Exotics at Auto Italia 2014

Cold and wet weather did not deter hundreds of exotic car owners from putting their polished treasures on show at Auto Italia 2014 on Sunday March 30. Held annually and presented by the Italian Cars Association (ICA) on the lawns of Old Parliament House, Canberra’s premier display of Italian automotives showcases an array of cars, motorbikes and scooters from across the nation. The festival also gives people a chance to experience Italian food, music and art.

This year the festival saw the celebration of two important anniversaries: 100 years of Maserati, and 50 years of the Fiat 850. Despite the miserable weather the attendance levels nearly set a new record and there were 250 vehicles on display, reflecting the broad range of Italian culture from exotic cars to motorbikes and scooters.

James Tedman, a car enthusiast and yearly attender of the festival, discovered his love of Italian cars at a very young age and has never looked back.

“That moment when I discovered my love for Italian cars was when my family moved to Canberra,” he said. “Even before we had properly settled in, my old man bought a little Alfa Romeo coupe and I could see straightaway that it was a special little car. I used to get driven to cricket in it which is still a very special memory for me. I look forward to seeing it on the road again – it’s been garaged for nearly 11 years awaiting restoration.”

Mr Tedman also hopes to enter a car into Auto Italia one day.

“I want to buy myself an Italian car that I truly love, restore it to perfect condition and display it at auto Italia!”

The cultural aspects of the festival were not lacking, with the food stalls offering warm and genuine welcomes, timely service, and great food (especially the pizzas) all for a reasonable price.

“The food and culture is so special at Auto Italia because it only comes once a year,” said Barbara Daniels, a regular attendant of the festival. “I have been bringing my boys here for the last few years and now my eldest is determined to enter a car when he turns 18.”

The atmosphere at Auto Italia proved that the culture of Italian automotives runs deeper than just a mere appreciation for cars — for many people it is a lifestyle. Spending time on a car to see it go from an old and rusty heap of junk to a shining beauty is what motivates these Italian car enthusiasts.

“I would have to say the highlight for me was simply seeing so many beautiful cars that are clearly well loved by their owners,” Mr Tedman said about the festival. “To me, Auto Italia is a great opportunity for car or bike or scooter lovers around the region to show off their undying love and passion for their chosen vehicle, and it shows in not just how many people turn up, but also in how much work goes into ensuring their beloved looks a million bucks on the day.” 

Elysia Roberts