Disco Volante spotted in Georgia?

Alfadog · #1 (**permalink**) 02-18-2006, 05:52 PM

Dear Alfisti,
On a recent road trip a friend in Georgia US spotted something unusual. It is what appears to be a Disco Volante Spider being hauled on the back of a trailer without cover or anything! It looks very dusty - maybe we should expect to see it in shows soon? Do any of you know about this car in particular?

On another forum I visit a friend has pointed out that this one looks slightly different than the one owned by the Alfa Romeo museum in Italy ( http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...m=2&carnum=550 ). Small details, and appears a slightly different shape. There were a few variants of this car, weren't there? Is this just another variant?

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

**tubut** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-18-2006, 06:25 PM

That looks like Tom Zat's car, often referred to as the Zatmobile. Some other AlfaBB members had images posted in this thread, but it appears they were lost in the server crash at the beginning of this year.

Alfadog · #3 (**permalink**) 02-18-2006, 08:28 PM

Hi Ruedi, and thanks for the link.

Wow, what a can of worms! It is a pity that most of the images in that thread have gone missing, but I get the picture. As I understand it, people are divided on the origins of Tom Zat's car. I do not want to argue, but I am not completely sure it is Tom Zat's car. The one picture that did load in that thread that was definitely the "Zatmobile" according to the poster has a grille that does not look the same, different fenders and the chrome (?) strip does not come around as far as the one I showed. I've attached it (credit to Carter Hendricks for the original image). What do you make of this?

Can anyone provide some more pictures of Tom Zat's car for reference? I can't imagine there'd be too many replicas around...

Broyax · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2006, 08:35 PM

Seems a replica too I think...

**tubut** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2006, 10:47 PM

I got chuckle out of a message I received from someone who I consider an authority (but shall remain nameless), informing me that this is not the Zatmobile but "one of the [slightly] better fakes".

When I first looked at the above pictures, I thought the Jaguar wire wheel looked odd and I couldn't find the Zatmobile pictures for comparison of any of the characteristics...

dretceterini · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubut

I got chuckle out of a message I received from someone who I consider an authority (but shall remain nameless), informing me that this is not the Zatmobile but "one of the [slightly] better fakes".

When I first looked at the above pictures, I thought the Jaguar wire wheel looked odd and I couldn't find the Zatmobile pictures for comparison of any of the characteristics...

2000 touring sp · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 05:16 AM

Thank you for posting this picture, a sincere hope, as it raises all the outstanding question that is left open in the 6C3000 CM tread.
The crashed car at Monza, with the killed police man
The missing chassis.
The question with the chassis in the river.
The numbers on the Zat car.
The number on the present car.
The Gilco chassis
Personally I have to regret that I am unable to add anything, but of pure interest I think there is a lot of interesting questions that was left unanswered.

dretceterini · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000 touring sp

Thank you for posting this picture, a sincere hope, as it raises all the outstanding question that is left open in the 6C3000 CM tread.
The crashed car at Monza, with the killed police man
The missing chassis.
The question with the chassis in the river.
The numbers on the Zat car.
The number on the present car.
The Gilco chassis
Personally I have to regret that I am unable to add anything, but of pure interest I think there is a lot of interesting questions that was left unanswered.

Alfadog · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:35 PM

My pleasure, 2000 touring sp. The suggestion was raised before that perhaps this car was a replica, so I decided to come here to let the experts decide.

I love hearing about car history, and love old cars. I am just 21 so I still have lots to learn, but when does the learning ever end???

I have read a few topics on this forum now just out of interest, and damn, you guys make me want to go and buy a Junior or something so I can be a part of this place!!! What amazing stories and history.

Thankyou all for your responses. Needless to say I think I will remain lurking around here for a while yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000 touring sp

Thank you for posting this picture, a sincere hope, as it raises all the outstanding question that is left open in the 6C3000 CM tread.
The crashed car at Monza, with the killed police man
The missing chassis.
The question with the chassis in the river.
The numbers on the Zat car.
The number on the present car.
The Gilco chassis
Personally I have to regret that I am unable to add anything, but of pure interest I think there is a lot of interesting questions that was left unanswered.

dretceterini · #10 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfadog

I am just 21 so I still have lots to learn, but when does the learning ever end???

**tubut** · #11 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 09:11 PM

Hey Alfadog: Please don't just lurk! Keep posting and asking questions. Your age and/or experience doesn't matter as much as the fact that you tried (and, in my opinion, succeded with) making a contribution by sharing these pictures.

Thank you and welcome to AlfaBB!!!

Alex · #12 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretceterini

Yes, and sadly I don't know if we will ever know all the answers with any certainty, as the people involved have passed on, for the most part...

6alfas · #13 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 10:08 PM

About two years ago, Red Baron Antiques in Atlanta pictured a Disco Volante in their upcoming auction catalog which looked very much like this car. The description stated that the car had been found by one of their scouts and had been in storage in Italy for years. Could this be the same car? I didn't go to the auction and didn't follow up to see what the car sold for or any of the specifics but someone else is welcome to.

http://www.redbaronsantiques.com/

Chuck
59 Sprint

2000 touring sp · #14 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 12:43 PM

Alex, thank you, but I do have a sincere problem in this connection, my Italian don't reach to anything beyond, Competizione ,alleggerita , so according to your presentation I think I will turn my selves into problems

dretceterini · #15 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6alfas

About two years ago, Red Baron Antiques in Atlanta pictured a Disco Volante in their upcoming auction catalog which looked very much like this car. The description stated that the car had been found by one of their scouts and had been in storage in Italy for years. Could this be the same car? I didn't go to the auction and didn't follow up to see what the car sold for or any of the specifics but someone else is welcome to.

http://www.redbaronsantiques.com/

Chuck
59 Sprint