The rising sun illuminating the quayside. The residents of moored houseboats bustling about their morning routines. Baristas in the nearby cafes crafting cappuccinos and cortados for their first customers. And the low hum of Italian machinery taxiing respectfully into position on the quayside.
Such was the scene at the impressively regenerated Gloucester Docks last Sunday morning, 11th May 2025, as we arrived, with other exhibitors, for the Italian Auto Moto Club meet. For us it was a 40-mile cross country trip, on a roof-down-both-ways kind of day. The club is run by enthusiasts of two- and four-wheeled Italian vehicles, and arrange meets in prominent public places such as, in this case, the docks at Gloucester. This area has undergone significant regeneration of the last few years. Although the austere warehouse buildings still dominate the dock area, these have been cleaned up, and now many of them house bars, cafes, and restaurants. The quay is home to many boats that look to be moored on either a temporary or permanent basis.
I attended the event with my son Harry, just turned 12. Not an enthusiast of Italian or any other kind of vehicle, he was tempted rather by the rumour of discounted food from the local outlets for exhibitors. After parking up the Barchetta, we had a little wander around some of the other early arrivals. I didn’t note everything we saw, but there were Fiats of all shapes and sizes – I am always impressed by Fiat’s imaginative yet seemingly always practical designs for their vehicles – lots of Alfas, Ferraris, Lancias, and a few Lamborghinis, although these tended to arrive fashionably and noisily late.
Having downed a cortado and pastry for breakfast in one of the several cafes, we took a walk to the adjacent nature reserve at Alney Island (Harry being more into ornithology than cars), where we heard a cuckoo and had a really good sighting of a sedge warbler. The reserve includes a pathway along the River Severn, at a prime location for observing (and riding) the Severn Bore, when it’s doing its thing.
By the time we returned to the docks, there were many more cars and bikes in position. At this point it was evident that, when I had been directed to a parking space in the early morning, the attendant had positioned me in an area that would become the Alfa Romeo zone. But no matter – there was such a variety of vehicles all around the quayside that this was of no consequence. Although I could see how it went with people walking around the cars – “Alfa. Another Alfa, Another Alfa. Anoth…Oh! What’s this?!”.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that, throughout the day, there were thousands of people wandering around in the sunshine, some who were there specifically because of the club meet, but many for whom the docks would be a destination in themselves on a sunny Sunday, with the attractions of the sights and sounds of the boats, and the many places to sit, relax, and eat. Therefore, many people came to look around the little boat, sparkling in the sunshine on the quayside. As it turned out, mine was the only Barchetta that made an appearance. I had put a laminated info sheet on the dashboard, with a little bit of history about Fiat Barchetta, as well as some information about my particular example. I’m guessing for many people this might have been the first time they (at least knowingly) had seen a Barchetta, and it was of great interest. There is something very rewarding about enabling people to make a new discovery and enjoying what they see. One guy took about 20 photographs of my car, from every angle imaginable. I’d quite like to see them!
We took advantage of the excellent offer of 50% off takeaway pizzas for exhibitors, from the nearby Italian restaurant, for lunch. Once we had devoured our pizza, and now loaded with dessert in the form of gelato from the very specifically named “Wholly Gelato” shop (gelatos also on offer 10% off for exhibitors, but by the time I got to the front of the queue I was so excited I forgot to claim it!), we walked a couple of streets away to visit the magnificent gothic cathedral. This was a bit of a gamble because Harry is about as into architecture as he is cars (i.e. not very) but he was mightily impressed with this place. I could go off on a tangent eulogising about this fabulous building, but better just to say, if you are ever in the area, it’s worth a visit.
Returning to the docks, we had another walk around the exhibits, before ending a very Italian-themed day with a roof-down ride home through the countryside.
The Italian Auto Moto Club seem to operate mainly in the South West region. I had previously been to one of their events in the market square of the Wiltshire town of Devizes. They are also having a meet in Newbury town centre in July, which unfortunately I am unable to attend. And they are taking over a field in Oxfordshire in August, adjacent to a farm shop – sounds tempting! Their website is www.italianautomotoclub.co.uk.
Tim Sawyer
Great to see people interested in the Barchetta Tim ,you never know you may come across the 20 shots of your Barchetta one day on the World Wide Web !
Tim, what a lovely report, I was almost transported to Gloucester Docks! You are doing the right thing with Harry, you can lead a horse to water etc! Bet he comes round.
Well done on exhibiting your Barchetta, it is fun to be showing a car that hardly anyone quite knows what it is,even the badges outside the car don’t give the whole game away.
I enjoyed talking to you about liivng day to day with your Barchetta. (I was in the Alfetta next door !) Great day.