THE CAPE LANCIA CLUB

Located in the beautiful City of Cape Town

TONY'S PAGE

Here is his rundown:  ..... and pics further down

VISIT TO THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL SEPTEMBER 2008

Shelley, myself and our Lancia hosts Robin and Margaret got dolled up in sixties garb to visit this prestigious event. This 3 day event is all about oldies – cars, people, clothing and aircraft. A solitary Lancia took part in this invitation event. An Aurelia complete with Nardi conversion expertly driven by Chris Gawne, a British Lancia Club member.

The Revival weekend was split into 3 days:

Friday – practice day. An ideal time to wander through the pits and look around the stalls.

Saturday – racing, but get there early and visit the pre-sixty parking lot and, of course, spot the Lancias.

Sunday – racing again – sold out this year. It was a wonderful sunny weekend.

The aircraft were not forgotten – dog fights with 2 Mustangs, then 2 Spitfires which were joined by a Lancaster bomber – quite a display!

FRENCH LANCIA CLUB RALLY 26-28 SEPTEMBER 2008

 This was a 3 day event held in the Loire Valley – vineyards, chateaus and abbeys.

 We were due to go with Robin and Margaret in the DiLambda – the Torino or bust one. We arrived to find Modestine not too well – a knocking sound despite a recent bottom end overhaul. Robin and I spent 2 evenings puzzling it out – we found poor oil feed to the top but good pressure – blockage? 

Robin did have a back up plan. The night before we arrived he went to Cambridge to collect a Lancia Thema LS Turbo for which he had purchased for the princely sum of 1500 pounds, so we would at least be in a Lancia. This was the last Thema that was imported into the UK, 108000 miles, excellent condition, factory sunroof, climate control – and it all works! There is some slight rust on the rear wheel arches. So we could ride in style and comfort with plenty of space for luggage. Modestine still knocked despite some muck having been removed from an oil gallery – Robin had stayed behind to see if he could fix it, but he had to call it a day.

 The rally was of the gastronomic type – did we eat! The start was at the Chateau du Lude and after a tour of the chateau we drove to an abbey, l’Hotellerie de l’Abbaye de Fontevraud, for the 2 nights. This was an exercise in navigation. At the dinner that evening I was presented with a special Lancia tie from the French Club for having traveled the furthest.

 The following day Shelley and I were invited to drive with John in a Lambda series 8. Gone were the comforts of climate control etc! The top speed was 100 KPH at 2500 rpm. This long wheelbase Lambda, top down of course – after all the sun was out, was rather draughty in the back and chilly first thing in the morning. We started with a drive to the caves (winery) using tulip diagrams – wrong slotted a few times, but what the heck. A slight loss of oil pressure caused a minor panic, but the fault cleared a couple of kilometers down the road. Then on to the lunch stop – no problems – a typical 5 course meal until 4pm. The day was not over and off we went to an engine museum using the tulip diagrams again. Then a scenic drive back to the abbey. We arrived exhausted and windblown to face another large meal at 9pm.

 On Sunday morning we visited the abbey and then went off to the lunch stop at Savennieres where the rally was to end. Maps were handed out with a list of the towns to go through plus some French directions – non! We used the Tom Tom and Jane and our trusty Thema took us via the shortest to lunch at another wine estate. We were on time, while many who had tried to follow the directions had had to abandon them and opt for the motorway as it was taking too long, arrived late. After yet another fantastic meal we said our farewells at about 3pm and went off to Le Mans.

 The cars on this event were something else: 4 Lambdas; Aurelias; 3 Flavia 2000 (including Christo’s); March Augusta; Aprilia; a horde of Fulvias; Beta spyder; Flavia coupes & Vignale; Integrales and a Thesis. A Monte Carlo and a Kappa coupe joined us on the Sunday.

 The event was great. We renewed old acquaintances and made some new ones. The weather was wonderful. The scenery super. The selection of Lancias better still. The cost was not bad – 540 euro per couple including accommodation, all meals and wine, and museum entrance fees. The only drawback was the language barrier. A fantastic way to see France. A big thank you to Daniel and his organizing team and, of course, to Robin and Margaret for all the transport arrangements.

After Le Mans we visited Mont San Michel and then boarded the ferry at Caen at midnight on the Monday. We were not short of company – a Lambda and the Aprilia joined us – can’t get away from these Lancias.

Cape Lancia Club members can send their members page contributions to our webmaster, Phil at  lanciagarage@telkomsa.net

Tony, always on the phone!

..because he can't get to his desk

and his pride and joy.... I think?

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And he even has more at home! (some are missing)

Contact Jim Baldwin (Chairman) - Phone 082 622 8677 - email jimb@ananzi.co.za - capelancia@gmail.com

webmaster: mousewebs web design Cape Town: www.mousewebs.co.za  email  lanciagarage@telkomsa.net