This Topolino is an Italian-built 1948 A series side-valve engined car which was restored around 10 years ago by Ray Gallagher of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
By Vince Johnson
La Dolce Vita, South Oz style
South Australia’s Italian community enjoyed the centuries-old tradition of a final celebration before Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of Lent with the “Carnevale Festival” on February 7 and 8. Held this year at the Adelaide Showgrounds, locals shared in La Dolce Vita with regional food, drink, music, fashion and cultural festivities.
Italians do many things better than most and especially cars and bikes. The Fiat 500 Club of SA presentation included James Abery’s 1949 Topolino, an Australian delivered car with original right hand drive. Athos Vagnarelli brought his 1960 Giardiniera. Among the other Bambini were Larry Dichiera’s green 1960 500F, Rino Rossi’s suicide-door 500 in blue and Dieter Howshield’s Autobianchi 500 Bianchina.
On a similar scale, but only half the wheels, was the Vespa Club of South Australia display. With a few more horsepower, the Ducati Owners Club exhibited singles and twins from the sixties onwards.
Australia holds its annual Concours and this year 21 entries lined up for the judges. Adelaide’s Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Fiat distributor, Prestige Formula, had the new models from their showroom on display but it was Gary Savis’s 36 year old 246 Dino GTS which scored highest, winning the Master’s class with 442 points from Mark Steven’s 430 Spyder (424 points). This class consists of cars that won Masters, Best Overall or 2nd Best Overall the previous year and they stay in the class for two years, or longer if they continue winning.
State President Frank Russo’s 575M F1 took out the Best overall and Best 12 cylinder (440 points) with Domenic Tallarida’s 355 F1 Second overall, and Best 355, on 417 points. Best V8 2+2 was Pat Rechichi’s 308GT4 (404.5). The President’s Encouragement Award was awarded to Allan Carli’s Mondial QV (361 points).
Prestige Fiat dealer displayed the New 500 with racing stripes.
Gary Savis displayed his 1973 246GTS.
Impressive tool display helped Savis win the Master’s class with 442 points.
Athos Vagnarelli brought his 1960 Giardiniera.
Rear view of the Athos Vagnarelli 1960 Giardiniera.
James Abery’s 1949 Topolino.
Rear view of the 1948 Topolino. Some Topolinos were imported post WW2 by the then distributor in Western Australia minus bodywork, due to tax advantages, and bodied in Australia but this car came into Australia with its Italian bodywork.
Ducati Owners Club brought a variety of bikes.
The Vespa club of South Australia also attended the event.
Do you have a contact address for the Vespa Club of South Australia?