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A Bilbao in California, the Pegaso Touring of the Concorso Italiano

What is a Pegasus doing with a Bilbao license plate strolling under the California sun? Can a Ferrari be a single-seater and a two-seater at the same time? Why do the Japanese make the best British roadsters? These and other more are questions to be addressed in this latest issue about what has been the Motor Week in Monterrey held last August

Tras Peeble beach and the races in Laguna Seca today we go with the last installment related to the Motor Week in Monterrey. A delivery for which we have chosen very diverse vehicles. Although all of them present in several of the thematic concentrations held in that area of ​​California during the past month of August. Definitely a very interesting plurality, which is establishing itself as a more open alternative to the traditional format based on a single large room or elegance contest. That said, the best thing to do is go straight to talking about classics. So, why not start with the most striking of all?

And it is that a Pegaso Z-102 always draws attention. Even more so if you see him in an event full of Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo units called Concorso Italiano. Something that is not due to any lack of knowledge on the part of the organizers, but to a simple wide sleeve when establishing criteria related to registration. And it is that, after all, this unit is a BT PO according to the name of the factory itself. Namely, a Panoramic Berlinetta bodied by the Milanese Touring in 1955. In this way, even though it is a Spanish car thanks to the patents of Wifredo Ricart and the National Institute of Industry, there is no doubt that its lines are Italian.

Loaded with GT style and a rear that may well remind of that of an Aston Martin DB5, this Pegaso Z-102 sports an enveloping windshield for which it receives the Panoramic name. In addition, as usual in the complex genealogy of the Pegasus, this unit also has its little curiosities. Presented at the salons of Paris and Turin during 1956, left ENASA as a second series Z-102. After this, he was on loan for a few months to Romero Requejo. Pilot, director of the magazine Motor Mundial and owner of an ENASA Berlinetta that Fangio himself even got to test in Madrid's Puerta de Hierro.

Returned to the factory in the spring of 1957, this unit underwent a severe overhaul before being definitively sold in 1958. The year in which it was registered in Bizkaia with the plate BI-40126. The same one that remains today, making it so striking to see a Bilbao car rolling under the California sun. Also, As a curious fact, it should be noted how during that update before its sale it was renamed from Z102B to Z-103. A necessary change to meet the requirement to name the units produced after 1956. In short, part of the charm given off by the Pegaso comes from these issues that are so appreciated among fans with a detective vocation.

FERRARI CLASSICHE SHOWS IN MONTERREY, HIGH RANGE OF COMPETITION

With the Bilbao Pegaso still in mind, we turn to the highlights of the show organized by Ferrari Classiche. Undoubtedly one of the best gatherings seen at Monterey Motor Week, showcasing vehicles that were also present at Pebble Beach. As it is, it is difficult not to be trapped by the 166 Inter Sport from 1948. One of the most versatile Ferraris in the brand's history. And no, not that we think this racing model can be put to practical use as a 330 GT 2+2.

However, it is true that within the competition catalog exhibited by the brand this was one of the most versatile models. After all, thanks to its removable lights, seats and fenders, the 166 Inter Sport could enter many international races. In this way, It was positioned at a midpoint between the races of tourism models and those of single-seaters. All this with a two-litre V12 evolved from the one and a half liter block designed by Gioacchino Colombo for the previous year's 125. Fantastic.

Going back to the always interesting sixties, a Dino 206S from 1966 stood out. Conceived as a little brother to the 330 P3 launched that same year, this perfect model for two-liter racing has the typical V6 mounted on this sub-brand of Maranello. Sub-brand that, over time, has earned its place among the rest of the Ferrari models without any complex. Even more so when we talk about cases like 206S, endowed with a more than interesting history in competition achieving second place in the 1966 Targa-Florio. In addition, in cases such as that of the unit exposed here, mythomania rises when seeing the name of Scuderia Filipinetti. The iconic Swiss team where Jim Clark, Phill Hill or Nino Vaccarella passed.

LOOKING AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PACIFIC

Perhaps it is because of that little brother complex that we have just named with the Dino, but the truth is that the reduced-scale cars seem to be in the background within many concentrations. At this point, it is not surprising that fans of them organize their own themed events. One of them is the Little Car Show. Possibly one of the most charming appointments in the Motor Week in Monterrey, being able to glimpse all kinds of Kei-Cars, minicars, small convertibles based on utility vehicles such as the DKW 1000S Sanderklass or British roadster.

In fact, speaking of British roadsters, you have surely heard something that is often said in the United Kingdom. And it is that, wanting to make a good and popular two-seater convertible, Mazda designed the best British roadster when presenting its Miata. An affirmation to which the facts seem to give the reason. Especially when you see the sheer abundance of MX5s seen on winding English roads. However, the truth is that things do not come out of nowhere. In fact, various Japanese brands had been establishing a prolific tradition of small two-seaters since the sixties.

One of the first in that sense was Honda. Which began to test with the 360 S1962 prototype the idea of ​​launching a small roadster that was as economical as it was simple and fun to drive. From there it jumped to the serial production of the S500, equipped with a block with four cylinders in line and 531cc. Starting point for the saga of the S600 and S800. Delicious examples of what the pleasure of basting curves with an open top means without too many sporting pretensions. Obviously, a car that more than deserves its presence in events like this one.

Anyway, if what you want is to see something really rare, the Infiniti show – organized by Nissan itself – exhibited a true rarity. Neither more nor less than one of around one hundred Autech Zagato Stelvio produced in 1989. Thought as an exclusive model for the Japanese market, it was the result of a partnership between Autech – Nissan's subsidiary for car customization – and the bodybuilder Zagato. Made on the basis of a Nissan Leopard, its design does not seem quite outlined. Something that, over time, has given it a strange charm despite having been a real disaster at the time. In short, a controversial rarity with which to put the finishing touch to this review of what was the last Motor Week in Monterrey.

Photographs: Unai Ona

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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