Vintage High Jinks at the Autogirovagando and Motociclettando

Take 25 pre-war cars, all still very much alive and kicking, put them all together and drive them for two days across the beauty of the Adriatic Riviera. Only then will you get an idea of just what Emanuela Pagliarini managed to do from the 14th to the 16th of June this year to promote the culture of automobile history with the Autogirovagando.

In Italy there is no much love for this era and gathering these vintage classics with the challenge of driving over 150km is a tough mission. As president of the club CHC Cesena, Pagliarini is taking over the work of her husband Alberto Ghini – who sadly died four years ago – with great competence, capability and success. Every year she organizes several events to share this passion and keep it alive with the club and showcases one of the most regarded historic car events in the country. It’s not by chance that the Autogirovagando actually included in the top series of Circuito Tricolore by ASI, the national Federation of classic car clubs that we are proudly in collaboration with.

Ok, in the Emilia Romagna area you may not have the wild nature and the tranquility of Sardinia, or the warmth of the southern culture, but what you do get in spades is the joyful atmosphere of the Romagna with its typical “Liscio” music, fully equipped beaches and delicious “Piadina”, that always makes this region a compelling temptation that’s guaranteed to make you smile.

One of the main Italian summer vacation destinations, the Riviera is a hot spot for those of us with fuel instead of blood running through our veins. Add in the charming accommodation of a real Grand Hotel by the sea and the legendary inland Appenines Mountains that are part of the Autogirovagando rally and you’ll get an idea of just how absolutely unforgettable this quality two-day event was.

Discovery of the beautiful territory is all part and parcel of the excellent Autogirovagando, including, among others, a stop at a Maritime Museum, a visit to the seaside town of Cervia – known for its natural salt production and the myriad lovely villages along the way. A couple that are particularly worthy of mention are Mercato Saraceno and the surprising Sarsina, where an ancient collar in the San Vicinio millenary cathedral was used by priests until recently in order to check whether people were possessed by the devil: a phenomenon that would immediately be proved if they were driven crazy while wearing it. While the notes of Romagna mia – a very famous and cheerful song played by the local band – were echoing through the streets the various crews enjoyed some traditional dancing in the main square.

As is par for the course with the ASI Circuito Tricolore events, Sustain Fuels was also on hand to provide the motion lotion for the Autogirovagando, as well as spark debate about the use of sustainable fuels and their place in the world of classic vehicles before the convoy headed off to an historic musical instrument collection in a villa not far from the coast. The end of the day saw the cars presented on stage to the public in the town where the event was based; Cesenatico, with the scenary of the ancient harbour designed by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci as a fitting backdrop.

The eldest car participating in the Autogirovagando was a rather wonderful Buick and there were plenty of 1920s beauties too, from Fiat 501s to a Lancia Lambda and an Ansaldo. Not only that but there were sports cars and GTs of the ’30s too, from a fabulous red Jaguar SS 100 and a racing Delage D6-80, up to her majesty – a Rolls-Royce 20/25 HP.

As usual, all of the entrants were in the running to win the coveted Car & Classic ASI-Automotoclub Storico Italiano Circuito Tricolore prize that, as partners of the series we have the pleasure to award at every event. This time the trophy went to an incredibly rare Lancia Belna which was made arguably even more precious by the logo on our stickers making a perfect pendant for the paintjob!

The car, built in 1934, has just been meticolously restored by its owner, Riccardo Rocchi, who has a great passion for the Lancia innovations of that period. While the overall winner of the dynamic concours d’elegance was the enchanting 1939 Fiat 1500 of Raffaele Barbieri, with a body penned by the great Italian star of car-design of the time, Mario Revelli di Beaumont. Car & Classic was proudly part of the jury together with the ASI president Alberto Scuro, the vice president Agnese Di Matteo and the president of the ASI Events Commission Ivo Serio.

But that’s not all, because in Tuscany, in the same weekend, the trio of ASI clubs – the Siena Club Auto Moto d’Epoca, the Club Moto d’Epoca Fiorentino and the Registro Storico Italiano Indian – attracted the participation of nearly 80 historic and exceptional motorbikes for the Motociclettando. Around 20 or so of them were rare “centenaries”, like a Rochet Trycicle from 1900, a 1902 Brutus and an Italian 1904 Frera, just to mention a few.

From Monteriggioni di Siena they bravely faced an heroic ride through the splendid scenery offered by Chianti, the Crete Senesi and the Val d’Orcia. The first stop was on Friday in Siena for a visit to the Municipal Museum.

The following day there were trips to Asciano, Trequanda, Pienza and Chianciano Terme with a re-enactment of a historic competition that took place one hundred years ago. Sunday’s program didn’t miss a stop in Bagno Vignoni during the return to the start, with a conclusion at the Museum of the Contrada Chiocciola, one of the “parties” in which the town is split in a fight against each other in the famous annual horse race of Palio of Siena. The Car & Classic prize? It could only have gone to a much preserved and original 1938, 1000cc Matchless 38X.

After the Dolomites regularity rally of last weekend in the form of the acclaimed Leggenda of Bassano, the ASI Circuito Tricolore continues on with the Circuito of Avezzano, taking in the National Mountain Park of Abruzzo from the 5th to the 7th of July that will take the form of an exciting revival of an historical speed race, including a night time course. Onwards!