Features VVV visits Britstol Italian Auto Festival

April 24th saw part of Bristol’s city centre roads closed to make way for hundreds of Italian vehicles. It was a warm sunny day, and the area was absolutely packed with car fans, with the street lined with a selection of Ferrari’s and Maserati’s almost impassible.

Down some quieter side streets, selections of rare Italian cars could be found, such as various sporty Alfa Romeos, Lancias and Fiats, as well as a few more unusual and exotic Lamborghinis, a De Tomaso, and a Vignale built Triumph Italia.

Motorbikes old and new were present from all the big Italian names, as well as some older rarities from Laverda and Benelli. The Bristol MOD club had brought along a cluster of modified Vespas and Lambrettas, with more than enough mirrors, lights and air horns for 10 times as many scooters.
Occasionally, the 50s and 60s music playing out of the PA system pauses and the announcer reminds owners to get back to their cars and bikes for a ‘Start up’. A few minutes later the streets of Bristol echo with the sound of highly tuned Lamborghini V12s, Ferrari V8s, Alfa V6s, countless motorbikes and what can only be described as the ‘Smell of Horsepower’ fills the air.
Overall it was a great way to spend several hours in Bristol, though it’s best to get there early to avoid the massive crowds that the event draws by mid morning. It was also great to see all the vehicles leaving, with varying levels of exuberance, as the day winds down after 4pm.

It’s worth a visit next year for anyone who wants an opportunity to get up close to fantastic machinery and talk to the owners. It was a unique experience, and a different atmosphere to the normal car show.

Check out the gallery for more pictures!

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