Italian design wins every time
Shortly after 8am on Saturday 30th May Lagan Valley Island (LVI) was a hive of activity as members of the Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club arrived to set up for our annual All Ireland Italian Motor Event. Whilst the sun was not splitting the trees the weather forecast suggested that it would be a dry day for the show. Hopefully Frank Mitchell and Angie Phillips (that’s our friendly weather forecasters on UTV and BBC) had got it right.
With all hands to the pump the car park was quickly transformed, ready to welcome some of the finest automotive designs from Italy. The brand new Italian Motor Club gazebo provided an impressive focal point in the car park and served as our Membership HQ. LVI was adorned with Italian bunting, gently fluttering in the morning breeze and served to reassure new visitors to our show that they had arrived in the right place.
Despite the show not officially starting until 10am by 9.30am the carpark was already filling up with a fabulous mix of cars and motorbikes. Look one way and a selection of classic Moto Guzzi motorbikes were being offloaded from a trailer and look the other and an immaculate Fiat 131 Abarth replica rally car roared into life and drove across the car park to take up its position beside as equally stunning yellow Lancia Delta Integrale. Donnelly Group staff carefully arranged their cars – the latest offerings from Fiat, Alfa and Abarth and such was their commitment to our show that the UK Abarth Brand Manager, Peter Robinson drove the ultimate pocket rocket, an Abarth Biposto up to Scotland and brought it over on the ferry to join our display.
The Italian Job theme for the show soon started to take shape too – we had a Self-Preservation Society Land Rover, an Alfa Romeo Guilia police car, the iconic red, white and blue Minis which were the stars of the 1969 movie as well as a selection of other cars from the era – from a Maserati Merak SS, an E-type Jaguar, Fiat 500’s and a selection of Vespa scooters.
Before long the cars and bikes were arriving thick and fast. A group of cyclists passing by gazed in awe at the selection of stylish Italian cars that were gathering and the distinctive exhaust notes from some of the vehicles provided the perfect soundtrack.
By 11.30am the show was in full swing, and a seemingly endless stream of onlookers descended on LVI to look at Italy’s finest. With the arrival of a selection of Fiat’s from Classic Fiat Ireland and the Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club Southern Section the line-up was complete.
Every car and bike at the show is worthy of mention but without doubt the real show stopper which appealed to men, women and children alike was the ultimate supercar – a la Ferrari. This £1 million vehicle along with a race spec Ferrari 458 was brought along courtesy of Philp Shields, to whom we are most grateful.
Many of those attending the show were repeat visitors whilst others had joined us for the first time. All were agreed however that the show had the essential ingredients – a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, a fantastic range of stunning cars and bikes as well as fabulous food and facilities at LVI.
There were over 150 cars and motorbikes present at the show – our biggest turnout ever. There were too many to mention them all but we had an impressive spread of Maseratis – from Quattroportes, Granturismos, Gransports, Gran Cabrio and 3200 GTs as well as the rare Merak SS.
Abarths were well represented too from – Punto Evo Abarths and Supersports to a selection of 500 Abarths including the latest 595 Competizione, the limited edition Bi Colore not to mention Alan Harvey’s superb Abarth race car.
Thanks to those who travelled some distance to attend the show, we also had the best selection of Fiat X/19’s I have ever seen in one place. Nestled amongst the bigger cars were some small but perfectly proportioned Fiats – a brace of 128’s and 126’s, a Cinquecento, a Seicento as well as the iconic and classic original Fiat 500. They all proved that size doesn’t matter when it comes to Italian cars – even the smallest models exude style and charm. It was also pleasing to see a vibrant orange Fiat Barchetta, a 131 Mirafiori Sport as well as a Fiat Bravo with only delivery mileage on it.
Perhaps the oldest car on display (albeit for a relatively short time) was a Lancia Lamda. It wasn’t the only classic Lancia though – we also had a more modern classic in the form of the stunning race bred Lancia Stratos. Sitting side by side across the carpark were 2 red Deltas – an Integrale and a rare Delta 2. Scattered throughout the display were a collection of desirable Alfa Romeos – from the modern offerings like a launch edition Alfa 4C, Guilietta’s, Mito’s, 159’s, 156’s, 147’s, GTV’s and Spiders to older models from previous decades including an Alfa Romeo Montreal, an Alfa 75 and Alfasud.
Not forgetting the 2 wheeled offerings, the line up on display demonstrated that the same style and design that Italian cars exude also graces their motorbikes – Moto Guzzis, Aprilias, Ducatis, Vespas and Lambrettas were all present.
When it came to the prizes the winners on the day were as follows:
Best Italian Car sponsored by Woodstock Autoparts
Won by Paul Nelson for his Fiat 131 Abarth replica rally car
Best non-Italian vehicle sponsored by Michael McDonald, Nubawax
Won by an E type Jaguar (owner’s name to be confirmed)
Best Italian Motorcycle sponsored by Millsport Motorcycles Ballymoney
Won by David Crawford for his 1928 Moto Guzzi 500cc Sport
Best non-Italian Motorcycle sponsored by Charles Hurst Motorcycles
Won by Grant Freeman for his Suzuki Cafe Racer
Shannon’s Choice sponsored by Mervyn Shannon from Shannon’s Jewellers
Won by Graeme McMurray for his “Self Preservation Society” Land Rover
Overall award for Best in Show sponsored by Charles Hurst Specialist Car Division
Won by Philip Shields for his La Ferrari
Our thanks to the sponsors and exhibitors for their generosity in donating the prizes to the deserving award winners.
There were many positive aspects of the show but perhaps one of the most pleasing was the endorsement from one visitor who described it as “one of the finest automotive events in the country”.
This year’s show was a roaring success and a great showcase for the best of Italy – we know we will have our work cut out to emulate it again next year but we will do our best.
Tim Logan
Club Secretary
