The ski season is still a few months away in Cortina, but the lack of snow on the roads was good news for the owners of the famous Italian resort's motorcar namesake which are about to set off to the Dolomites to celebrate 50 years of the iconic Ford Cortina car.
Next week a fleet of 25 Cortinas is due to set off from the old Ford factory site in Dagenham, Essex, to make the 2,000 mile round trip to the town that gave the cars their name, meeting up with other Cortina owners from across Europe on the way.
A total of 40 lovingly maintained cars will arrive in the main street of Corso Italia to celebrate the Cortina's half century and the drivers and their companions will be entertained at the obvious choice of the Hotel Cortina.
"There have been a few anniversary runs to Cortina before," said Graham Orchard, one of the organisers of Cortinas to Cortina 2012. "Drivers come from all over the UK - Surrey, Essex, Devon, Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Nottinghamshire and Buckinghamshire.
"All models will be present. The latest MkV is on a Y plate making it 1982 and the earliest MkI is a C plate, so would be a 1965 car."
The drivers have individual breakdown cover, just in case, and also carry tools and spares.
"We hope all the cortinas will make it here safely and look forward to welcoming them on Cortina's Corso Italia on Friday 7 September, where they will have the opportunity to show off their vehicles and share their passion with the general public," said Marianne Moretti from Cortina's tourist office.