Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Mille Miglia
In 1934, Alfa introduced an entirely new six cylinder engine, made to much less ambitious specifications than the 6C1750: the 6C2300. It was a 76-horsepower six offering the displacement of the 8-cylinder sport car, but with cost-saving innovations as a single-plate clutch, partial chain drive for the camshafts and the deletion of a supercharger option.
The sporting version of the 6C2300, with dual carbs and 95 hp, had much more modern styling, with fully-rounded, aerodynamic fenders. These cars swept the first three places at the 24 hours of Pescara and thus were immediately dubbed Pescara models.
The caption to the Alfa Romeo picture was taken from Pat Braden's manuscript which should be downloaded in simple text form. A hypertext version is under construction.



Fiat

Fiat 8V same car
Hmmm. Let's try to put this car into prospective. Fiat Topolino, 1100 etc. All are solid, family models. How on earth should this car be realized? Anyway it was introduced in 1952. The Siata 208 which used the 8V engine outsold the original version and other coachbuilders transformed the original form which looked odd those days.
The 1996 cc V8 (with pushrods operated by a single camshaft in the centre of the Vee) was set in a tubular chasses frame to which the steel body was welded to form unitary construction, and suspension was all-independent. The 4-speed gearbox had synchromesh on all gears, and late cars had four headlights.



Innocenti

Innocenti 950 A Spridget based two-seater small car made between 1960-1970. The rag top was designed by Ghia.




Maserati


Maserati 3500 GT Coupe by Touring
It was introduced at the Geneva Show in 1957. Rather than a "true" coupé it was a two plus two "berlinetta", forerunner of a productive trend which was to become increasingly succesful in years to come.
The original version (six cylinders in-line, 3485 cc's, 220 bhp at 5500 rpm) was gradually updated and improved with new details: indirect fuel injection, disc brakes etc. With this car (172 units were built between 1957 and 1964), Maserati not only resolved its internal problems but also discovered a new "vocation" which was to convince the firm to follow a philosophy of production entirely opposed to that of its past. In simple terms: production and marketing are the "driving forces" behind the firm (remember: back then the company was just grabbed from the hands of the Receiver). Racing on the other hand, is little more than "decorative".


Go back to the report!

Copyright March, 1996.

Paul Negyesi

I'm no way related to the companies, organizers etc. I have no responsibility for the accuracy of the above info. This document or parts of it cannot be used for commercial purposes.