July 18, 2016

Fitting the fans

Things are starting to pick up pace on the 1976 Maserati Merak restoration. We’ve had a few quiet weeks on her as the workshops have

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Our 1951 MGTD Competition has been painted

This Wednesday we are due to see the return of our 1951 MGTD Competition from the paint shop.

She has been completely stripped, perfected and undergone a full respray.

1951 MGTD Competition Stripped and Painted

1951 MGTD Competition Stripped and Painted

1951 MGTD Competition Stripped and Painted

1951 MGTD Competition Stripped and Painted

Scott and Gabi’s Fiat 500 Italian Adventure

A few weeks ago our good friend’s Scott and Gabi went on an amazing adventure through Italy as part of a large group of classic Fiat 500’s. They documented their trip on Facebook and it looked incredible so we asked Scott to explain what went on:

“The trip was for the top sales teams in the country, of which Gabi was one (naturally!), and they took us to Sorrento for 3 days.

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

The day in question started with them reminding us to take our driving licenses “as we had to have 2 forms of ID” however when we got outside they led us to the car park where there was 30+ classic Fiat 500s, and each couple would get to spend the day driving the Amalfi coast in one!

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

The lead car was even a 500 sportscar, a Vignale Gamine … anyways we drove these all from the hotel on the North side of the coast down to the South and along the Amalfi coast to Positano – stopping at a mozzarella making workshop on the way, and then at a pizza school and restaurant where we made our own dough and then the whole pizzas before a pizza spinning show and awards ceremony (best pizza etc) was held.

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Then we returned to the cars – all sat out in 33 degree heat and not even a fan in sight (luckily all had the fold back sunroofs) and scooted off again. There were a couple of mishaps on the way – our car was the only one to break down, luckily just as we’d reached our first stop (mozzarella) and the car had to be parked up next to a wall overlooking a cliff face.

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Unfortunately – earlier in the journey one of the other cars had developed a “loose break” and simply wouldn’t stop – so the driver had already given another convoy member a “Top Gear Shunt”. However when it came to trying to park it simply didn’t – careering straight into our broken down one at about 20mph, smashing the front end in! oops. She passed the ownership of driving off to her sister at this point, unsurprisingly (the brakes got sorted and all was well). We switched to a new car which had a horn (!) (the first didn’t which disappointed immature me).

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Scott and Gabi's Fiat 500 Adventure

Anyways so on the way again, any time we passed a village centre, outdoor restaurant etc everyone – EVERYONE – turned to look at us, take pictures, give a big smile etc. So we sure made use of the horns as one car would start everyone off.. a chorus of 30 Fiat 500’s in convoy blasting their horns is a memory I’ll not forget.”

It’s one of THE driving roads in the world apparently, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone that gets a chance…

Oh one more thing: they’re all privately owned cars and the events company hires them from the owners for the events!”

Fitting the fans

Things are starting to pick up pace on the 1976 Maserati Merak restoration. We’ve had a few quiet weeks on her as the workshops have been busy with other jobs but now the wheels and suspension are on, the car is starting to take shape.

Maserati Merak Radiator

As you can see, John has been working on fitting the radiator and twin fans today. Along with the Air Conditioning Radiator and Air Conditioning Separator.

Maserati Merak Fans