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!