1923 Ansaldo Corsa 4CS Racing Car / 2021 CMI Lufra Hillclimb

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Today's piece was meant to be about Club Motori Italia's 2021 Lufra hillclimb.  That was the intention, anyway.  But two things derailed these flimsy intentions:  the event's course car - Mike's remarkable 1923 Ansaldo 4CS - took my eye, then my mates, Tony and Angus, whose family shack is just up the road from the starting line, thoughtfully put on a barbeque.

Huddle behind a telegraph pole, trying to capture the perfect action shot or sit in a comfy chair, replete and with a beer in hand, enjoying the spectacle?  Forgive me for I am weak!    

Ansaldo owner Mike C.




Mike's car is marked in honour of Nuvolari, bearing both the Italian and Duchy of Mantua flags.


The flag of the Duchy of Mantua bears the coat of arms of the House of Gonzaga.


According to Mike, the marque was manufactured in Turin, Italy, as well as in an ex-World War 1 aircraft factory near Genoa, between 1920 and 1935.  Although almost unheard of today, Ansaldo was at the time an industrial giant producing railway components, ships and armaments, as well as being involved in general mechanical works.  At one time Ansaldo SA had as many as 55,000 employees.

A beautifully executed bonnet-strap spring.

A similar vehicle to Mike's - Ansaldo 4A - was the first car to be raced by motorcycle ace Tazio Nuvolari, who Ferdinand Porsche described as "the greatest driver of the past, the present, and the future." Nuvolari competed for Alfa Romeo's factory team, Alfa Corse, as well as Scuderia Ferrari and Maserati.  Wikipedia lists his victories as including "24 Grands Prix, five Coppa Cianos, two Mille Miglias, two Targa Florios, two RAC Tourist Trophies, a Le Mans 24-hour race, and a European Championship in Grand Prix racing."  For further information regarding this iconic Italian racing driver, I strongly suggest the following link: https://velocetoday.com/nuvolari-speciale/ .

Mike's 4CS is powered by what was, at the time of manufacture, a highly advanced two litre, four cylinder petrol engine featuring a skew gear-driven single overhead camshaft, with a cross-flow head and hemispherical combustion chambers.  It has a stroke of 120 mm and a bore of 72mm, and is fed by a single Stromberg carburettor with a Scintilla magneto generating the car’s electrical charge.    

Crossed cannons, presumably hinting at Ansaldo's origins as an armament manufacturer.

Somewhat worryingly - possibly for Mrs Mike and quite likely for Mike himself - the 4CS is not fitted with front brakes, relying instead on some not particularly substantial looking rear drums.  Adding to this, Mike admits that down-shifting isn't always as smooth as it could be, something to do with the depth and angle of the cogs' teeth.  

The car was restored by John Kennedy, although I believe that some of the final touches - the knapsack-style luggage carrier and the like - may have been Mike's work.  Either way, it is a thing of great beauty and historical significance, as well as being the most magnificent ambassador car for the Lufra event, easily worthy of a similar role at Goodwood or any of the great historical racing circuits of the world.






There are no photos of Tony and Angus' barbeque.  However, for the record, we had plump and juicy pork sausages, succulent lamb chops, a salad and Boag's draft beer.  Thanks, blokes!

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What follow are a few of the competitors' cars assembled on the starting line, some vehicles on show within the Lufra's car park, the odd official or two and a nod here and there to the scenery, all presented in no particular order.  Please enjoy!

 







































Are you a fan of classic, sports and performance vehicles?  Do you enjoy car shows and motorsports, especially when there's a bit of Tasmanian scenery thrown in for good measure?  Then how about looking about the rest of the Upper Middle Petrol Head site, sharing or subscribing?  I'd really, really like to build the readership and promote Tasmania's classic car culture to the rest of the world!  






U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

Images and words by Alastair Watson









































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