Motoring June 2016 by The Malta Independent

The Malta Independent on Sunday. June 2016

JAGUAR Home again ALSO

GASTRONOMIC BURGUNDY VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT LOUIS JADOT

Vin IN tag SID eS E pec ial

at MUSCATS MOTORS LTD

EXPLORE A MAGICAL PART OF FRANCE. BURGUNDY Fontenay Abbey

WITH BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES, HISTORIC VILLAGES AND SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST WINES, BURGUNDY OFFERS AN INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF ATTRACTIONS. BURGUNDY’S PROSPERITY BLOSSOMED AFTER 1000AD WHEN THE GREAT CATHEDRAL AT CLUNY BECAME A KEY CENTER OF CHRISTIANITY. THE CHURCH’S PATRONAGE ATTRACTED THE GREATEST SCULPTORS, ARCHITECTS AND SCHOLARS OF THE MIDDLE AGES WHO, IN TURN, CREATED A RICH CULTURAL LEGACY.

THE MEDIEVAL SPLENDOR OF THE CATHEDRAL AT VÉZÉLAY, ABBAYE DE FONTENAY AND CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEPOT

orgeous towns and stunning countryside. Burgundy is covered by gently rolling landscape carpeted with vineyards and fields of poppies and sunflowers. Tiny country lanes zigzag through the vineyards and offer some of the best driving trips in all of France. Villages dot the landscape every few kilometers, providing a good excuse to stop at the local café or bistro. Serious gourmets will find more Michelin stars in Burgundy than in any other region outside of Paris. And if you like wine, Burgundy is heaven on earth.

BURGUNDY MUST-DOS AND CAN’T MISSES.

Vézelay Abbey was a Benedictine and Cluniac monastery in Vézelay, northern Burgundy. The Benedictine abbey church, now the Basilica of SainteMarie-Madeleine (Saint Mary Magdalene), is one of the outstanding masterpieces of Burgundian Romanesque art and architecture. Dijon covered market

MARKETS IN DIJON AND BEAUNE The street markets in Burgundy reflect the region’s reputation as the stomach of France. Dijon hosts a fantastic daily food market in the 19th-century covered market built by Gustave Eiffel who also built the Eiffel tower. Fruit and vegetable merchants lay out their staggering array outside around the Halles. Half an hour drive south of Dijon, the Saturday market in Beaune is a colourful food and clothes market which is as good as Dijon only smaller.

DINNER AT THE 3-STARRED MAISON LAMELOISE IN CHAGNY

Dijon

DIJON

The Château de la Rochepot is a 13th-century castlenin the commune of La Rochepot in Burgundy. This stately fortress with its multicoloured roofs offers a romantic image of ducal Burgundy. It lies on the N6 to the south west of Beaune.

Driving south from Beaune brings you to Chagny (approx 20 min, 16.9 km via D974) home of Maison Lameloise. The history of Maison Lameloise stretches back to 1921, when three generations of the Lameloise ran this restaurant. It first received a third Michelin star in 1979, with a brief dip down between 2005 and 2007 before regaining the honor under the young chef Eric Pras, who continues to helm the kitchen. Reservations Tel: +33 (0)3 85 87 65 65, Mail: reception@lameloise.fr

Dijon is the capital city of the Burgundy. It’s known for its vineyard tours, autumn gastronomic fair and building styles from Gothic to art deco. The distinguished 1787 Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed in the vast Palace of the Dukes, holds a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, crafts and antiquities.

HOT AIR BALLOONING OVER THE PATCHWORK QUILT OF VINEYARDS

BEAUNE Beaune is a walled town at the center of the Burgundy winemaking region in France. Surrounded by the Côte d’Or vineyards, the cobbled town is renowned for an annual wine auction held at the Hôtel-Dieu. Recognized by its colorful, geometric-patterned tile roof, this 15thcentury former hospital is now the Hôtel-Dieu Museum, showcasing masterpieces like “The Jugement Dernier” by Rogier van der Weyden.

Fontenay Abbey was founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a leading French saint, and is the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world and declared a World Heritage site by Unesco in 1981.The Abbey is decorated with a landscaped park which was listed in 2004 as “Remarkable Garden” by the National Council of Parks and Gardens. Located in northern Burgundy, it is nestled in a fully preserved valley which extends over 1,200 hectares.

Michelin Star Maison Lameloise

To enjoy a rather original experience in Burgundy, nothing could be better than a trip in a hot air balloon. Hot air balloons operate from April to October. Carried by the will of the wind, balloons travel silently on their way, unveiling some incredible landscapes as they go. Vineyards bathed in sunlight, medieval towns and villages, churches, castles, wooded hillsides… Wherever your departure point, you are sure to fly over the many treasures that Burgundy offers. May 2016 | motoring 03

BURGUNDY VINEYARD SPOTLIGHT

LOUIS JADOT

THE HOUSE OF LOUIS JADOT HAS BEEN PRODUCING EXCEPTIONAL BURGUNDY WINES SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1859 BY LOUIS HENRY DENIS JADOT. FOR THE PAST 150 YEARS LOUIS JADOT HAS CONTINUED AS ONE OF THE GREAT NAMES OF BURGUNDY AND HAS GAINED INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR ITS SUPERB RED AND WHITE BURGUNDY WINES. LOUIS JADOT IS NOT ONLY ONE OF THE LARGEST PRODUCERS OF ESTATE BURGUNDIES OF THE COTE D'OR, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED EXPORTERS OF PREMIUM BURGUNDIES, OWNING CLOSE TO 140 ACRES OF VINEYARDS FROM 24 OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS SITES IN BURGUNDY. Louis Henry Denys Jadot

THE FOUNDING OF MAISON LOUIS JADOT

aison Louis Jadot was founded in 1859 by the man whose name it bears, Louis Henry Denis Jadot. The first of his family arrived in Beaune from Belgium in 1794 and soon began purchasing Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. With grape growing a part of his heritage, Louis Henry set about gaining experience first in the cellars, in the evaluation of wines, and then in the vineyards, in the study of viticulture.

THE ARRIVAL OF ANDRÉ GAGEY In 1954, André Gagey joined Maison Louis Jadot as assistant to Louis Auguste Jadot and in 1962 was appointed managing director of the firm. For nearly three decades Gagey was responsible for the final decisions over selection and purchase of all grapes and wines bottled under the Jadot label, as well as the care

and maintenance of the vineyards within the Jadot estate.

THE CURRENT GENERATION OF LEADERS In 1970 Gagey engaged Jacques Lardière, a brilliant young enologist, as his assistant and eventual technical director. Lardière is today acknowledged as one of Burgundy’s finest winemakers, an artist with the reins of nature in one hand and those of technology in the other. In 1984 Gagey’s son, Pierre-Henry Gagey, joined the firm and in 1991 assumed the position of president. Frédéric Barnier joined Maison Louis Jadot in 2010, as Technical Director, under the advisement of Jacques Lardière. Frédéric and Jacques have had the perfect working relationship with a shared vision of winemaking.

Frederic Barnier, Jacques Lardiere and Pierre Henry Gagey 04 motoring | June 2016

ENSURING QUALITY IN THE CELLAR Maison Louis Jadot’s principles of vinification balance tradition and

technology, and focus on the purest expression of each wine’s terroir, taking the lightest possible hand in winemaking. Louis Jadot and Château des Jacques are attributed with revolutionizing the winemaking of Beaujolais. Jadot has invested in modern wineries dedicated to Beaujolais and Mâconnais wines only, and painstakingly vinifies all its wines rather than buying wines ready-made. For its Beaujolais and Mâconnais wines, Jadot practices a further, though expensive, practice called réplis, in which wines of a higher appellation are incorporated into a wine bearing the appellation below them. Thus, for example, Jadot’s Beaujolais-Villages will customarily contain a percentage of wines from Beaujolais crus. LOUIS JADOT CHABLIS. Chablis is in the northern part of Burgundy, half way between Dijon and Paris. This wine is fermented in vats and then aged in the Louis Jadot cellars between 9-12 months before bottling. The Louis Jadot Chablis is a bright and fresh wine which

should be served chilled, and can be served with oysters, charcuterie and fried fish. It also goes very well with goats cheese. BOOKING A WINE TOUR AT LOUIS JADOT. Maison Louis Jadot has opened the doors of its cellars, located at 62 route de Savigny, 21200 Beaune, to private customers. At 3pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 10am on Saturday there are scheduled visits to the winemaking and maturation cellars, followed by a tasting. These visits are open by prior reservation only. Boutique Louis Jadot, Mon-Fri 3-7pm, Sat 11am-5.30pm. Tel: +33 3 80 263198, email: visit@louisjadot.com Locally Louis Jadot Wines are imported by Attard and Co and available from Sistina Wine & Co.,The Strand Gzira. Opening hours: 10am till late. WEB: www.sistinawineco.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sistinawineco TEL: 2131 4161. Gozo Distributor: Abraham’s Supplies Co. Ltd. tel 2156 3231 Web: www.abrahams.com.mt

MUSCATS MOTORS LTD

appointed importer for

JAGUAR BRAND

uscats Motors are proud to announce that they are once again taking over the role of importing and distributing the prestigious car brand Jaguar, in addition to Land Rover the other JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) brand. Muscats Motors have been the sole importers and distributors of Land Rover since the early 1950s. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturing business, built around two iconic British car brands: Land Rover, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium allterrain vehicles and Jaguar, one of the world’s premier luxury sports saloon and sports car marques. “Jaguar was part of the British Leyland Group which was represented by Muscats Motors in Malta until 1995, when the importing license of Jaguar was transferred to Gasan after the Ford acquisition of Jaguar”, says Mr Kenneth Mizzi, Managing Director of Muscats Motors. Recently, Jaguar Land Rover decided to designate only one representative for both brands in Malta,

JAGUAR WAS PART OF THE BRITISH LEYLAND GROUP WHICH WAS REPRESENTED BY MUSCATS MOTORS IN MALTA UNTIL 1995, WHEN THE IMPORTING LICENSE OF JAGUAR WAS TRANSFERRED TO GASAN AFTER THE FORD ACQUISITION OF JAGUAR

will be the exciting new Jaguar F-PACE. The all new Jaguar F-PACE is a performance SUV that combines maximum driving exhilaration with efficiency. Technologically advanced to the core, F-PACE keeps you safe, connected and entertained. It has the capability for every road and the capacity for every day. F-PACE is a Jaguar for you, a Jaguar for your family. Muscats motors have taken over the sales and after sales service relating to Jaguar as from the 1st June. Over a million Euros have been invested for a new showroom for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands while only last year half a

million Euros were invested in a new after sales facility. The first consignment of Jaguar vehicles will arrive this month at the Muscats Motors showroom, located in Rue d’Argens, Gzira. Muscats Motors can be contacted on 2326 4584/5 or via email on info@mml.mizzi.com.mt. Muscats Motors Ltd is part of Mizzi Motors which falls under the Mizzi Organisation. Currently, Mizzi Motors employs 210 employees. For further information, visit www.jaguar.com.mt and http://www.muscatsmotors.com.mt

and Muscats Motors were appointed. Mr Mizzi also states, “We are very proud to represent such a prestigious brand and as Muscats Motors is the leading importer and distributor of premium cars in Malta, Jaguar fits in perfectly within our portfolio.” Following this take over on the 1st of June, the very first new vehicle launch

KIA FANS MAKE IT TO FRANCE

to watch the EUFA EURO 2016 quarter finals ix football enthusiast players who formed the ‘Gilba FC’ took part in the ‘Kia Champ in the Arena’ tournament will be travelling to France to watch a quarter final game of the EUFA Euro 2016 between June 29 and July 3. The winners are Ludwig Fardell, Emmanuel Cutajar, Marlon Farrugia, Gilbert Camilleri, Gaynor D’Amato and Glenn Bonello. The six friends formed the Gilba FC to compete against 17 other teams in the day-long Kia 5-aside tournament at the Luxol Grounds in Pembroke. Companies and friends formed friendly football teams to take part in the ‘Kia Champ in the Arena’ tournament and 06 motoring | June 2016

KIA MOTORS HAS BEEN SUPPORTING THE EURO FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND IS ONE OF THE 10 GLOBAL UEFA SPONSORS AND THE OFFICIAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTNER FOR THE EURO 2016 BEING HELD BETWEEN JUNE 10 AND JULY 11 IN PARIS, FRANCE.

stand a chance to win the Kia VIP treatment to travel to France for the Euro 2016 quarter finals. The Maltese winning team will also be participating in the World Final Tournament organised by KIA Motors, competing against other winning teams who participating in a similar tournament organised by Kia in countries worldwide. KIA Motors has been supporting the EURO for the past 10 years and is one of the 10 global UEFA sponsors and the official automotive partner for the EURO 2016 being held between June 10 and July 11 in Paris, France. In this respect, Cars international, representatives of Kia Motors in Malta, gave Maltese football enthusiasts the opportunity to get closer to the game by participating in local 5-a-side tournament and stand a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to Paris for the hotly anticipated EURO 2016. The ‘KIA Champ into the Arena’ programme is supported by Air Malta.

MALTESE OFFROAD TEAMS GAIN

EXCELLENT RESULTS IN FIRST TWO ROUNDS OF ULTRA4 EUROPE 2016 ot for the first time, Maltese teams are once again competing in the prestigious ultra4 offroad racing championship. We are now past the second round held last weekend in Italy and one local driver in particular, Neville Ciantar (Nusu Offroad team) is now 3rd overall after twice ending 4th in France and Italy. While the King of France last month will be remembered for all the rain and mud the Maxxis tyres King of Italy in the hills of Varano de Melagari was blessed with gorgeous sunshine. The ultra4 Europe derives from ultra4 Racing USA, a championship run by Dave Cole which has become so popular that it has widely spread out across Europe and is directed by Dave's European friend, Richard Crossland. Four races comprise this year’s championship in France, Italy, Portugal and Great Britain and ultra4 racing has even reached the continent of Australia. Two Maltese offroad teams participated in the first round of the ultra4 European Championship 2016, between the 20th and the 22nd may at la Ferte Gaucher in South East of Paris, France. This was new terrain for all the 36 competing teams as it was the first ever ultra4 event to be held in France. The course was 200km long and set in a large motordrome made up of many different types of terrain including mud sections, rocks, water ditches, forest sections, hills and gullies. The weather did not help the competitors at all as it rained

without let up from Saturday night on into Sunday night, making the terrain extremely muddy and difficult to tackle. Nevertherless, Nusu Offroad team driver Neville Ciantar and his co-driver Malcolm Gauci driving their US Goat Built buggy carried on with the positive results from last season with yet another remarkable placing of 4th amongst 36 vehicles from other nations including Holland, Belgium, France, Britian, Italy, Azerbaijan, Sweden and Norway. Triple 1 Racing team driver Rudy Farrugia and his father and co-driver Maurice Farrugia placed a very good 8th position. It was even better in Italy for Nusu Offroad in Italy, placing 4th overall once more but now not only climbs up to 3rd overall in the standings with 2 more rounds

to go, he was presented with the prestigious Spirit of the Event Award, a very fitting unexpected bonus. After setting up camps at the pits location Nusu Offroad team drove their buggy in line together with all the competitors through the narrow village core streets of Varano de’Melegari in Parma, Italy. The teams were supported and directed through this parade by the local mayor. Soon after the parade, all teams went on to qualify in the prologue which was a single lap around part of the riverbed and rock sections and they managed 11th place. On the following day, race day, in hot summer weather, the event was held in the rocky pebbled riverbed of Varano, that included rocky sections, forest and water cascades.

Race day was sectioned into two heats with 3 hours of continuous racing in the morning and afternoon, split by a 2 hour lunch break. Nusu Offroad began

strongly but before the end of Heat 1 they suffered a puncture that forced them to lose ground yet despite this Neville and Malcolm still managed to hold on to 5th position. With this result already in hand, Neville aimed to better his performance. In the afternoon, Neville Ciantar pushed above his buggy’s limits in a very fast race in an attempt to better his placing. After 9 laps of intense racing Nusu Offroad Team finished with an exceptional time, covered a very good number

Neville Ciantar and Malcolm Gauci during a relaxed moment

of laps, and placed 4th. During the presentation Ultra4Europe honoured Nusu Offroad Team Malta with the ‘Spirit of the Event’ award, which literally was the icing on top of the cake for the entire team. Next on the calendar is King of Portugal between the 14 and17 of September, followed by the last race on the calendar in October, the King of Great Britain. What is in store? Will Nusu Offroad Team Malta make it to Portugal and UK and hold their present position in the Ultra4European Championship 2016? Time will tell. June 2016 | motoring 07

New Opel Astra

NOW LEANER UPMARKET, A SURPRISING TEXT AND PHOTOS BY JOHN PEEL.

esigned and engineered in Germany, the new Opel Astra, launched locally last week will continue to fight for sales in Europe's most competitive sector. Along with the smaller Opel Corsa, the Astra is Opel’s bread and butter, and a strong seller all over Europe. With 12 million cars since its introduction in 1991 the Astra is the second most sold car in Europe. Shorter and lower than before, the new Astra adopts some of the graphics and design language that Opel has recently applied to its smaller Corsa and Adam cars. The grille shape is changed, the blade shape is used as a theme around the car, and the design team has graphically separated the roof at the C-pillar to make it appear floating. It is also not only lighter and more fuel efficient than its predecessor, but sports a more spacious interior and higher quality finish. It's so good, in fact, that it was awarded the title of 2016 European Car of the Year. It is in the cabin where you'll notice the greatest difference to the previous version. I tested the ‘Enjoy’ variant that fits comfortably between the entry level

engines are strong enough to make life easy in terms of keeping up with traffic and overtaking although the petrol engine is definitely stronger and quieter, with the diesel making up with better fuel efficiency. Limited rearward views seem to be pretty much the norm in today’s designs but Opel has at least improved the view around the windscreen pillars, which is now better than on the previous Astra. The new Astra handles well enough, has excellent grip and feel very safe and robust. Both engine variants were also quick enough to entertain and the Astra changes direction keenly enough, without any hints of over or under steer. The Astra scored five out of five stats in Euro ‘Essentia’ and the more up market ‘Innovative’. In ‘Enjoy’ trim one finds a 7” Intelilink touch screen, leather steering wheel, heated electric side mirrors, 6 speakers amongst many other welcome commodities. The fit and finish have taken a major upturn. The dashtop is soft to touch, the piano-black finisher on the face of the console and dash, wraps into the outer vents and is supported by a chunky chrome trim making it very classy. The interior is littered with useful bins and cubbies for oddment stowage, and there's ample leg and head room in the back for two tall adults. The seats are firm, comfortable and supportive, plus there’s plenty of adjustment to help you find a good driving position. One thing I noted was that the front parking sensors are particularly vocal, activating anytime you approach close objects or something crosses your path, sometimes even if you're just stopped in traffic and probably too close for comfort, which in reality is not a bad thing at all. Two cars were on offer on the day differing only under the bonnet. The car I tested first came with a 1.4 turbo petrol engine delivering 125bhp (there is also a 150bhp version of this 1.4lt engine), I then exchanged it for a 1.6 turbo diesel (110bhp). Both

Planning a road trip abroad?

WHAT TO KEEP

IN MIND WRITES RMF TECHNICAL DIRECTOR PAUL VELLA.

08 motoring | June 2016

DOCUMENTS

that you're covered for accidents and emergencies.

ake sure that documentation is in order and readily available to avoid the risk of a police fine or even having your car taken away. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have everything needed to comply with the requirements of immigration, customs, health and other relevant regulations. If you are travelling in a vehicle other than a car or motorcycle, or you are taking a boat, you may need additional documents. Documents to take include a valid driving licence, vehicle registration document (log book), motor insurance certificate, passport(s) and your travel insurance documents. Certain countries may also require a visa. It's always a good idea to take out travel insurance for your trip abroad to ensure

MEDICAL TREATMENT

If you’re going to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, make sure you’ve got a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC card entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries but the cover provided under the respective national schemes is not always comprehensive – and the cost of bringing a person back home in the event of illness or death is never covered so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance as well.

TYRES Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth before you go and if worn have them replaced before you go. Some countries require winter tyres at certain times of the year in which case a minimum tread depth of 3mm is generally required (the Czech Republic now requires 4mm). Snow chains are important for any winter motoring and compulsory in some countries even when using winter tyres.

R, MORE AND GLY FAST

NCAP's industry standard crash tests, all models have front and side airbags, and a stability control system that helps you stay in control in treacherous conditions is standard on all Astras. Opel Astra is available in Malta at Cars International Ltd., of Mdina Road, Qormi, who are the Opel representatives in Malta. To testdrive the all-new Astra and experience its luxury first hand, send an email to opelsales@cil.com.mt or call 2269 2122. You can also visit opel.com.mt or the Facebook page Opel Malta. The new Astra enjoys the comprehensive 5year warranty offered on all Opel models.

DOCUMENTS TO TAKE INCLUDE A VALID DRIVING LICENCE, VEHICLE LOG BOOK, MOTOR INSURANCE CERTIFICATE, PASSPORT(S) AND YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE DOCUMENTS. CERTAIN COUNTRIES MAY ALSO REQUIRE A VISA. QUICK DO’S AND DON’TS • EMERGENCY – In an emergency 112 is the European emergency call number you can dial anywhere in the European Union in case of emergency • DRINKING AND DRIVING – With regards to drinking and driving there is only one safe rule – if you drink, don't drive. Laws are strict and the penalties severe. • MOBILE PHONES – Use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in many countries • THINK RIGHT – It's easy to forget to drive on the left, particularly after doing something familiar, such as leaving a petrol station or car park. • WARNING TRIANGLE – many countries require visiting motorists to carry a warning triangle, so it is better to have one in your car. • SHOW YOUR CARD – The RMF membership card includes the 'show your card' symbol on the reverse which gives access to hundreds of discounts in Europe and the USA. June 2016 | motoring 09

Vintage Special

ROMAN HOLIDAY!

oman Holiday" (1953) is a movie, filmed entirely in Rome and beloved by generations of people. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, the film won three Oscars, giving Hepburn a boost to her glorious film career. The main storyline centers round a day of freedom in the beautiful Italian capital for an otherwise duty-bound Princess Ann. Take the following tour to live the happiest day of her life in Rome!

THE FILM The romantic comedy, which sees American reporter Joe Bradley (Peck) pursuing Princess Ann (Hepburn) as she attempts to escape her royal duties and experience the city incognito, was remarkable for two reasons: it was Hepburn’s big break, and it was one of the

first big Hollywood movies to be shot entirely on location.

ON LOCATION The film plays like a sightseeing tour of the Eternal City complete with gelato on the Spanish Steps, a visit to the Colosseum and window shopping on the Via Condotti. So enduring is its appeal that at some spots you’re almost certain to find camera-toting tourists recreating scenes from the movie, such as the moment when Peck puts his hand into La Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) at the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Another popular photo opportunity is the Arch of Septimius Severus, where Joe first encounters the princess sleeping among the ruins of the Forum, the ancient heart of the city. But if you really want to channel the freewheeling spirit of Roman Holiday, then a Vespa tour is a must. The scene where Hepburn takes Peck on a hair-raising scooter ride around the city, passing landmarks such as the Theatre of Marcellus and the Victor Emmanuel monument, is the film’s most memorable. G Rocca, the café in the shadow of the Pantheon where the couple drink champagne, no longer exists but the streets around the Piazza Navona are still home to some of Rome’s best coffee shops – such as Caffè Sant’Eustachio and Tazza d’Oro. The film’s ending, where the princess chooses between love and duty at a press conference, was shot in the lavish Sala Grande Galleria of the Palazzo Colonna which is open to the public on Saturdays.

VESPA HISTORY AND FUN FACTS In 1944, Piaggio engineers Renzo Spolti and Vittorio Casini designed a motorcycle with bodywork fully enclosing the drivetrain and forming a tall splash guard at the front. In

addition to the bodywork, the design included handlebar-mounted controls, forced air cooling, wheels of small diameter, and a tall central section that had to be straddled. Officially known as the MP5 ("Moto Piaggio no. 5"), the prototype was nicknamed "Paperino" (either "duckling" or "Donald Duck" in Italian). Piaggio was displeased with the MP5, especially the tall central section. He contracted aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, to redesign the scooter. D'Ascanio, who had earlier been consulted by Ferdinando Innocenti about scooter design and manufacture, made it immediately known that he hated motorcycles, believing them to be bulky, dirty, and unreliable. D'Ascanio's MP6 prototype had its engine mounted beside the rear wheel. The wheel was driven directly from the transmission, eliminating the drive chain and the oil and dirt associated with it. The prototype had a

unit spar frame with stress-bearing steel outer panels. These changes allowed the MP6 to have a step-through design without a centre section like that of the MP5 Paperino. The MP6 design also included a single sided front suspension, interchangeable front and rear wheels mounted on stub axles, and a spare wheel. Other features of the MP6 were similar to those on the Paperino, including the handlebar-mounted controls and the enclosed bodywork with the tall front splash guard. Upon seeing the MP6 for the first time, Enrico Piaggio exclaimed: "Sembra una vespa!" ("It resembles a wasp!") Piaggio effectively named his new scooter on the spot. Vespa is both Latin and Italian for waspderived from the vehicle's body shape: The thicker rear part connected to the front part by a narrow waist, and the steering rod resembled antennae. June 2016 | motoring 11

Vintage Special

he 50th anniversary of the Historic Sports Car Club will be marked in style at the Silverstone Classic (2931 July) with a very special parade of 50 cars from the club’s extensive portfolio of race championships and series. The HSCC was formed in 1966 and the club has planned a year of celebration events in 2016 to mark its golden jubilee. On the Sunday of the Silverstone Classic (31 July), a 50-car parade will show the breadth of the club’s race programme with at least three cars representing each of the club’s 16 championships and series. The parade will span single-seaters from Formula 5000 cars from the Derek Bell Trophy and Historic Formula 2 to Formula Junior, Classic Racing Cars, Classic and Historic Formula Ford 2000 and Historic Formula Ford. Sports and GT cars will come from the Guards Trophy, Pre ’80 Endurance Series and Jaguar Classic Challenge. Touring Cars from the Super Touring Trophy and Historic Touring Car Championship will span four decades, and two generations of Formula 3 cars will be on show from the Historic and Classic categories. Meanwhile, entry-level historic racing will be represented by Historic and 70s Road Sports and Classic Clubmans. The 50-car parade will include cars from

GOLDEN YEAR FOR THE HSCC AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

• 50 car parade to mark 50 years of the Historic Sports Car Club • Racing single seaters GTs sportscars and touring cars on track five decades and cover everything from a Formula 5000 Lola to a Lotus Elan, offering event visitors the widest possible spread of historic racing cars on track together. “It seemed appropriate to mark 50 years of the HSCC with 50 cars in a parade at the world’s biggest classic and historic racing festival,” said HSCC Chief Executive Officer Grahame White. “We are very grateful to the Silverstone Classic team for allowing us the opportunity to showcase the fabulous range of categories that the club organises.” As well as providing several of the competing grids, the HSCC is also is proud to be the organising club for the entire racing element of the annual Silverstone Classic.

GASANMAMO COLLECTOR’S VEHICLE INSURANCE POLICY wning a classic car or motorcycle is undoubtedly a labour of love. Many would have spent countless hours restoring these vehicles to their former glory, and still dedicate a lot of time to lovingly cleaning, polishing, tuning and making sure that their prized possessions are well preserved. When visiting the many shows and exhibitions to admire these resplendent vehicles, it is often equally pleasurable to hear the owners talk about the individual vehicles and listening to interesting stories about their origins and history. Compared to this, talking about

12 motoring | June 2016

classic car insurance may sound boring and uninteresting. Yet, many of these cars are very valuable and like any other asset they need to be protected against the unexpected. The GasanMamo Collector’s Vehicle policy has been specifically designed to offer maximum protection to classic vehicle owners with a minimum of fuss. The policy offers flexible premiums based on the miles driven per year and guarantees the value insured in the event of a total loss following a professional valuation. It includes automatic coverage during car shows and when participating in club events.

“This is a very special golden anniversary year for the HSCC and we are truly delighted that the club has chosen the Classic for this very special parade,” said Nick Wigley, CEO of organisers, Goose Live Events. “Even more so as the HSCC has contributed massively to the Classic’s success by overseeing what’s become an unrivalled programme of virtually nonstop dawn to dusk racing action over three very longaction-packed days. Due to the extraordinary scale of the meeting, it’s a function which means working from both pits complexes and one which, despite the complexities, the HSCC always performs with huge professionalism and proficiency. This wonderful 50-car parade not only celebrates the club’s 50th

Best of all, if you own more than one vintage or classic car, you will only pay a premium for one car, if you agree to be the only insured driver on all the vehicles.

anniversary but also the major role the club plays today right at the heart of British motor sport.” The HSCC track cavalcade will be one of many at this summer’s staging of the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival with a large number of car clubs making the Silverstone Classic the base for their marque and model celebrations. Owners and enthusiasts will mark 50 years of the iconic Lamborghini Miura, 70 years of Allard and 80 years since the introduction of the evergreen Morgan 4/4 – a car that is still being crafted in Malvern today making it the longest single model production run in automotive history. Other home-grown classics enjoying their weekend in the spotlight include the Lotus Esprit, which turns 40 this year, the Jaguar XK8 which celebrates its 20th birthday, plus the Triumph GT6 and Vitesse 2 Litre, which like the HSCC are both 50. In fact, wherever you turn within Silverstone’s vast infield, there will be huge club displays and celebrations taking place. All tickets for the 2016 Silverstone Classic must be purchased in advance. Full details of all tickets, as well as hospitality packages, special family offers and weekend festival camping can be found on the event’s official website: www.silverstoneclassic.com.

There are varied types of coverage available, from the minimum required by law (Third Party Liability) to Comprehensive. The premium rates charged for

the Collector’s Vehicle policy reflect the care and attention with which owners treat vintage and classic cars. They are therefore substantially lower than those charged for daily use vehicles. If the worst happens, and you need to have your car repaired, GasanMamo have access to specialists who can direct you to capable repairers and can source rare and difficult to find replacement parts. For more information contact GasanMamo Insurance on 2134 5123 or on our website: gasanmamo.com

Vintage Special

THE BEST VOLKSWAGEN

ADS FROM THEIR

1960’S CAMPAIGN

ever did any car’s advertising awe the public in the United States as much as when Volkswagen introduced their Beetle in the 1960’s with some much noticeable advertising. This introduction of the bizarrely shaped auto to the American market was far from the norm. In those days, most car ads looked pretty much similar, and while other companies were producing their largest cars ever – advertising “wide-track” steering and selling it with models sporting tuxedos and cocktail dresses – Volkswagen said buyers should “think small” and that their car was a “lemon.” For the rest of the decade VW kept their unconventional ad campaign rolling. Unafraid to do full-page advertisements featuring their Beetle from many years back (their design hardly changed in 10 years), Beetles floating in water (the unique design was almost water tight), and touting how their car was often the cheapest to buy new and the most costly to buy used. Their game of turning seeming faults into benefits was a major hit, and left the other car companies so far in the dust they never really caught up. Here are the best of our favorite ads from the legendary campaign.

IN THE 1960’S VW KEPT THEIR UNCONVENTIONAL AD CAMPAIGN ROLLING

IN THOSE DAYS, MOST CAR ADS LOOKED QUITE SIMILAR TO EACH OTHER WITH CAR COMPANIES PRODUCING THEIR LARGEST CARS EVER June 2016 | motoring 13

Vintage Special

2016 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Superleggera by Touring

THE 2016 CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA VILLA D’ESTE

he Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is perhaps the most significant of all events celebrating the mystique of historic cars. It is undoubtedly the most traditional event and was held for the first time in the heyday of aristocratic cars in 1929. Since its revival in the 1990s the Concorso has improved year by year in every one of the benchmarks for these wonderful vehicles. The Concorso is epitomised by the beauty of the setting, the program at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba, and above all the elegance, originality and the state of preservation of the valuable automobiles participating in the event. The spectacular success of the Consorso has been largely empowered by the partnership of the BMW Group as the organiser of this event since 2005. This competition also goes back to roots of the Concorso when designers and automobile companies presented their latest automobiles to the public. The 2016 edition of the Villa d’Este Concorso brought together 50 cars from widely varying eras in automotive history. The motto of the 87th edition of the event was “Back to the Future – The Journey Continues” and it reflects BMW’s centenary motto “The Next 100 Years”. The focus on design, originality, perfect preservation and the spirit of nobility bring

14 motoring | June 2016

together the most important and beautiful cars from all over the world. The Grand Hotel Villa d’Este is one of the world’s leading hotels and the grounds on the shores of Lake Como offer guests and visitors the opportunity to admire Historic Cars built between the 1920s and the 1980s. The cars are organised in different categories and an exclusive panel of experts led by president Lorenzo Ramaciotti judges the cars to select the Best of Show prize,

1954 Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta Pinin Farina

the BMW Group Trophy. This trophy is reserved for an extraordinary automobile which expresses beauty, passion and uniqueness. The Trofeo BMW Group for Best of Show Jury was awarded to the 1954 Maserati A6 GCS from the Destriero Collection of Monaco. The Berlinetta-bodied sports car from Pinin Farina is considered the best preserved of the four examples which were created of this model. It was presented at

Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este Winner 1933 Lancia Astura Serie II by Castagna

the Paris Motor Show in October 1954 and lined up at the start of the Mille Miglia in May 1955. The Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este is the most traditional prize of the Concorso and the award is decided by a public vote at the Villa d’Este. This prize was won by the 1933 Lancia Astura Serie II owned by Antonius Meijer from the Netherlands. The Lancia was given its body at coachbuilder Castagna eighteen months after it was first registered and at the behest of Benito Mussolini’s son Vittoria. This is not the first time that the prize-winning Lancia has been a guest at the beauty contest beside Lake Como. The car was already presented at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in autumn of 1935. A prize awarded to the contemporary Concept Car was introduced in 2002 and this prize has been a regular feature of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este since then. The trophy creates a link between the glorious past and the exciting future of the automobile. The Concept Cars and Prototypes competition saw the 2016 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Superleggera by Touring presented with the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award, Corrado Lopresto’s 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coupe by Zagato won the FIVA Award for Best Preserved Vehicle and Adrien Labi’s 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV won the Trofeo BMW Group Italia by public referendum at Villa Erba.