Brought by restorer extraordinaire Bruce Amster to Redline Restoration, this visual echo of mid 20^th century sports car design called to mind other striking Pininfarina creations. However, despite common design cues, no other car looked exactly like this one and for good reason, none existed.

In 1948 Italy, with the war in the past and the future in question, Pininfarina in collaboration with Lancia had created a strikingly forward thinking sports car design called the Lancia Aprilia Spider 2 Posti Pininfarina Special. Completed, it would honor a renowned Italian cyclist Gino Bartali whose war-time heroism and post-war patriotism made him a most deserving owner.

Who was Gino Bartali?

Pininfarina’s One of One Tribute to an Unsung WWII Hero

Lancia Aprilia Spider 2 Posti Pininfarina Special and Gino Bartali

Squirreled away in a decrepit garage deep in one of Detroit’s lesser neighborhoods it would seem to be the last place to find a mid 20^th century Pininfarina designed one-of-one Italian sports car. This once sleek pewter metallic Postwar Italian stunner had traveled a long distance over many years to find itself ingloriously stashed in a forgotten corner of a tired inner cityscape. Then, after its decades long journey into oblivion it had been unearthed by seasoned classic car collector Bruce Amster. Now, like the Phoenix, it would one day rise to the heady heights of the awards ramp at Pebble Beach. However, an even more interesting story would be that of the man for whom Pininfarina had created this classic car, famed Italian cyclist and WWII hero Gino Bartali.

For the Italian nation in the 1930s cycling reached its peak of popularity. It served as Italy’s most popular spectator sport until the 1950s. It was a mass cultural phenomenon that unified the country, shaped the national identity of its citizens, and up to WWII became a central tool for fascist propaganda under Benito Mussolini. Cycling stood above all other sports as did baseball in America. For Italians cyclist Gino Bartali towered as their Babe Ruth maybe with a little Charles Lindbergh mixed in.

A devout Roman Catholic and ardent anti-fascist, Bartali, born into poverty achieved legendary status with his cycling exploits. Described as tough, feisty, outgoing with a gravelly voice, broken nose and reputation as an aggressive cyclist, Bartali though only 5 ft 7 inches tall carried the nickname […]

My 2008 BMW X3 “Refresh or Replace” “Drivin’ News” post garnered significant feedback sympathetic to and supportive of my decision to refresh. An appreciable number of people shared that they too had lately mulled the same question. Some had already made the commitment to refresh. Maybe not surprisingly, I found those seriously considering undertaking this fairly costly preservation effort bore many similarities and shared concerns. For me, reader comments drew attention to an evolution in the character of car enthusiasm that I found quite telling.

Let’s see if you agree.

My 2008 BMW X3 Refresh, Going all in on another 50,000 miles

Valentines Day present. Just got my X3 Refresh back

Defining a Refresh demands focusing on functional excellence as compared to aesthetic perfection when applied to a long time daily driver. It is not a restoration. When successfully executed it does not target attracting huzzahs from admiring Concours judges. It does reward an owner’s investment in a long held daily driver by providing additional years delivering the driving experience that earned the owner’s loyalty in the first place. My experience has identified three requisites necessary for a vehicle to merit consideration for a Refresh: Good bones, an owner with a comprehensive knowledge of the car and a marque astute shop to entrust with the work.

The quality of the car being considered for a Refresh ranks first and foremost. Good bones, proper treatment, regular maintenance and a proven track record over its driving history all determine if a vehicle merits the investment. Good bones displayed in a car bear similarities to the desirable qualities bred in a horse. Over time, the quality of materials, construction integrity and design of a specific make and model imparts a reputation; sometimes good, sometimes not so good.

Step one demands knowing if the car deserves the love and money a Refresh will demand of its owner. Other than the general attributes that history has shown the car to possess, the specific vehicle’s track record means everything. Thus, long time ownership by the present owner ranks very high. Only he or she will know how the car has been treated; how it has been maintained and all or at least a considerable portion of its driving history. In my opinion, a serious accident in a car’s past disqualifies it for […]

With 18-years and 155,000 miles on the clock my well maintained 2008 BMW X3 has performed nobly. It owes me nothing. That said, with it being the last BMW SUV with a manual transmission, I wanted more. While it owes me nothing, I have decided I owe it to myself to refresh this excellent ride. If my initial assessment proves valid, I will lay down the money necessary to recondition a sporty and functional vehicle I cannot replace. As I have, now, explained the “why,” the following describes the “what.”

A Winter Rebirth? Deciding Whether to Recondition My Aging Daily Driver

Its bones are quite sound with its solid body, good brakes, fresh tires, new shocks and regular servicing, though I am still on the original clutch after 155,000 miles. My daily driver’s needs reflect traditional flaws endemic to the E83 X3 including valve cover gasket oil leaks, oil filter canister gasket leaks and cooling system plastic part failures. Needless to say, high mileage on the original clutch with the notoriously expensive dual mass flywheel screams for attention. However, simply addressing known problems falls far short of my intentions for this rebirth. I wanted the insight of a specialist with the experience, feel, and passion for the BMW brand. I chose Steve Smith owner of MotorWorks West a BMW-Exclusive specialist in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

Steve, 1-month short of his 32^nd birthday, with a wife and three children stands out as the kind of youthful respected skilled professional that long time car guys fear will be painfully absent in the fast approaching future.

In 2012, with the benefit of a four-year automotive technology apprenticeship program, Steve developed his taste for BMWs while quickly climbing the ladder towards Master Technician at a respected Northern NJ BMW dealership. With his eyes looking ahead to greater things, he built a cash stash by servicing three to four cars a night in his back yard after work.

By 2018 Steve purchased MotorWorks West. His goal focused on creating the ultimate BMW service facility. Steve says, “I resolved that my shop would never be hamstrung by outdated technology. At the outset I invested a ton of money into the latest diagnostic equipment and, today, continue to maintain that edge.”

Steve wants his customers to know and trust the technician working on their car. He promotes […]