Neil Mc Ivor

Not many people know that it was me, not Tazio Nuvolari who won the 1932 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Did I mention that at the time I was helping Vittoria Jano design the P3? Alfa had entered six cars that day, when lead driver Nuvolari went missing, minutes before the race. Enzo Ferrari head of Scuderia Ferrari, having seen me drive in the Ulster Trophy in 1930, pressed me into service. “You helped build that car Neil” he exclaimed “Now drive it!” Unrecognised in helmet and goggles I fired up the straight eight with its twin rotor superchargers. What a beast! What a battle!I was fortunate on the day to finish just seconds ahead of the pack- leaving the Germans and English in the dust! I slipped away quietly afterwards and never raced again, leaving the accolades to Tazio. A sharp tap on the window, I opened my eyes to find myself at the Superquinn car park, Bray!“Help load these groceries” said Maureen impatiently. As I pointed the GT towards the N11 I reflected on many great Alfas that have decorated my life, and wondered what my old friend Jano would think of my modern GT. I feel he would approve. A new Guilietta in my life? The chance to give the GT to my son, passing the Alfa tradition to the next generation. I would like that. As for my win at Monza in 1932? You’ll have to make up your own mind about that!