The Ravello Collection – Seven Rare Italian Classics Up For Sale

Photography by Scott Pattenden

The smell is the first thing that hits you; a nostril-searing cocktail of petrol, oil, vulcanised rubber and vinyl upholstery. It’s a distinct odour the truly afflicted can’t mistake for anything other than an old Italian car. A clockwise twist of the key awakens the fuel pump, emitting a rapid tick as it races to fill the bowls of those dual DellOrtos. Twist further still, and a quick chirp of the starter motor coaxes the snarling V4 engine to life. It strains at its leash from the word go, eager to rev to the extent that it’s almost reluctant to idle.

“We’ll have a quick run up the road”, says Tom of Bell Sport & Classic, snicking the ‘dog-leg’ gearbox into (non-synchro) first and pointing the Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF in the direction of Markyate. The revs build and the Lancia is away, uttering a guttural induction raw as the dual-overhead cam engine crescendos past six thousand revs. It’s glorious. And you can use almost all of the performance, almost all of the time – without endangering your license.

It goes to show that there’s more to Italian cars than V12s, V8s, and V6s. In fact, there’s not one car out of the seven which make up the Ravello Collection with any more than four cylinders. The sale of this magnificent seven has been entrusted to the good people of Bell Sport & Classic, and all can be viewed here on Car & Classic.

The owner of these cars is an Italophile with a home in the town of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. Now relocating to his Italian home – who can blame him(?) –  this discerning collector seeks new custodians for his UK-registered cars. That’s why this elite  group of rarities are all up for sale at the same time, presenting an unmissable opportunity for fans of zesty Italian sports cars.

“All these cars are on the button”, Tom at Bell Sport & Classic tells me. They’re exercised regularly, and it makes all the difference. The owner hasn’t bought them to look at; he’s bought these cars to drive – and quite right too!

There’s obviously a common thread running through this ensemble. Every one of them is a rare, lightweight Italian sports car with a strong link to motorsport. But, look closer, and we find every car in the Ravello Collection offers a subtly different flavour. Like any great collection, these cars complement one another, as much through their differences as their similarities.

Here’s a deep dive into the treasure trove that is The Ravello Collection.

“Curated by a passionate collector and Italophile with a home in the town – the Ravello Collection is an ensemble of classic Italian cars that celebrates beauty, performance, and heritage featuring icons from Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Lancia – each vehicle tells a story of racing passion and timeless design.”

– Bell Sport & Classic

1) 1959 Abarth 750 Zagato Double Bubble

You’d be forgiven for thinking a 750cc motor would struggle to pull the skin off a torta di riso, but the abilities of Italian engineer Carlo Abarth are not to be underestimated. He lightened and strengthened the engine internals, upgraded the carburation, and the results were quite astounding, punching well above his weight. Thanks to Zagato’s aluminium coachwork, this car tips the scales at just 550 kilos.

Bell Sport & Classic tells us:

“The Abarth steel crank and forged pistons combine together to produce 747 cc whilst utilising the correct fiat 600 cylinder block.”

Zagato’s signature feature, the “Double Bubble” roof was an innovative means of maximising cabin space without raising the car’s roofline. This proved essential in motorsport, as a crash helmet would increase the driver’s overall stature to an extent most would struggle to fit in the diminutive racers in the 750cc class.

It’s almost impossible to find a genuine Zagato-built Double Bubble racer with its original, matching numbers Abarth motor. That’s because engines were switched between cars (seemingly at random) when the cars were returned to Abarth between races. But, against all odds, a genuine matching numbers Abarth 750 Zagato is exactly what we have here. Fewer than 600 were made, of which just 204 are thought to have survived.

Chassis 668060 was built in September 1959 and delivered to Fiat/Abarth importers, Roosevelt Motors, Washington DC. And yes, we do mean that Roosevelt family. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. ran perhaps the most successful Abarth racing team of the late 1950s and early ‘60s.

The Abarth is still finished in its factory-correct Rosso Vivo with the correct two-tone blue and beige interior trim. It’s understood to be one of the most original survivors in existence, even retaining seldom-seen factory features like the rather elegant leather rear window vents.

With regard to its current condition, we’re told:

“The engine has benefited from a thorough rebuild by Dominick’s – a marque specialist in New York. The transmission is original, complete with transmission handbrake.”

Such is its originality and provenance, this car would undoubtedly be welcome at a raft of prestigious events, including historic road rallies all over the world. Ready to drive, as all the Ravello collection are, it’s a fabulous little thing.

2) 1961 Lancia Appia Zagato GTE 2

You could spend all day arguing over which of these Italian masterpieces is the best-looking, but for yours truly, the prettiest has to be the jewel-like 1961 Lancia Appia. The proportions are unusual, yet irrefutably elegant; a symphony of curves with the exception of the unapologetically square wheel arches. Bizarre, but brilliant.

Another handmade aluminium-bodied car from Milanese Carrozzeria Zagato, this glorious machine was delivered via the famous Hoffman Motors of New York. We’re informed that just 99 GTE 2s were made, of which only 15 reportedly remain.

In typical Lancia fashion, the Appia features a V4 engine, but one not to be confused with the narrow-angle twin-cam of Fulvia fame. “This car has the sweetest gearbox”, Tom tells me, gesturing towards the Lancia’s dainty gear lever. A slight concession to absolute originality, it now features an upgraded (Jolly Conversion) transmission – a popular upgrade to racers in period – although the original four-speed unit accompanies the car to complete its matching numbers status.

The Lancia raced in numerous Sports Club of America events during the 1960s and has been in the UK since 2000. A comprehensive restoration was carried out by TT Workshops Ltd of Westbury between 2001 and 2003. The interior was re-trimmed at the same time by TA & JM Coburn of Swindon.

We’re told:

“In 2006, the car underwent a full mechanical overhaul, including the engine and gearbox and was subsequently purchased by the current owner in 2019, who carefully restored key components, which included fitting correct rubber matting and an original 1961 Appia Zagato Nardi steering wheel. Since then, significant mechanical recommissioning and regular service work has been carried out by Bell Sport & Classic.”

Another dead cert darling of the historic rally scene, this ultra-rare Appia is worthy of any collection.

3) 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale

Alfa Romeo holds a special place in my heart, and few Alfas quicken the pace quite like the almost otherworldly Tipo 101 Giulia Sprint Speciale. The brainchild of Franco Scaglione at Bertone, the Giullia SS’s form was honed in the wind tunnel, creating a shape that’s beautiful and functional in equal measure. Later examples such as this featured the free-revving 1.6-litre version of the legendary Nord twin-cam, an early work of the great Giuseppe Busso. Twin Weber DCOE2 carburettors afforded this 100 horsepower car a very respectable 124 mph top speed. All had five-speed manual gearboxes – an exceedingly advanced feature for the time.

Those who know their Giulia SS will already have clocked that the steering wheel is on the right-hand side. But this is no modern conversion; it’s one of approximately 25 UK-supplied examples converted in period by Ruddspeed on behalf of Alfa Romeo’s British importers. It’s classically finished in Rosso over Crema/Rosso two-tone leather upholstery with complementary red carpets.

You expect it of the Zagato-bodied Fiats and Lancias, but one never expects the Alfas to be quite so tiny when it comes to the business of ingress and egress. Alas, the Sprint Speciale’s cockpit proved all too snug for this slightly overfed motoring hack. In typical Italian fashion, the pedals are far too close while the steering wheel is in a different postcode, not to mention notably offset. But who cares? When it looks this good and drives this well, you can forgive this Alfa anything.

We’re told:

“Under the current ownership since 2017, the car is presented in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition, having been maintained by Bell Sport & Classic in recent years and comes accompanied by an extensive history file containing invoicing, maintenance and correspondence with well-regarded specialists.”

4) 1966 Fiat Abarth 1000 OTS Coupé Evocazione

Serious cars thus far, but now we arrive at something no less fabulous, yet far more affordable. This Fiat has been restored and modified in homage to the Abarth-fettled 850s, which raced in events like the Targa Florio back in the late 1960s. It’s been set up with fast road driving in mind; a faithful evocation of the iconic 1000 OTS Coupé.

Fitted with a 1,050cc A12 series engine, a full roll cage, rose-jointed MacPherson Strut front suspension, bucket seats and Campagnolo alloys, this car is just the thing for those spirited jaunts along your favourite B road, with the option to take part in rallies or hill climb/sprint events thanks to the roll cage and TRS harnesses. It’s a handsome little car, looking particularly purposeful sans bumpers, and those wheels surely have to be some of the all-time great alloys.

We’re told:

“The car is presented in excellent condition, having had a full repaint (by Autowerx) in 2021 (original colour was white) and an engine and gearbox rebuild later that year by renowned Abarth specialists Middle Barton Garage in Banbury. The original front and rear bumpers are retained with the car.”

1967 Abarth 1000 Berlina Corsa

Before you ask, yes, it is real.

An Abarth factory racer, built for Group 2 regulations of the day, don’t be fooled by this Fiat’s meek demeanour.

It’s a 120 mph car.

Much like the 750 Zagato Double Bubble from earlier, the Berlina Corsa is another product of Carlo Abarth’s genius, representing the zenith of the great man’s talents. Lumpy cams, high-compression pistons and huge carbs give this little four-cylinder engine 85 horsepower. And when you consider that the Fiat weighs in at just 583 kilos, you can appreciate how this car lives up to the vendor’s description: “raucous, lairy and hilarious”.

It’s a real treat, and indeed an education to see a genuine Berlina Corsa. There are myriad period details to savour, like the padded braces fitted to the driver’s door and centre console; original fitment to keep the driver in place around high-speed corners. Vanishingly few of these cars survive, so serious collectors can’t afford to miss this gem from the Ravello Collection.

Bell Sport & Classic says:

“After being acquired by Tony Berni (the renowned Italian Abarth specialist), the car was restored by Leo Aumuller in Germany. The vehicle retains all its original fittings and fixtures including a very rare AH cylinder block.

“Full stripped and repainted in 2021 (Autowerx), in recent years, this 1000 has benefited from regular service work by Abarth specialists Middle Barton Garage and most recently Bell Sport & Classic.”

6) 1969 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA 1300 Junior

Some may say it’s sacrilege. We say it’s brilliant.

This is a real GTA built in period by Autodelta – Alfa Romeo’s revered racing department. So what makes this car unholy? Well, eagle-eyed Alfisti will already have spotted that there have been some changes, courtesy of British Alfa whisperers Alfaholics. The Somerset-based specialist is known for creating its own GTA-inspired GTVs, but this car gave them the chance to work their magic on the real deal.

Besides the 1600 models built for top-tier touring car competition, the GTA 1300 Junior was built to compete in other championships with limits on engine displacement. The Junior was also more affordable than its 1600 counterparts, proving a huge hit among works drivers and privateer teams in period. According to Stellantis Heritage, just 447 were made between 1968 and 1975.

This GTA  is believed to have been the Madrid Motor Show car, following which it was understood to have been sold to have been sold to Pietro Navone, a former president of the Spanish Alfa Romeo Club. It is then believed to have been owned by ex-Alfa Romeo works racing driver Toine Hezemans prior to being acquired by a well-known British collector.

In recent years, the car underwent a substantial rebuild, with bodywork restoration performed by DTR Sports Cars. Alfaholics were entrusted with the oily bits, including a full engine rebuild and the fitment of a substantial list of Alfaholics’ own performance parts, which Bell Sport & Classic detail in their listing. The car has been set up for ‘fast road’ driving, and the Nord twin-cam has been dyno tested at 122 horsepower.

We applaud the approach taken to this Alfa’s restoration. There are standard 1300 GTA Juniors out there for the purists to savour. But for those who value usability and the immense benefit of high-end modern performance parts, this is surely the ultimate solution.

7) 1970 Lancia Fulvia Series 1 1600 HF “Fanalone“

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the Fulvia at Car & Classic; a car developed when Lancia was very much the underdog in terms of financial backing and technology available to its engineers. And yet, the HF Squadra Corse team pulled out all the stops to win the Italian Rally Championship every year from 1965 until 1973, with the one exception of 1970. Read how they did it here.

“Fanalone” meaning, “big headlamps“, was the name given to the Group 4 homologation special Fulvia Coupé 1600 HF. It was in an HF Fanalone that Sandro Munari secured his historic 1962 Rallye de Monte Carlo win. Besides those evocative enlarged headlamps and the various mechanical tweaks, these cars had aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid, as well as perspex windows – all in the name of shedding weight.

This Fulvia was originally supplied to Sicilly, home of the Targa Florio – an event in which this very car took part when it was entered by its second keeper, Dr. Mario Orlando. After changing hands on a couple more occasions, the HF crossed the Atlantic for America. Its next destination was the UK, where restoration was carried out by renowned Lancia specialist Omicron Engineering, whose owner, Martin Cliffe, later became the car’s custodian.

In 2019, the Lancia received a Facetti Brothers engine, initially set up with competition cams, although now with standard profile lobes for road use. “I’d say this is the most usable car in the collection”, remarked Tom at Bell Sport & Classic. To further enhance its usability, the Fulvia was later fitted with a glass rear screen and rear side windows. (The perspex parts have been retained and accompany the car.) The driving position is upright and comfortable – very un-Italian – and all the better for it.

Out on the road, there’s ample mid-range grunt to enjoy well within the speed limits. Omicron dyno’d the engine at 155 bhp, although this is though to have been a tad optimistic. Bell Sport & Classic measured it at around 140 bhp – still plenty of go for a car so svelte. The ride is a little firm at the rear; to be expected from a leaf-spring beam axle with very little weight sitting over it.

Bell Sport & Classic say:

“Since purchase by the current owner in 2018 it has had extensive cosmetic and mechanical refreshment and has been looked after by Bell Sport & Classic in recent years including a full engine rebuild in 2019 and is in impeccable condition.”

So there we have it. The Ravello Collection; an ensemble of belle auto that are all up for grabs. There’s surely something here for everyone, and if you have the means, why not keep this carefully curated collection together and take the whole lot?

The task of finding new homes for these wonderful Italian cars has been bestowed upon the team of dedicated enthusiasts at Bell Sport & Classic. All can be found right here on Car & Classic.