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Montecarlo Automobile: the ‘Carlo Chiti MonzaCodaLunga’ makes its track debut

Fulvio Maria Ballabio's Montecarlo Automobile took the ‘Carlo Chiti MonzaCodaLunga' GT on its first track outing. The occasion was to celebrate of Autodelta's 50th Anniversary and was organised at Monza by RIAR (Registro Internazionale Alfa Romeo). This special model is dedicated to the renowned Tuscan engineer and founder of Autodelta. He appeared in F1 and was a well-known figure in the racing world with Ferrari, ATS and Alfa Romeo. He was also crucial in establishing Montecarlo Automobile alongside Fulvio Maria Ballabio.

During the past thirty years, the Monaco-based company has used Carlo Chiti's engines on the Centenaire and made the most of Chiti's vast technical knowledge until he sadly passed away. Surrounded by the Alfas that have made motor-racing history, the new Montecarlo Automobile ‘Carlo Chiti MonzaCodaLunga' project was overseen by Roberto Olivo, an engineer from BRC.

Chiti's children, Olga and Arturo, were present at the test session, along with Carlo Junior, the new arrival in the family who showed his immediate appreciation for the new car. Teodoro Zeccoli, the famous driver/tester, and FIA/ACI CSAI member, Mario Bonifacio, were also in attendance.

The new ‘Carlo Chiti Monza Codalunga' boasts carbon-fibre bodywork and is powered by a 3-litre V6 Alfa Romeo engine. The methane-powered unit nicknamed the ‘Busso' was developed by BRC, a company that specialises in the creation of alternative fuel engines.

Montecarlo Automobile aim to construct a limited run of 20 examples equipped with a tweaked 3.0 engine that delivers over 300 bhp, in a BRC bifuel set up.

The ‘Carlo Chiti MonzaCodaLunga' builds on the experience gained in producing the Montecarlo Quadrifuel and is a true sportscar for collectors. The GT can be taken to the track fitted with a magical Alfa Romeo engine that has been given a green makeover. The rapture that has greeted the car may even lead Montecarlo Automobile to set up a new single-make championship.

This is a car destined for gentlemen drivers who adored getting behind the wheel of the TZ2 or other vintage Alfa Romeo Sport and Turismo vehicles but who also appreciate the thrills provided on the track by a modern GT.

Montecarlo Automobile has still not announced the official price of the car, one designed only for competition use, but it should be around €150,000. Part of the proceeds from the sales will go to a Monaco kennel club that will bear the name Carlo Chiti. Chiti was as fond of dogs as he was cars and he was often accompanied
into the office by a four-legged friend...