Andrea Doria

84_SPIDER · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2005, 10:26 AM

I once heard, probably on TV, that there was a shipment of Alfas onboard the Andrea Doria, when it was struck and sunk by the Stockholm in 1956 off the coast of New England. Can anybody confirm/shed light on this??

**ossodiseppia** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2005, 11:10 AM

From the New Jersy Scuba Diver Site:

After weighing anchor at Genoa on July 17, 1956, the Andrea Doria made three scheduled stops at Cannes, Naples, and Gilbralta. At precisely 12:30 pm Friday, July 20 the Doria bid adieu to Europe with 1,134 passengers and 401 tons of freight. Among the cargo was a very special automobile: the Norseman an experimental prototype designed and constructed by the Ghia plant in Turin for the Chrysler Corporation. It represented an investment for the Detroit automobile giant of $100,000 and they were anxiously awaiting its arrival stateside.

othercarsaford · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2005, 11:22 AM

I think I read somewhere once that some Lancia Aurelias were supposedly onboard too. Can't remember anything about Alfa though.

GTD · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2005, 12:18 PM

The fact is there where many cars aboard as well as all the other junk people transport and travel with. It's been rumoured to have been carrying gold, diamonds, and other valuables.
The reality is that after nearly fifty years on the bottom - it's all junk. With the exception of gold, any "treasure" is long gone. Davy Jones has destroyed anything of material value. Jewels would still be salvageable but good luck in finding such tiny items on a shipwreck.

GV27 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2005, 06:19 PM

Ah crap! And here I thought I'd stumbled on a stash of NOS '56 Giuliettas!

RexCars · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2005, 06:30 PM

Speaking of which, does anyone know the words to the song.

All I can remember is the first two lines (sung to the tune of "the Streets of Lorado"):

They were cooking the pizza on top of the radar
On top of the radar as they always do . . . .

Rex
Who loves Alfas, pizza and all things Italian.

johnei · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 10:27 AM

Yes there was a bunch of Lancia Aurelia spiders on board. Apparently a diver found/saw the Norseman and it is still intact but just covered with a layer of dust/ seabottom stuff. Not sure about any Alfas.

84_SPIDER · #8 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 11:00 AM

Cool! Never heard of the Ghia Norseman before. Found a bunch of info in a Google search. Here's but one web page...

http://www.imperialclub.com/Articles...ory/Page01.htm

h00dedclaw · #9 (**permalink**) 02-27-2005, 10:21 AM

old alfas dont last that well on land.....how long woyld they have survived under water...lol 2 -3 years