Firefly Grand Tour: Verona, Italy to Obergurgl in Austria

In which Sid and Doris fly back to Verona, pick up the repaired Firefly and make directly for a very demanding Alpine pass and a TOP motorcycle museum. This in just one day, are they bonkers?

On Friday our new friend Frank Molinari meets us at Verona Villafranca airport in his Lancia Fulvia saloon, now probably more rare than the Fulvia Coupe much loved by old rally car fans.

At the garage Alessandro shows us the failed seal.

We test the Firefly around the block, take pictures of the gang and set off for Obergurgl over the Timmelsjoch pass.

This is the highest road in Italy and also quite steep, running up to 2,509 metres. The very test for a car with a gear box we can politely categorise as ‘ran when parked’. Anyway, we are careful on the climb, passing the pink road menders’ houses along the way.

As we get higher the engine is not impressed with the lack of oxygen, but after only all afternoon (in Sid’s fragile mind) there is the top with its motorcycle museum.

This is very apt as the whole way fleets of bikes come by. Only two or three cars come past.

Inside are hundreds of bikes in a beautiful new museum. Blessedly there are few panels to read or we could never leave. We did see a Daimler Reitwagen, and see that very model again at Sinsheim (small spoiler). And S and D rode the simulator bikes buzzing up and down the pass. Top fun.

We look out for JAP engines (not Japanese but J A Prestwich) in memory of fellow cyclist Ray Asser who worked at their Tottenham factory.

It’s not all bikes. S and D are pleased to find an excellent Arabia Expedition, perhaps more intrepid than S and D are plotting for 2024.

The Hotel Muhle Resort 1,900 is the epitome of good Austrian/German hotel keeping. Think Corvara’s Panorama but a smidge further from the lifts. The whole area is alive with hikers and bikers.

That was a very big day. Up at 3.30 for our flight, and by 17.00 over the Timmelsjoch Pass and into Obergurgl.

So, the road is under the show again. Just Germany and France to cross before the Channel.

It’s no rush for home as the doughy duo seek out more touristica  fantastica to share with their avid audience.