CLASSICHE GOES MAINSTREAM

Seven years after the formation of the FCA Heritage division, new owner Stellantis has launched a fully fledged ‘Classiche’ certification and restoration arm for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Abarth models. Based on the historic Mirafori manufacturing plant site in Via Plava, Turin, the division will offer certification of origin and authenticity plus a professional restoration service, as well an online interface across the four brands. Ferrari and Lamborghini offer similar products.

There has been momentum behind commercialising the company’s heritage since the early 2010s, and certificates of origin have been available since 2015, as well as the occasional private restoration. There was a ‘Reloaded by Creators’ programme in 2018 to restore a set of classic models, demonstrating its specialist team’s abilities. The Heritage Hub was opened in 2019 to showcase each of the four marques’ histories with a display of around 250 cars, although it was only fully opened to the public in September 2022.

The capability of the heritage team was expanded in 2020, with available floorspace at the Mirafori factory upped from 900m2 to some 6000m2. At that time, there were 12 hoists in the workshop along with a generous range of machine tools and a paintwork booth. Naturally, the team also has unique access to original technical drawings and production data for unparalleled authenticity during restorations.

Now the Classiche programme is finally in full swing, as announced at the Italian classic show Auto e Moto d’epoca from 26-29 October. See fcaheritage.com