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Giocattolo Group B - In my shed !!

Started by _Mondie_ , Sep 23 2007 10:54 PM

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#1 _Mondie_

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Posted 23 September 2007 - 10:54 PM

Back in 1988 when 17 l remember walking through the entry gates at World Expo 88 held in Brisbane and being awestruck by a pair of exotic cars on display. l had no idea what they were but l knew they were the horniest cars l had ever laid eyes on. There was a red and yellow car on display plus a large glass cabinet containing an engine/transaxle which looked like something out of a science fiction movie to a mechanically inept 17yo. l had no idea what l was looking at nor how to pronounce their name "Giocattolo" But l knew that one day l would own one.

And as of this weekend, l do. Here she is, less than 5000kms on the clock, 2 owners, original tyres, Logbooks and in absolutely brand new condition. The Giocattolo runs a mid mounted VL Walkinshaw 304 V8 through a 5 spd ZF transaxle and features F! type suspension, Magnesium Brembo brakes, extensive use of Kevlar and weighs in at only 1085kg. Stock the cars had 230kw, mine has been stroked out to 355 and now has 300kw. It is absolutely exhilarating to drive, the acceleration is lethal and the noise with that engine sitting right behind you like nothing l have ever experienced. However the handling is what really makes this car extra special, the Giocattolo feels welded to the road. The mid mount engine and perfect 40/60 weight distribution combined with the huge rubber really does make it feel like a road registered go kart.

Only 3 prototypes and 12 production cars were ever made. Selling these at $90k+ in the late 80's as the economy headed into meltdown proved to be too hard. The Giocattolo was so far ahead of its time, remember this car was released at the same time as the VN Commodore!!

If anybody has any old magazines or other information on the Giocattolo, please drop me a PM as l am chasing down as much history and background on these cars as l can. There are only a couple of pages on the net and not much else l can find so any help would be appreciated,

Here's some pics ....

Posted Image

Edited by Mondie, 23 September 2007 - 11:01 PM.

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#2 rodomo

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Posted 23 September 2007 - 11:00 PM

Oh oh! Did I start something with the kit car thread? :blink:

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#3 _Rob 5000_

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Posted 23 September 2007 - 11:01 PM

congrats, great looking car. I remember reading about them in Motor and Wheels when they were released and the journo's loved them.

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#4 _ultrabluea9x_

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Posted 23 September 2007 - 11:09 PM

i have been privaledged to drive one of theses little monsters and they are ferrocious,
Giocattolo, translated to english means TOY.built buy paul halstead up in colloundraQLD,
Simon is that BOB ROMANS old car?
matey i have a real passion for these little critters bravo well done :clap:

forgot to say they are a small gt5 panterra..i love em!

Edited by ultrabluea9x, 23 September 2007 - 11:12 PM.

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#5 _Mondie_

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Posted 23 September 2007 - 11:25 PM

Oh oh! Did I start something with the kit car thread?

She is no kit car Rodomo!

This was Bob Romans old car Glenn, he decided it was time to move her on. Glad he did :rockon:

Edited by Mondie, 23 September 2007 - 11:26 PM.

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#6 rodomo

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Posted 23 September 2007 - 11:44 PM

Excuse me. Obscure Aussie built car. :blink:

What I meant was did this inspire your purchase?

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#7 WhiteA9XS

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 12:04 AM

A fine example of interbreeding aussie and italian muscle !!!

just awesome

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#8 _Mondie_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 12:08 AM

What I meant was did this inspire your purchase?

No, l have had a deposit down on this beastie for a couple of months but only now collected the car.

830hp, you will love it

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#9 _ultrabluea9x_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 12:17 AM

does it still have the small bottle of rum in the tool kit?

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#10 rodomo

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 12:24 AM

Ahhh! So it was in the pipeline when you posted in the thread.
Keeping the cards close to the chest.

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#11 _kangur_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 02:54 AM

I believe one of these was killed of in a horrific smash a few years ago, it was yellow?.Always loved these little monsters :spoton:

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#12 _keith1962_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 05:43 AM

Very simuliar looking to an Alfa or?.
A very nice purchase Mondie.

cheers Keith

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#13 _kangur_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 06:05 AM

^^This car was built out of a Alfa GTV I believe.

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#14 _pallbag_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 06:39 AM

Selling these at $90k+ in the late 80's as the economy headed into meltdown proved to be too hard.

So what's a ball park purchase price now if you dont mind sharing ...

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#15 _TOBES_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 06:43 AM

What an awesome little beast... Good power to weight ratio too... :spoton:

Kangur, I remember that car...
A few years ago a guy won Horse Power Heros in a twin turbo Commo (The Judge???). He then put most of his 1000hp+ motor into a yellow one of these. It ended in a tragic fireball when the throtle jammed open and put him head first into a concrete wall at over 100mph during a demo at a track.

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#16 LC69GTR

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 07:03 AM

Good buy very nice car

Here's a small aritcle about the Todd Wilkes accident

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#17 _rorym_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 07:10 AM

Mondie, is this the one owned by the mini guy who is the IT guy for Bretts Hardware in Bris?..Sam I think his name was.? If not he has one..lives in Nthn subs Bris. Same colour.
Rory

Edited by rorym, 24 September 2007 - 07:11 AM.

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#18 Heath

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 09:08 AM

They sell so rarely, that I have no idea what they are worth. But I intend to buy one, or at least build a replica - my life will not be fulfilled until I own one.

If you are ever in it, in my area, please take me for a spin!!! lol

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#19 Dangerous

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 09:46 AM

Remember seing one of these things out at Mallala raceway when they were new. A yellow one.

Mondie, I also remember watching an article on them on TV when they were new - Pretty sure it was Towards 2000, or a similar type of series. Don't think I have a copy, but if I do, I'll let you know. I remember the article finishing with a tour of the toolkit, with the final comment - "If you can't fix it, call a tow truck, and sit back and have a swig of rum" or something similar.

I might also have something in my collection of 80s car magazines.

Cheers, and well done on the purchase.

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#20 tinkers

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 10:25 AM

Tobes: You might want to check your facts or rumours!

What an awesome little beast... Good power to weight ratio too...

Kangur, I remember that car...
A few years ago a guy won Horse Power Heros in a twin turbo Commo (The Judge???). He then put most of his 1000hp+ motor into a yellow one of these. It ended in a tragic fireball when the throtle jammed open and put him head first into a concrete wall at over 100mph during a demo at a track.

Congrats on your purchase Mondie these are great little cars.

Heath: You better start saving

and as for building a replica? ummm....

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#21 _lx5008_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 10:49 AM

i remember them, i also was there in 88. im sure i have pics somewhere
we must be about the same age.

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#22 Heath

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 10:59 AM

Heath: You better start saving and as for building a replica? ummm....

Never said it was easy.

Someone told me it was some kind of Porsche trans-axle? Bit of fabrication work you could rig up something similar using a different car's transaxle. Any 304/308 block, Alfetta GTV body and custom made Kevlar widebody. Expensive stuff, but I want one, and unless I die young, I will get one

I'm an ambitious person lol. I will do anything to get my hands on one. Well I'd do anything to drive one as well but yeah, I'll stop stealing his thread.

Edited by Heath, 24 September 2007 - 11:00 AM.

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#23 _Mondie_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 12:45 PM

Selling these at $90k+ in the late 80's as the economy headed into meltdown proved to be too hard.
So what's a ball park purchase price now if you dont mind sharing ...

l would prefer to keep that to myself, but it was an extremely good buy IMO.

Rory, this car was owned by Bob Roman. The guy you are asking about is Con, he also had a white car which he sold a couple of years back. Con has been very helpful, he helped me to find this car for which l am very grateful.

Heath, these beasts ran a ZF 5spd transaxle, the same as used in some Ferrari's and De Tomasos.

Heres a few pics including an old press photo of the rear end. yep the rum is still there

Cheers

Edited by Mondie, 24 September 2007 - 12:46 PM.

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#24 _Mondie_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 12:48 PM

Remember seing one of these things out at Mallala raceway when they were new. A yellow one.

Mondie, I also remember watching an article on them on TV when they were new - Pretty sure it was Towards 2000, or a similar type of series. Don't think I have a copy, but if I do, I'll let you know. I remember the article finishing with a tour of the toolkit, with the final comment - "If you can't fix it, call a tow truck, and sit back and have a swig of rum" or something similar.

I might also have something in my collection of 80s car magazines.

Cheers, and well done on the purchase.

The yellow car is run by a guy in Sydney who owns a major Holden dealership. He ran it in this years Targa Tasmania and won his class too.

l have read that it was featured on Beyond 2000, there is an old archoive on this show that maentions the segment. If you have a copy of that on vdeo please let me know, l would love to get a copy.

Cheers Mondie

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#25 _Mondie_

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Posted 24 September 2007 - 12:50 PM

i remember them, i also was there in 88. im sure i have pics somewhere
we must be about the same age.

How this for memorys, somebody posted me this link to a pic of the cars at Expo 88.

http://web.archive.o...com/gioexpo.jpg

Could you have a look sometime and let me know if you have any old pics, they would be gold.

Cheers