Probably the most appropriate Fiat for Brooklands Italian Car Day. This is billed as a 1905 Fiat with an Isotta Fraschini 250 hp engine. Apparently Fiat drew plans to create record car in 1905 but aborted the effort. The drawings were picked up by Mike Vardy who recreated the monster using a Gar Wood supplied I-F aero engine.
Story and 40 Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Having just returned from the annual Italian Car Day at Brooklands in Surrey (May 2-3 2015) I think they will need to come up with a new cliché to fit the event. It’s still the right crowd but as to crowding, I do not think I have seen the old place so full…Italian cars everywhere. Lamborghini’s under Concordes, Fiat 500s around the Vickers Vanguard, Alfas not just in their main display area but also spilling out along the old banking as well.
Note the chain drive which is an unusual reverse drive set up. Whichever direction, one does not wish to have the chain break at speed, which is limited to 120 mph though no doubt would go faster with a brave man.
I think I have mentioned before but this event is not just about the exotics, of which there are plenty. It’s the stuff you just do not see any more. Immaculate Mk1 Fiat Pandas rub shoulders with 850 Coupes. Fulvias behind a line of Fiat X19s. New Giuliettas next to the original models. Abarths old and new. I felt like a kid in a sweet shop, these were the cars I wanted to own back in the 1980s but could not afford them then, and with certain cars still can’t.
Brooklands is also about aircraft, so you will see some photos of significant WWII aircraft interspersed with the Fiats; we hope you don’t mind. In fact, we’ll begin with a Loch Ness Legend…
Vickers 290 Wellington MK1A N2980 R. 11,461 Vickers Wellingtons were built, 2515 of which were constructed at Brooklands. Only two Wellingtons remain and this is the only Brooklands-built example. First flown on the 16th November 1939 by Vickers chief test Pilot Mutt Summers the aircraft was then issued to 149 Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall. The aircraft took part in the infamous Heligoland Bight raid on the 18th December 1939. 22 Wellingtons took part, 11 returned. During a training flight on the 31st December 1940 she developed engine trouble and the pilot was forced ditched into Loch Ness. All of the crew managed to escape but alas the rear gunner was killed when his parachute failed to deploy. In 1976 a group of American divers searching for the Loch Ness Monster found her and she was finally returned to the surface on the 21st September 1985. After 45 years under the water she had remained in a remarkable state of preservation-even the tail lights worked when connected to a new battery.
The annual Italian car day at Brooklands just seems to make people smile!
To tie in rather nicely with recent editions of VeloceToday, the history(nearly) of the Fiat X19 in one line up.
My friend and I spent most of the day saying “when was the last time you saw on of those”, a lovely early Fiat X19.
Another one of those “when did you last see moments, a better than new Fiat Uno Turbo. In fact I saw two cracking Uno Turbos at the event.
Recalling how badly my Father’s Fiat Strada (Ritmo) rusted there really can not be many left, especially in this condition.
I think our comment upon seeing this very rare Special Edition Fiat Panda 4 X 4 Sisley was blimey!
What a contrast in size… this Mk1 Fiat Panda parked next to its modern brother.
Another rare car especially in right hand drive. Oh how I would like one!
Perhaps with this Dino Spyder parked next to it in my garage (if only I had one!)
This one would do as well.
I’ts rare enough to see a Fiat 850 Coupe let along an early example on wire wheels.
Good job my wife was not with me. Having fallen in love with one at Amelia Island this example may have rekindled that love affair with the Topolino.
Fiat 1200 was a great car but not up to Alfa Spider standards.
Hawker Hurricane MK2A Z2389. Built by Hawkers at nearby Kingston Upon Thames and test flown from either Brooklands or Langley Z2389 was from the 5th production batch of 1000 aircraft built for the RAF. During 1941 she served with 5 RAF Squadrons including the 71st Squadron of American Volunteers “The Eagle Squadron”. One the 21st May 1942 she was shipped to Murmansk were she joined 767 Squadron of the Red Air Force. Alas she was shot down on the 20th June 1942. The remains were discovered 50 years later. The aircraft arrived at Brooklands on the 14th October 1997.
Perhaps not the best colour combination for this Fiat 2300 but another one of those “when did you last see one of those moments.”
This Alfasud was next to me in the queue to get into the event, in front of me was a Ferrari 599 GTO. But I only had eyes for the Sud. It’s that kind of event.
Alfasud Cloverleaf…The forgotten Hot Hatchback.
I think they do this every year, a Fiat 500 next to a Hunter jet aircraft.
It was good to see that Maseratis from the Bi Turbo period are beginning to appear more regularly at shows. Two Shamals and an old London Bus.
The aircraft behind this rather nice Maserati Ghibili is a Hawker Hunter.F51, Another masterpiece from the pen of Sidney Cam. They say If it looks right it will fly right. I think when it comes to the Hunter I think they where right.
A rather nice pairing Mangusta and Pantera.
A pal of mine once said that the Lele reminded him of an old VW Passat Coupe. I like them and this example is a rarer Sport model.
Coming to auction shortly, a 7 litre Iso Grifo, It is a good job I am not quite old enough to empty my pension pot!
Another rare car coming to auction shortly, a right hand drive Iso Fidia.
Abarth Vignale 750 Sperimentali Goccia.
Not as attractive as the old one but great fun to drive.
This rather rapid Fiat 500 had ditched its normal engine for what looked to me to be a mid mounted Alfa Boxer engine.
This Daytona has only cover 20 thousand miles from new and although it has been repainted it has never been restored.
Luigi Chinetti Jr’s one off 330 Shooting brake was Vignale’s last Ferrari design.
Alfa Giulia SS and GTC These two would make a fine sight wen opening your garage door in the morning. The Sprint Speciale is from 1964 and is one of 25 cars converted from new to right hand drive by Ruddspeed. The GTC is from 1966 and is a genuine UK spec right hand drive example..
Yet another rare car, a right hand drive Touring-bodied Flaminia.
Robin and Jonathan Lacey’s right hand drive Lancia Fulvia 1.6HF Fanalone. One of approximately 30 made.
Variety in Italian car buying was the spice of life in the 1960s and 70s. Want to buy a Fulvia? which body would you like sir?
As this Stratos was Italian registered my pal and I decided it was a proper one, not a replica. I hope we were right!
Looking towards the members bridge, Alfa’s blend into the distance, and this is just the overflow display area.
Why is it that the Lancia’s are the most interesting to me? I think the factory coupe Fulvia is their most compelling car, then I think what about the B20,B24 the D50, The Zagato cars. To me a very Jaguar guy , I love this products.
I used to go to this when I had more time. It was always well attended and as you make clear through the great photos, you see some very interesting machinery in the ‘when did I last see one of those’ category.
wot fun to be old and picky–it’s ‘bight,’ not ‘blight.’
Dave, I agree with you entirely. So many fabulous cars. Like you I drive a Jaguar as the family run about but guess what, I have a Fulvia 1600HF which I just love driving. Fell in love with Fulvias over 40 years ago so I bought one then and just haven’t grown out of it yet!
That would be Mutt Summers.
you can find the full rebuild of the red uno turbo above on detailingworld , or just type in uno turbo rebuild in Google , it’s really interesting , so interesting I have started my own uno turbo rebuild , the car I always wanted when I was 17 , finally 25 years on I have one