– 26th edition of the Ennstal Classic from 18 to 21 July in Gröbming and the surrounding area – “Driving in the last paradise” on the most beautiful Alpine roads in Styria without electronic instruments – Fiat 124 Sport Spider (1970), Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider “Duetto” (1966) and Abarth 2400 Coupé Allemano (1964) in the field of participants
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is taking part in the Ennstal Classic, which will take place from July 18 to 21, 2018, with three special vehicles from the FCA Heritage Collection. This is the 26th edition of this event, which started in 1993 with 35 participating vehicles and has since developed into one of the most important motor sport events for lovers of classic vehicles. This year's Ennstal Classic will see 238 teams from over 20 nations taking part, with the regulations traditionally only allowing mechanical stopwatches with analogue displays and purely mechanical odometers. No electrical or electronic sensors/signals may be used.
FCA Heritage, the department created specifically to preserve and promote the history of the group's Italian brands, is bringing three vehicles to Styria this year. The Fiat 124 Sport Spider, built in 1970, will tackle the approximately 900 kilometers along the most beautiful Alpine roads in Styria with the popular actor Rudi Roubinek and his co-pilot Günther Schrems. The car was restored in Turin at the "Officine Classiche" and exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016.
Also taking part is the Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider "Duetto" from 1966, which has cult status not only in the world of cinema. The legendary model became an automotive icon 50 years ago through the Oscar-winning film "The Graduate". To celebrate this special anniversary, the "Duetto" was brought from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese (www.museoalfaromeo.com) to be driven by the well-known Austrian actor couple Gregor Bloeb and Nina Proll.
As sponsors of the Ennstal Classic, the brands Abarth and Alfa Romeo are also showing some of their current models. In addition to the Abarth 124 spider and the Abarth 695 Rivale, the Quadrifoglio versions of the Alfa Romeo models Giulia and Stelvio are also on display at the Gröbming technical college.
In addition, another jewel of the Abarth brand can be admired there: the wonderful 2400 Coupé Allemano, which was once owned by the legendary Karl Abarth, who was born in Austria 110 years ago.
This rare vehicle will be driven through the streets of the city on Saturday by Anneliese Abarth, the widow of the founder of the brand with the scorpion and president of the Karl Abarth Foundation, as part of the Gröbming Grand Prix.
Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider “Duetto” (1966)
When it was presented at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, the "Duetto" surprised everyone with its unusual and unconventional design by Pininfarina, which was very different from other versions of the Giulia model range and earned it the nickname "osso di seppia" (cuttlefish bone) due to its downward-swept front and sloping trunk. The mechanics of the "Duetto" are derived from the Giulia Sprint GT, with an increased power of 80 kW (109 hp) at 6.000 rpm and a wheelbase shortened to 225 cm. The performance and the associated driving pleasure were among the best in its class, with a top speed of 182 km/h, rear-wheel drive and independent suspension. The "Duetto" rose to international fame with its unforgettable appearance in the film "The Graduate", in which it was driven by Dustin Hoffman. Four series and numerous versions of the Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider “Duetto” were produced until 1994 – a very long career.
Fiat 124 Sport Spider (1970)
The Fiat 124 Sport Spider was presented at the Turin International Motor Show in November 1966 and introduced to the American market two years later. It had rear-wheel drive, two overhead camshafts and 66 kW (90 hp) from a displacement of just under 1,5 liters. The standard five-speed gearbox and disc brakes on all four wheels were anything but a given at the end of the 1960s. With a top speed of up to 170 km/h, the Fiat 930 Sport Spider, which weighed around 124 kilograms, was one of the sportiest vehicles in its segment.
The 124 Spider was very successful for a considerable period of time, both in Italy and in export markets. The model was produced for 19 years, outliving almost all other sports cars of the time. In the United States alone, over 1968 Spiders were sold between 1985 and 170.000.
The design by Pininfarina, Fiat's partner for the creation of special versions, proved so popular that the model only had to undergo a few small stylistic updates during its twenty-year production period and is still considered one of the greatest successes of the Turin coachbuilder. The model used at the Ennstal Classic still bears the original black number plates and comes from the second series, introduced in 1969 with a slightly increased displacement of 1.608 cc and slight design changes such as the two bumps on the bonnet and the larger taillights.
Abarth 2400 Coupe Allemano (1964)
The Abarth 2400 Coupé is one of the masterpieces of tuning legend Carlo Abarth. Based on the Fiat 2100, Abarth presented the coupé designed by Giovanni Michelotti at the Geneva Motor Show in 1959. It was produced by Allemano from 1962 to 1964, initially with a 2,2-liter engine (2200 Coupé), and from 1964 with a 2,4-liter engine (2400 Coupé). This inline six-cylinder engine produced 103 kW (140 hp) and accelerated the coupé to up to 200 km/h. The model used at the Ennstal Classic has a prominent previous owner - Carlo Abarth himself.
For more information about FCA Heritage, visit the website www.fcaheritage.com, a meeting point for anyone interested in the history, events and activities of this department dedicated to historic vehicles of the Italian brands FCA. Here, lovers and owners of classic Fiat, Abarth, Lancia and Alfa Romeo models can discover new services, sign up for a newsletter or even submit online requests for a certificate of origin.
