Fiat has a home of it's own in Auckland
It opened last year but last Sundays bike ride, trying to get fit for the trip, was the first time I’ve been near Fiat’s new Auckland home. It’s been a long time since Fiat had a dedicated home but Co...
Last Sundays bike ride, trying to get fit for the trip, was the first time I’ve been near Fiat’s new Auckland home since it opened last year. Continental Cars (CCS) previously used these premises for Peugeot but they are now in a new “Blue Box” themed outlet nearer Greenlane.
It’s been a long time since Fiat had a dedicated home but now CCS have a Fiat & Alfa dealership at 82 Great South Road. That’s just along the road from their traditional home where Fiat shared with other brands. At one stage Fiat/Alfa, & Lancia when they were here, shared showroom space with Suzuki & VW. More recently they were across the road in “The Italian Building” with Ferrari & Maserati.
CCS began life as “Town & Country Motors” where mechanic Tim Bailey both fixed & sold cars. I remember going there as a kid with an Aunt who had a selection of Fiat Coupes in the 60/70’s. I still remember driving her, by then elderly, 850 Coupe which was great fun to thrash. Maybe the Fiat thing is genetic!
T&CM became CCS and is now part of the Sime Darby congromerlate. They retail a wide variety of brands in NZ. In a few hundred metres you can visit CCS – Alfa, Audi, Fiat, Ferrari, Puegeot, Porsche, Maserati, VW – and the neighbouring BMW & Mercedes dealers & see the best of European vehicles. It’s a permanent motorshow with all the cars on sale!
The Fiat range was a bit thin, no sign of the new Bravo yet, but they had Fiat Grande Punto, Multipla and “pre-owned” Stilo & Punto. I must admit having a long look at the Punto as the little old Uno, which I got from CCS, is about to hit 240,000 km and it’s probably time for a new(er) car.
Alfa Romeo had 159, 147, GT and a stunning Black Brera Sports Coupe. It’s the first time I’ve seen one “in the metal” and they look lovely. There was also a red Brera parked outside the CCS Ferrari/Maserati showroom. It has all the current Ferrari/Maserati range represented, the highlight being a very nice Ferrari 599 Fiorano waiting for me to win Lotto…
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Tags: Continental+Cars
