Lancia Motor Club

I have been looking back into my 35mm colour transparencies to find interesting images from the past. Some of these are from the celebration in Italy in 1981, which I think was to do with the centenary of Vincezo’s birth. Quite a large contingent from the UK took part. I was there only for the track-day at Mugello, which was quite magical. The star attraction was Luigi Villoresi who did a few demonstration laps in a D25. I have posted my photos of the D25 under Aurelia – D25 photos. Here are some more general photos.

The photos include: One of Aprilias with Harry Manning talking with Anthony Smallhorn, and a detail from the same photo. One of a B20 that really inspired me to have my car painted pale blue ten years later on. One of a Martini ‘Montecarlo’ (I think?) in which Piercarlo Ghinzani (rising star in F1 at the time) was taking passengers on fast laps.

A few more to follow.

Colin   

Here are three more photos from the same event. One is of the crowd around the Martini with Ghinzani by the car and a works(?) Stratos in the foreground. The young woman in white is Annie, Roger Perry’s partner. Annie had the pleasure of a few laps with Ghinzani after which she was absolutely speechless for quite some time!

One photos is of Andrew Maclagan’s Augusta and one is of me driving the Aprilia I had owned twelve years earlier. It was grey when I owned it and it was a rare privilege to be reunited with it on this occasion.

Colin

If memory serves me correctly, the car Ghinzani drove had won at Watkins Glenn 1 or 2 weeks previously. He was giving 1 lap "trips" to a lucky few=I know Barry Waterhouse got a ride and soon after the battery/alternator failed and those of us in the very long queue missed out, although I did get a lift in the Stratos-I dont think this was a works car, but a very capable private owner. I do remember Barry getting Villoresi to do a lap in his Aurelia- knowing Barry probably so he could later say "ex-Villoresi" !!Ghinzanis car had a make-shift passenger seat with no belts but they did make you wear a helmet.

Great photos, fantastic memories !

Small correction, Harry was talking to Paul Bishop in the picture. they were standing in front of our (now my) Aprilia - you can just read the registration.

Spookily, I appear in the other photo (in my favourite black "TAMA" T shirt) waiting to get a ride in the Stratos. I cannot remember who the driver was, but I'm sure someone else will. He wore a shirt, tie and tweed jacket and hurled the Stratos around the circuit, at one point we were sideways doing 100 mph plus and he was happily chatting away ! No helmets or flameproof overalls .......

Then I got a ride in the MonteCarlo which was even faster

Oh Happy Days !

In the TAMA tee shirt - that can't be you - that's a wookie.

My wife Liz was one of the lucky ones to get a ride with Ghinzani in the Monte-Carlo. She is in the centre of the first picture of it---talking to the curly haired guy in the Lancia shirt. She was absolutely thrilled although I think she had her eyes closed most of the time!
My two daughters and myself had to settle for the dubious pleasure of a ride around the circuit in the back of an army lorry but it did have a Lancia badge.
Big thank you Colin for posting the photos
                                                            Ben

i thought that was my mum .........

I am really pleased that my photos were well received, even if one of them has led to a dispute about parentage! This has prompted me to scan in a few of the remaining slides – cars and people might be identifiable.

One is of my old Aprilia, again with me at the wheel. One of the same Aprilia with the boot lid up and unknown people behind it – anybody owning up? And two of an Italian registered Aprilia that caught my eye, one with two of my daughters who thirty-two years later are now responsible for five of my grandchildren. Several UK registered Lancias in the background, including Fulvias and an Appia.

This Mugello day was a significant one for me. We just happened to be on a family holiday in Tuscany and it was easy to drop in. The whole experience fired up my enthusiasm for Lancia that had been dormant for more than ten years. On return home I sold our Renault, bought a Beta 1600 Saloon and slipped back into the fold. It seemed the right thing to do.

Colin

Great pics Colin, keep 'em coming.

Second photo it looks like Ben and his wife in the background. Like the stripy vest :D

662 HYK is Will How's Appia.

Robin.

Spot on Robin----definitely not Simons Mum!!