A Petrolhead Postcard from Perugia

Continuing a fantastic run of the top 18 classic car events across Italy by Automotoclub Storico Italiano, last weekend Car & Classic took part in the 35th historical re-enactment of the Coppa della Perugina (Perugina Cup), celebrating the centenary of this significant race that began in Perugia in Umbria in 1924.

The competition was conceived by visionary entrepreneur Giovanni Buitoni, owner of the confectionery company “La Perugina“ (a company that is still producing its famous Baci, or kisses, chocolates today). Partly out of passion and partly to spread the good name of his company, Buitoni became a pioneer of motorsport by setting up a real circuit in the green heart of Italy. The race was held until 1927, leaving a profound and indelible mark on the memory of the grand Italian motoring tradition, a memory that is renewed year after year by the Club Auto e Moto d’Epoca Perugino by an increasingly international event.

From the 9th to the 12th of May the enchanting allure of historic cars returned to the streets of Umbria and its capital Perugia with one goal in mind: to make the centenary edition the most memorable of all. It’s fair to say that this goal was successfully achieved thanks not only to such dynamic historical motorsport action but also the setting. There’s a reason why Italy remains one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world. The “on the road” activities started with a tour of the region with numerous visits to various locations over the weekend, including the beautiful springs and crystal clear waters of Campello sul Clitunno, then Deruta, San Gemini, Todi and Gubbio.

The highlight of the event was a double whammy in the center of Perugia on Saturday the 11th that included a parade of the stunning collection of historic vehicles in Corso Vannucci and Piazza IV Novembre as well as a night time run on a short city center circuit which involved thousands of spectators. Staying true to the original traditions of the 1920s Perugia Cup, ten historic motorbikes (although vintage may be a better adjective as the most recent of the bunch was built in 1929) were also made available by the ASI Centenary Vehicles Sector which opened proceedings with a cannonade of cracking rides.

On Sunday 12th, the Nestlé Perugina factory hosted the crews with skill tests dedicated to the pre-1940 cars which established the ranking of the historical re-enactment of the Perugina Cup, which saw a 1931 Ford Roadster as winner. While in the overall classification of the regularity trials the win went to a 1939 Fiat 508 C.

The Car & Classic Prize – fiercely contested in every ASI Circuito Tricolore event – was awarded to a 1964 Fiat Siata 1500 S Coupé driven by Edmondo Balsamo, a Milanese enthusiast who is a member of the re-born Scuderia Sant Ambroeus. The car is an extremely rare but historical accurate testimony of the ’60s niche middle class model featuring a 1500cc Fiat engine with a cylinder head by Siata.

We also had the pleasure and indeed honour of hitting the road in Enrico Scotto’s fabulous 1927 Salmson. Of all the vehicles involved this year this beautiful car was the most representative of the original competition held 100 years ago and was awarded as such with the Special Centenary Cup by the ASI. Well deserved indeed.

As in all ASI Circuito Tricolore events, at this year’s Coppa della Perugina a participating car was filled up with Sustain Classic 80 bio-fuel, continuing to prove to any doubters the efficacy of sustainable fuel for the internal combustion engine, regardless of its age. In this case it was a 1924 Lancia Lambda, chosen due to its historical value and being contemporary with the very first edition of the race.

This year, presentation of the centenary commemorative stamp was conducted by representatives of the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (Poste Italiane and the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato), the Italian government institution that issues the country’s banknotes. The stamp features an image of the first poster of the 1924 Perugia Cup penned by Federico Seneca, a well renowned exponant of the Futurismo art movement who did much work for the national automotive industry.

And as we head into another week the ASI Circuito Tricolore continues unabated with the magic of Giro di Sicilia, organized by the Veteran Car Club Panormus on the 15th to the 19th of May. So, we’ll see you next Wednesday in Palermo. Be sure not to miss the kick off in Piazza Verdi at 8pm with the start of the event and over 200 crews! Arrivederci!