It’s mid-engine month at Auto Italia. As the amazing Bertone Lancia HF Stratos Zero hits UK soil, we reflect on its significance in design history. Not only that, but we profile three of Italy’s absolute mid-engined pioneers: ATS 2500 GT, Ferrari 250 LM and Lamborghini Miura, the latter a spectacular homage to the very special Jota. Our cover cars this month are two Zagato coupes born in the 1960s – the Alfa Romeo Giulia Junior Z and Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato – but which one do we reckon is better to drive? One car that’s definitely great to drive is JP Tuning’s baby Fiat 500 with some tasty restomod upgrades, while we tell the story of how Fiat effectively scared off all its potential competitors for the 500 in a real ‘microcar war’. Fabia Maserati, the granddaughter of the marque’s founder, gives us an exclusive interview, and we tell the story of the Maserati brother’s other marque, OSCA. With plenty of rallies, events and news to entertain, this month’s Auto Italia will turn all of your winter blues to green, white and red!
CONTENTS
ALFA ROMEO GIULIA JUNIOR Z v LANCIA FULVIA ZAGATO – Two Zagato coupes face off in our twin test
FERRARI 250 LM – Mid-engined magic from Maranello
ATS 2500 GT – A true pioneer of the central-engined era
LAMBORGHINI MIURA – A dramatic tribute to the long-lost Jota one-off
LANCIA HF ZERO & PU+RA – How Lancia is being inspired by Bertone’s iconic 1970 concept car
FABIA MASERATI INTERVIEW – Lots of family stories behind Maserati and OSCA
OSCA – The history of the Maserati brothers’ second marque
FIAT 500 RESTOMOD – A beautiful modified gem from JP Tuning
FIAT’S MICROCAR WARS – How did Fiat muscle out its small car rivals in the 1950s?
CONTINENTAL REPORT – Shows in France, Germany, Belgium and Holland
12 IN 12 & HANNIBALL RALLIES – A 2500-mile romp to Italy in a Moto Guzzi trike
GOLDEN AGE OF RALLY – New show at Turin’s national car museum
MODENA CENTO ORE CLASSIC – Action from one of the best events of the year
OBSCURATI – The Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV-based S&J Milano kit car