Bridgnorth Italian Automoto Festival: When Italy Comes to Shropshire
We love a local car show here at Driven, so we sent our roaming reporter Charlotte Yates to the Bridgnorth Italian Automoto Festival to indulge in some autoitalia on the streets of Shropshire.
Italian Cars in Shropshire
On 6 September 2026, the Bridgnorth Italian Automoto Festival returned to Shropshire. The event started as a small gathering organised by local Italian car enthusiasts in 2018, but has since grown, with this year's event bringing together over 140 cars and bikes, including 19 Ferraris and a staggering 34 Abarths.
Bridgnorth High Street became a rolling exhibition of automotive artistry, attracting hundreds of people ranging from collectors to racers and your average car enthusiasts and families, all of whom were united by the shared love for Italian engineering. The day was full of excitement for everyone who attended, and the sun made an appearance too, adding to the atmosphere. Conversation flowed, and engines roared, adding even more life to the historic town streets.
Among the standout models spotted were a Lamborghini Huracan Performante, Lancia Fulvia Coupé Rallye, De Tomaso Pantera GTS and a little Fiat 127.
Some of the Ferraris included a Purosangue, 488 Spider, Testarossa and 328 GTS. But it wasn't just Ferraris and Lamborghinis that stole the show.
34 Abarths in Bridgnorth
The variety of Abarths, with their vibrant colours and liveries, added a playful yet undeniably cool energy to the event, in the form of a fleet of 595s and 695s. And let's not forget the handful of Alfa Romeos in attendance - because it's not an Italian car show without a handful of Alfas. Each model carried a story of Italian passion for performance and style.
But we can't forget the festival wasn't just about four wheels. The Italian motorcycles displayed added another layer of interest, attracting a whole new dynamic of visitors. Some of the standout bikes spotted were the iconic Ducati 916, a Fanatic Caballero 500 and multiple Moto Guzzi. And yes, the cafe scooters held their own too, with a gaggle of Vespa and Lambretta classics turning heads, proving the Italians can do two-wheelers just as well as four!
Proof the Automotive Community Never Fails
Beyond the vehicles on display, the festival was more than just cars; community values and pride underpinned it, as all donations and revenue generated from the day were split between two local causes: the Bridgnorth Rotary Club, which helped with stewarding and logistics, and Bridgnorth Food Bank. Whether you were there for the rare classics, the modern supercars, or simply the camaraderie, the Bridgnorth Italian Automoto Festival offered a great local experience to rival much bigger events. I can think of worse ways to spend a Sunday.
Words and photographs by Charlotte Yates