The way to go.
Story and photos by Luc van Dobben
Photos courtesy Berend van Straten and Luc van Dobben
It all started during a little Lancia outing to Zandvoort, some 20 miles from our place, while during a coffee break my friend Berend van Straten mentioned that he would like us to drive around in Italy with our two Appias.
It all began with coffee at Zandvoort, a short way from our home in the Netherlands.
A dream he shared with me was to drive his Appia around in the country where it was built. He told me that to keep cost down it would be better to go together. Our destination would be to arrive near Breganze, a city we know well, in a beautiful part of Italy. Both of us are deeply into Italian cars, motorcycles and the country itself. We both know enough of the Italian language enough to go around there without too many problems. But how to take two Appias to Italy without driving them to our destination was the challenge.
And we thought and thought…
A short while later he came by and said he had looked at some options for this venture. As he and his wife Mariska were not able to take a long vacation, transport by trailer was an something to look into. A search started for a trailer and van to haul and a proper place to stay to make the most of it.
A tandem trailer seemed to be the solution. Load up both Lancias and make the trip from the Netherlands to Italy in one vehicle, in this this case a VW Crafter.
We needed to rent a van with a suitable trailer, not exceeding a total weight of 3500 kg because otherwise you need a truck license. We found a semi lightweight trailer and a Volkswagen Crafter that fit the bill, not nearby, but available when we wanted to go. As we went by highways, the 50ft combination went well but at arrival in Italy gave some trouble.
Duration of the trip was two weeks with 4 days travel. We started the trip early in the morning, driving to our first stop near Ulm in Germany. The hotel we booked had ample space for our combination, nice rooms and an outstanding breakfast. We could park the 50 ft combination at the rear of the hotel and had a wonderful German dinner in, of all places, Schnitzel Paradise.
In Germany. We could park the longish combination at the rear of the hotel and had a wonderful German dinner.
The following day we arrived in Breganze and went up to the apartments located in a small village nearby. The owners had informed us that there was plenty of space but turning right onto the road we had to follow, we got stuck on a lamppost. Backing up was a big problem so we uncoupled the trailer and drove a few miles around to end up in front of the trailer, fetched it to the car again and found half a mile up the road a way to turn around. We approached our apartments via another road and decided to unload nearby and drive the Appias to the place we rented. The owner was sorry that she hadn’t understood how big the combination was, but as we had to park the trailer in a proper place she called her brother who took us to his company’s premises where we could park the trailer behind a fence. Problem solved.
Next day trip to Breganze in Italy went well and we had two nice B&B apartments in Fare Vicentino, almost between the grapes. Cars were parked inside to our relief, as in this region it can hail golf balls without proper warning.
The apartments were nicely fitted and the cars could be parked inside. We were glad we could because in this region sudden hailstorms can dimple the roof of your car like a golf ball in a jiffy. From our apartments we made small and larger trips every day, mostly starting in the central place in Breganze with a proper espresso. We toured Marostica with a very large palace, Vicenza an old beautiful town, where one can walk for hours just to enjoy the sights, and Bassano di Grappa with a Grappa Museum including a glass blown distillery and many different Grappas to taste.
Covered bridge in Bassano di Grappa which also has a grappa museum with a small hand blown glass still and many more to see and taste.
Bassano has a very old covered wooden pontoon bridge which dates back to 1569. It was destroyed several times, including during WW II, but rebuilt on each occasion. The bridge crosses a river on the old road to Vicenza. We also found near the bridge a 9 meter long, 5 ton stainless steel sculpture of a rhino made by Taiwanese artist Shih-Li-jen. A story goes that long ago a rhino was shipped to Bassano but the boat sank. The rhino was recovered and a drawing was made of it which seems to be at Palazzo Sturm.
Stainless Steel Rhino in Bassano.
Our link to Breganze is Laverda, a well-known agricultural machine builder who also built mopeds and many small and larger motorcycles in the past. Laverda had several wins in the Milan Taranto race with 100cc sports and later many wins in 750cc endurance racers. I owned several types of Laverdas including a 1000cc which I rode to many countries to follow Moto GPs, including a trip to the centennial at the Isle of Man. At the moment Berend rides a 750 SF and is restoring a 1967 Laverda 100 sports which I previously owned.
At the old Laverda factory in Breganze. Half the city worked there. I met the old director Massimo Laverda several times before he died some years ago.
A trip was also made to Asolo, an old beautiful village up the mountains worth your while, including the climbing streets. All in all a very welcoming trip including the famous Italian wining and dining. In Breganze word was spread about that crazy Dutchman who roamed the streets with old Lancias. When at a gas station with high octane petrol we were followed by the owner of an Aurelia B24 who stopped to have a chat, and when visiting a restaurant the day after we were also recognized as the Lancia men and after dinner invited by the owner to have a look at his bike collection. Many thumbs up and blowing of horns when passing by. Yes, in Italy they make you feel their love for cars. The four of us ran a smooth team, the girls were spoiled and had a lot of fun together. Another time, why not.
More photos in tandem…
Luc and Berend unloading.
Appias unchained. Luc’s is the second series while Berend owns a third series Appia. Nice pair.
Two Lancias let loose in Italy
On the road again.
Luc and Carla in their Appia.
Carla van Dobben and Mariska van Straten enjoying the trip.
Most of the time narrow roads and no place to stop to take a picture but Mariska and Carla found one pull off and enjoy the views.
A group photo in an Italian grape yard.
After 57 years, Luc and Carla are still having fun.
Luc’s hat. The grille on the hat comes from an old damaged Burago scale model.
For much more about Luc, Berend, and Lancias, see below
Stunning cars, and what a cool trip. Congrats.
That is true motoring passion??
Very envious.
Bravo!!! Next adventure the Laverdas in Italy??
Great trip, two lovely cars. But I must ask why trailer the cars to Italy? There must be great touring between your homes and Italy. I have travelled 270,000 km in my Appia 3 to all parts of this large country to attend various rallies or to visit family in other states and found the journey to and back at least half the fun.
Love the hat – where did it come from? Mark Guinther, Appia 2d Series.
Hi Luc, My wife and I would like to do a similar trip to the same area. I have a Giulietta TI but the cost and logistics of shipping from NZ and back is prohibitive. We would like to plan a trip next May, base in the same town and maybe purchase a reasonably priced Alfa/Fiat/Lancia for sightseeing. Have you got any tips or contacts you can share. Thanks.