Casa Belvedere First Annual Motori D’Italia Car and Motorbike Show, September 18th, Staten Island

A wonderful selection of new and classic Italian exotic machinery was there to greet those that turned out to support the renovation of Casa Belvedere (House with a Beautiful View), a 100 year old mansion that will be home to an Italian cultural center “showcasing the rich history and culture of Italy”. This Neo-Renaissance Mansion was originally built in 1908 by Louis and Laura Roebling-Stirn, granddaughter of John Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge. It was designated a New York City historic landmark in 2001. Gina and Luciano Rammairone purchased the property in 2008 with the intention of forming a non-profit arts and cultural center and donating the mansion to this organization.

The People’s Choice award went to the oldest car present, the 1925 Lancia Lambda Roadster owned by Don Bosco. This particular car was originally owned by actress Gloria Swanson and titled in California. Swanson loved this car, one of two Lancias she owned and called it her “Black Beauty”.

The Lancia Lambda was one of the most innovative cars of the 1920s with its independent suspension, compact narrow angle V4 engine and load-bearing monocoque body. The beautiful roadster body was designed by Carrozzeria Casaro of Turin. The company operated privately from 1921 to 1930 when it was bought by the famous coachbuilder Pininfarina. Lancia was also represented at the show by local artist Steven Vartanian’s 1966 Lancia Fulvia Berlina 2C.

Alfa Romeo was represented by three classic examples. Second place in the People’s Choice Awards was taken by Victor Malerba’s magnificent 1963 Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale with beautiful red aerodynamic bodywork by Bertone. This was joined by a 1966 Sprint and a Spider Veloce.

More than 20 Ferraris were displayed including a selection of 430s and 360s… Coupes, Spyders, Scuderias, 16Ms and a couple of Challenge Stradales one of which belongs to show organizer Eric Eremita… A sponsor of the event, Ferrari & Maserati of Central New Jersey brought a beautiful blue California Spyder which put a smile on the faces of all who got to sit in it. A striking yellow 550 Maranello was also displayed. Jeff Spezzano brought his immaculate yellow F355 Spyder, a 1996 car.

Among the older Ferraris, my 1988 328 GTS was joined by a brace of 308 GTSs, Joseph and Lisa Dalessio’s immaculately prepared red 308 GTS Quattrovalvole and a black 1983 GTSi. Two 512 Testa Rossas, one belonging to show organizer Matt Ligotti, made an impressive sight. The most popular Ferrari, taking third place in the People’s Choice Awards was Tony Varvara’s beautifully turned out red and black 512 Berlinetta Boxer.

One of the more interesting and unusual Ferraris present was one that was not even built at the factory in Maranello. The 348 GTO was a factory concept that never went into production. Upon hearing of the death of Enzo Ferrari, artist Robert Taylor painted a picture of a Ferrari 275 GTB with Enzo Ferrari reflected in the headlight. On a trip to Italy he called in at the Ferrari factory to give the painting to Ferrari SpA as a tribute to Enzo. In gratitude for the gift, Taylor was given a tour of the factory including the art department. There a drawing of a 348 GTO Concept car caught his attention. This concept, unlike the 288GTO and F40 was never built, but Taylor never forgot about the drawings he had seen in the factory. In 2005 Taylor saw a twin turbocharged 348 for sale on eBay.

After calling Bob Norwood who built the engine, Taylor decided this car would be the perfect base for his 348 GTO Concept project and bought it. From his memory of the Concept drawings and sketches he himself had made in 1988 Robert Taylor set about the task of converting his twin turbo 348 into his own one-off 348 GTO Concept car. The car is now owned by Bill Gucker. Although Ferrari purists may say this is not a REAL Ferrari, it is certainly an exciting car with an interesting history… Who knows, under different circumstances, it might have been the successor to the 288 GTO in place of the F40!

One of my favorite cars on display, Francesco Favale’s 1972 Fiat 500 Lusso with 650cc two cylinder air cooled engine looked better than new with its white paintwork and red racing stripes to match the miniature die cast model displayed on its hood. This was joined in the Fiat section by a gorgeous orange Fiat 124 Sport Spider.