Naples, June 10 1998
to: Doug, Gordon and for everyone who cares
The Rubicone river acted as border line between Italy and the Gallia
Cisalpina, this was back in the 1st Century B.C.
The river goes into the Adriatic sea some 16 km. NW of the town of Rimini.
Its lenght is just 24 km (about 16 miles). Now the region is called Romagna
(Emilia-Romagna: they have a "wonderful" cuisine with special foods like
"tortellini" or "ravioli"...!).
Caius Julius Caesar: this was the original full name in Latin. However,
we at school called him Caio Giulio Cesare (in Italian) or simply Cesare.
Concerning MV parts, I cannot help as I live in the south of Italy, in
Naples, and parts are non-existent here!
I know that an agreement between the American and the Italian Governements
states that all American MV surplus from their bases in Italy (i.e. a LOT
of M151 MUTT) CANNOT be sold here but scrapped...
Italian MV (like jeeps or cars) cannot be sold to individuals but are
auctioned in lots to specialized firms which are the only authorized firms
to participate in these auctions. Then, the firms may sell to private
individuals the cars, motorcycles or jeeps still serviceable and scrap all
the others.
Now: Taxes/money! The registration of a vehicle here (does not matter if
new or very used/old) costs about
$ 500.00 or 260.00 British sterling! You have to add the insurance
(mandatory) which is related to the cubic centimeters of the engine (the
bigger... the higher rate!). Plus the road tax, this is related to the
cubic centimeters of the engine too... For example, I have a 127 FIAT,
engine is 1.050 c.c. and I pay $ 65.00 plus
$ 40.00 as driving licence tax (per year). A couple of months ago there
were a lot of messages on the List concerning the price of the gasoline
(benzina in Italian): well, i did not send any message, I prefer not to say
how much we pay for one liter of "benzina"!
However, after 27 years a vehicle may be registered (after accurate
inspection from the Government Transport Office) as "antique" and will have
some facility (no road tax). Of course, it must be in the original
condition as it was when it come out from the factory. Insurance must be
paid even as it is classified as "antique" (auto antica). All antique cars
are registered in the A.S.I. Register (Auto Storiche Italiane).
Here in Naples the only MV I have seen in these years is an O.D. Jeep with
white stars. Just saw it running in a street two times, I have not had any
possibility to speak with the owner nor to check model/year.
Regards and Keep Then Rolling!
Raimondo L. Torelli - M.V.P.A.
Naples, Italy
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