My stepson is visiting from Boston for a few weeks this summer. Friday we pulled his 1973 Fiat 500 (cinquecento) from the depths of the garage, checked out all the electrics, brakes and tires and removed a couple of years of grime.
We had registered the Cinquecento last week for participation in the 7th annual Mare-Monti Rally, a 56 km run from Chiavari at sea level across the appenine Passo del Bocco (1000m) to Bedonia in the Province of Parma. The timed run was sponsored by the Tigullio Motor Club. The event was open to all 1988 and earlier cars, motorcycles and motor scooters.
There turned out to be 95 motorcycles and scooters and 65 cars entered. Prizes were awarded for 6 categories; pre 1966 cars, motorcycles and scooters and 1966 to 1988 cars, motorcycles and scooters. We finished 43rd overall among the cars but convinced ourselves that an emergency 6 minute oil stop was to blame for being so low on the results list.
We just could not make up the lost time on the mountain roads with the distance remaining.
While our Cinquecento represented the most basic transportation entered, there were some more elegant entries including two MB 107s, an XKE a 72 BMW 3.0csi coupe a Ferrari and some beautiful Alfa Romeos and Lancias….. unfortunately no Pagodas. A few pictures are attached starting with our yellow Fiat 500.
As usual for these events, the three hour lunch in Bedonia at the end of the run was just reward for the effort expended.
