 Tuscany is full of surprises; you expect (and for sure get) great food, the exquisite wine and the awesome views. But being an automobile afficionado you want more. Just stopping at a garage during the recce of the Via Flaminia we got in touch with the Franco, the son of the old owner of Autofficina Bellini in San Casciano in Val die Pesa (for that name alone you would go!). As it appears, the shop used to be an official assistance and filling station of the Mille Miglia. Brave drivers lake Nuvolari, Campari, Varzi, Villoresi and Borzacchini stopped at the Bellini shop for service. The place is filled with old memories, as Franco is proud to show us. A few of the pictures depict a very special Alfa 6C, one running on coal gas ('carbone' or 'gasogene' ; possibly the 6C1750 with a gasogene history offered in Monaco by RM Auctions. The two drivers are in white overalls, to show that the car is not polluting. Environmentalists of today, take note ! The car finished the race at an average of 60 km/h. We will incorporate the Bellini garage in the Via Flaminia route. ( text & photos Bart Kleyn) |
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Alfa service station on the Mille Miglia
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