An interview with Phil Ward. owner and Editor of Auto Italia magazine
By Pete Vack
All photos courtesy Auto Italia
For orders and all general questions email: josie@gingerbeerpromotions.com
Latest issue of Auto Italia
Ward is a hands-on editor who loves to drive the cars he writes about, and travels to Italy to feature both the great classics and the latest cars as well. U.K. based, Auto Italia is sometimes hard to find on the newsstand in the U.S. there is now subscription sale for U.S. readers.
We recently conducted a brief interview with this busy editor/owner.
Tell us bit about Auto Italia.
Auto Italia magazine is the World’s foremost specialist publication to celebrate the excellence of Italian automotive design and engineering. Created in 1995, Auto Italia is essential reading for the owner, collector and enthusiast who is passionate about Italy and its motoring heritage.
The features are written by talented international writers who all own Italian cars and have backgrounds in engineering, motor racing or photography. Their writing skills are influenced by their combined hands-on experience of the cars they describe.
Auto Italia is exciting every month, and many back issues are still available.
How did you get into the hobby?
The combination of a career in the RAF as a photographer, the enthusiasm for Italian cars and the ability to write about them. What was a passionate interest evolved into a career.
Favorite experiences for Ward include testing a 512S, 512M, BBLM and 312P on a private test track.
What cars have you owned and what are your favorites?
Numerous Fiat 124 Coupes and several long term 124 Spiders. Lancia Beta HPE, Coupe and Delta. Several Fiat Coupe 20v Turbos. Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf and 146. Several petrol and diesel Alfa 156s. Favorite 1971 Fiat Moretti 1000 Sportiva.
With his Fiat Moretti 1000 Sportiva.
Italian cars are special, but can you give us your opinion of why?
Every Italian car has elements of style and performance, to a greater or lesser degree. They make you feel special.
Co-driving a Ferrari 500 Mondial on the Mille Miglia was another unforgettable experience.
Auto Italia is able to deal with both old and new Italian cars. How do moderns compare with the classics? What do you drive on a daily basis?
The classics have a purity of style and personality. Some modern cars have been diluted according to corporate requirements while others, like Ferrari, are at the pinnacle of engineering development and expertise. I’m currently running a Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo and 156 2.5 V6.
Ride in a Ferrari 288 Evoluzione on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
What are some of your favorite experiences over the years as editor of Auto Italia?
A few in addtion to those in the photos:
Driving out of the factory gate at Maranello in any new Ferrari.
Driving a Ferrari 458 Speciale in an Italian hill climb.
Featuring a Ferrari P3/4 at Spa.
Ride with Peter Cox in a GT1 Lamborghini Murcielago at the Salzburgring.
Ride in a Ferrari 330 LMB and 250 LM on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Ride with Michele Alboreto at Monza
Driving a Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo at Mugello.
Night passenger ride at Balocco circuit with 12 Alfa Romeo 4Cs driven Italian test drivers.
What are you present and future plans, both for yourself and Auto Italia?
I hope pass on the ownership of Auto Italia soon and become a consultant to the publication. Auto Italia continues to be enjoyed as a quality product for discerning readers.
Driving a Fiat Zagato 1100Z on the retro Targa Florio.
Phil Ward would like to note that Auto Italia is celebrating its 20th anniversary as the world’s only publication dedicated to Italian cars and is offering some special deals to readers in the USA.
Reduced Subscription Rates for US
We are offering a reduced subscription rate for our readers in the USA.
Instead of the regular £78 we can now provide a 12 issue subscription for just £70. This is a significant saving so why not take advantage of the offer, which will only run for a limited period.
These offers are not available on our website so email us for details.
Auto Italia 2015 Calendar
The 2015 A3 wall calendar featuring our Art Editor’s photography was posted out with the November 2014 issue as a thank you to all our subscribers. If you are not already a subscriber now is your chance to do so now so you can receive your calendar free of charge. However, while stocks last you can order one without subscribing and they cost £8.95 including postage.
Maserati Special Edition
Our Maserati Centenario special edition covers the development of the marque accompanied by top quality images. Written by Maserati owner, author and music composer Simon Park, the special edition has been produced using high grade materials.
We still have some in stock but once they are all gone the print run will not be repeated. The cover price is just £9.95 plus £3.50 postage to the USA.
For information on how to order items in this email and all general enquires email: josie@gingerbeerpromotions.com
I used to pick Auto Italia up at my local newsstand, until their distributor went out of business last year. Auto Italia sparked my interest in the Abarth 500 long before it was available stateside. GREAT MAGAZINE!
I remember Auto Italiana magazine from being in Modena 1957
and rather sure publisher was Count Johnny Lurani, He really had his
fingers in everything then, also an Anglophile who had his Frazer Nash
winning the Targa back in 1952 I think, A fine gentleman to my mind.
My intro to Lurani was in Monza pits, came roaring up in bright RED 300 SL Mercedes, but then he could drive what ever he wanted to.!
Jim sitz
Oregon USA
I’m glad someone other than myself loves this excellent rag as much as yours truly … Auto Italia is a book of dreams that fortunately comes to Book People Bookstore my neighborhood brick and mortar that host the city’s best magazine rack. Somehow they (Auto Italia writers/editors) manage to make damn near every issue a must have must read right now. Hell I admit it, I live vicariously through Auto Italia magazine.
Regarding the comment about Auto Italiana. There are still some readers who think Auto Italia is related. Auto Italiana began in Turin in 1919 and stopped publishing in 1969 when it was acquired by Editoriale Domus, publishers of Quattroruote.