AutoClassica ... As with many events during the course of this year there was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Porsche


Ferrari 512 BB s/n 36453

Ferrari 512 BB s/n 36453

 

Milano, 23-25 November, 2018

2018 was the 8th edition of the Milano AutoClassica show at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition centre, which as last year occupied halls 18 and 22 of the complex, together with a selection of private vendor vehicles for sale in the expansive apron between the two halls. As with many events during the course of this year there was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Porsche, with a three car centrepiece just inside the main entrance to the show, featuring a 550 RS Spyder, a 356A Carrera and a 906, whilst nearby there was a Porsche Classic stand featuring further examples of the marque. There was a further trio of Porsches, all bright yellow, displayed around the nearby VIP Lounge, together with other examples on the various classic dealer stands.

The show featured a diverse array of both modern and classic offerings from a number of manufacturers, including Alpine, Bentley, Lotus, McLaren, and Pagani, either directly or through their dealer networks. Ferrari also had a strong presence courtesy of the official dealer Rosso Corsa, who had a Classiche display as part of their stand. This featured a 166 Inter Touring Coupé, chassis # 005 S, a 750 Monza, chassis # 0562 M,  and a 365 GTC, chassis # 12355, whilst also on the stand was a bare metal 250 Europa body/chassis unit, chassis # 0331 EU, and a partially restored Dino 246 GT, chassis # 01810, together with more recent models available for sale. The Musei Ferrari also had a stand, featuring a 126C F1 car, chassis # 052, together with bank of driving simulators for visitors to try their hand at. The CAMBI organisation held an auction of predominantly competition cars, mainly from the Scuderia Guidice Collection, which covered a wide spectrum of genres of motor sport, ranging from a VW Fun Cup Beetle to a Lola T9100 Indy Car, and within the lots was also a V10 Alfa Romeo Pro-Car engine, essentially a F1 unit developed for the stillborn series.  

Apart from the previously mentioned displays, together with a number of club stands, the majority of the car displays were the province of classic dealers, who had a broad variety of vehicles on offer. These ranged from Vespa motor scooters to a garish Rolls Royce Phantom finished in metallic red and gold with white marble effect side panels, which would get you noticed even in the most opulent locations. Another vehicle that would attract attention, and it certainly did at the show was the menacing looking matt black Leoni Extrema, designed by Leonardo Foschi, which is described as an “Extreme Sport Action Vehicle”, which was making its debut. It features a V12 Audi power unit producing 730hp, and is said to provide the ability of a SUV, the exuberance of a supercar and the luxury of a limousine. Another new project was courtesy of Boldrin Auto, which had a modern interpretation of the iconic Lancia Stratos, labelled as “stratosferica”, finished in the equally iconic Alitalia livery, and based on the Alfa Romeo 4C platform, examples of which flanked their new design. As is normal at any classic car show, there was an expansive vendor area for parts, accessories, models, brochures, books and associated automobilia, providing a wide variety of options for visitors to spend their money on.

 

Keith Bluemel         
11/2018