10,400 kilometres, 28 days of travel - from Poggibonsi (Siena) to the North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe, passing through Milan, and back - a classic car - a 1929 OM 665 Superba model - and four Pirelli Stella Bianca tyres - re-editions of the 1927 originals, part of the Collezione line, dedicated to classic cars built between the end of the 1920s and the 2000s - three tireless adventurers. These are the key figures of the phenomenal raid supported last summer by car owner Gianni Morandi, co-driver Marco Morosinotto, and technician Massimo Di Santo. An achievement born from a sudden suggestion and the ambition to push both personal limits and those of the car further, managing to complete the entire journey without ever needing a tyre change. Between Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, the panoramas and locations traversed were innumerable, as were the encounters and, above all, the memories, which Morandi, Morosinotto, and Di Santo retrace here.
When and how did the idea of embarking on this journey come about?
GM: “On 2 August 2023, I was driving through Germany's Black Forest region on my way back to Italy from Berlin. I only wanted to drive on highways, so that was the route I was considering. As I was driving along, I looked at the map and saw North Cape at the very top of Norway and thought: “It would be interesting to try to reach it in my OM all the way from my home.” When I stopped at my hotel, I immediately started researching the idea; identifying the routes and the stops to include. I still remember the sheet of paper with the words “Poggibonsi–Capo Nord” written on it. A few days later, I contacted the Pirelli team to check the feasibility of my project: I knew that I wanted to make this journey with the car fitted with Pirelli Stella Bianca tyres. I then decided to involve Marco as co-driver and Massimo, a technician who would follow us with a tow truck in case of emergency. The most difficult part of the preparation was determining the right roads to take. Once again, the journey would follow only secondary routes, avoiding all motorways.”
Poggibonsi - North Cape with a 1929 car: how did you prepare the car?
GM: “The OM 665 Superba, which I affectionately call 'my little girl,' is a 1929 car with six-cylinder, in-line engine with a displacement of 2,000cc, side valves and two carburettors. It was the car that won the first edition of the legendary Italian motorsport endurance race, the Mille Miglia, in 1927. Once I had decided to attempt this feat, I started to set up the car, which is very reliable by nature. I tried to imagine what problems might arise and how we could face them with our equipment, relying on my skills and those of my companions. With Massimo, we prepared the tow truck and loaded it with a compressor, jack, engine oil, welding kit and generator.”
MDS: "The car was prepared perfectly, and the work done beforehand, especially on the engine, allowed us to complete the entire journey without any problems. During the 28 days of travel, we only performed the checks and maintenance tasks we had planned."
MM: "The biggest challenge was the tyres, which performed very well throughout the journey. In fact, the tyres worked so well that we never had to use the spares we had loaded."
Thinking back to all the kilometres you travelled, which were the most representative for you?
MM: "From my point of view, the last 19 kilometres before arrival. To reach the North Cape you have to pass through a tunnel about 22 kilometres long, which runs 212 metres below sea level. The car was truly put to the test in this situation: the fog, a salt mist, was extremely thick, almost like a wall of water, with five uphill kilometres to tackle. Even when pushed to the limit, the OM reacted very well.”
MDS: "Building on what Marco said, I would only add the moment when the first moose crossed our path. All three of us were eagerly anticipating it, and when it happened, we were overjoyed. Then I remember all the people we met along the way: from the collectors to the spectators, from the Pirelli technical staff to the journalistic staff —wonderful acquaintances."
GM: “I agree with everything Massimo and Marco have pointed out. The photos we took on our journey – more than 800, I think, shared daily on our social media – only partly show what we experienced along the way. Seeing the sun set over Poggibonsi as we arrived home was extremely emotional. But, then, so was the whole trip.”
One of the stops along the route was at the Pirelli Sottozero Centre in Swedish Lapland, the brand's proving ground used for testing and trials. What was it like to drive the car in such a facility?
GM: “The Pirelli Sottozero Centre is a fantastic facility and the staff's welcome was really warm. I tested cars and tyres, and they held up great. Unfortunately, I was not able to drive on the icy track, but I am confident that the tyres would have performed well, even under those conditions."
What does the expression Going the extra mile mean to you—to consciously push beyond the commonly imposed limits?
GM: “For me ‘going the extra mile' means having the opportunity to experience something out of the ordinary: reaching North Cape in a 1929 car falls into this category. Another key feature is the emotion that comes from such an experience: travelling in a classic car allows you to experience new and different sensations. The key is knowing your vehicle intimately, understanding both its technical characteristics and its performance behaviours. Such a raid requires meticulous attention to detail: not only in understanding the technical aspects, but also in selecting the right companions and managing your emotions.”
Is there another big adventure waiting just around the corner?
GM: “Remaining within the country's borders, I intend to traverse the full perimeter of Italy, from North to South, including the major islands. Looking beyond Italy, I would like to cross the United States, from coast to coast, following the route that connects the US and Canada. I'd like to undertake this journey with Marco and Massimo, if they're willing to join me.”
