Stellantis Heritage is poised to steal the show at Italy’s version of SEMA
Press releases are useful, but what’s better is the news that the Stellantis Heritage group is participating in a public event with vintage metal from their extensive historical collection. It’s all the more interesting because the (presumably sunsetting) FCA Heritage website doesn’t redirect to a Stellantis URL, and the outdated graphics clearly need to reflect the company’s new name. Time marches on, but graphic design takes effort!
Oops! Branding bungle aside, Stellantis is attending Italy’s Auto e Moto d’Epoca Padua, which Google Translate says is a “vintage car and motorcycle show” in Padua, a northern Italian city not too far from Venice. I reckon this event is something most Americans have never heard of, so a peek at the show’s website explains Auto e Moto d’Epoca Padua is the “largest market for vintage cars and spare parts in Europe.” Which sounds great to this (particularly clueless) American, as it feels like a blending of the SEMA trade show, an ISCA custom car show, and a huge swap meet worthy of Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
So the event looks legit, worthy of our consideration, and downright droolworthy for those interested in practically unobtainable, international automotive fruit. Since Stellantis generously tipped us off to the existence of the upcoming gig, let’s discuss the metal due to appear in their booth. They’ll have the 1974 Fiat X1/23 electric prototype, 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce, 1964 Fiat-Abarth 850 TC, 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione, Abarth 595 Competizione, and the Abarth 1000SP one-off custom (below).
Because Stellantis Heritage also pays the bills with parts and service support for classic vehicles under the brand’s massive umbrella, they’ll have their “Heritage Parts” line on display. Heritage Parts includes both this European-centric department and the more familiar Mopar brand of parts for North American Stellantis vehicles. Lancia sedan fans rejoice, as bumpers and steel panels will be available for the Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione. While the replacement bits are anything but cheap, now’s the time to make iconic, high performance clones from boring donor cars ... just like we do in the USA!
But seriously, kudos to Stellantis for keeping their Heritage department alive and seemingly well. Seeing classic works directly from these famous brands, in good shape, at a public show, is beyond impressive. Well, if only we knew about Auto e Moto d’Epoca Padua sooner we might have bought a ticket to Italy—the event kicks off tomorrow and ends on Sunday. Who’s ready to find some cheap, last minute airfare?
