Lost in a Reverie at the Museo Nicolis

Somewhere off the highway between Verona and Mantova, there is a museum that is a must for any car lover visiting the Veneto region of Italy. The Nicolis museum celebrates the legacy of collector Luciano Nicolis, who passed away a few years ago leaving behind an amazing and diverse collection of cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and machinery, as well as ephemera and even period clothing from the 20th century.

The Museo Nicolis is multiple floors of beautifully presented Lancias, Alfas, Maseratis and more, contextualized amid design objects and costumes that would have been used by their wealthy owners. Perhaps the crown jewels of the collection are the ex-Eva Peron Maserati A6 1500 coupe Pininfarina, and the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8, which was used as a display model to sell these sumptuous cars in the States.For Lancisti, this is probably one of the finer collections you could hope to see of pre-1970 Lancias. The most special Lancia would be the Astura that is still run in the classic Mille Miglia by the children of Mr. Nicolis.

There are also plenty of obscure Etceterini, and interestign one-offs and customs to dazzle the eye. Another incredible object on display is the Vanderbilt Cup, on loan from the Alfa Romeo museum. Produced by Cartier, It may be the finest trophy I have ever laid eyes on. Just two names are engraved on its base: those of Bernd Rosemeyer and local Mantovan hero Tazio Nuvolari.Have a look through the full gallery of the museum HERE.

Neri & Bonacini's Mini Miura

Every so often, I come across cars I've never heard of but can't figure out how I could be unaware of something so beautiful!  This is one of those times.  Idly searching for interesting cars online, I suddenly found myself staring at a low-slung, sleek red machine with all the hallmarks of late 1960's Italian sports car design. The car in question is the 1968 Neri & Bonacini Studio GT Due Litri.  Like many of these forgotten cars, it was a prototype developed on a tiny budget in the hope that publicity would spur capital needed to develop the car, attract a proper engine supplier, and set up larger production. Neri & Bonacini were no strangers to modifying cars, having produced the famous Ferrari "Breadvan." Here, they sought to develop an all-new car from the ground up.They considered many possible engines, but the car in the photos is powered by a tiny Lancia V4 engine, mounted midship.  The car resembles the Lamborghini Miura from the rear, and somewhat presages the shape of the Uracco when seen fron the side view.  The pleasing front end is quite interesting for the use of pop-up headlamps.  2 prototypes were made. The car pictured is the second one, owned by John Mastroianni Sr. of Auto Turismo & Sport , New Milford, CT, and in original, unrestored condition!  I found these photos on their website, which has some great images from their shop! Some day I'll have to drop by and pay a visit!

Photo credit: Auto Turismo Sport

More info on the Studio GT and interior photos also at supercars.net

And Now for Something Completely Different: APE Drifting!

From the sublime to the ridiculous: I think this is Italy's equivalent of a redneck sport! I kind of love it! For those of you unfamiliar with the APE, it is essentially a 3-wheeled Vespa with a fully enclosed cabin, and a small pickup bed or van back. It's commonly used in Italy by tradesmen and deliverymen. And naturally, if it has wheels on it, the Italians will race them!

Video of the Week: Alfa Montreal Track Day

I've never seen so many Montreals in one place. What a a fantastic combination of sights and sounds in this awesome clip!

Automobiliac in Italia

Last week I found myself wandering the streets of Padova, wondering the whole time where the temperate Italian weather I had expected was to be found.  On the contrary, the air was suffused with a damp chill that cut to the bone.  But on rounding the corner into one of the town's many historic Piazzas, I saw something that improved my circulation:  This Lancia Delta HF Integrale c. 1989.

As hot hatches go it doesn't really get much better than this.  First, I had never really seen one in person before, since only a handful exist in the states - brought in through gray market channels.  The car has a compact, powerful stance, and its boxy features are so blunt and brutal that they combine to impart a rather thuggish beauty.  And that's just the beginning of the story, because these little cars were created mainly to Homologate Lancia's all-conquering Groupe A Rally cars.  Featuring 4 wheel drive and a 2 Liter 16 valve 4 cylinder offering 185hp unmodified --modified turbo cars can be bumped all the way up to 750hp-- they could sprint to 60 mph in about 6 seconds, which was quite fast for the time.  This car was probably one of the best and most exciting cars Italy produced during the 80s.  A genuine Rally car for the road. Wish I could take one home with me...

Click the photo to see the rest of the shots.