Vezzolano Abbey, September 30, 2007
Regional Gathering of the Piedmont Regional Center
Once again, our national Silvio (obviously not Berlusca, but Alberelli) has pulled one of his own. You can never sit around doing nothing with him; you always have to have your MG ready to go, because in just a few months he can invent a huge number of rallies, and they're all so interesting and well-organized that it's hard not to attend, despite the 270 km from my home in Chivasso.
This time dear Silvio invited us to Monferrato on September 29th/30th and so Gianna and I went, not with my usual B but with his indomitable Morris, fresh from the efforts of the happily concluded Nuvolari GP, but still eager to be seen around.
For those like me who came from far away and went on Saturday, we were scheduled to visit the Nicola di Aramengo family's art workshop, a large facility packed with paintings, canvases, some of enormous size, frescoes, sculptures, frames, works on parchment or fabric, stucco, tombstones, and even Egyptian artifacts, sarcophagi, and mummies. There's nothing this company isn't equipped to handle; it truly exceeded my expectations.
We were accompanied by the company's founder, a lively and cheerful 86-year-old man with a wealth of memories and stories, along with his grandchildren.
But the final gem of the visit was hidden under a large gray cloth, the only work that did not require restoration, a Fiat 130 station wagon in perfect condition, a custom-built model custom-built for the Agnellis and later donated to Mr. Nicola, who had worked for the Avvocato family.
On Sunday morning, the meeting was in the forecourt of Vezzolano Abbey, an ancient Augustinian monastery, isolated in a green valley dotted with the area's famous vineyards. This remarkable monument of Romanesque-Gothic art was introduced by a church that, in addition to its characteristic 13th-century features, featured a rare pontoon (or jub?) on small arches, topped by a long relief frieze, typical of French influence. The church then led to the picturesque cloister, adorned with splendid 14th-century frescoes.
There were about 20 of us, with the welcome intrusion of some Morgans and Triumphs among the MGs.
Also worth mentioning was the presence of our friend Urs from Lugano, who surprised us once again with a spectacular, shiny PB green (how come his pre-war MGs never lose a drop of oil?)
The natural conclusion at the restaurant happily sealed this gathering of friends old and new, in that atmosphere of serenity and cordiality that arises from a shared passion like that for classic cars in general and for the House of the Octagon in particular.
Thank you SILVIO, thank you MG CAR CLUB D?ITALIA!
Vanni Panizzi