Early spring showers were soon replaced by warm sunshine, as over 170 Italian cars and two wheelers streamed into the historic heart of Bristol. Led by over 70 Alfa Romeos, the streets thronged with Italian classic machinery. Bristolians and visitors from far and wide turned out in hoards to mix with the enthusiastic vehicle owners and share this celebration of style and classic engineering. The Ferrari OC with 40 entries plus an abundance of Lancias, Maseratis, Fiats and Lamborghinis superbly supported the event, organised by the AROC Bristol & West Section Committee. This year we also had two wheeled entries form the MV Agusta OC plus Ducatis, Moto Guzzis and the Ducati ‘Riders’ Dealership. The Bristol Mods classic Italian Scooter club enthusiastically supported the proceedings with their glamorous and colourful machines. The Fowlers dealership had a display of modern Italian scooters.

Abundances of immaculate Alfa Romeo GTVs  (including numerous entries from the gtvv6.com forum), Spiders, Giulias, Giuliettas, SZs, plus examples of just about every other model imported since WW11, together with Mike Hirst’s fabulous 1929 6C 1750cc Super Sport enabled AROC to hold its head high.

Stunning cars were plentiful in what must have been the most charismatic multi-million pounds parking lot the West Country has ever seen.  The breath taking appearances of   Jonathan Fowler’s Pagani Zonda, and the Lamborghini Murcielagos of Tuan Lee and Ernest Marshall headed the list, ably supported by the latest Ferrari 430 entered by the Dick Lovett dealership, Tony Castle-Millar’s Oscella Group 6 racing car, TCR racing Arbarths and Fiat Arbarths. The Lancias were led by several Stratos and Integrale rally cars; some sporting classic rally livery. Pat Lockyer’s fascinating and almost unique Stabilimenti Farina Jupiter was a welcome returnee. Mike Bryant’s ex Rod Stewart white Ferrari Testarossa added a showbiz dimension and Andrew Stainforth’s road legal Ferrari F1 racing replica with Alfa 33 engine was a notable crowd puller. Romeo Brown’s restaurant/bar allowed three of their scantily clad waitresses to wash a Ferrari 360 Spider with a sponge and bucket for added slapstick glamour. A spectacle enjoyed by all passing by! The “Gentlemen Start your engines” feature, was also much appreciated by the crowds, who had the chance to hear what these fantastic cars and bikes sound like when given the signal to “rev. up”, and make as much ‘music’ as possible.

The prize winners were:

Best Car – Jointly won by David and Claudia Zanetti (Fiat 500L) and Tony Ranson (Alfa Romeo Giuletta Spider)

Best Red Car – Andrew Cracknell (Ferrari Dino 246 GT)

Best Two Wheeler – Mark Bridger (MV Agusta 750cc Oro)

Furthest Travelled Exhibitor –  Henry Sherman (Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon).

The prizes were donated by the Central Chambers Club, San Carlos Restaurant and AROC Bristol & West Section.

Grateful thanks must go to Bristol City Council; Markets Division, for their support, help and advice, without which we would have been unable to stage the event. We are also indebted to the Bristol Pegasus Club for their invaluable help with the marshalling on the day.