Cars Above & Beyond

#1 The Old School
   Antonio, 92 years old, Bronte (Italy)
"I'd rather have a wound on myself than a dent on my Giulietta"

Says Antonio, looking affectionately at his beloved car.
Despite being 92 years old, his energy is incredible, evident in the passion with which he talks (and still drives) his 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. "This car is my story, my journey through time”  - continues Antonio.
He bought the Giulietta in 1962, and since then, it has been more than just a life companion. With less than 100,000 km on the odometer, each kilometer tells a story: from long and adventurous trips like the month-long journey from Athens to Lisbon for the 1990 Eurotrophaeum Alfa Romeo, to peaceful Sunday drives through the Sicilian hills.
"Listen to this," he says, starting the car. The engine roars, clean and powerful, an anthem to decades of carefully preserved Italian engineering. "Every time I close the hood, I feel the solidity of its construction”.
Opening an old book with a reportage on his own car, Antonio's face lights up. My attention is captured by a post-it note attached to the photo, which reads: "Photographic reportage of My Giulietta, Antonio Ciraldo”.
Antonio's dedication to his Giulietta is evident in every word, every gesture. He is not just the owner of a vintage car; he is the guardian of a piece of history, inextricably intertwined with his own life.
#2 The Auntie
   Caterina, 57 years old, Firenze (Italy)
"My taxi is loud and colorful because death is heavy and joy must be abundant to counter it" 
Says Caterina, better known as "Auntie Caterina". Her world is a kaleidoscope of color and laughter, a vibrant defiance against grief. 
Mourning the loss of her beloved Stefano to cancer, she transformed his precious taxi, Milano 25, into a "love engine." For over two decades, this taxi has carried child cancer patients and their families, offering not just rides but a magical escape. 
Adorned in lively attire, with a taxi decked in toys and blooms, she is the fairy godmother of Florence, turning each trip into an enchanting adventure. Her mission, deeply personal and fueled by her own brush with mortality, serves as a vivid tapestry of resilience and care. 
"You need to experience death to truly understand the pain it can bring" she confides. 
In her Tuscan home, now known as "the superheroes cove," the walls are painted with the stories of these brave children, each a celebrated hero in their fierce battle against illness. 
Here, amidst the trials of chemotherapy, families find a haven of joy and solace, hosted graciously by Caterina. 
Her vibrant crusade against the silence of sorrow inspires all to cherish life and challenge despair. Her dedication was recognized in 2023 with the Order of Merit from the Italian President, honoring her years of selfless volunteer work.
#3 The Serial Collector
   Massimo, 58 years old, Bergamo (Italy)
"Restoring these cars, I feel connected not just to their history but to my father’s memory"

"My passion for Citroëns ignited the moment I laid eyes on my father's DS ID 19 comfort in Vert Charmille," says Massimo. It was 1969, the sleek design and innovative technology of the Citroën DS carved a deep impression on him as a child. It was not just any car, but a dream that he aspired to drive once he was old enough.
Today, Massimo is a serial collector of the DS model. His journey with these vehicles is not just a hobby but a tribute to this specific car that shaped his dreams. In Arzago d'Adda, he has built a substantial hangar that houses his impressive collection of 15 Citroëns DS, with an additional 16 piled up, each awaiting restoration.
Massimo's relationship with his father deeply influenced his passion. His father supported him not only in setting up a workshop but also in every restoration project. "Every time I brought home a new DS, his first comment was: 'another piece of junk.' But as the restoration progressed, he always came around to check the work," Massimo shares.
Massimo’s expertise and dedication to the Citroën DS have made him a well-known figure in automotive circles, attending numerous events and even collaborating with the brand for exhibitions and video commercials. For him, restoration is a labor of love—a process of bringing life back to what was considered lost.
"Restoring these cars, I feel connected not just to their history but to my father’s memory," says Massimo. Each project is a piece of history revived, a narrative continued, and a childhood dream realized.
#4 The Ice Cream Artisans  
Leonardo & Giusy, (in progress)
"This 1957 car is a piece of history for the whole town"
Giorgio Di Rosa, affectionately known as Don Giugginu, was Modica’s beloved ice cream man for over four decades. Beginning in 1954, he started delivering ice cream on foot, later by bicycle, and eventually, in the seventies, with a white Fiat 127 transformed into an ice cream truck. His dedication made him a community icon, creating cherished memories with his ice cream and granita (Italian shaved ice). He continued working until 83, when his license was revoked after a minor accident due to his age. He passed away in 2018, three years later.
“When I explained my intention to his family, his wife said our story as ice cream makers reminded her of her own with her late husband,” shared Leonardo Baglieri. Leonardo and his wife, Giusy, experienced ice cream makers with over 20 years in the business, convinced the family to sell them the iconic truck after Don Giugginu passed away. They promised to restore it and keep his legacy alive.
“Don Giugginu was more than an ice cream maker; he was an icon of Modica, a simple man whose work left an indelible mark on generations. His passing was a sad moment for the entire community,” Leonardo reflected.
By restoring the historic vehicle, Leonardo and Giusy aim to honor Don Giugginu’s legacy and keep his spirit alive, ensuring that the tradition of “Gelati & Granite” continues to thrive in Modica. "This 1957 car is a piece of history for the whole town."
This act of love and respect not only revives a piece of local history but also serves as a tribute to the enduring impact of one man's dedication to his craft and community. The story of Don Giugginu is a poignant reminder of the power of tradition, family, and the simple joys that bring people together.
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#5 The Tractor Girl  
Manon 48 years old, Eindhoven (Netherland)
"If a girl can drive a tractor to the end of the World and back and be safe, then also your dreams are possible."
Manon Ossevoort, also known as the "Tractor Girl," embarked on an extraordinary journey in 2005, spanning over nine years and 38,000 kilometers. She traveled from the Netherlands to South Africa on an old Deutz tractor running at 20 km/h, then continued to the South Pole on a modern Massey Ferguson tractor. Her route took her through 22 countries, many of which were plagued by war and poverty. Along the way, she performed open-air theater, sharing her story and encouraging audiences to believe in their dreams. She invited people to write their dreams on tiny pieces of colored paper, which she sent back home to be digitized.
"I wanted to bring those dreams to Antarctica, the only area on Earth untouched by war," Manon said.
Upon arriving in Africa, Manon was struck by the vastness of the continent. "I had arranged for a free ride to the South Pole on an icebreaker boat if I could reach South Africa by the end of the year. But I quickly realized it would take me years, not months, to get there."
When she finally reached South Africa, she tried unsuccessfully for eleven months to set up the polar expedition. Not giving up on her plans, she then returned to Europe to find a sponsorship. When she finally found one, she had recently become a mother. "I was at a crossroads. My baby was only 11 months old, and I had to embark on a 1.5-month journey with training in Iceland and then the expedition to Antarctica. My husband encouraged me to complete it, taking care of our baby while I was away."
On December 9, 2014, after nearly a month on ice and snow, Manon reached the center of the South Pole. It was the culmination of years of perseverance and determination. She built a snowman and placed the collected dreams inside, creating a time capsule to be opened in 80 years "so that in the future children and people can read something about our dreams and not only about politics or war."

#6 The Captain
Johans, 45 years old, Mallorca (Spain) 
"If I had to drive a car for the rest of my life would be this Porsche"

Johans Lamic's story is a fascinating blend of diverse passions and pursuits, culminating in his unique role as a creator of automotive art. Born in Paris and raised on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, his early years were shaped by a deep love for basketball, which led to a professional career in France. 
Alongside this, he briefly attended law school and ventured into marketing before an unexpected fascination with aviation altered his course. He became a pilot, flying across Turkey, Rwanda, and Congo, eventually rising to the rank of captain based in Mallorca. At 40, Johans decided to mark this life milestone by purchasing a vintage Porsche, specifically a 1984 911 Carrera Targa, which he imported from the United States after finding it online. 
His goal was to customize the car, giving it a 1960s aesthetic. This involved modifying the car's exterior, including removing the large rear wing that the previous owner had installed—a turbo wing from the 1974 Porsche 930 model. As the customization progressed and the wing was removed, Johans felt reluctant to discard it. Intrigued by its design, he repainted it and transformed it into a piece of home decor, hanging it on his wall. 
But the journey didn't end there. "I was looking at it, and it felt kind of boring to me, so I thought about the drops, representing aerodynamic airflow, like on a plane". After researching materials, he reworked the car component, turning it into his signature project: The Whale Tail, a nod to the nickname for the Porsche 930's large rear wing. 
Johans began creating other tails inspired by Porsche racing teams over the years. Today, his work captivates collectors and has been exhibited in numerous countries around the world,including the USA, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the UAE.
#7 The Pilot
Sandra, 34 years old, Vilnius (Lithuania) 
"I'll keep doing what I am doing until I'll win "
Sandra Janušauskaitė embodies a dynamic blend of roles: she’s a lawyer, a mother of two, a business owner, and a European drift champion. Her life seamlessly shifts from the warmth of home to the adrenaline-fueled world of the racetrack. Drifting was an unexpected love for her. “I was never interested in cars and worried about accidents on the road,” she admits. “I stumbled into the sport by chance, initially believing it would be easy to make a car drift. 
But when I tried, I realized it was a different story.” The challenge captivated her spirit. She started to intensively every weekend, facing scepticism, with many doubting her commitment and attributing her interest to her affluent background. 
Today, Sandra commands powerful 1000 hp machines across Europe, establishing her place in a male-dominated sport. She finances her own team—a close-knit group of a dozen members and five cars—granting her the freedom to operate without sponsor constraints. “It’s costly, but it’s liberating to do it on my terms” she shares, reflecting her blend of gentle warmth and fierce determination.
Her impressive accolades, including the Drift Queen 2023 title for top female drivers and fifth place in Drift King 2023—where she competed alongside both men and women—highlight her achievements. Yet for Sandra, the journey is about more than just trophies; it’s a deep-seated love for the art, technique, and power of drifting. 
When asked if she plans to step back from racing, her eyes light up with determination. “When I reach the top of Drift King” she responds, referring to the pinnacle of competition, “then I’ll find a new challenge” she adds with a smile.
#8 The Designer
Chris, 68 years old, Clavesana (Italy) 
"A vehicle becomes iconic when it defies expectations to reflect identity"
The idea for the Fiat Coupé’s bold yellow launch color––a standard Ferrari fly yellow––signifies the “yellow tube” symbols of good luck we hid inside the original Fiat Coupe model; such yellow tubes were on the first model we won the internal competition with––which happend to be a Panda Next Gen design - Chris Bangle says with a smile.
As one of the most influential car designers of the past fifty years, Bangle is still proud of the FiatCoupé — an iconic car that looked futuristic at its debut and, three decades later, remains strikingly fresh. After leaving his mark on Fiat’s Centro Stile with the Coupé, Bangle moved to BMW, where, at just thirty-five, he became head of design. 
Over the next seventeen years, he led a transformation, creating with his team iconic models like the Z4, 1, 3, 6, and 7 Series, as well as the pioneering X3, X5, and X6 SUVs. 
“I will hold three items that represent three phases of my career” he explains. 
There is the fuel cap from the Fiat Coupé, symbolizinghis time as a designer on the boards actually drawing the cars and “doing the design”.  
A copy of Peter Teuful, the novel he wrote about his impressions as a manager of car design after leaving the corporate world to move with his family to the Italian countryside and launch his own design firm, where he applied his vision to everything from luxury goods and electronics to super yachts. 
And Arky Arch Adventures, a cartoon book that brings objects to life with their own personalities that represents his reinterpretation of car design into cartoons. This concept evolved into a possible animated TV series or movie, now bridging him and his team to the latest frontier: using car design-based semantics to shape the future of AI.
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