A Forgione Conclusion

It’s always a sombre time when we lose one of our own from this wonderfully inclusive petrolhead pack and the passing of Gennaro Forgione has left the world of historic Italian motorsport bereft of one of the key authoritative enthusiasts in the sector. Known for his expert columns in the pages of some of the most prominent specialist magazines, including Ruoteclassiche and Quattroruote, Forgione practised what he preached, owning as he did some of the most desirable historic cars in the world, which he kept and preserved with the utmost care with the help of a dedicated and passionate mechanic who kept them in ship shape. With many valuable models among the seven cars in his collection there is also a rather precious rarity and for the first time these cars are now available at auction and Car & Classic is honoured to find new homes for Gennaro’s coveted collection.

Among the wonders of the Forgione Collection is this precious gem of an Alfa Romeo. A particular highlight this incredibly rare 1932 6C 1750 Coupé Touring, with luxurious red velvet interior, ultra-refined curtains and trimmings, as well as original Jaeger controls and instrumentation is extremely original and distinguished by a splendid patina. Registered with and approved by Asi-Automotoclub Storico Italiano, the car has been part of the Collection for over twenty years, during which it hasn’t undergone any restoration, instead staying true to its pure originality whilst remaining in excellent condition. Always kept in service and started regularly to keep it in shape, the car, with Alfa Romeo’s glorious 1,752cc double overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine and four-speed gearbox, is highly sought-after today.

Introduced in 1929 as an evolution of the 6C 1500, the 6C 1750 model was a leading racing car that achieved unforgettable triumphs in the 1930s in many important competitions, including the Mille Miglia, the 1930 edition of which saw the first four positions achieved by Alfas. The 6Cs then won again the following year and also dominated the 24 Hours of Spa.

They were no different off circuit either, with the road-going Alfa Romeo 6C 1750s, now very rare, winning the public over for their technical characteristics, the supreme quality of craftsmanship and their elegance. Like the example here, forged by the expert hands of Felice Bianchi Anderloni who, co-founder of the legendary Carrozzeria Touring, gave life to many cars considered among the most beautiful in the world.

Another flagship car from the Forgione Collection is this red Ferrari Dino 246 GT from 1972. With its exquisite lines, the Dino is one of the most desired cars not just in the collection but in the larger automotive world. It remains one a masterpiece of car design and high Italian craftsmanship, born from the pencil of the great stylist Aldo Brovarone for Pininfarina, with the bodywork designed by Scaglietti. Equipped with the 2.4-litre Dino V6, which takes its name from Enzo Ferrari’s son (Alfredino, known as Dino), the car itself also bears his name, but minus the Prancing Horse branding. The transverse central rear position of the engine was innovative for the time – powered by three double-barrel carburettors producing 195bhp – and the Dino 246 could reach a top speed of up to 150mph.

The example up for auction was much loved by the Forgione, who had the bodywork repainted and the underneath cleaned about 15 years ago. Having been used little in recent years the engine, completely original, has covered just 47,000 miles from new.

A splendid Lancia Aurelia B20 from 1953 is also on sale within the Collection. One of the first examples ever produced, as evidenced by the right-hand drive layout and the “fins” that characterize the design of the rear, this is car number 1,050, as can be seen from the chassis number. Equipped with the ASI Gold Plate and certification from the Lancia Registry, the car has a fascinating lived-in appearance thanks also to the high degree of originality. It’s in excellent overall condition, just like the rest of Gennaro Forgione’s cars, and has been regularly maintained.

The Aurelia B20 was a wonderfully elegant coupé that remained in production from 1951 until 1958. It was the car of the industrial upper class, a creation of great style whose success began, among other things, with an overall second place at the 1951 Mille Miglia. The excellent 60 degree V6 nestled under the bonnet – designed by engineer Francesco De Virgilio – represents the first example produced in series in the world.

A single German offering nestled among the Italian treasures of this collection is this 1964 Porsche 356 C. The 75bhp version of the model, which in 1948 became the first mass-produced car made in Zuffenhausen, is a one owner example, with Gennaro Forgione as its sole custodian. On the back it bears the initials “SC” but it is a 356 ‘C’ from 1964, as can be seen from the chassis number. Produced for Porsche by Reutter in its current original red colour, which was restored five years ago, the car was given new to Gennaro Forgione when he was around 26 years old and studying in America.

Given the instrumentation is in miles, it’s believed that the Porsche was purchased in Oltreocano and subsequently imported to Rome where it saw consistent use by Forgione for sixty years until a few months ago. The car is equipped with a 1600cc Type 616 four-cylinder air-cooled engine from a 1962 B and features double Solex carburettors. It comes to the market in good condition, is reliable and drives exactly as it should.

Other wonder that will certainly be much appreciated by enthusiasts and collectors alike are the two Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider 1300s – one in white livery with hard-top and one red, both from 1961. Imbued with the spirit of the Dolce Vita and with matchless design by Pininfarina coupled with the characteristic lively Alfa Romeo mechanicals, the “Fidanzata d’Italia”, as the Giulietta Spider was nicknamed at the time of its launch, embodies the carefree optimism of the years immediately following the war.

It’s not surprising that it was the progenitor of a series of sublime Alfa convertibles which, even today, transmit the spirit of their eras intact. Both cars up for auction are in excellent mechanical and structural condition, with a light patina which only compliments their unique charm.

Last but not least, an adorable black Fiat 500 A “Topolino” from 1936, the first year of production for the model. Well-preserved and in excellent condition, this car, with a fully retractable vinyl roof, is one of the first ever Fiat 500s: a coveted ‘A’ model with the 13bhp version of the 569cc, four-cylinder engine. The ASI Targa Oro certification further confirms its condition and quality. The car is wonderfully original (even the tools and jack are the factory items!) with an elegant two-tone brown and black paint job with well-matched interior, upholstered in beige fabric. It runs perfectly and has minimal mileage.

Born in the midst of the fascist period, the Fiat 500 responded to the characteristics of practicality and economy that were essential in Italy at the time. Its simple mechanics – with a longitudinal frame designed by engineer Dante Giacosa and a compact engine with side valves to limit its height – made this small Turin runabout a masterpiece of frugality and usability. An innovative car for its time, thanks also to its modern lines which summarized the most advanced aerodynamic studies of the period, the Fiat 500 Topolino remains one of the most beloved cars of all time. So much so that it was elevated to a symbol of Italy itself.