The sole Bugatti in the wonderful environment of Corvara in Alta Badia.
Story and photos by Alessandro Gerelli
The Coppa d’Oro for historic cars has usually been held at the end of August, but for organizational reasons, it has been moved to mid-July.
The result was gorgeous from the weather point of view, and all the participants enjoyed the wonderful sights of the Dolomites, going from Cortina to Merano and then back to Cortina going up and down through many “Passi Dolomitici”.
Unfortunately the number of participants was also very low (about 50 cars at the start and 40 at the arrival) and also the “quality” if compared with the editions of few years ago. This year there was only one Bugatti, one Ferrari, no Maseratis, a few interesting Alfas and Lancias. There were many English cars on hand.
Of course this is a trend which is common to all the “oldtimer” races, but we enthusiasts feel we are missing the sight of those lovely old cars idled in garages.
A full list of the entrants can be seen here:www.coppadorodelledolomiti.it/
The traditional start in the city center of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Bugatti T37 gets underway.
Bugatti cockpit.
1929 Riley Nine Brooklands.
Lancia Aprilia driven by Canè and Galliani, winners of many Historic Coppa d’Oro and Mille Miglia.
A red but British Lagonda M45 of 1934.
Lagonda cockpit.
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport of 1939 by Touring.
The interior of the Alfa with a rather large gear lever.
Alfa Romeo Sportiva by Bertone of 1954, coming from the Arese Alfa Romeo Museum (now closed, but active in preparing and racing wonderful historic cars).
This year’s winner was this Triumph TR2 of 1955 driven by Mozzi and Biacca.
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint.
Austin Healey 100 BN1.
Triumph TR3.
Lancia Aurelia B24.
1947 Lancia Aprilia Sport with tubular chassis.
An unusual view of the Aprilia at Corvara.
The dashboard of the Aprilia.
1947 Fiat 1100S.
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione.
Cisitalia 202SC.
The engine and the carburetors of the Cisitalia.
Jaguar XK 120.
Alfa 2600 Spider.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale.
Austin Healey Sprite Mk1.
Lancia Flaminia in front of the legendary Hotel de la Poste in Cortina.
Fiat 1500 Spider.
Fiat Topolino spectates.
A nice collection of cars you can drive everyday. And take on a rally on the weekend.
It should be noted that the “red Lagonda” is one of the most famous race cars of all time: BPK 203 is one of two cars prepared by the factory for LeMans in 1934. It’s sister car, BPK 202, actually won the race outright. BPK 203 was campaigned by one of the Bentley Boys, J.D. Benjafield, who placed 13th overall after mechanical problems plagued him throughout the race. Fortunately, the car was properly cared for after 1934, something that most period race cars certainly did not experience. It subsequently received a series of restorations, including a comprehensive one after being shipped to New Zealand in 1996. It can be considered as one of the most desirable British racing cars of the interwar period, or any period for that matter.