Tony Whitney
Contributing Writer

A recent photo in the

Financial Post of the

beautiful new Alfa

Romeo 147 hatchback

making its debut at the

Turin auto show drew |

a few queries from

readers asking why we

can’t bay Italian cars

like this in Canada any-
_ more. : ; :
The answer to that ques- - a 4 Sport Coupe, a delight:
A “guil-winged Lamborghini Countach drew. crowds all day ong at the recent italian Gar Show at Waterfront tion is fairly complicated, but _ ful car and well cad of its :

Park. But of the Italian luxury tourers, only Ferrari retains a distribution network in North America. the fact is that most Italian time with its twin-cam engine
automakers involved in any- and four-wheel disc brakes.

thing near the “mass market” - Fiat’s little 128 once took the
packed their bags and left
North Arierica years ago.
Only Ferrari remains (handied
in western Canada by Brian
Jessel of Vancouver),
although various individuals. 2
have called me over the years.’ those old jokes about Fiat
_ to represent themselves as "standing for “Fix Ir Again
“Lamborghini dealers.” -. -- | Tony” were hard to
“\ Fiat, a huge Iralian'.. = for most buyers. I
automaking group which Fiat actually means.“Fabbrica’
includes, besides its namesake ~., Iealiana “Automobili Torino. ”,
brand, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari -. © Lancia hada spotty history
and Lancia, was Once quite © in’ North America (rust:
big in North America with * -: mostly!), buit Alfa Romeo
_ various modeis, but has been , , brought some wonderful
; gone for many years except - to our shores. Highlights
¢ Ferrari. Alfa Romeo was ©. -
the last ro fly the coop, Fia
“and Lancia having departed :
decade or more ago... (
Fiat had a fairly full “3 the long-lived Spid
of cars on salc here at one::. "last of the line here;
time, including sports mod. lent 164 luxory sedans All’
“els; economy cars and some:. ©. these‘caii make great Us
- well- bonne wipped family haule:

“I bought one ne myself once =

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