My funny Fiat Barchetta
Discussion
Next event was the Vernasca Silver Flag ,back in Italy ,where all the best events take place.....
Once again I find somewhere to go on the way down.
A small ,actually a little disappointing museum in southern Germany, in Langenburg castle.
That is a unique prototype 914/6 which got no further than this.
Next morning was when things started to go wrong.
I lost 5th gear but as every other gear seemed fine ,I just carried on ,just a little bit slower.
I arrived in Castel D' Arquato ,where the Vernasca is based to find.....
A UK reg ,silver Barchetta parked in the main square.
I got there early ,these 2 were some of the first arrivals ,it soon filled up.
Abarth OT with periscopico.
Serenissima.
Start of the runs ,from the above named town up to Vernasca ,it's only 10 KMs.
This is all the cars returning to the paddock car park for lunch ,ready for the afternoon run.
Long and Short nose Abarth Bialberos.
Same goes for the rears.
Once again I find somewhere to go on the way down.
A small ,actually a little disappointing museum in southern Germany, in Langenburg castle.
That is a unique prototype 914/6 which got no further than this.
Next morning was when things started to go wrong.
I lost 5th gear but as every other gear seemed fine ,I just carried on ,just a little bit slower.
I arrived in Castel D' Arquato ,where the Vernasca is based to find.....
A UK reg ,silver Barchetta parked in the main square.
I got there early ,these 2 were some of the first arrivals ,it soon filled up.
Abarth OT with periscopico.
Serenissima.
Start of the runs ,from the above named town up to Vernasca ,it's only 10 KMs.
This is all the cars returning to the paddock car park for lunch ,ready for the afternoon run.
Long and Short nose Abarth Bialberos.
Same goes for the rears.
I carried on with a partially broken gearbox and even went on the next trip with it still a gear short.
My 4th visit to the Eifel Historic Rallye festival.
You will not find more group B ,and S rally cars anywhere else.
It's based in Daun ,only a few miles from the Ring ,so an easy journey from Calais.
This is the shakedown stage.
twin engine Golf.
The pics I took the next day on the first stage are no good so that's it.
817 miles on this one.
My 4th visit to the Eifel Historic Rallye festival.
You will not find more group B ,and S rally cars anywhere else.
It's based in Daun ,only a few miles from the Ring ,so an easy journey from Calais.
This is the shakedown stage.
twin engine Golf.
The pics I took the next day on the first stage are no good so that's it.
817 miles on this one.
Before the next event I had the gearbox replaced ,at considerable cost ....
But seeing as I wouldn't be able to find a good car for less than 3 or 4K ,spending more than 1K on repairs makes sense.
Just about.....
Next trip ,back to Italy....
Only thing was ,the throttle cable snapped on the A12.
That's the A12 at Imst ,Austria ,not the road between Romford and Suffolk.
3 days wasted in Austria waiting for a cable and a fix and I missed all the events planned but I went down to Italy anyway
as returning to Calais 3 days early was pointless too.
Weather on October 29th in Italy was hurricane like ,made the news headlines as the coast of Liguria got a right bashing.
Car got wet inside ,all the seals couldn't cope with that rain lashing down.
I got 1 whole day in Italy ,so had a little drive around locally and nosied round this dam.
This village is "underneath " the dam.
I will never get bored of the lovely views of the Dolomites as you head back up to Brennero and Austria.
But seeing as I wouldn't be able to find a good car for less than 3 or 4K ,spending more than 1K on repairs makes sense.
Just about.....
Next trip ,back to Italy....
Only thing was ,the throttle cable snapped on the A12.
That's the A12 at Imst ,Austria ,not the road between Romford and Suffolk.
3 days wasted in Austria waiting for a cable and a fix and I missed all the events planned but I went down to Italy anyway
as returning to Calais 3 days early was pointless too.
Weather on October 29th in Italy was hurricane like ,made the news headlines as the coast of Liguria got a right bashing.
Car got wet inside ,all the seals couldn't cope with that rain lashing down.
I got 1 whole day in Italy ,so had a little drive around locally and nosied round this dam.
This village is "underneath " the dam.
I will never get bored of the lovely views of the Dolomites as you head back up to Brennero and Austria.
Pericoloso said:
Sorry I never answered your question from March.
I live in Surrey ,Italy is my dream home.
Apologies too, I never answered yours from June! Whereabouts in Surrey? I was in Redhill for many years before moving to Old Coulsdon.I live in Surrey ,Italy is my dream home.
My wife has just looked over my shoulder, she of the silver and red interior and burgundy roof Barchetta Riviera, and told me to administer severe admonishment to you because your wheels should be silver and the roof burgundy! Hers continues to run like a top but is now put away for the winter.
Keep the adventures coming, always enjoy the read. If you ever come this far south do make contact in advance.
anomaly said:
I love hearing about your trips, and the barchetta. I had one years ago and really loved it including some European trips. I must say though that it is an interesting choice for so many long trips, does it not get a bit buzzy and tiring at high speed for hours on end?
Thanks for the reply,I don't drive it as often with the roof down as I used to and I don't have a wind deflector,I'm just very comfortable driving this car for insane distances ,roof up or down.And reply to Mike tf......I'm in Banstead ,so very close to the 2 places you lived in......
I have just one more set of pics to conclude this year's summary.
When I was at Autoworld the first time ,in the entrance there was a poster and leaflets for Interclassics at Brussels Expo
and it just happened to be over the weekend when the Pegasos above were on extended stay at the museum ,so a day trip to 2
events just 20 minutes apart was a no brainer ,especially as the return ferry price was 29 pounds.
I've never paid so little for a return fare ,I could have paid 27 but the cheapest crossing was the wrong time.
I said 20 minutes ,as that is what maps said it should take to either cross the city or use the longer route round the ring road but
I get lost almost every time I venture into foreign cities.
But I got there in only about 40 minutes.
Just like the one I owned but a lot nicer....^^^^
A show wouldn't be complete without at least one barnfind.
One for the cars I've never heard of thread
All 3 generations
of
Ford GT ,assuming the first is original and not a replica /kit car.
and it just happened to be over the weekend when the Pegasos above were on extended stay at the museum ,so a day trip to 2
events just 20 minutes apart was a no brainer ,especially as the return ferry price was 29 pounds.
I've never paid so little for a return fare ,I could have paid 27 but the cheapest crossing was the wrong time.
I said 20 minutes ,as that is what maps said it should take to either cross the city or use the longer route round the ring road but
I get lost almost every time I venture into foreign cities.
But I got there in only about 40 minutes.
Just like the one I owned but a lot nicer....^^^^
A show wouldn't be complete without at least one barnfind.
One for the cars I've never heard of thread
All 3 generations
of
Ford GT ,assuming the first is original and not a replica /kit car.
The drawn with no curves whatsoever Subaru Brat pickup.
FIAT Shellettte beach car
With complete interior in whicker.
Artega..^^^^
Bizzarini P538
When I spotted this ,I thought it was a Venturi ,it's a late De Tomaso Pantera.
Monteverdi
Pagoda looks a bit incongruous prepared for endurance rallies.
FIAT124 ,not a Lada.
Zagato double bubble.....before...
and after.
So ,after banging on for over 5 years about the most reliable FIAT in the world ,this year it broke and cost a small
fortune to fix and then broke down too ,costing less but spoiling a road trip and wasting time and money.
I'm already planning trips for 2019 ,some to the same places as 2018 and some new ones I've read about and fancy attending.
I've also mentioned a few times that I need to give up these long trips and maybe the shorter ones too.
Both me and the car are getting old and increased legislation prevents older cars from entering many cities around
Europe ,or you need to pay an ecotax to enter.
I'm not even sure I am allowed to drive into London in this anymore ,not that I want to.
Here's to a safe and good driving year ahead......
And not think about the "I'm not driving an unsafe classic car anymore" thread
fortune to fix and then broke down too ,costing less but spoiling a road trip and wasting time and money.
I'm already planning trips for 2019 ,some to the same places as 2018 and some new ones I've read about and fancy attending.
I've also mentioned a few times that I need to give up these long trips and maybe the shorter ones too.
Both me and the car are getting old and increased legislation prevents older cars from entering many cities around
Europe ,or you need to pay an ecotax to enter.
I'm not even sure I am allowed to drive into London in this anymore ,not that I want to.
Here's to a safe and good driving year ahead......
And not think about the "I'm not driving an unsafe classic car anymore" thread
Early start to 2019 road trips with a day trip to Interclassics ,Maastricht ,sister show to the same named one in Brussels in
November.
Just a few fave pics.
Very old FIAT racecar.
Not so old FIAT rally car stradale version.
Articulated Ape ,bet that is slow !
Special display of Lancias was good.
Total trip miles.....584.
November.
Just a few fave pics.
Very old FIAT racecar.
Not so old FIAT rally car stradale version.
Articulated Ape ,bet that is slow !
Special display of Lancias was good.
Total trip miles.....584.
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