Marazzato display AGIP
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Following last year’s sort of dry run visit to the Auto e Moto d’Epoca show at its new location in Bologna I think I have pretty much got it down pat now.
Cheap flight (Is there such a thing these days) to Bologna, catch the new monorail to Bologna Central station (7 minutes travel time), hotel near the station (found an excellent one, but do not want to tell you the name in case you all book it and I end up not being able to get in!), then catch the 35 bus straight to the event and at the end of the day catch the 35 bus back; you should see the size of the taxi queue each evening! To aid your visit to the show the organizers have laid out four paths you can follow: Car path which covers over 5000 cars for sale spread over 6 halls, The World of Classics which covers clubs and historic registers, car makers, museums and collectors, Spare parts, 2 halls stuffed with parts dealers, and Motorbikes path, 15,000 Square metres covering the world of classic motor cycles.
So what to expect. Lots and lots of cars, mainly Italian, lots of spare parts, expensive watches, they even had boats and trucks on display. Plenty of excellent lunch options from the various street food vendors. The mortadella is something else. Not too crowded (but we went on working days) and you will certainly get your steps in, our average step count 16,000. The show is good for your health but bad for the wallet if you are in the market for a car or a part because you are sure to find something you fancy, or need. We attended for a day and a half but could have done with a further day such is the size and breath of the show.
1967 Lancia Esagamma 520. The tanker on top is a Lancia 3ro
From the ‘Fondazione Marazzato’ collection, 1959 Fiat 682 N2 petrol tanker.
From the ‘Circolo Italiano Camion Storici’ display, 1947 Alfa Romeo 430.
More from the ‘Circolo Italiano Camion Storici’ display, a 1931 Fiat 634N.
I believe this to be a Lancia 3ro.
Fiat 643N from circa 1963
A mid-60s Fiat 65ON
A dive into the internet makes me believe this coach to be a Fiat 343 with coachwork by Orlandi.
From the ‘Marazzoto Foundation, a 1960 Lancia Beta 190 flat bed truck, .
…and on the back, a 1936 Lancia Augusta
Fresh from transporting a group of lucky enthusiasts from Germany to the show, a 1949 Fiat 625 Coach.
Dating I believe from the mid-1950s, a Romeo T10 Mini Bus.
I understand this to be a Fiat 600 Multipla Coriasco Pickup.
1968 Molinari Livio three-point hydroplane. Powered by an Alfa Romeo Alfetta 2000cc motor.
1969 Molinari Eugenio three-point hydroplane powered by a Lancia Flaminia 2500cc V6.
It is amazing what you find for sale at the show! You would need a bigger man cave if you bought this lot.
Who remembers 8 tracks? And Mussolini’s speeches on vinyl?!
One of the themes of the show was a celebration of 125 years of Fiat.
I was particularly drawn to the artefacts drawn from the company archives.
A variety of Fiat tins.
Fiat oil burns better.
Posters
Please don’t sing.
We arrived one day after Bologna flooded, traffic was a snarl. It’s worth noting that the big Fiat 634N truck ran just fine and had a wonderful history.
Everything noted about the taxi line is true and then some. We walked back to our hotel, about 2.4 km.
My wife and I arrived on Thursday. Took a city bus #101 down to check out the old location of the OSCA Factory. I believe the cost was 6 Euros, best deal of the weekend.
We booked a room at the SAVHotel in March, so we were in walking distance of the venue. The hotel was one of the few that would book that early.
I was most fortunate to find parts for my Fiat based 1100 car that I mostly likely would have never found online. It was well worth the trip. It was interesting toting a full wiring harness back home on the airplane.