Matra Museum, Romorantin, France
Until October 13, 2024
Viaggio in Italia (Journey to Italy) at the Matra Museum with representatives of the Italian automotive industry, both sporty and popular. On the menu, about twenty Italian vehicles retracing the history of this industry will be presented in a setting designed for the event, with well-known brands such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Lancia, etc…
Italy is the home of Grand Touring, a category that will be well represented by its main brands such as Maserati 3500 “Super Leggera”, Lamborghini Countach 5000S or the iconic Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona”. Several other Ferraris will be on display in a rotation of models such as the V12 512 TestaRossa or 550 Maranello or V8 F355 or 488. Less well-known is the Bizzarini 5300 GT developed by Giotto Bizzarini, also known for designing the Lamborghini V12 after working on the Ferrari V12 of the 250 GT.
Photos from Matra Museum, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the museum
A few Lancia, such as the beautiful Aurelia B24 Cabriolet (the first V6 in world production), Flavia Zagato 1800 Sport and Stratos HF, are reminders of the brand’s heyday in the process of being reborn. Competition is naturally represented, with a variety of cars, from the pre-war Grand Prix Alfa Romeo 8C and 12, the Formula Junior with Stanguellini or the Ferrari 125/166 F2 (1949), not to mention the Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR, which fought in hill climbs and on the racetracks in the 1960s.
Illustrative photos, © Automobile-Museums, no reproduction rights without the express permission of the site.
The extremely rare Alfa Romeo C52 “Disco Volante” from 1953 bears witness to the aerodynamic research of this era. “Popular” cars are not forgotten with emblematic models such as the Fiat 500 in Giardiniera version or the Fiat 600 Multipla from 1958, but also an older Fiat Balila Roadster from 1938. As you can see, the exhibition allows a real journey into Italian production!