Forza Italia 2022 – La Dolce Vita in Poland
SUNNY PREMISES OF THE ROZALIN PALACE
Contrary to the many previous editions of Forza Italia annual meeting, this year’s edition took place in early June. To the delight of all participants, that came with amazingly sunny weather, very much alike to the one known from Italy - the missing puzzle has now been found.
But wait a while! Forza Italia? Are we now talking politics and discussing revival of centre-right political party from the Apennine Peninsula? Not at all! Forza Italia is a witty name for a Polish car-and-culture club, uniting fans from every corner of Poland and beyond – I drove all the way from Denmark for their 11th annual meet-up!
THE BIGGEST ITALIAN EVENT OF THIS KIND
The “members meeting” took a little bit different spin this time. It started with a smaller summer party on Saturday evening, where around seventy enthusiasts chatted vigorously over a casual Italian dinner. Food was obviously Italian, with chefs cooking make-your-own pastas. Discussions continued with dolce and countless glasses of spumante, making Rozalin Palace indistinguishable from its Italian counterparts.
The main event started on the next day early in the morning. Sunday warmly welcomed a wide spectrum of more than 320 Italian cars, ranging from very basic, twenty-years-old daily commuters to rare supercar classics. Every passionate was welcome and event’s great reputation attracted thousands of visitors. Italian music was playing all day round and guests could purchase Italian goodies from… an actual Italian!
Every passionate was welcome and event’s great reputation attracted thousands of visitors. The Italian music played all day long!
Similarly to previous editions the day was packed with organised activities. First on the agenda was a navigation rally, followed by a series of lectures on various topics and several quizzes and wrapped-up with a concours of elegance at the very end. There were many guest exhibitions and a corner for kids so everyone could find something to their taste.
ALL THE ITALIAN CLASSICS
Majority of the cars were modern automobiles branded by Fiat, Abarth, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. However, regardless of their power and impressive technology they are nowhere near as good head-turners as their older cousins. This time was no exception and those were the classics which caught the most attention.
Very well represented were vintage vehicles from Arese. Tipo 105/115 once again topped the count with at least four Giulias and two Bertone GTs. Following the coupes and berlinas were spiders, represented with a beautiful Coda Tronca, two Graduates and a younger Tipo 916, which still scraps on the ceiling to the classics’ world.
Whilst other brands were not represented by similar crowds, their attendance was by no means less impressive in quality. Fiat 500 had its own corner with beautiful Cinquecento exhibits, one with the gas tank painted in Italian national colours. A really nice touch! Lovely were two Fiats 850 Coupe, a rare Fiat 2400 Dino, a Lancia Fulvia and two Deltas Integrale. The latter were successfully trying to make Lancia great again.
My personal favourite arrived a bit later and parked on the other side of the Palace. It was a Fiat-Osca 1600S, Tipo 118SA. What looks very similar to the more popular 1200/1500 Spider produced by Fiat, the 1600S version is powered by OSCA engine, a close relative to 372DS racing engine unit fitted to the MT4 car. Not your everyday sight but can be distinguished by an asymmetric air intake on the hood. Just take a look…
ITALIAN SUPERCARS… WHEN DID YOU SEE YOUR LAST DIABLO?
This year’s edition was packed with supercars and not only the modern ones, but also the classics. The former were represented by Ferrari 599GTB, a 360, 458 and 488 Spider. The brand from Maranello also presented its youngest child as Ferrari Warsaw dealership brought across the 296GTB in Giallo Modena. Matching the yellow was much bigger SUV from Sant’Agata – a Lamborghini Urus – completing the modern line-up. I had a chance to spend a short tête-à-tête with the big bull on Saturday, which you can read about here.
In my supercar book though, much more interesting were the classics. I simply loved the sharp angles of the light blue Ferrari 412, at this time superior to the two 308 GTS and the Testarossa. Is it maybe because its much less common a sight? Very unusual was the spec of another car with Cavallino Rampante on the hood – a blue on blue F355 proves Ferrari does not necessarily need to be red.
The sharp angles of the light blue Ferrari 412, were to me superior to the two 308 GTS and the Testarossa.
But I will not keep it from you any longer. It has been on the lips of everyone and you must have heard it already. Maybe it was even the reason you visited yourself… There was a Lamborghini Diablo! At first, I was not really excited. It is a supercar from the era I do not particularly like and I do see many supercars of such a calibre at various events. But then I started to think… when have I seen a Diablo last? Countless Miuras, Countaches, Espadas and Uraccos… but Diablo? I cannot recall. It truly was a special moment and having this opportunity at Forza Italia just proves the rank of the event.
WATCHES, SCOOTERS, MOTORBIKES, CARS… AND A BOAT?
Forza Italia has many friends who support the event and over the years the group of their amici grew larger and larger. Classic cars naturally match with stylish timepieces and one could spot some around thanks to Noble Place. Would you pick a chronograph from Montblanc or Chopard?
For passionates of two-wheels but off the dial, there were exhibitions by Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Piaggio and Ducati. The latter presented very powerful Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak and Panigale V4S. A tourer with 170 horsepower and a pure racing beast in red were simply jaw-dropping! Those who like more the vintage style could admire, or even bid on a good selection of Vespas brought across by Ardor Auctions. Which one would you ride away on?
Forza Italia has many friends who support the event and over the years the group of their amici grew larger and larger.
A lot of visitors came to see the newest release by Alfa Romeo, represented by two differently coloured vehicles. The new SUV Tonale was open to everyone and Alfa Romeo team ready close by to answer any question or schedule some test drives.
By the shore of a small nearby pond, there was one more attraction, inaugurating something new even for Forza Italia… a boat! Unfortunately still on a trailer, there was a beautiful motorboat Cranchi E26. Measuring almost 8 metres this luxury fast-cruiser was built by an Italian manufacture with more than 150 years of traditions from Piantedo at… Lago di Como! This could not be just a coincidence.
CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA VILLA D’ROZALIN
The culmination point of the event is the usual concours of elegance, organised to Forza Italia’s taste and with their very own spin. It focuses less on the actual condition and originality of the car and more on the story the owner has to tell. It is definitely not the most expensive Ferrari that wins this one, believe me!
Around forty teams took part this year, kicking it off with a completely rusty Fiat 125p and wrapped up by a shiny Ferrari Testarossa. A few participants showed up in era-matching clothing and almost everyone told a fascinating story. This years’ well-deserved winners was a family of four arriving in a beautiful Fiat 124 Sport Coupè. I also took part in my Alfa Rome 1750 GT Veloce – claiming a special “Cento Percento Approvato” prize for driving all the way from Copenhagen. The award means a lot to me!
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE
Despite all the cars and gasoline-smelling Weber carburettors, Forza Italia is all about the people. It really does not matter what you drive – someone who shows up in a 1995 Fiat Cinquecento would always be on par with the driver of the newest Lamborghini or a vintage Ferrari. It is a special passion that connects everyone and brings all the participants together.
The interesting conversations, meeting new people, laughing all-together is something very characteristic about this event and without a doubt, not replicable at any other meet-up of such type I have ever visited. It is this uniqueness that made me travel 2000 kilometres to it. It is such a vibe that keeps another partaker, Bartek, returning year after year. He is even already recognised by his Alfa Romeo 4C, despite driving a 458 Spider this year!
Interesting conversations, meeting new people and having a good laugh is something very characteristic about this event. It brings everyone together!
Whether it is partially thanks to the personalities who usually fall for the Italian motorization or a community created from scratch by Forza Italia – I do not know. What I am certain about though is that these two days can charge your batteries with positivity for a long, long time!
WILL IT EVER GET OLD? HOPEFULLY NOT!
Every single edition of Forza Italia is better than the previous one. 2022 brought new attractions, even more people and topped everything off with a perfect weather, sometimes missing during autumn gatherings. The team delivered as always and everyone had a blast. There is just one “but”… why do we need to wait another year to experience it all over again? A presto!
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
