Near where we live in Bagni di Lucca, on the road to Lucca, near Diecimo, in the beautiful Val di Serchio, there’s a place I love to visit: the Ti Riuso Mercatino. The ground floor has been turned into a very nice vegetable and fruit shop, with fresh produce coming all the way from Sicily—it’s really lovely.

But it’s around the basement where the magic really happens. In that area you can find literally everything: clothes, household items, books, CDs, knickknacks—you name it, it’s there. It’s a really good collection, and while the wife may be looking around that part of the mercatino, the men can go off and explore the amazing set of cars that are displayed nearby.

On one of my visits, I saw something that absolutely filled me with nostalgia: a 1961 Ford Anglia 105E with that amazing raked-back rear window. Seeing it there was just magical. I didn’t know who the designer was at first, but after checking, I found out that the car was designed under Ford of Britain, with significant input from Elwood Paul Engel, an American designer who influenced its distinctive styling. That backwards-slanted rear window wasn’t just for looks—it was practical too, helping rain run off the glass—but it gives the car a charm all its own.
This Anglia is now nearly 70 years old, and while it’s a bit rusty on the outside, the interior is in surprisingly good condition. It really feels like stepping back in time. For anyone interested in classic cars, I think it’s basically a historic car, and it could even be an interesting investment for someone wanting to restore it.

The 1961 Anglia was made in both right-hand drive for the UK and left-hand drive for continental Europe, including Italy, with a 997 cc 4-cylinder engine. It was a popular, economical car back then, but it also had a unique personality—something you don’t see much in cars today.
Walking around that basement and seeing that Anglia reminded me of the magic of classic cars—how even a simple car could have charm, style, and character. It was one of those rare moments where history really feels alive.
So, if you ever find yourself in the Val di Serchio, I’d really recommend visiting the Mercatino di Riuso—not just for the Sicilian fruit and vegetables, or the huge selection of household goods and knickknacks downstairs, but to explore the hidden automotive treasures tucked away by the basement. You never know what might catch your eye, and who knows, you might even stumble upon a little piece of automotive history like I did.