Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Alfa Romeo and Abarth at the “Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2016” show
october 18, 2016 - Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo and Abarth at the “Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2016” show

Italy's most important classic car show will be held in Padua from October 20 to 23. The Padua show has always been a major attraction for enthusiasts and collectors also in view of the very high number of cars traded.  

 

The 33rd edition of the "Auto e Moto d'Epoca" show will be opening soon. Alfa Romeo and #abarth will attending with a selection of prized classic cars and the newest models from their current line-up: what better way to reassert the unique character of these legendary brands and their #heritage of cars and designers, races and engines that marked the technological progress and the motorsports of the twentieth century.

 

It will be the occasion to introduce www.fcaheritage.com, the new portal entirely dedicated to FCA classic car enthusiasts and owners. The website intends to become the online showcase of the newly established FCA #heritage department and be the go-to place for everyone interested in the history, events and activities revolving around the classic cars of the Italian brands of the group. By associating the "Heritage" logo to the Alfa Romeo Classiche, #fiat Classiche, Lancia Classiche and #abarth Classiche brands, the website is a further expression of FCA's intention to coordinate all activities on the vintage car scene in a synergistic manner without forgoing the peculiarities that characterise the history and traditions of each brand.

The beta version of the website, created as a continuously evolving project and summed up by the claim "Timeless Passion", is about to go live. It will be integrated over time with articles, photos, videos and technical information telling the stories of the legendary people and models that wrote some of the most important pages in Italian and world automotive history. Classic car owners will be involved in the project becoming the protagonists of the articles dedicated to them and the ambassadors of the fledgling FCA #heritage platform.

 

Furthermore, visitors to the website will be invited to sign up for the FCA #heritage Newsletter to keep up to date with the activities and services made available by the various brands, like merchandising inspired by the history of the brands, applying for certificates and using specialised restoration services.

 

Alfa Romeo

The involvement of Alfa Romeo in the Padua #event will revolve around the theme of timeless elegance, that special something that makes all Alfa Romeo models unique and perfectly recognisable still today. Here, timeless elegance is represented by the classic cars that marked the international affirmation of Alfa Romeo in the premium segment from the 1920s to the end of the 1940s. Four authentic gems which exemplify the development of the legendary six-cylinder twin shaft engine across various displacements will be sent to Padua from the Museum in Arese.
The sedan, coupé, faux cabriolet and cabriolet bodies of these cars were made either directly by Alfa Romeo or by famous international coachbuilders. An exhibition is dedicated to these "masters of style" and their relationship with Alfa Romeo at the brand's Museum in Arese. It will be the opportunity to admire the craftsmanship of the great Italian coachbuilders who propelled Alfa Romeo to the pinnacle of aesthetic, aerodynamic and engineering research. The exhibition will close on January 10. For more information: link.

 

By the side of the vintage models, the public will see the new #giulia, the contemporary paradigm of the Alfa Romeo style and of 100% Italian-made excellence, that has just won the coveted "Auto Europa 2017" award. The car on show is equipped with a 2.2-litre diesel engine capable of delivering 180 HP at 3750 rpm and developing a peak torque of 380 Nm at 1750 rpm. Made at the Pratola Serra plant on a line dedicated to Alfa Romeo, this supercharged engine is entirely made of aluminium and its particularities includes next-generation MultiJet II with Injection Rate Shaping (IRS) and 2000 bar working pressure. These features translate into scorching-fast response, top-notch performance and fuel-efficient running at the same time. The most sophisticated driving satisfaction and comfort are also guaranteed by using a balancing countershaft.­

 

In tune with the theme of the show, the model on display will fit the luxury pack created to complement the charm of the #giulia and customise it as required. The pack includes full grain leather seats in four colours (black, beige, tobacco and red), leather upholstered dashboard and door panels, heated front seats electrically adjustable to eight settings, heated steering wheel, real oak or walnut wood inlays on dashboard, central tunnel and door panels, 7" colour instrument panel, chrome-plated exterior window frame and electrically folding door mirrors.

 

A description of the Alfa Romeo vintage cars on display follows: a 6C 1500 Sport (1928), a 6C 1750 Gran Turismo (1929), a 6C 1900 (1933) and a 6C 2500 Freccia d'Oro (1947).

 

6C 1500

Alfa Romeo designed the 6C 1500, with a mid-size engine capable of brilliant performance, inspired by the opportunity to made a cars for that would appeal to the middle class. Based on the 6C 1500 that was introduced in the Milan Motor Show in 1925, the 6C 1500 Sport was equipped with a six-cylinder 1.487-litre engine, double overhead camshafts, valves angled at 90° and hemispherical combustion chambers. Although experimented previously by Alfa, it was the first time that such a sophisticated layout was offered on a standard production car. The solution made the car brilliant and flexible. It delivered a power of 54 HP and touched a top speed of 130 km/h, fact that inspired many owners to use theirs in competitions bolstering its GT reputation.
The car on display is a two-seater cabriolet with folding dicky seat. It was designed by James Young, one of the most active British coachbuilders to work on the Alfa Romeo chassis. The total production of the model amounted to 171 units.

 

6C 1750 Gran Turismo

Fitting the boosted version of the legendary Alfa Romeo engine, it was the outstanding performance, great reliability and simple maintenance that made the 1750 Gran Turismo particularly appreciated by the public. Its 1.752-litre engine featured DOHC timing with direct valve control via a double screwed valve plate. This innovation made it easier to tune tappet clearance. It delivered 55 HP at 4400 rpm and although the 6C 1750 was not designed as a race car it famously took part in major Concours d'Elegance and sports events. It won the third Milano-San Remo race and came eighth in the Mille Miglia in 1931.
Once again, many coachbuilders of international fame picked a chassis (920 were made) for their creations. Thefaux cabriolet body (a coupé with fabric-lined metal roof) of the car on display was made by the Touring workshop in Milan, that a few years later would establish a particularly lively collaboration with Alfa Romeo, which famously also included applying the "Superleggera" (super light) patent.

 

6C 1900 Gran Turismo

Introduced at the Milan Motor Show in 1933, the 6C 1900 picked up the chassis of the last units of the 6C 1750 with box structure frame and lightening holes instead of the traditional rails. The front leaf springs were fitted on the outside of the rails on Silentbloc bushes, while the friction shock absorbers at the rear were adjustable from the driver's seat by means of a hydraulic control. The engine - for the first time with light alloy head - was taken to 1917 cm3 increasing the bore from 65 to 68 mm and taking the stroke to 88 mm. The valve seats were bronze and press-fitted and a valve return spring, an extra segment were added in combination with sturdier connecting rods. The engine delivered 68 HP at 4500 rpm. In 1933, work was picking up in the bodyshop in Alfa Romeo and most of the 197 cars produced had their bodies built directly by Alfa. The car on show is a two-window, all-metal sedan made by Alfa Romeo and designed in collaboration with Carrozzeria Castagna from Milan. Interesting is the rare "Carrozzeria Alfa Romeo" badge on the side.
Many of the changes with respect to 6C 1750 addressed comfort, quiet operation and fuel efficiency making 6C 1900 GT the tuning point away from racing.

 

6C 2500 Freccia d'Oro

Many projects for cars that would be built after the conflict were started during World War II but when production was gradually resumed in 1946 in the plant severely damaged by the bombings it was decided to continue the production of the 1939 6C 2500 as many components were readily available. Then in 1947 came a stylish and sporty, two-door, two-box sedan with all-metal body welded onto the chassis sporting a "Carrozzeria Alfa Romeo" badge: it was the "Freccia d'Oro" (Italian for "Golden Arrow"). Its 2.443-litre straight-6 vertical longitudinal front engine developed 90 HP at 4600 rpm for a top speed of 155 km/h. The gear lever was on the steering wheel. A total of 680 units were made. It underwent a minor restyling in 1949 when the power was upped to 93 HP.

 

Abarth

The new #abarth 124 Rally, accompanied by its 1970s forerunner (the #fiat 124 #abarth Rally Gr. 4) and the new #abarth #124spider, will be displayed on the #abarth stand for the first time at a motor show in Italy. After recently appearing in showrooms across Italy, the new #abarth #124spider guarantees all the thrills and fun that only a real spider can offer. Developed with the Abarth Racing Team, the car perfectly embodies the leading values of the brand with the scorpion badge: performance, expert craftsmanship and technical excellence. Standard equipment on #abarth #124spider includes mechanical self-locking differential, typically found on premium sports cars. The weights are concentrated between the axles and the 1.4-litre, 170 HP engine is installed behind the front axle to guarantee optimal agility and superior driving feel. Sophisticated mechanics and the use of special materials contain the weight to just 1060 kilograms, which results in a weight-to-power ratio of 6.2 kg/HP, the best in its category. Additionally, the suspension of the #abarth #124spider features high double wishbone suspension on the front and a five-arm multi-link on the rear. This calibrated setup is specifically designed to increase cornering and braking stability combined with the sporty calibration of the power steering.
By its side will be the new #abarth 124 Rally, a concentrate of pure technology and performance that marks the brand's comeback to this fascinating and tough motorsport. The new #abarth 124 Rally is a combination of technology and performance born from the experience of the #abarth Racing Team to bring the scorpion badge back to the most glorious and difficult rally races. Concealed beneath the bonnet is the 1.8-litre turbocharged direct injection dual overhead camshaft engine. By exploiting a range of selectable mappings, it can output up to 300 HP at 6500 rpm with optimum torque curve, a key element to ensure balanced steering and acceleration when oversteering. Performance is breathtaking, acceleration is scorching and enhanced by a full, satisfying sound. Even the transmission was designed to enhance performance: the engine is coupled to a snappy six-speed sequential gearbox with shift paddles and traction is assured by the mechanical controlled slip differential.

 

Fiat 124 #abarth Rally Gr.4

Compared to the #fiat 124 Sport Spider from which it derives, the #fiat 124 #abarth Rally Gr.4 benefited from a more powerful engine, fibreglass roof and bonnet, aluminium doors and considerable weight reduction. Tuned by the #abarth Racing Team, the car made its début in the 1972 season and continued racing until 1975, when it was replaced by the 131 #abarth Rally in 1976. Fitted with a 1.756-litre engine delivering 200 HP of power, this car could reach a top speed of 170 km/h according to the final drive ratio. It won the European Rally Championship twice (in 1972 and 1975) and came second in the manufacturers championship for four consecutive seasons (from 1972 to 1975).

 

The attention of #abarth towards classic cars is confirmed by the opening of the Officine #abarth Classiche workshop in Turin last November. The #abarth Classiche Project focuses on several areas, such as the restoration workshop, certifications and organisation of trade shows, meetings and competitions. The success of the project is exceeding the most optimistic expectations. A high number of certifications have been completed and many other collectors are currently on the waiting list. More information on the offered services are available on the website (http://www.abarthclassiche.com).

 

The current line-up and the classic cars will be the stars of the #abarth Day, the 2016 #abarth official meeting on Saturday October 29 that will bring thousands of fans to four European circuits: Silverstone in Great Britain, Nurburgring in Germany, Navarra in Spain and the Tazio Nuvolari track, near Pavia, in Italy.
All four events share the same programme with some local differences, and they will involve the ever growing, 50,000 fans strong "The Scorpionship" community, which you can join for free on the websitescorpionship.abarth.com.