We visit Museo Della Passione, which is situated on the picturesque Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. It’s a new motoring museum that recently opened to the public and should be on any alfista’s – or petrolhead’s – must-visit list.
A new museum doesn’t open in Mzansi every day – especially not a car museum. Most of us are aware of the Franschhoek Motor Museum outside Franschhoek, and we’ve featured several private collections on SentiMETAL, but now there is a new, very professionally-curated car museum in Somerset West.
The Museo Della Passione (Italian for “Museum of Passion”) is owned and curated by Lynton Hilliard-Lomas. The exhibit will be rotated every quarter; there’s a good reason to visit it more than once a year!
The Museo Della Passione is housed in a freshly constructed building that combines a concrete structure with large wooden doors, making it an ideal place to house precious cars. And, seeing as it is situated on the Lourensford Wine Estate, there are several activities that you can enjoy before or after visiting the museum. There is also a market on weekends; it offers a variety of food and sometimes even live music.
The Museo Della Passione collection
As I walk into the museum (the entrance fee is a very reasonable R60) I am immediately greeted by an Alfa Romeo SZ (pictured below) – which is a rare sight indeed. Currently, the entire museum’s exhibit focuses on Alfa Romeo models, and from the get-go, I must mention that all these cars look immaculate.
Each car has a neat information board (including technical specs) displayed next to it… so you can test your knowledge about each vehicle – or learn something new. The SZ, for instance, is the only SZ that was converted to right-hand drive and is fitted with the larger 3.5-litre engine, tuned by Autodelta.
As I walk down along the 2 rows of cars, there is a group of four late-70s and 80s Alfettas and GTVs. It starts with the Guigiaro-designed 1976 Alfetta GT 1.8. Powered by a 90 kW 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder engine, it offered a 50:50 weight distribution, weighed only 1 050 kg and had a claimed top speed of 185 kph.
Further along the exhibit, I find the 1983 GTV6 2.5. This car marked the arrival of the “Busso”-powered GTV and, according to the info board, the first 100 GTVs to arrive in South Africa were all numbered. The 2.5-litre, V6 engine developed 142 kW and the 1 210-kg GTV6 2.5 could reach a top speed of 205 kph.
Needless to say, the last car in this line-up is none other than the uniquely South African GTV6 3.0 (litre). If you haven’t seen it already watch Episode 9 of our SentiMENTAL series, which features the GTV6 3.0
A rare model
On the other side of the room are several earlier Alfa Romeo coupes in the shape of the 105-series cars. The one that stood out for me, might not appeal to collectors, but it’s cool nonetheless. It is a 1975 2000 GTV (97 kW, a 195 kph top speed and kerb weight of 1 028 kg) that formed part of the last cars of this Bertone Coupe range; it’s painted in a rare “Prugna” (Italian for prune) hue and has an auto transmission.
Further down the hall is a small BMX collection and a number of classic on- and off-road motorcycles placed among the cars that fit in perfectly with the collection.
Along the end of the hall is one of only a few Alfa Romeo 147 GTA race cars that competed in South African production car racing in the mid-2000s. One of these cars achieved the first Alfa Romeo victory at Kyalami since 1984. Closely parked to this car is a modern Giulia Quadrifoglio super sedan.
Search for an Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio listed for sale on Cars.co.za
Make your way back to the start, and there are even more classics to peruse on the other side of the building. A great example is the 1976 Alfa Romeo Giulia “Introzzi” Wagon (pictured below). It is said to be one of only 4 units that were imported into South Africa and was “used as a service and parts delivery vehicle”. These cars also served as race and rally support vehicles. Further information on this car indicates that it is 1 of only 2 examples left in South Africa and that it has been lightly restored.
One of the earlier cars in the collection is a 1963 Giulietta Ti, featuring a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder engine developing 54 kW and weighing only 915 kg.
In terms of performance, no one can miss the smooth design that is the 1961 Giulietta Sprint Speciale (pictured below). At the time this car stood out in terms of its aerodynamics and technology.
There are also several convertibles in the collection. This includes a 1963 Giulia Spider Normale and a row of 105- and 115-series Spiders. The last in this specific row is 1984 Spider Aerodinamica. Fitted with the 2.0-litre engine and featuring aerodynamic improvements, it was the fast 105/115 Spider.
You will leave this collection inspired to acquire a classic Alfa Romeo or at least with a deeper understanding of this fabulous Milanese-based brand. The website also confirms that the collection features BMWs, Porsches, Ferraris, Renaults, Lotuses, heritage Minis and even Japanese cars.
We can expect a lot more from this museum in the future. For more info, visit the Museum’s website or Facebook page.
Search for a classic Alfa Romeo on Cars.co.za
Find exclusive car-themed merchandise at the SentiMETAL Shop
Related content:
Our Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 – The Restoration
Something for everyone at SentiMETAL Gathering
New (R40m?) Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Revealed
Alfa Romeo Stelvio (2023) Launch Review
