Great Italian car thread
Discussion
jacklewisno1 said:
Fair one but i still prefer the Quattroporte, its a purpose built 4 door as appose to a coupe thats been stretched a bit. Plus does it not share the same engine anyway?
The Granturismo was designed to be a GT car from the start, to be a more comfortable and useable, cheaper, db9, xkr, rival, from the start, then it got more power sharper dynamics in S form, then they Made it even better with the MC stradale but forgot the rear seats which was the whole bloody point of the car, then they put them back in.Maserati not making a proper sport car had nothing to do with Ferrari being dicks in the Fiat group...jacklewisno1 said:
Wrong wheel drive yes, but its supposed to be one of the best wrong wheel drive cars ever. As for the engine in the wrong place, well i like front engined cars. Sure mid engined provides better balance but that doesn't mean front engined is bad.
Reading your post makes me realise ive never driven a rear wheel drive car, shock horror! Ive driven some 4wd though, the most desirable of which was an Audi R8. A great drive but the flappy paddle shift wasn't to my liking.
No front engine cars aren't bad, (cough) if youre in 1954 (cough) Reading your post makes me realise ive never driven a rear wheel drive car, shock horror! Ive driven some 4wd though, the most desirable of which was an Audi R8. A great drive but the flappy paddle shift wasn't to my liking.
. I don't think Ill go back to a front engine car as my 'fun' car though, really love the balance of the mid engine layout, not too worried about drifting around too much so the extra grip is rather fun.When did you drive an R8, was it a track day? Those things must be rather monstrous in the wet, mid engined, 4wd, fat tires, awesome for winter honing, but not Italian so we'll stay of those.
Rear wheel drive is rather good, the MR2 was the first rwd car I drove, Im not going to be drifting in the dry, too much grip and not enough BHP, only 140 of them, but there is a 'clarity' to the way the car drives that is noticeable in a rwd car.
Perhaps you could join me in the Mid engined, RWD club with this?
Meant to be rather great fun, reviews at the time were raving.
Yeah the MR2's boot is rather comical, with the spare tyre in it its, um, pretty useless. Oh no its not actually its good for storing the hardtop cover...
Ah the joys of impracticality. But I don't have any friends or things to carry any more so that's a plus with the MR2.
Yeah the MR2 MK1 and X1/9 are pretty similar, both can be picked up for 2-2,500 so pretty cheap fun actually.
Here's some un-cheap fun.
Blue exhausts are awesome. Very awesome.
Ah the joys of impracticality. But I don't have any friends or things to carry any more so that's a plus with the MR2.
Yeah the MR2 MK1 and X1/9 are pretty similar, both can be picked up for 2-2,500 so pretty cheap fun actually.
Here's some un-cheap fun.
Blue exhausts are awesome. Very awesome.
What the Quattros fabled return, perhaps lancia Should, ok Ferrari, let this (below) happen? There is an excellent letter to Octane about the stranglehold of Ferrari on the FIAT group by the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vfCHikAIN4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vfCHikAIN4
jacklewisno1 said:
Fantuzzi said:
What the Quattros fabled return, perhaps lancia Should, ok Ferrari, let this (below) happen? There is an excellent letter to Octane about the stranglehold of Ferrari on the FIAT group by the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vfCHikAIN4
Yes, i love that prototype. I think they got the looks just right, its not too futuristic like some of the other prototypes. And like the original having a Ferrari engine it obviously sounds fantastic!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vfCHikAIN4
Yeah rather good looking car, light (ish) would have been a good halo car, for lancia in Europe, They could have done a sportier looking , is it eylipson?, might have got the brand looking a little sweeter than just rebodied 500s.
I really don't know why Ferrari are so cruel it cant be sales, they could sell the cars at a really high price and real low numbers, wouldn't touch Ferrari.
Its just Ferrari couldn't stand to make a car that would be better than its own cars. Perhaps they think its 'bad for the brand'...
jacklewisno1 said:
Not bored of the thread, im just trapped abroad for a while and have little internet access. So reply's will be slower im afraid.
I think you may be right on the last point...
Shame really. And even if it did damage their sales all the money ends up in the same pot anyway doesn't it?
You anywhere nice, weather is hardly great around, here, well a least the MR2 is in the garage getting done while its blowing like mad, not exactly honing weather!I think you may be right on the last point...
Fantuzzi said:
Its just Ferrari couldn't stand to make a car that would be better than its own cars. Perhaps they think its 'bad for the brand'...
I remember when the prototype came out figures around the £500,000 mark were being banded about. It would have been nice to see it at about £150k or so. Just so their would be a chance of seeing one on the road.Shame really. And even if it did damage their sales all the money ends up in the same pot anyway doesn't it?
I think it must just be same of Ferrari ego, they would hate for a review to say it was loads better than anything they have done, just look at the 8c, it should have been sorted by the chaps at Dallara, who know a thing or two about chassis given they make F3 cars, yet it was cut short, I'm surprised they even let the MC12 race!
Never really been a fan of Mr Enzo, nor many of Ferrari's tactics, in all honesty if one good thing comes of the economic crisis (which has hit Italy's car market big time), is if FIAT were forced to sell off Alfa or Lancia.
Let some car nut billionaire by it and even if they only do a handful of expensive supercars, like noble say, at least they will have revived some the brands qualities. Instead of turning 2 names that are so important in the history of motorsport into nothing more than half arsed hatchback producers.
Ferrari, as you say would loose nothing, Fiat would gain money and lancia would gain credibility. God they could even make a new Lancia out of the 4c tub, shove a v8 in that and go GT3 RS hunting, or they could make a more useable sub 100k mark supercar/sports car and go for the r8/911/vantage area.
Really no excuse from FIAT, they have lots of old Ferrari parts and tech to use and copy and what with the 4c tub, they have a great chassis to base small sports cars on.
jacklewisno1 said:
Fantuzzi said:
You anywhere nice, weather is hardly great around, here, well a least the MR2 is in the garage getting done while its blowing like mad, not exactly honing weather!
Just down the road from Dubai, its a scorching 40 degrees over here!Speaking of which i went to the Mall of Dubai yesterday. Some of the cars parked outside were amazing as you can imagine. But for the record i saw a Quattraporte GTS parked next to a Gran Turismo (really i did) and the GTS is the better looking car. Thats now scientific fact. There were also Aventadors and the like there too.
Fantuzzi said:
Let some car nut billionaire by it and even if they only do a handful of expensive supercars, like noble say, at least they will have revived some the brands qualities. Instead of turning 2 names that are so important in the history of motorsport into nothing more than half arsed hatchback producers.
Agreed, The Giulietta was a real disappointment after the 159 and the Brera. Although the 4c is putting them slightly back on track now. The type of people who bough an 8c were probably also wealthy enough to have a Ferrari too. So quite why they held back its potential seems strange.
I trust you read the article on the Zander Abarth. They must have been reading our Romeo Ferrari's bit.
Yeah the Zander Abarth is pretty cool, they are just stealing all of our interesting topics of conversation! Seems FIAT are content with just doing pricier version of the SS than making something different or interesting, but I suppose Abarth have their own formula series, as well as the rally 500 and the 500 assetto corse, so they are doing some pretty cool things inkeeping with Abarth history.
Ferrari will kill off any cool Italian supercars that aren't from Lambo, Maserati have been w
ed out now the to compete with the Germans, Alfa have been trodden down already, just think of how many people have mentioned that the Alfa badge has no appeal on the 4C - Alfa Romeo the people who won Lemans, the WTCC, the world sports car championship. Lancia are dead, RIP. The said thing is that even if our wishes come true and FIAT sell Maserati or Alfa, or Lancia their names will need to be re-associated with their great past in motorsport and sports car before they will be seen as anything special again. Alfa should be in the role of a BMW,Audi,Merc, Jag competitor already, but FIAT f
ked that up, so now the name of Maserati is been used to adorn luxury saloons...Enough moaning, I'll just save up and start a car company based in Italy my self, fancy a secretary job?
jacklewisno1 said:
Fantuzzi said:
You in Dubai for business or pleasure? Glad you are enjoying some car spotting somewhere hot, I'm freezing back in the UK.
Business would be the closest description i suppose, however im trying to fit a bit of fun in here and there where i can.jacklewisno1 said:
You can have a custom Abarth, built by Abarth themselves. I think they called it the 'Fouriserie' program. Although im not entirely sure of the details. The only pic i found was of a horrible blue and yellow Abarth which is supposed to be in the Olio Fiat livery of old rally cars. It doesn't work for me though.
Ahh I didn't know that wil have to have a look at that.Fantuzzi said:
Enough moaning, I'll just save up and start a car company based in Italy my self, fancy a secretary job?
jacklewisno1 said:
I think id prefer the role of test driver ta! Plus if i worked there we may end up arguing about whether or not it would be front or mid engined 
Well, I suppose we'll have to make 2 cars...
Lancia Flaminia supersport Zagato, stunning GT car.
jacklewisno1 said:
I wish i was! I'd be driving around in that Lancia above, and maybe own the company too. Im in the Military, im just out here for a few weeks.
Ah I see.jacklewisno1 said:
Yes a front engined V8 Grand tourer and a mid engined V12 hypercar please.
I'll email you the concept art...jacklewisno1 said:
Its a lovely Lancia you posted there. One Lancia i have a soft spot for is the Fulvia. Their not too expensive either when compared to some of the other classics out there.
This one is going pretty cheap.. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C380746
Or this race prepared example for a bit more.. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C276641
Some people spend more than that on a Kitchen. Christ when you think of the cost of some caravans i dont understand why more people dont put their money on classic cars.
The Fulvia's are meant to be rather awesome, pretty cheap as you've said, a lot of car for money!This one is going pretty cheap.. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C380746
Or this race prepared example for a bit more.. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C276641
Some people spend more than that on a Kitchen. Christ when you think of the cost of some caravans i dont understand why more people dont put their money on classic cars.
I think if I had the money a classic/future classic would be a great idea, perhaps even something like a 911 2.7 RS, something I can tear arse around in but, when the price goes mental in 20 years I not too attached to sell it and miss out on some serious money!
Although I'm sure after driving a 2.7 RS, I might change my mind...
Back to Italy, back to the 30s
jacklewisno1 said:
Fantuzzi said:
The Fulvia's are meant to be rather awesome, pretty cheap as you've said, a lot of car for money!
I think if I had the money a classic/future classic would be a great idea, perhaps even something like a 911 2.7 RS, something I can tear arse around in but, when the price goes mental in 20 years I not too attached to sell it and miss out on some serious money!
Although I'm sure after driving a 2.7 RS, I might change my mind...
Back to Italy, back to the 30s
How much do 2.7 rs fetch these days? Im a fan of old 911's. but once you start getting into the late 90's i lose interest. Having said that the new GT3 looks immense. I think if I had the money a classic/future classic would be a great idea, perhaps even something like a 911 2.7 RS, something I can tear arse around in but, when the price goes mental in 20 years I not too attached to sell it and miss out on some serious money!
Although I'm sure after driving a 2.7 RS, I might change my mind...
Back to Italy, back to the 30s
What do you think of the new 4c? Having seen the Chris Harris video im already trying to work out how long i will have to wait before it becomes affordable. Im guessing i might have to wait a while though
Watching some video's on youtube it seems to sound like my Abarth, which is no bad thing. Im assuming it must have a straight through exhaust. Im starting to get over the headlights now too.Unfortunately im unable to see you picture
4C....Love it, at first when it came out I was pissed off, I though it was just another MiTo squashed 8C lookalike, but now Ive changed my mind. The exhaust is straight through I think from what Ive read, and from all the reviews it is meant to be stunning, should win on the driving front against the cayman, no doubt loose on the refinement, but hopefully claw back some points on mpgs/tax etc.
Perhaps I'm perverse but with the turbo and paddles, supple ride, low tax band, and good mpgs. I think it would be an awesome everyday car. Well, for a lonely bachelor like me. And then when its of an evening or weekend take out your tipo 33/3 that you've just bought for 400k from RM auctions...(Sadly I haven't...)
I'm not sure about prices, but I'm sure finance/bank loan could be an option (if you really cant wait), one thing though Jack, buy it in black it looks insane in black.
And I think I even LIKE the headlights now...well when its the cf ones and the car is in black.
The pic is of an old Alfa 6c, imagine Jeeves and Wooster on a track day...
Are you still in Arabia? (I know its not called that anymore but it sounds loads better) Are you out there, not sure of the right phrase for this, but in combat? Or is it something a little safer. Make sure you take some artsy photos of scorpions to photo shop red and yellow for when you get home. Although perhaps annoying deathstalkers inst the best thing to do...
Got the gearbox done on the MR2, which is good, although I have no money for petrol, which is bad, and there is a funny rattle from what I think is the exhaust, which is really annoying in sat at I-have-no-money speeds of 62mph on the m5 for 2hrs...
Oh and what was a meant to be a load of my mind with a mate letting me use his garage turned out to be a massive pain as the garage frame was super tight and the other car in the garage meant I had no way of getting in at that angle, sadly I found that out too late as, what I thought was rubber of the door frame gently rubbing my drivers door and front arch, was cold, hard, cruel metal. Im not normal this crap.
So nice scratches to go with the rattle and lack of hooning.
- Sigh*
Edited by Fantuzzi on Saturday 28th September 23:47
jacklewisno1 said:
Yes 911 rear arches are rather nice. The singer 911 has the rear arches to end all arches. However i think that is even more than a 911 RS price wise. Ive seen replica RS' go for around 50k if your looking to save money. I know what you mean about electric steering though. Mine has a strange artificial feel to it. Its deliberately heavy which is strange for such a light car.
I'd love to have a drive round in the new GT3, i reckon it could make the perfect track car.
When i was a wee lad my influences were the film Le Mans and a Stirling Moss documentary my dad recorded off channel 4. As such my favourite car was the Porsche 917 and the Vanwall. My heroes were of course McQueen and Moss.
I'd love to have a drive round in the new GT3, i reckon it could make the perfect track car.
When i was a wee lad my influences were the film Le Mans and a Stirling Moss documentary my dad recorded off channel 4. As such my favourite car was the Porsche 917 and the Vanwall. My heroes were of course McQueen and Moss.
I think my main car influences came more I essence rather than anything in particular, a friend of the family used to rally cars, massive petrolhead, he owned various sports car business', so when I was there, the cars were always super low and sporty, so that's why I like being able to touch the road from the drivers seat without too much trouble, sign of a good car...
I remember being at school at about 7-8 and the dads talking about BMW's think it was an M3 or something, and thinking how dull it was compared to the Ferraris, 911s, maseratis, that I was used to seeing as 'sporty' cars!
Singers are around 300-500k.
jacklewisno1 said:
Supposedly its not particularly comfortable with its hard seats, so im not sure about using it as an everyday car. Although driving an MR2 maybe you'd find it more familiar. Im sure i'd get used to it though, it would certainly be worth it.
Ive never been a finance man, i prefer to save up and buy outright. Hence why it's so unaffordable! Maybe there Mx5 collaboration could represent better value though if that ever happens
.
Ahh, forgot about the seats, but then my brother hates the MR2's seats, I love them. I must be weird I found my fathers Rover 75's seats crap, I think I must have a bucket seat back...Ive never been a finance man, i prefer to save up and buy outright. Hence why it's so unaffordable! Maybe there Mx5 collaboration could represent better value though if that ever happens
.
The Alfa Spider should be good, not sure about estimated price yet.
You could always get a 60s Guilia for 15-20k, buy a Junior, take of the chrome bumpers and you've got a GTA corsa looking car!
http://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/alfa-romeo/gt-...
jacklewisno1 said:
Ahh a beautiful car, i believe ive seen one in the flesh at some point too. The idea of Jeeves and Wooster on a track day sounds like a good episode too.
That was a great show, always had some great cars in it.jacklewisno1 said:
Im in no danger at all here, if anything its dull out here. Unfortunately i haven't seen any scorpions as yet, just lizards. Although i did see a Ferrari 355 today, which was nice..
That's good. 355's are better than IEDs...although it was hardly close...jacklewisno1 said:
Ahh nasty, scratching ones car is painful. So easy to do and yet so pricey to fix. I did a similar thing with my first 500, however i rubbed it against a Vauxhall Astra. £500 to get both cars fixed Nice to hear gearbox is up and running though, as soon as you deal with one problem another always arrives
Luckily my dad thinks he can sort it, still a pain, will have to lay under the car and have a bang around see whats up. Nice to hear gearbox is up and running though, as soon as you deal with one problem another always arrives - Sigh*
Mum and brother have been taking the piss all weekend, still wont let me forget hitting a badger that ran out in front of me 3 years ago, the 'banter' never ends...
jacklewisno1 said:
Unfortunaley (or fortunaley maybe) ill be back in blighty by then, so will be unable to watch it in person. Im sure it will be shown on motors tv though.
Yeah hopefully it'll be on tv, will need to keep an eye out for spa classic on there as well.jacklewisno1 said:
Nice Alfa there. My dad and i often talkd about getting one of those, but its never happened because he doesnt really look after his cars. It will no doubt just fall apart under his ownership.
How about this one for an obscure car?
Holy smokes Batman! Looks very 50s concept car, similar to the looks of the B.A.T Alfa.How about this one for an obscure car?
I've been in a group B frame of mind, therefore a Lancia frame of mind...
Obviously that's the Group A delta, but don't you think its funny the Delta S4 stradale gets so little attention compared to the Intergrale? Seems like people don't care as much about it, perhaps its because it looks a little weird looking. Although according to wiki the Grp B s4 could hit 100km from standing, on gravel, in 2secs.
I never knew Lancia employed Wizards to design their rally cars.
Oh I found out where the rattle was coming from, heat shield as I thought, one of the plastic screw things was loose.
jacklewisno1 said:
Its a Abarth 1500 Biposto Bertone B.A.T 1 Concept '52. Designed by Bertone, B.A.T standing for Berlinetta Aerodinamica Technica. I think this was the forerunner to the Alfa you were talking about. Only one was ever made. Wish i had one.
I see, yeah the 'B.A.T' cars were pretty cool, cool acronym as well...jacklewisno1 said:
As for the Lancia i can only assume that the fact you could buy a Intergrale for yourself added some sort of extra appeal to it. It does look good in the Martini colours too. I can believe those stats about the S4 though, heres some footage just to reaffirm it....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARvesNfkXAs
Or this video from 3:30 shows nice on board footage. It gave me happy feelings.
Yeah perhaps it was that is was far less rare than the S4 stradale, while having a lot of the same appeal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARvesNfkXAs
Or this video from 3:30 shows nice on board footage. It gave me happy feelings.
Edited by jacklewisno1 on Friday 4th October 06:42
The video you posted was only 2mins long so I'm guessing you've forgot to link the onbaord one, which I was excited about. But the S4 is just demonic, mentally quick, you can just see the mad, mad grip.
jacklewisno1 said:
Yeah pretty cool stuff the noises are great lots of strange puffs and whines! The WRC hasn't really recovered from Group B, people just don't have the love for it any more, I was never really a massive rally fan, and was a little young for the Colin McRae era hype, but it seems a lot of the fans have lost interest.There was a discussion in general gassing on the topic of the VW WRC victory which seemed to say that.Shame the Rally GT never got off the ground, which I think was going to use current GT4 rules or loosely based on them. It was going to be for sports cars with RWD, so V8Vantage, Cayman, evora etc. Would have brought back some interest.
Not sure if Ive posted this, its the Cooper Maserati F1 car,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1KfPVy-10E
Heres some sounds...2.30 is just Maserati v12
Edited by Fantuzzi on Saturday 5th October 16:24
iva cosworth said:
Just had a re read of my thread from earlier this year.
Don't know if all here saw it at the time,it's not all Italian cars but mostly.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Yeah I remember it, some great pics, sounded like a great trip!Don't know if all here saw it at the time,it's not all Italian cars but mostly.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Some that I liked, a lot.
Such a cool car in black.
Black Ferraris, the only colour for the prancing horse.
Love the A6, looks so purposeful head on.
Very cool giulietta variant, cant remember the name though....damn.
Such a pretty car, such an awful colour!
Great pics, I wasn't aware of the Italian day, but even if I had, its bit too far and I'm a bit too skint for the trip!
The Abarths are rather cool, pretty much how the modern sports car should become, super light, super small engine, like lotus elise s1's with Twin air engines!is That a 1000 gt/ Bialbero? Cracking little cars, same power/weight ratio as a Modern elise, although last year one sold for 110,000 euros, some go for 3 times that!
Also that shamal looks great, apart from the wheels...
Your Barchetta is looking rather good, even in such esteemed company!
The Abarths are rather cool, pretty much how the modern sports car should become, super light, super small engine, like lotus elise s1's with Twin air engines!is That a 1000 gt/ Bialbero? Cracking little cars, same power/weight ratio as a Modern elise, although last year one sold for 110,000 euros, some go for 3 times that!
Also that shamal looks great, apart from the wheels...
Your Barchetta is looking rather good, even in such esteemed company!
iva cosworth said:
Fantuzzi said:
Great pics, I wasn't aware of the Italian day, but even if I had, its bit too far and I'm a bit too skint for the trip!
The Abarths are rather cool, pretty much how the modern sports car should become, super light, super small engine, like lotus elise s1's with Twin air engines!is That a 1000 gt/ Bialbero? Cracking little cars, same power/weight ratio as a Modern elise, although last year one sold for 110,000 euros, some go for 3 times that!
Also that shamal looks great, apart from the wheels...
Your Barchetta is looking rather good, even in such esteemed company!
I was well pleased to get that parking spot,next to one of the nicest cars there that day.The Abarths are rather cool, pretty much how the modern sports car should become, super light, super small engine, like lotus elise s1's with Twin air engines!is That a 1000 gt/ Bialbero? Cracking little cars, same power/weight ratio as a Modern elise, although last year one sold for 110,000 euros, some go for 3 times that!
Also that shamal looks great, apart from the wheels...
Your Barchetta is looking rather good, even in such esteemed company!
jacklewisno1 said:
Ahh many nice cars there! Of course the Abarth is my fave That 250 looked gawjus too.
Good news for me today as i finally got the squeaky exhaust fixed (well the mechanic did}. Plus they didnt charge anything, joy.
Hows the MR2 fairing?
Indeed nice pics iva, keep them up! That 250 looked gawjus too.Good news for me today as i finally got the squeaky exhaust fixed (well the mechanic did}. Plus they didnt charge anything, joy.
Hows the MR2 fairing?
Are you back in the U.K now, I'm guessing you are given you've got your squeaky exhaust done!
The Mr2 is great at the moment, got the rattle, it was the heat shield plastic bolt that wasn't in the hole, so was moving and tapping the metal, making the rather annoying noise!
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