancia etc)
I’ve got a curbside Montreal I’ll share with you next week. As for the other marques… Hehehe.
Thanks for putting this here Don. It would have been a waste to leave it in the cohort.
Bring on the Alfas.
A Fiat 125S was my my first car- bought from my parents and it was their first new car back in 1970.
Not the prettiest design to come out of Turin, but it served us well for over a decade. It must also be the only Fiat to be exported to New Guinea, shipped to the UK, driven as far east as Yugoslavia & back to the UK, all with RHD & on New Guinea number plates.
Then shipped back to Australia when we returned here in 1971.
And for some odd reason, the New Guinea speced 125S had steel wheels & no tacho.
Got all ‘S’ specific body moulds & the 5 speed though.
My 4 wheel discs were the envy of my friends back in 1978. They were lucky to discs on the front- and most didn’t have that ‘luxury’
I think my dad regretted trading his 125 on a 131. His was a rich dark blue non-S. Not pretty, but certainly not ugly. IIRC your S had a different grille and taillights.
Great article, Don. I recognise quite a few of the cars, while there are many classics in Melbourne a more limited number consistently make the show rounds. That said, I never get tired of the Fiat Dino Coupe with questionable interior trim. Your shots convey the climate accurately at showtime…heat with glare. I wish they hadn’t removed the trees along the western side. Looking forward to the Alfa follow up. Like many here I’m in love with the idea of the sharp suited, velour trimmed 130 coupe. While I’m quite mad I’ve never had the money when a half decent one has appeared. I’m acquainted with a former engineer who ran one when new and damaged a guard. The car was laid up for months while the incorrect part was sent twice. On the third try Italy discovered a racking issue at the warehouse where the label took precedence over the reality in the mind of the picker. The rest of the ownership experience was at about that level. But hey, they’re beautiful – all is forgiven. As an aside, have you seen the white with red leather 130 sedan in the wild? Last seen in Coburg at the top of Nicholson st about 3 years ago, looks like they started with a set of MB 108 doors and went from there. Yes. I’d like to own it too.
I have not seen a 130 saloon in so long. Seriously. Used to see them at about a 1:1 ratio with the coupes. Will keep my eyes peeled for that one. Have you seen the black 130 coupe?
They’re putting in a stepped seating arrangement on the hill above the car display park as we speak.
Sadly, no black coupe sighted. Usually blue, white or silver. I have seen one in the most inappropriate hue of hearing aid beige – that deserves some sort of prize. Tiered seating on the embankment sounds ominous…next there will be a surface on which no cars will be allowed. Yay Stonnington! I like that venue. Last year’s All Japan Day managed to almost fill both levels with automotive goodness. Hope it lasts. You’ll have photos of the All French Days too. Am I right? No pressure. By next week is fine.
No. Italian only, but more than two instalments hence the title. All Japanese sounds muy appealing (actually so does All French); I don’t go looking for these shows but pop into the Fiat day because Dad’s mechanics remind him. The other Italian marque day I just chanced upon. Stay tuned.
Amazing collection of cars, Don!
The Fiat universe is such a rewarding rabbit hole to dive into for a car geek. There’s just so much to take in, and it seemingly never ends. I’d like to consider myself pretty well-versed in all the obscure Italian Fiat derivatives, but I have to confess I’d never heard of Lombardi prior to this. Some further reading revealed that a few of them actually made it to the U.S.A., where they gained the dubious distinction of being the first casualty of federal emission testing: https://web.archive.org/web/20020607092539/http://sportscarmarket.com/mp/0011-etc.php
The Vignale 124 ‘Eveline’ I was vaguely familiar with, but I never really took a good look at one. I like it a lot, but I agree there is quite a bit of awkwardness in that extended tail section. Some kind of compromise would have been more sensible, but I admire them for being so committed to its lovely and dramatic roof. Of course, I’m also a huge fan of Vignale’s Tatra body from this era, which has some similarities. It’s amazing that the fairly pedestrian 1.2l OHV guts are under the hood when so many hotter options were available, but that actually seems fitting, in a way, for this car.
I’m gonna stop myself there, because I can’t get over how much cool stuff is here and I’ll just babble on forever. Really wish I could go to a car show like this!!
Thanks for the kind words, Sean. Your mention of the Vignale Tatra filled a gap for me. I’ve been lurking in the Wayne Kady article looking at the Seville mockup and drawings that Paul and Carmine posted feeling a sense of familiarity about them. And now you’ve given me the bingo moment.
Thanks so much for sharing Don! I’ve loved the 130 ever since I saw one in a book about twenty years ago. All the others are great too, but I think that 2300S is my favorite.
Looking forward to part two.
A beautiful assortment. That FIAT Dino Spyder is a stunner.
Also, at first glance, the Eveline looked a bit to me like Jensen Interceptor. I wondered if Vignale was the connection, but the Interceptor wasn’t actually styled by Vignale, but only built by them.
Great post / rerun.