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Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

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Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

With an area of ​​around 115.000 square meters, around 1.600 exhibitors and over 5.000 automobiles and motorcycles offered for sale, the "Auto e Moto d'Epoca" in the northern Italian city of Padua is one of the most important classic car fairs in Europe. Around 20 visitors are expected next weekend (October 23-2022, 130.000). Stellantis Heritage is participating in the show with a large stand that will showcase six classics from different eras and from different brands, as well as a new model making its world debut. Stellantis Heritage dates back to a department created in 2015 whose mission is to safeguard the legacy of the Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Abarth brands and the values ​​of over 120 years of passion for automobiles.

Vintage Cars and Motorcycles

The history of Stellantis Italian brands is represented by the Abarth 750 Record from 1956, the Abarth 1000 SP (1966), the Alfa Romeo Alfetta (1974), the Alfa Romeo SZ (1989), the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT (1951 ) and as the youngest representative, a Lancia Delta HF Integrale from 1994. In addition to these historic gems, the Abarth Classiche 1000 SP is celebrating its world premiere. The two-seater sports car is inspired by the Abarth 1000 Sport Prototipo, a racing car from 1966. The new Abarth Classiche 1000 SP is produced exclusively to order and in a maximum of five units. The Spider is also the first model presented by one of the Classiche brands under the auspices of Stellantis Heritage.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

Another theme at the Padua show is the promotion of the Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificates of Authenticity, which document the originality of privately owned classic cars. The process is now spearheaded by a certification committee made up of members of Alfa Romeo's top management, brand experts and technicians. An Alfa Romeo Alfetta, owned by a family since 1974, is on display on the Stellantis Heritage stand as an example of the work of this team. The limousine impresses with its original condition: the engine is the same as on the first day, and the color and interior are also original.

Accompanying the 48-year-old Alfetta is a 1989 Alfa Romeo SZ, restored at Stellantis Heritage and normally on display at the Heritage Hub in Turin. These two Alfa Romeos share a close technical relationship. The Alfetta model, which will celebrate its 2022th birthday in 50, is characterized by the so-called transaxle drive. Behind this designation is the configuration usually found in sports cars with the engine at the front and the gearbox, differential and clutch at the rear axle. In the Alfa Romeo Alfetta, this is also based on the De-Dion principle, in which the axle body and the unit consisting of the gearbox, differential and clutch are suspended separately. The principle introduced by Alfa Romeo with the Alfetta in 1972 in the production vehicle was used by the brand for the last time in 1989 in the SZ and RZ models

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

The home of both vehicles and around 300 other classic cars from the historic collection of the Stellantis Group, the "Heritage Hub" in the Mirafiori district of Turin, is now open to the public as part of guided tours. Individual rooms are also available to institutions and companies for cultural and corporate events (further information on request by email to heritagehub@stellantis.com).

ABARTH CLASSICE 1000 SP (2022)

The Abarth Classiche 1000 SP is the contemporary reinterpretation of a 1966 Abarth racing car, one of the milestones in the competitive history of the brand with the scorpion in its coat of arms. With its unique style, high performance and race wins across Europe, the Abarth 1000 SP became one of the company's most popular models at the time. This legendary racing car inspired the designers of the Centro Stile Fiat and Abarth back in 2009 to create a concept vehicle that pays homage to the famous forerunner. In 2021, exactly 55 years after the launch of the historic Abarth 1000 SP, Abarth Classiche resumed the project and developed an automobile that transfers the character of the 1966 racing car to the present day.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

The new Abarth Classiche 1000 SP takes up the lines and aesthetic elements of the original model. The streamlined body with the curved fenders immediately reveals the layout of a spider with a mid-engine. The geometries at the rear of the Abarth Classiche 1000 SP underline the perfect harmony between taillights and exhaust system. The far outboard position of the rear lights underscores the remarkable width of the vehicle.

The paintwork in a strong red emphasizes the characteristic air intakes of the front hood and the cover of the mid-engine. The headlights also reflect the minimalist design of the historic Abarth 1000 SP, with spot-shaped headlights at the front and single, circular taillights at the rear. The Abarth Classiche 1000 SP is equipped with a 1,8-liter turbo engine that delivers 177 kW (240 hp) at 6.000 rpm.

ABARTH 1000 SP (1966)

The name Abarth 1000 SP reveals two basic data: The number 1.000 stands for the displacement of the engine in cubic centimetres. SP is the abbreviation for "Sport Prototipo" and refers to the racing class for which the vehicle was developed. The Abarth 1000 SP is a light and powerful racing car with a two-seater Spider body designed by Mario Colucci in 1966. Equipped with a steel space frame chassis and mid-mounted engine, the Abarth 1000 SP was fielded by the official works team of Turin-based master tuner Carlo Abarth. The excellent results in prestigious races were the best advertisement to make the vehicle known.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

The Abarth 1000 SP has another evolution under the hood of the four-cylinder engine derived from the Fiat 600 that powered many Abarths of the era. With a displacement increased to 1.000 cubic centimeters and a double camshaft, the engine is designed both for short sprints on the mountain and for tough long-distance races. The lightweight chassis and the bodywork made of polyurethane and fiberglass ensure that the Abarth 1000 SP has a curb weight of just 480 kilograms. The flat and streamlined body enables a top speed of over 220 km/h.

The Abarth 1000 SP achieved its first major success on September 4, 1966: in the 500-kilometer race at the Nürburgring, the German driver team Herbert Müller/Klaus Steinmetz won the class for vehicles with a displacement of up to 1.000 cc and finished third in the overall standings. Only a few days later, the Italian Leo Cella at the wheel of the Abarth 1000 SP secured victory in the one-liter class at a hill climb in the Aosta Valley in northern Italy.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

Word quickly got around about these two surprise successes, and soon Abarth began to receive the first orders for the Abarth 1000 SP. After the production of 50 vehicles, Abarth was able to apply for homologation in the so-called Group 1968 in March 4. As a result, the vehicle was no longer exclusively permitted for races open to prototypes. And the success story of the Abarth 1000 SP didn't stop. Thanks to numerous further developments and improvements, the vehicle remained victorious in races for more than a decade and delighted many private drivers despite sometimes long delivery times.

ABARTH 750 RECORD (1956)

Presented at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, the Abarth 750 Record is unmistakable thanks to its characteristic bodywork. Its profile was specially designed for optimal aerodynamics, snugly wrapped around the driver's seat and ended with a large tail fin. The shape was developed by star designer Franco Scaglione, and the body was manufactured by Bertone.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

The rear-mounted engine was derived from the four-cylinder Fiat 600, enlarged to 750 cc by Abarth. The Abarth technicians kept the standard suspension and some mechanical parts. The gearbox had only three gears, with the third gear having a particularly high ratio and designed for maximum speed. Despite an output of just 35 kW (47 hp), the Abarth 750 Record reached a top speed of over 190 km/h. This was also due to the extremely low weight of just 390 kilograms, which the engineers achieved, among other things, with a monocoque-shaped chassis made of sheet steel and an aluminum body.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

In June 750, the Abarth 1956 Record set no less than six new world records for this vehicle class at the Monza circuit: 24 hours, 5.000 kilometers, 5.000 miles, 10.000 kilometers, 48 ​​and 72 hours. The average speed for all record runs was over 140 km/h.

ALFA ROMEO ALFETTA (1974)

In 1967, Alfa Romeo started a project that would point the way for the future of the company. As a result of the constant search for improvements and innovations, a concept vehicle was created, from which the production model Alfetta (116 series) emerged a little later. As a further development of the Giulietta and Giulia models that had been successful two decades earlier, the Alfetta raised the technical standard of Alfa Romeo's sports sedans to an even higher level. In May 1972 Alfa Romeo presented the production model Alfetta to the public. The star guest of the presentation was the Argentine racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio, Formula 1951 world champion with Alfa Romeo in the 1 season.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

The then Grand Prix car Tipo 159 was nicknamed Alfetta, Italian for small Alfa, because of its comparatively small displacement of only 1,5 liters. 21 years later, the production model Alfa Romeo Alfetta took over two technical solutions from the Formula 1 racing car Tipo 159 - the transaxle concept with engine at the front and gearbox on the rear axle as well as the rear axle construction according to the De-Dion system. The Alfa Romeo Alfetta also set standards for its time when it came to performance. Its 1,8-liter engine delivers 90 kW (122 hp) at 5.500 rpm, enough for a top speed of 180 km/h. Between 1972 and 1984, Alfa Romeo made around 476.000 Alfettas at the Arese plant.

ALFA ROMEO SZ (1989)

The Alfa Romeo SZ - for Sprint Zagato - was built between late 1989 and 1991 only about 1.000 times. The thoroughbred sports car is characterized by an unmistakable, self-confident design. Responsible for this is Studio Zagato, in whose factory near Milan the Alfa Romeo SZ was also largely handcrafted. The body is made of plastic. The chassis, chassis and drive come from the Alfa Romeo 75. The performance of the 3,0-liter V6 cylinder has been increased to 152 kW (207 hp). This allows the coupé to reach a top speed of 245 km/h. The Alfa Romeo SZ presented by Stellantis Heritage at Auto e Moto d'Epoca is more than unique.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

It is one of the first vehicles that were built back then. For a long time it was used as a test vehicle on the company's own test site in Balocco to compare different technical solutions. As a laboratory vehicle, this Alfa Romeo SZ differs so much from the later production vehicles that it is considered a prototype. The vehicle was completely disassembled and carefully restored in the Officine Classiche workshop in Mirafiori. The body was stripped of paint and then the paint was rebuilt. The interior was restored to almost new condition while preserving as much of the substance as possible. Thorough cleaning and subsequent coating preserved the fuel tank. The engine was also completely overhauled.

LANCIA AURELIA B20 GT (1951)

Produced from 20 to 1951, the Lancia Aurelia B1958 was not just a commercial success. The four-seater coupe also achieved excellent results in racing. Presented at the 1951 Turin Motor Show, the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT established a completely new vehicle format: that of a grand touring model with two full seats in the front and two jump seats in the rear. Another novelty was found under the hood. Francesco De Virgilio had designed a V6 cylinder with a displacement of two liters, a first for a vehicle produced in large series. The velvety-smooth engine delivered 55 kW (75 hp) at 4.500 rpm and enabled a top speed of 162 km/h. Thanks to this performance, the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT sold very well despite its high price of 2,6 million lire for the time.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

The Lancia Aurelia B20 GT celebrated its racing premiere at the Mille Miglia in 1951, for which Lancia entered four practically standard vehicles. The factory drivers Giovanni Bracco and Umberto Maglioli only had to admit defeat to Luigi Villoresi in the much more powerful Ferrari 4500 shortly before the finish. Bracco/Maglioli's excellent second place was confirmed by the other Lancia works cars in fifth, seventh and seventeenth place. A few weeks later at the 24-hour race in Le Mans, Giovanni Bracco won the class with displacements of up to two liters and finished twelfth in the overall standings. Also in 1951, drivers with the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT won the “6 Hours of Pescara” and the “Coppa d'oro delle Dolomiti” road race over around 300 kilometers. Four Lancia Aurelia B1952 GTs finished the 20 Mille Miglia in the top ten overall, with the Luigi Fagioli/Vincenzo Borghi duo in third place.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

The fact that Lancia always entered almost standard cars in the races underpinned the reputation of the Aurelia B20 GT model as an efficient and safe everyday car that could even win races. Today, the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT is considered a classic, timeless grand tourer. The vehicle on display in Padua comes from the first series of 500 units manufactured in 1951. This Lancia Aurelia B20 GT comes in the perfect color combination with black body and gray fabric interior.

LANCIA DELTA HF INTEGRALE (1994)

The Lancia Delta HF Integrale presented by Stellantis Heritage at Auto e Moto d'Epoca has not left the company since 1994. Its mileage is only a few tens of kilometers. The unique vehicle comes from the fifth series, known among fans as "Evo 2". It embodies the latest evolution of the Lancia Delta, which became a legend with six consecutive brand titles in the World Rally Championship (1987 to 1992). The 1994 Lancia Delta HF Integrale, like all previous models, has four-wheel drive.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

Compared to the fourth series, however, the wheel suspension and brakes have been adapted to the increased engine output. The four-cylinder turbo petrol engine develops 158 kW (215 hp). This allows the Lancia Delta HF Integrale to reach a top speed of 220 km/h. A visit to the classic car fair in Padua is doubly worthwhile for owners of a Lancia Delta, especially if they are in the process of restoring a vehicle. The Stellantis Heritage booth will feature body panels and bumpers specially remanufactured for various variants of the XNUMXWD Delta, available through the Mopar® parts service.

Classic car fair "Auto e Moto d'Epoca": Stellantis is there!

Of course, that wasn't the end of it. Our tuning magazine has tens of thousands of other tuning reports in stock. Do you want to see them all? Just click HERE and look around. Or are you especially interested in our Tuning classics category? Then the following excerpt is tuned Young and oldtimers definitely the right place to browse.

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About Thomas Wachsmuth

Thomas Wachsmuth - He has been an integral part of tuningblog.eu since 2013. His passion for cars is so intense that he invests every available penny in them. While he dreams of a BMW E31 850CSI and a Hennessey 6x6 Ford F-150, he currently drives a rather inconspicuous BMW 540i (G31/LCI). His collection of books, magazines and brochures on the subject of car tuning has now reached such proportions that he himself has become a walking reference work for the tuning scene.  More about Thomas

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