The aristocratically named Giuliano Musumeci rather boxy machines called the Cedric, believing these would Greco is the president of Nissan Italia, and for five sun-filled days, he and Nissan Italia’s general manager, Alessandro Cacciotti, guided the Datsun 240Z rally car round the coast of Sicily, cross country through the Sicilian mountains and along the twisting roads of the old Targa Florio. Towards the end, with a few hours of free time available, they told VRJ the story of this car, which now resides in Nissan’s Museum. It was, they said, the 1973 Monte Carlo 3rd place finishing car in the hands of Rauno Altonen and the now even more famous Jean Todt, manager of Ferrari’s Formula One effort. They also said this car had done the East African Safari Rally in 1972, and had won, though they also made it clear they felt the car was better doing this event rather than “resting” in a museum! The two Italians had loved the trials and tribulations of the historic Giro di Sicilia and were now looking forward to a day of recreating the Targa Florio. Just before they did this, they generously handed over the keys and pointed towards the coastal road: “See what you think…it’s a very civilized car.”
Datsun Goes Rallying
No Subscription? You’re missing out
Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content.
