Quote Originally Posted by Monte76 View Post
Chris,

Love the classic Lancia van in the background of your photo, was that the Transformer Alitalia GrpIV demo car getting ready to go to Japan?

vince.
I remember them saying at the time, that the car in Alitalia colours (the one with the back open next to the blue and white Lancia van) was being made ready to export to Japan.
I took the photo on the first day of the three day Lancia Motor Club 50th celebrations, based at the Agricultural College at Cirencester. The first day was at Castle Combe race circuit. I suppose it was a good opportunity to shake the Japan car down, if it wasn't registered in the UK?

John Whalley was taking passengers out in his turbo Stratos, to raise funds for the LMC. I remember being very impressed by that car, and how fuss free it handled at high cornering speeds. John W. took his Integrale out earlier in the day, but the Delta was damaged when someone t-boned it. My Stratos failed the Castle Combe noise test, so I didn't get out there, apart from some parade laps of all the cars. I also failed the noise test there on the Classic and Sportscar Action Day, the following year, and that was despite my attempts to make it quieter by fitting a 'Supertrapp'. The second day was a large Lancia static show at the college. The last day was at Prescott hill climb. I got some runs there ok, as did Paul and Ian.

That 'Lancia' van looks really good. It's more sort of 1950s/early '60s.
A Beta Berlina in Alitalia colours would make a good chase car. Should I look for one?!