The Italian AutoMoto Festival returned to the streets of central Bristol today (28 April), and organisers followed the tradition of past events by regularly encouraging owners to collectively start their engines. With everything from scooters to V12 powerplants reverberating around the historic streets, it caught the attention of enthusiasts and passing shoppers alike.
Unfavourable weather was probably the reason for the apparent drop in car numbers from previous years, with the gaps being particularly noticeable on the side streets branching off the main display on Corn Street. There was, however, still an eclectic collection of Italian cars to enjoy.
The Ferrari display featured a number of modern examples, but lining up alongside – and looking wonderfully discreet in comparison – were some older classics. Susan Tribe had a couple of cars at the show, including this 1979 Ferrari 400i auto...
Adrian Donovan's 1958 250GT was sold new by Mike Hawthorn's Tourist Trophy Garage in Farnham...
Chris Sherwood's low-mileage 1972 Dino 246GT was one of two that were on show...
This 1968 Lamborghini Islero is thought to be the Geneva Motor Show car, and was once loaned by the factory to Brigitte Bardot...
There were some superb examples of less exotic machinery, too. Chris Reynolds had two immaculate cars parked side-by-side: a 1982 Fiat Strada 75CL automatic; and a 47,000-mile 1983 131 Supermirafiori...
It's hard to believe that Mike Cooper's 1967 Fiat 850 was a rolling shell in primer as recently as 24 April!
The event marked 40 years of the Maserati Merak, and two SS models were parked on Corn Street...
Lancia was well represented, with Ben Courage admitting that his well-used 1937 Aprilia is "overdue a rebuild"...
And David Tipper's 1936 Augusta was displayed nearby...
