Auto Italia Sportiva

A year has come and gone, and I have been so busy that I don’t know where to start. Let me, at least, begin highlighting the most significant events of the year. Well, as I recall I was on my way to Italy, more specifically Padova. My wife, Patricia and I departed to Italy on October 20st, 2015. Nothing was well planned aside from the fact that our first stop was going to be the Auto D’Epoca Feria in Padova. I had no time to sit down in front of the computer trying to figure out where to go. I knew that the first order of business was Auto D’ Epoca, and I also knew all the places I wanted to visit on this trip. I have been to Italy in the past but it was under a structured setting, and the experience certainly was not the same.

We arrived in Italy at the Venice Parco Polo Airport and rented an Alfa Romeo Giulietta with no other definite plans other that my intended mission to Padova. Out of the 11 days spent in Italy, three of them were set aside for Auto D’ Epoca Feria and the remaining days were for leisure. Mestre at Ai Pini Hotel, on the outskirts of Venice, was the base of operations. I tried to book a reservation at a Hotel in Padova to be close the Feria, but all were booked and only the ones available were at a distance and expensive. The stay in Mestre worked very well; Padova was about a 25 – 30 minutes drive every day, and that was not a problem. The day before the Feria we spent the entire day in Venice, and it was wonderful.

We rented this 6 speed Diesel for the trip.

Here where we stayed at Hotel Ai Pini in Mestre.

I got to say that this is an absolute MUST for any car lover. The event truly exceeded my expectations, and I managed to enjoy every moment of it. Because this was my very first time to the Auto D’ Epoca Faria, I had no plans to deviate from my planned schedule. My goal was to locate parts for my current restorations, have a feel for what was happening, get my arms around on the event, and how people completed their transactions. I also wanted to meet the vendors I do business with and also meet with friends, in that respect, it worked as intended. The place was so large that it was easy to get side tracked and thus became disorienting. The good part was that the Pavillions were very well organized and easy to cruise from one Pavillion to another. Thus getting a peak view into the other Pavillions and see what was there made it more manageable. Pat and I spent three days at the Feria and most of those days where spent at Pavillion #8 where the parts and majority of the vendors were located. I must admit that we were done with anything related to cars by the last day of the Fair.

From left to right; Alejandro Marcaccio, Luca De Angelli and me

We had another seven days to do what we wanted; Just got in the car and drove to places we wanted to see. During our visit, we spent time in Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Mantova, Padova, and Treviso and surrounding towns. We wanted to allocate more time in Venice and Mestre, and we divided the rest of the free days between Mestre and Venice.

Wife Pat in Verona

A night in Venice

A day at Piazza San Marco

With that, belated Happy New year to everyone.

For the past few years, I have been focusing on my personal collection and working very hard on my other projects such as wiring harnesses, metal fabrication, toolkits, and other reproductions. Well, this upcoming Tuesday, I am on my way to Italy for a well-deserved vacation. While in Italy, my first destination will be the Auto D’Epoca Fair in Padova.

I have been wanting to attend for some time now, but other projects and trips have kept me out, but not this time. While there I will be visiting with some friends as well as getting to know some of my vendors in person.

I hope to acquire many of the parts I will be needing for the completion of the first group of five cars I am currently working on before I move on the next projects. Although, I will be away, I will be in touch via text messaging and email with  my clients.

Early this year I was contacted for completing a new wiring harness for a Dallas area TZ1. I completed and delivered the new wiring harness to the local shop and now this car is being offered for sale at Fantasy Junction for $1,395.00.  I have completed a fair share of wiring harnesses for Giulietta Sprint Zagato, and Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca models. With the TZ1, almost complete the series of the one of a kind vintage 1960’s racing Alfa Romeo beauties.

All the listed photos Courtesy of Fantasy Junction Advertisement of this vehicle.

Some details of the nicely laid out 6 fuse panel that it is also shared with the 750 series Alfa Romeo and the 250 series Ferrari.

The wire colors are correct in every details. I use the tinned plated copper wire which is more durable and protect the electrical system against corrosion. The best wiring available without a doubt.

Here is another view of the nicely laid out harness which is perfectly bundled to the correct locations. It goes without saying in that part of the job is getting a quality product. Here is is quite evident that Roine Andersson has completed a fantastic installation. Great job Roine.

I have seen  this car in person and it is a wonderful car. I wish I could have one of these sitting next to my Alfa Romeo personal collection.

Additional details about the sale of this car can be seen at Fantasy Junction TZ1