Great Italian car thread

[Fantuzzi]

More more fill the thread!

Whats the abarth osella model name? Looks immense.

[Fantuzzi]

Great stuff, actually I looked up what model it was, probably should have done that before asking...thanks for the mini history lesson anyway

I will have to ban that picture of you in a D type replica, firstly because its not Italian, and secondly, its a replica...

Abarth was crazy successful in all prototype classes, the 1300 OT in the 1.3, and the SE 021, PA1, PA2 (ok less so for the PA2). It would be so up Abarth's street to get into LMP2. Lets hope so!

Crikey seems like a wicked day! Definitely will have to go next year, sadly the MR2 needs an mot, service and some new tires.

I'll be rocking some Yoko ADO8R semi semi slicks, that's right, they are half way between a high performance tyre and semi slick. So shall be named semi semi slicks.

Found this today in the Maranello Rosso museum courtesy of ultimatecarpage.com

[Fantuzzi]

Its a 512 BBLM.

New to me too but looks ace! Not sure of its history either.

I've never really been a fan of replicas, I've never had any time for style of substance, I'd rather spend my cash on a Caterham that handled like a 50s racer rather than just have one that looks like it. But if it makes them happy...

I think it would be cost effective if Abarth had a sports car, if I had my way ( here we go...more delusional Fantuzzi musings...) then Abarth would make its main money from 500 abarths, one like yours, so a sporty upgraded 500, then one mad ass bd of a machine with a 2litre in the back, rwd and arches bigger than the western world has ever seen. Then do an elise like sports car, preferable with a cf tub, do two versions, a turismo, with a/c, radio, carpets, then a stripped version for sadists like me! Then I think the LeMan connection would be worth it.

I doubt Abarth will though, if anything it would make sense for Alfa to go into WEC if they are trying to market themselves as a sporting brand. But how much people succumb to race focussed marketing these days is debated, so I doubt Lemans will see a 'red' car for a while, unless Ferrari have a strop in F1 and decide to go and have a go at Porsche. Which might happen.

Iva, I was told about it in another forum, the GTO is worth the trip alone!

[Fantuzzi]

Great pics! The 1750 is a stunner.

I think I'd have the Dino over the Montreal!

[Fantuzzi]

dinkel said:

Fantuzzi said:

Great pics! The 1750 is a stunner.

I think I'd have the Dino over the Montreal!

Never driven either of them. The 33 V8 is legend of course.

I think the Alfa was always seen as a bit of a disappointment in period, quick but not a dynamically capable as the 105 series cars that people adored for their handling. But their is a lot of love for them now, gorgeous cars that sound immense,

Meant to be very quiet, comfy, and a great GT car, still capable in the corners but not up there in that department.

Not sure how the Dino is on the driving side, I don't know much about them!

I think if I had the money for a late 60s/70s classic, I think I'd wither and get a 240z. Or an Elan...

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

I want one of these!!!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJVAhv4wa_g

Maybe that could be the eventual aim for a classic 500 if i bought one?

Haha yeah a full blown 1000cc racer would be ace!

Pretty awesome with 200bhp/tonne!

I've never warmed much to the looks of the TRC, Always felt the 695 SS Assetto Corsa had the hot 500 look so perfect.




I've been thinking about this today, it has around 750bhp/tonne. A La Ferrari has 706.




You will be mine, oh yes, you will be mine.

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Yes the 695 commands mega bucks! Around 20-30k for a good replica. A real one? God knows.

I think 40kish for a real one

jacklewisno1 said:

Theirs a few nice examples on the web for sale. If this link works it shows one of my favs http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C487391

That is awesome, the red looks ace. I think I'd have to have it in black, really mean looking with red Abarth decals.

jacklewisno1 said:

Ahh surely that would have looked better in black with purple Alcantara seats?

You mock, but you know in your heart that Black paint with Purple Alcantara seats is the best combo for any car.



Imagine the leather deep dark purple, in side a black 8c. Its perfect. Id keep the leather in the 8c. Classy...

jacklewisno1 said:

Have you been teaching people how to drive Fantuzzi? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHpAEsqYkUk

They only rally drivers I give tips to are ones named Sebastian, and who are French...


Ive just realised that Alfa is a 33/2 not a 33/3 I was meant to post...



Remedied.

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

You do have a thing for black cars don't you 'Tuzzi. Im more of a red car man myself, hence why i drive a white one and my first car was blue....

Im the same, not a black car yet! The elise must be black check this out, looks gnarly.





I always go after curvy cars, and I find that black suits that shape better than most colours. Plus black just looks mean and rather tasteful.

I was playing on the Abarth website configing a 500, just the standard 135bhp, with black paint and red strip it was a mental price of 16k!

[Fantuzzi]

That's some pretty tasty stuff!

The Sud is rather cool, Id love one if they were cheaper. Very cool.

[Fantuzzi]

dinkels pics are ace as usual! Really awesome stuff. The Abarth 2litres were the only things that rivalled the big block v8s when I was a Silverstone classic!

Sorry Jack didn't get a chance to properly comment.

1) Both the Abarth and its owner is mental. But if we're honest all owners are abit off aren't they...

2)That powder blue abarth with the Orange is brilliant, love it, don't think Im brave enough to spec it myself, but its stunning.

3) Im guessing cooling, or as some form of serious protection

4)Nice close up pics of the grale. Serious want for one.

5) What did you think of the 4c in the metal? Did the sound still disappoint?

6) I really want a black 500 now...

[Fantuzzi]

P5Nij said:

jacklewisno1 said:

As for that red Maser' above, i saw one of those at Stanford too. I think it was the cup version. Ill be honest it looked boxey and rather ugly. Imagine it had a different badge, such as Buick, nobody would look twice.

You're probably right about that, if it weren't for the trident on the grille etc not many folk would know what it was. As we parked up close by my other half asked if it was a Lancia...

Id like a mad ass Ghibli Cup, I just wish it looked like the Shamal...





You can tell PHers have no class, the 312PB thread got only 26 comments!

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Knight, i hope your going to make that x1/9 into an Abarth version like this... http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C454583

Fantuzzi, what a surprise a black car!!!

fk you...



Metallic Green Alfa, there you go

Id love a muscle car Montreal, tune the engine to stupid levels of power and some of those ridiculous drag racing wheels...yummy.

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Fantuzzi said:

fk you...



Metallic Green Alfa, there you go

Id love a muscle car Montreal, tune the engine to stupid levels of power and some of those ridiculous drag racing wheels...yummy.

That picture is a re post from a year ago, is this thread losing its originality?

Is the drag racer something you've seen before or just an idea? It would be interesting to see what it would look like. Did you see the Fiat 126 drag racers at Silverstone last year? Watching them beat the Vipers was hilarious!!

Hey its not my fault, Italians should build better modern cars

It was an idea I had a while ago, all my own. It was when reading how they were aimed at the American market and that they didn't handle as well as expected, but where comfortable as fairly quick.

Looks wise Id keep it standard as possible, but just some rather wide tires on the rear, seriously wide. Maybe enhance the bonnet scoop to allow some more air into the v8.

It would be fun but rather expensive!

No I must have missed the 126!

[Fantuzzi]

dinkel said:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-videos/ferrari-330...

Ferrari 330 P4 clip - this is good.

I was going to post that up myself, Petrolicious have got some bloody brilliant Ferrari racer videos now, 250 GTO 312pb, now this.

I'd love to see how one of the early 70s protoype racers stack up against a more modern track day car like a bac mono, radical, ariel 500 or the like, whether time would tell in the dynamic element or if the cars are as sharp as they look!

[Fantuzzi]

dinkel said:

Check tracktimes - I remember Spa has lists. These 60s and 70s beasts look awfull quick but compared to modern rubber and geometry they don't stand a chance.

I read 2:43 on a wet surface for a - non downforce - Bac Mono.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yEzlvy9pRM

That's Olli in a 500 brake helluvah T70 Mk3B. The 330 at 2:28? Not even with Olli onboard. I will ask Olli what he thinks.

It was more the feel than laptimes I was thinking of, so body control was my main thinking. Modern tyre technology will seem leaps and bounds ahead, so grip wise the older cars will be lacking so I expected laptimes to suffer.

It was more if they would feel as flat and sharp as you'd think, if you jumped out of a radical, atom or 2 11, would they seem soft and roll about compared to the modern machines. I think comparing a 70s prototype to a cf tubbed car might be a bit cruel by me, so I'll ignore the BAC Mono for now.

At first my thoughts have always been if the suspension is all top notch and recently refurbished, then it shouldn't feel that different to modern track day cars given the weights are very similar, but modern tires have so little sidewall compared to the old racers I wonder if the tire shape and sizes would be what ages the experience in terms of body control.

Sadly without having a day at the track with some rather awesome cars I wont know until Ive driven a car of that vintage!

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

That hot rod Montreal you dream't about Tuzzi, would it sound like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md6E_PBCgaM

I was thinking more of a classic Alfa high revving scream...

errek72 said:

Congrats Dinkel

Did anyone mention "Montreal" and "sound" in the same sentence?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXFm166ov-E

Much like this this ^!

I remember seeing that some time ago, awesome sound, looks stunning as well in race trim.

If they were cheaper Id consider one as a everyday classic as they are meant to be a great tourer in period.

[Fantuzzi]

Shame I missed it this year, it was rather fun last year.

[Fantuzzi]

iva cosworth said:

2 of those pics were posted by "dinkel" above on 24th July ....???

He meant to quote dinkel.

[Fantuzzi]

dinkel said:

iva cosworth said:

A Bizzarini at Brands Hatch

That's Roger Wills stunning Iso. Glad to still see it running up and down on the tracks. I first saw the car when it was John Bendalls racer and fell in love with it. Hoping to see it at the Spa 6 hrs. It wasn't succesfull there yet. Maybe this year. 327 Chevy sounds like nothing else.

That is stunning the Buzarinis are just stunning, and that blue is perfect. I think there was a 275 gtb in that colour at a d'elagance some years ago, just blew me away. Such a 'sophisticated' colour. And you are right, the sound of the American engines are stunning, far better than I thought they would be.

More pics dinkel, I have a thing for Mr. Bizzarini!

[Fantuzzi]

I'm afraid you've lost me on the model!