Over this past holiday season, I made a shotgun trip to Northern Italy, where I was able to stop by a few parts suppliers and restoration shops. This included Lambda-specialist, Storicar, run by Vittorio, a veteran Mille Miglia assistenza, pre-war technician, and skilled restorer. Tucked into the various areas of his workshop, were a number of very special machines, including this rare Fiat Balilla Aerodinamica.
Vittorio showing me his latest Lambda engine block. They’re beautiful and milled with a 5-axis CNC machine from a 400 lb. chunk of billet aluminum, and then finished to look like a casting.
A Vauxhall 30/98 in for service.
Series 8 Lambda Weymann sedan, sporting a nifty radiator shroud.
This is a fresh 3.0-liter engine fitted to the Weymann sedan. Designed and built at Storicar with a billet block, modern liners and pistons, insert bearings, and over 100hp on tap.
Another Lambda in for service, originally owned by Anthony Fokker – more about that below.
1927. Charles Lindbergh is taking off in the Spirit of St.Louis and Anthony Fokker is following in the aforementioned Lancia Lambda, which is said to have been filled with fire extinguishers. More about this episode in history can be found here.
Storicar’s Berco line bore. Yes. I have tool envy.
A quick stop at the Mille Miglia Museum.
Dare I say, best country on earth.