Abarth Osella PA1 owned and driven by Grant Tromans of Monte Carlo.
Story and photos by Roberto Motta
“58th Coppa Intereuropa Autostoriche”
On June 4-6th the “58th Coppa Intereuropa Autostoriche” was held at the historic circuit of Monza. The “Intereurope Cup” is the main Italian event for historic cars and this year had competition events for over 350 racing cars: From Tourism classes to Formula 1 and sports prototype, the Autostoriche featured the cars of the classes that participated in the classic “1000 km of Monza”. In addition, the weekend had parades, rallies, shows and a marketplace, all strictly reserved for cars that wrote the racing history.
This year, the event celebrated the Alfa Romeo Centenary, and we remind the reader that the Alfa Romeo was founded in Milan the June 24, 1910. In addition to presenting the new Giulietta, the car that represents the future of the marque, Alfa Romeo formally participated in the event and brought some jewels that have shaped the history of Alfa Romeo. The famous “Scuderia del Portello” led over a hundred Alfa Romeos out to the track for parade laps.
Among the many choices, we decided to show to the reader some pictures from the “Italian Historic Car Cup”. This championship is reserved for the Italian Grand Touring, and Italian Sport and Sport Prototypes built before 1974. The class attracts some cars with indisputable historical value.
Among the most admired cars was the Alfa Romeo 33/3 owned by the Italian-American collector Joe Nastasi, and the 33/2 long tail. This car, chassis number 0034, was wheeled by Ignazio Giunti-Nanni at Le Mans during the 1968 season, and ended the competition in 4th position overall.
Between the Ferraris there were three interesting 365GTB/4 Daytonas. These cars were not all true ‘GTB/4competizione’ but constructed as official conversions by permission of Ferrrari. For example the car number 45, was built by Ecurie Francorchamps in 1975 on a 1973 GTB/4; this car ran at Le Mans in 1975 and finished in 12th position overall and 6th in the GTS class.
Also we liked the very fast Abarth-Osella PA1, this car was born as an Abarth-Osella in 1972, and became Abarth-Osella PA-1 for the 1973 season. PA-1 means Prototipo Alberto 1 (Alberto Guerrato was a technician who worked for many years in the Abarth factory, and Enzo Osella wanted remember him on the occasion of his death). Martin Stretton’s fast Abarth-Osella PA-1 was able to tame the most powerful Ferrari 512 S driven by Carlos Monteverde during ‘gara 1’, when the PA-1 registered also the best lap at 172.087 km per hour.
March Alfa 90CA-003 Unveiled to the Public
The March-Alfa Romeo 90CA-003 as reported on recently in VeloceToday was presented for the first time in public after its rebuilding at the “58th Coppa Intereuropa Autostoriche” event.
At the moment the 90CA-003 is ready for its shake down run, but there are still some bureaucratic problems regarding compliance with the current Italian laws on noise pollution.
The 90CA-003 will be presented again during the Alfa Romeo festival to be held on 24 June at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese
From the right, the owner (Dydo Monguzzi), the driver (Bruno Giacomelli) and a guest discuss the special display of the March Alfa.
How's this for starters...
Wolf Zweifler's Maserati 200 SI is caught between the Roschmann Alfa and Noblet
Carlos Monteverdi handles the Ferrari 512 S around Monza.
Joe Nastasi from the U.S. again competes in Europe with his 33TT3.
Another of the rare Abarth Osella PA1 was in the hands of Brit Martin Stretton.
Verbeek gets in the way of a charging Grant Tromans in the Abarth Osella.
275GTB driven by Manuel and Diogo Ferrao of Portugal.
Known only as Mr. John B, the driver of this Daytona made sure he was seen if not known.
Another Ferrari, the 275GTB of Larry Kinch came down from GB to participate in the series.
Ferrari Daytona, driven by Paul Verbeeck for Escelsior Renstal.
A Cooper Maserati T61 came from the UK in the hands of Michael O'Shea.
Domink and Dieter Roschmann brought this beautiful long tail Alfa T33/2 Daytona.
Carl Voegele and Scuderia Del Viadotto entered this Maserati T61.
Greg Noblet from France and his Ferrari 275GTB.
David Clark, UK, in the Alfa GTZ1 ran in the GT2 class.