Historic spirit and a modern look: a refresh for the FCA Heritage Officine Classiche
Today saw the inauguration of the new Officine Classiche – the FCA Heritage restoration and certification atelier – where some of the services most valued by vintage car enthusiasts are carried out: from Certifications of Authenticity to technical assistance and maintenance services, all the way to comprehensive restoration. Expanded and completely refreshed in its external appearance and spatial layout, the Officine Classiche workshop is an undisputed flagship for the FCA division that protects and enhances the historic heritage of the Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Abarth brands.
“The refresh of the Officine Classiche marks a new starting point to look to the future with increasing momentum, continuing to bring our automotive heritage back to life,” said Roberto Giolito, FCA’s EMEA Head of Heritage. “Exactly that is the main mission of FCA Heritage: not only to celebrate but to enhance, not only to safeguard but to revive the gems we have inherited from our history. This legacy continues to inspire the models of tomorrow, of course more sustainable and better connected, but that can't be done without that Italian beauty that has always marked out our ‘works of art’ on four wheels.”
The major innovations at the refreshed workshop include greater affinity with the corporate identity of FCA Heritage, in a continuation of a journey embarked on in 2019 with the new headquarters – the Heritage Hub, then further pursued in early 2020 with the new Heritage Gallery at Mirafiori Motor Village. The restyling of the Officine Classiche also pays tribute to the renowned Mirafiori industrial complex, the largest FCA plant in the world and home to the classic car workshop since 2015. The walls of the atelier are now embellished with evocative historical images of production at the Turin plant, alternating with contemporary graphics and photos portraying some of the most iconic Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Abarth cars. This is how a welcoming, sophisticated environment came about, despite its location in a factory. It is able to enter into synergistic ‘dialog’ with the other businesses within the complex: from the Heritage Hub and Heritage Gallery to the headquarters of Abarth & C. and the FCA EMEA Design Center.
Opened in 2015 in the former site of Mirafiori Workshop 83 on Via Plava, Turin, the Officine Classiche now occupy a surface area of approximately 6,000 m2 – compared to the original 900 m2, and are equipped with 12 hoists, specific machine tools and a line for highly accurate finishes, which includes a cabin specially designed for the painting of individual components. The workshop interior was laid out and the equipment was selected in conjunction with specialists at the Mopar brand. This is where all repair, restoration and certification operations are carried out on vintageAlfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Abarth cars, belonging both to private collectors and to the priceless collection held by FCA Heritage. In total, from 2015 to date, dozens of restorations have taken place and around 500 certifications have been issued to car owners from all over the world: from Japan to the U.S., from Costa Rica to Thailand, all the way to the Caribbean island of Antigua.
The accuracy and fidelity of each intervention is guaranteed by the use of the original production data and technical drawings of every model, kept in the company archives, and also by the unique experience of the FCA Heritage team of specialists. Indeed, the same team that cares for the vintage FCA collection is also available to private customers, with services ranging from simple maintenance to comprehensive restoration: from diagnosis and exterior restoration to repairs of individual mechanical and aesthetic components, all the way to complete final testing.
The Officine Classiche also play host to work on “Certification of Authenticity”. When every aspect of the vintage car has been analyzed in detail, and its production data and technical specifications in the company archives scrupulously verified, FCA Heritage certifies the vehicle’s authenticity, and indicates its value. The certification process requires that each car goes through a rigorous control and evaluation process carried out by the in-house team of experts, carefully checking its authenticity and its components, and the functioning of the main mechanical parts. Certification of Authenticity is available for classic models from the Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Abarth brands and – if the customer prefers – the analysis of the car can also be performed at the owner’s home.
