It was pouring rain at my first “Piazza Affari”. And yet, despite the downpour and the grey sky, there was something in the air that made everything feel special.Carlo Vulnera, founder of the Instagram page @quellidipiazzaaffari, has done an incredible job: he shared a passion online and managed to spark the desire to truly experience it, to breathe it in up close, among people, stories, and engines.What began as a spontaneous gathering in the heart of Milan has become a regular meeting point for car enthusiasts. It has attracted enthusiasts from different countries and inspired similar meetups across many cities in Italy.The strength of this gathering lies in its variety and freedom: different styles and values coexist without ever feeling out of place, creating a genuine space for sharing. It’s not an environment where envy grows over a sports car or the prestige of a classic; rather, it’s a continuous flow of conversations, curiosity, technical insights, and above all, mutual respect.
What makes it even more special is the absence of generational barriers. Very young people approach with eyes full of wonder, adults nurture a passion they’ve carried for years, while older generations rediscover fragments of their own history through these cars. It’s a meeting point where everyone brings a part of themselves, and where enthusiasm becomes a shared language.Cars, in this way, bring people together without the need for introductions. You don’t have to be a driver or a mechanic to love them—you just have to stop, observe, and listen.Among them all, the true stars are the classics. I love cars for many reasons, but older ones have a particular aura—they have a way of lifting your mood. I’ve never felt comfortable calling them “old”; I’ve always compared them to children. After all, they too were once new, full of life, and often they still carry that same energy.
I think of them this way because, when they get hurt, you can take care of them. Modern cars, as extraordinary as they are, are harder to “understand” and to repair. Classic cars, instead, for people like us today, are small creatures to be looked after with care.They shouldn’t be locked under a glass dome, nor pushed beyond their limits. They require balance—the same kind you would give a child: a bandage for every scratch, without fear, because getting hurt is part of the journey. It’s part of life, and of the road.More than many others, classic cars teach us to be attentive, to listen, to be patient. They force you to slow down and dedicate time to them—and in doing so, they remind you how important it is to make space for what you love. Between work and routine, passion demands presence. A car is not just an object, and those who experience Piazza Affari prove it every Sunday.
