Lancias in Auto Italia

[Thotos]

I have it on good authority that Auto Italia will soon feature an article with the Lancia Gamma Coupe (mine  ) and a Fiat 130 Coupe. The photo session was last Friday 12/09/2008 at Chobham and I am told the article will appear "sometime this year". Here's some of the photos I took last Friday:

[fay66]

Looks lovely Theo, at first I thought the cars were on mud is that the old Army testing ground?

Brian
8227

[Thotos]

 is that the old Army testing ground?

Yes it is. Apparently they used to test tanks and other military vehicles there. The cobblestones must have been for testing tank suspension and comfort? 

[fay66]

I thought I recognise the old armoured fighting vehicle test ground, can't remember why the paving, when I worked for Vauxhall Motors, at our test track at Lidlington there was a stretch of Belgian Pave which used to rattle the fillings in your teeth I always wondered how authentic it was; in the last five years I've been visiting a little village in Belgium for Armistice day, and the Pave at Lidlington was pretty authentic!

Brian
8227

[Scarpia]

this may explain why my teeth are falling out, (or is that just the "time of life")

[stuwilson128]

Issue 150 of AI has Mick Covill's (alfasudtwinengine) group 4 Beta being tested alongside his Alfasud Bimotore.  Chris has also found fame as his Delta 1.3LX is one of the readers cars!

In the news section, a snippet reporting that the new Delta has achieved a Euro NCAP five star rating.

[fensaddler]

I shall be intrigued to see myself in print...

[sparehead3]

- That was a weird one seeing you Chris - and Hey! I've sat in that car !!!! Good article though ... congrats.

[fensaddler]

I'm getting somewhat narked.  AI launch date on their website is October 3rd (last Friday).  Subscribers duly get copies by this date - I only find out I'm actually in because said subscribers are good enough to tell me on here.  As you might imagine, I'm keen to see a copy, and AI haven't sent me one, so I have to go and buy one - which I've tried to do every day since Saturday.  Copies are still not in central Birmingham WHSmith, even on the 9th - tomorrow, I'm told by the staff there.  I won't hold my breath.

On a different tack, I'm clearly getting old, as I'm finding youth fashions comical.  Two lads walking in front of me this lunchtime heading into Matthew Boulton College were equipped with the fashionable trouser 'stylee' - viz. waistband at lower buttock level and crotch at about knee level, but what was even more comical was the 'wearing a very full nappy' gait that they were adopting.  It was all I could do not to laugh.  Did we really look as ludicrous in the early 80s with drainpipe jeans and pixie boots?

[sparehead3]

... looking on the good side, we were too young for the 70's !

[fay66]

Hi Chris,
You were hoping weren't you you supply your prize possession for an article in AutoItalia free & gratis, and you expected a free copy of the magazine it appeared in  How could you be so naive? surely you know AutoItalia never give away magazines or pays ordinary enthusiast for the loan of their cars.

On the full day shoot they did with us on Fulvias about 4-5 years ago, we even finished up paying for our own beer.

Brian
8227
 

[fensaddler]

... looking on the good side, we were too young for the 70's !

I should be so lucky.  There are pictures of me in flares when nobbut a lad that are frankly actionable should they ever get into the public domain.   

[fensaddler]

Hi Chris,
You were hoping weren't you you supply your prize possession for an article in AutoItalia free & gratis, and you expected a free copy of the magazine it appeared in  How could you be so naive? surely you know AutoItalia never give away magazines or pays ordinary enthusiast for the loan of their cars.

On the full day shoot they did with us on Fulvias about 4-5 years ago, we even finished up paying for our own beer.

Brian
8227
 

Two levels of angst really.  Firstly, that having provided them with a page of copy worthy of publication, it would be nice to at least get a copy of the magazine, or at least a PDF proof of the page.  However, I accept that their margins are probably very tight with a modest circulation, and that they are probably very busy - so I can understand this.  The second level is the mounting annoyance of trying to buy the magazine for best part of a week, working on the publication dates on the website.  Again, I gues AI is a small set up, and I've no doubt its hard work getting each issue put to bed - but it seems inordinate that it takes an extra week for copies to appear on the shelves after subscribers have got copies.  A couple of days possibly, but I am getting fed up.  Still, in the end, its just vanity...

[sparehead3]

.. can you sign my copy please ?

[fensaddler]

Finally got a copy  .  Its a good issue - lots in to read, and the Alfa 147 buyers guide will be very useful in the next couple of months...  But I did warn them I had a face for radio...