Forza Italia 2023 – The Show Goes On
A WELL TESTED VENUE AND IMPROVED SUMMER PARTY
It is for the twelfth time that the Italian culture and motoring enthusiasts gathered at the Forza Italia event in south of Warsaw, Poland. Third time in a row their Makkah was the picturesque garden of Rozalin Palace, now presenting one of its best faces in a late spring atmosphere. Great call by the organisers to have shifted the happening from autumn and do justice to the event weather-wise, too! Just as with every year’s article - don’t be deceived! We are talking about an automotive-oriented society here, none of the Italian politics involved!
The formula of the weekend stayed mostly the same. On Saturday evening a smaller group of passionates enjoyed a truly Italian garden party dinner. The evening was filled with great food and wine, loud chatter, dancing until late night and hints of the vehicles arriving one by one. If you are curious how the dinner went – check it out here!
PICCOLA ITALIA, BUT NOT SMALL ANYMORE
Ever since I started coming to Forza Italia’s annual events I noticed that the organising crew managed to convert selected venue into something resembling a Mediterranean country. ‘Piccola Italia’, I used to say… The thing is, it is not small anymore and the amount of people who want to attend keeps on growing year-by-year. This year the clock stopped at 411 teams and more than 3000 visitors. You cannot call it small, can you!?
There were 411 teams joining the event and more than 3000 visitors… Grande Forza Italia!
Regardless of the size of the event, one underlying aspect have always remained the same - everyone is warmly welcomed. Whether you arrive in an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, a Fiat Seicento, a classic from the 60s or even on foot did not matter. So long as the visitors embrace the same kind values and love the Italian “la dolce vita”, everyone stands equal. By the amazing atmosphere throughout the weekend, it seems that everyone was like-minded. Quite incredible feat at such a scale.
Forza Italia events are usually packed with attractions and this year was no exception. Once you dropped your kids in a dedicated playground with a babysitter, if you liked, you could choose from a vast array of entertainment options. First on the agenda was a navigation rally, followed by a series of lectures on various topics. You could see what Turin has to offer automotive-wise, master the secret knowledge of carburettors or even… learn how to acquire a bargain property in the heart of Italy! At the same time, a less organised yet still exciting alternative was to admire all the entrant vehicles…
IF YOU ARE A VINTAGE LOVER
Here I have some good news, too! Not only was this year’s edition the biggest ever, the variety and quality of the cars was equally stellar. The selection of vintage vehicles was, I dare to say, the best we have seen so far, with about forty cars produced before 1980 and another thirty a decade younger. Some hints the summer party early-birds could see materialised fully on Sunday and everyone could admire some rather rare cars.
The very first one is a pristine example of a 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ brought by a family well-known to the Forza Italia gatherings. Designed by Zagato, the controversial lines sparked many heated discussions and divided the crowd into the love-and-hate teams. Regardless which side one was on, what cannot be denied was a stunning state of both the exterior, interior and an interesting history behind its acquisition. Imported from Holland it has all possible documentation filling in the model-specific suitcase set almost completely. My personal winner, no doubt about it!
If you think that was it, you couldn’t be more wrong. In front of the Palace parked was the oldest car of them all – a 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. This American-origin car came straight from a long restoration and was appealing through its unusual for an Alfa black on red colour combination. Staying with the Alfa Romeo realm, there was a plethora of classic models. Especially popular were Tipo 105s, with quite a few Junior GT, Giulias and Spiders in the garden.
Would you choose the 246 GTS Dino, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider or the controversial SZ by Zagato?
Still, for many, the most exciting Italian car manufacturer would be Ferrari and this event had something special for them. Another restoration, allegedly one that took seven years and resulted in a shiny specimen of Ferrari 246 GTS Dino. Wearing one of my favourite, yet atypical colour for the cars from Maranello – Marrone Metalizzato – it was definitely one of crowd favourites. Parked closely was a silver Maserati Merak SS and another rare sigh, this time from Turin…
Many classic motoring enthusiast picture Fiat 850 in a coupe or a spider body and for the right reasons. These are the most frequently seen ones! But how about a 850T bodied by Carrozzeria Coriasco from Turin and now painted as… Ferrari road support vehicle. Judging the attention to accessories to the car it was my favourite, especially knowing the dedication of the owner who painted a scale model so it matches the real one. Kudos!
Right in the middle of the lawn there was a car more frequently found at the rally roads rather than in parks – a Lancia Stratos. Despite this particular example being a rebuild, it was done with such an attention to details that only an eagle eye could tell, if it wasn’t for the engine… Now I simply could go on and on with describing the exhibition, but there were just so many interesting vehicles that it would take too long. There were Deltas, 500s, an interesting Lancia Appia voted the best car by the public followed by even more classic Maseratis and Ferraris. One thing is for sure – if you are into classics, you did not have a bad day!
MODERN MACHINERY – FAST AND RARE
You would also enjoy your day, if what drives you is technology and modern motoring. The newer cars formed the majority of the participants and within the group of countless Giulias, Stelvios and Tonales in every single possible version there were also some much rarer cars. Following into last year’s footsteps of a yellow Lamborghini Diablo came its successor – a Murcielago! It has been a while since I saw one live and it is hard to believe this design is more than twenty years old. Very well drafted!
An incredibly loud entry onto the lawn was performed by a duo from Maranello. An SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano with a Novitec package followed closely by a 458 Speciale was a head-turner for whoever stood close to that park alleyway... and for those from afar, too! Surprisingly there were also two 550 Maranello, a 456 GT and even three F355. They all strong armed the youngtimer class, with the two former fuelling my inner crave for a proper Gran Turismo.
Very strong representation of pocket-rockets was brought across by the famous Abarth Club Poland – voted once again the best group of the event and for the right reasons. Sporty 500s in almost all possible configurations had their own space, seconded by a few 124 Spiders. It was also the brand with Tridente on the hood that was well populated, with more than a dozen Ghiblis, Quattroportes and Granturismos. Admit yourself – quite a selection, huh?
WANT TO GRAB SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF?
For the first time in the surrounding tent there was a long awaited stand selling miniatures. Spread on several tables, the charismatic and knowledgeable hobbyist team offered a huge selection of collectibles in all available scales. Models ranged from (not only) Italian rally cars, through some of the most famous GTs all the way to… an H0 train!
Those activated by the ‘meccanicha delle emozioni’ now experienced live could speak to an Alfa Romeo staff and check out their newest models. Who knows? Maybe next time they will exhibit their newly purchased cars on the lawn and be part of the loving Italian motoring family?
More importantly, though, people were having lots of fun! They picnicked around cars, enjoyed countless espressos and a selection of tasty food – pasta was available, but there were also burgers and hot-dogs to keep everyone satisfied. Sweet gelato served as a perfect dessert to cool down not only the heat but also emotions, after which some decided to enjoy a gin-tonic. Italian one, obviously!
CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA PALAZZO DI ROZALIN
If something works well – don’t fix it. This is as true when speaking Weber carburettors, as it is when Forza’s Concorso d’Eleganza is the subject. A real culmination point of the event is the moment when the cars are in motion and teams can present their vehicle during a short conversation. There is no pre-selection (remember that part where everyone is equal?!) and everyone can partake. This guarantees a good show, for even the most exciting Ferrari can be countered by a Fiat Cinquecento with a cool family story.
This year was no exception and all the thirty teams or so entertained the public well. Some arrived on foot as their Maserati broke, another visitor with a stroller! Eventually, the jury must have had a very tough choice but having two categories – best team and best car – definitely helped distinguishing between the winners. The Best of Show seconded my choice and went to the 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ, whilst the Best Team was awarded to the last entrant on the list. Aleksandra and Edoardo arrived in 1969 Fiat 500L Berlina 110F, bearing an impressive no. 411.
More than anything, this festival is about people - whoever you are and whatever you drive, if you’re into Italian culture, you will feel at home!
There is one more prize presented by the Forza Italia team themselves. Hundred percent approved - or ‘Cento Percento Approvato’, if you like – went to a charismatic mom and daughter who arrived at the palace front in a 2000 Fiat Barchetta, both wearing a matching, stylish dresses. I told you, it is more than ‘just’ about the cars!
THE ULTIMATE QUESTION – WHAT COMES NEXT!?
Forza Italia’s team has somehow perfected a magic recipe for a car gathering. Since three years ago at the Rozalin Palace’s premises they organise nearly a perfect festival for Italian enthusiasts, which attracts everyone and not only the automotive enthusiasts. It definitely is one of the hottest events of the season and having sold all tickets within 36h from the get-go the demand is definitely much higher than possible capacity.
So, the annual Forza Italia meet-up is perfect as it is and could be repeated yearly without a hiccup, no doubt about it. However, having improved yearly as they did to-date puts forward a natural question of what comes next? Still buzzing with emotions from last weekend I do not know the answer, but one thing is for sure – there is a gem of a motor show in the central Poland, regardless of its future trajectory. Remember to book yourself in, next time you hear about Forza Italia 2024! Signore e signori – andiamo!
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
