Alfantics
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Alfantics
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We had another good showing at Pulcinella's this October the 8th. Attendees shared stories of Brad and Maggie Mellor's successful picnic and John Kay's wine tour, as well as the Prettyboy rally organized by Jack Rugh.
Since then, we have had two additional events: the Rockville car show on Oct. 20, and Sherry and Brewster Thackeray's Backroads Ramble the following day, which culminated at an historic inn which has a wonderful German restaurant attached to it (see Page 3).
Gentle members, bear with me. I just gotta share this with you. Your prez was not around for any of the good events of September; I spent late August through the middle of September in Argentina (with the Maryland Army National Guard). This was on a peace keeping train-up (how strange this phrase now sounds) for United Nations forces that involved seven South American countries. I was to have come back on Sept. 11. Let me just add that, despite the events of that fateful day, being stuck in Buenos Aires for four extra days is not what anybody would call a hardship.
I would love to report that I saw multitudinous Alfas there, but, in reality, I didn't. Sure there were a few of the later model hatchbacks and 164's, etc., but nothing to excite. I expected to see more, especially as Argentinians, I was informed, consider themselves more European than South American, with many claiming Italian heritage.
But what I DID see was more old Ford Falcons than I ever thought existed. On the initial trip between the two major airports in BA, I counted 1, 2, 3.....4, maybe a dozen. I went to Salta (800 miles NW of BA, in the foothills of the Andes); again, they were omnipresent. Hey, I said to myself, what's going on here? They were everywhere I went... like a rash, they are all over this country! Rusting, some with half of their quarterpanels eaten away (sound familiar?), some diesel powered, they chugged on. "They just don't die," I was lectured...
A personal epiphany. One great piece of Alfa folklore I remember hearing concerned Henry Ford. He is rumored to have said, "Whenever an Alfa Romeo passes, I take off my hat."
Well, Mr. Ford, next time I see a Falcon, this Alfisto feels he must return the compliment.
Ciao fo' now,
Charlie Drake, Chapter President
The PrettyBoy Rally was held on September 30, 2001. Five cars ran the TSD rally and two toured the course. Including the cars of the rallymeisters and an observer at the start, nine Alfas and one Fiat were in evidence. Weather was clear, and sufficiently crisp that about half the tops were up.
The winner was a 1983 Spider, driven by Bob Rowan and navigated by Mary Ann Rowan in their first rally. It was an impressive performance, with errors less than one minute at two of the four checkpoints. The winners were unable to stay for the awards ceremony, so they were e-mailed a certificate (suitable for printing). They will receive the grand prize at a later date.
One of the more experienced entries ran consistent times, but was foiled by a flat tire, while another missed a turn that resulted in consistently late times at three of the four checkpoints.
Thanks go to Frank Smith for helping with the organization of the rally and donating the grand prize, and to Beth Bishop and Chris Hall for picking up checkpoint signs in their last-car tour.
Jack Rugh and Terry Winter
Prettyboy Rally Participants
October 21, 2001
Eleven club members took to the backroads of Virginia for the club's Backroads Ramble on October 21. The weather could not have been more cooperative! It was 75 and sunny, allowing the three Spiders (two 1982s, one 1991) in attendance to doff their tops.
The Alfa marque was also represented by one GTV-6; two "honorary" alfas, a Neon R/T and a Honda CRX-Si, were piloted by club members whose vintage Alfas were nearly but not quite ready for the road.
We headed out on a ramble that would take us through three states over the course of four hours. There were no flats, blown headgaskets, or other untoward incidents to mar the stunningly beautiful day.
After a variety of delightful leaf and scenery spotting, we arrived at Route 50 and found the 1763 Inn. That fine establishment's delicious German delicacies were a variant from our monthly dinner meetings, which are always Italian. Even if you don't like German food (or cars), you can't help but love the view over the pond at sunset at this classic Inn, once owned by George Washington.
Though the air cooled with the setting sun, Randy and Josie Grant were seen hitting the road with their soft top still down! We didn't notice whether the Zimmermans left their lovingly restored '82 Spider Enthusiast Edition topless at that point; the chilly chapter secretary put our loaner '82 Spider Rusty's roof up.
Positive feedback from participants ensures that this event will be repeated and inspire others, so stay tuned!
Sherry and Brewster Thackeray
* National Alfa Day was held in Stanford, England. Over 1,000 - yes! 1000! - Alfas attended. One of the entrants was a TZ 1.5 prototype.
* From the September 24 Autoweek ALFA WILL AWAIT NEW MODELS General Motors and Fiat abandoned their initial plan to retrofit current Alfa Romeo cars to meet U.S. standards for sale here in 2003, and will instead bring all new models to this country starting with the 2005 model year. Similarly, early plans to offer Alfas through the Cadillac dealer network may yield to the alternative of selling cars through Saab dealers.
The new Alfa Spider due in 2005, the 156 replacement expected in 2006 and the 166 model due in 2007 are the most likely models to appear here. All are being jointly developed by Saab, Alfa and Lancia, and all will share underlying architecture. Engines and transmissions are being developed by Fiat-GM power train division, which has absorbed all of Fiat's and GM's power train business throughout Europe. (Editor's note: Best of luck beating the Chapter Secretary to snagging the first 156 replacement off the boat!)
I recently learned of the untimely passing of Roger Medlin (12/19/31 - 10/3/01). Roger and Dot were driving to New Jersey to attend Dot's high school reunion. Roger apparently suffered a severe heart attack while driving. In the resulting accident Dot was injured, breaking three ribs, but is recovering.
I first met Roger about 5 or 6 years ago at a National Convention. Roger was one of the original chapter members of the Mid-Atlantic Alfa Romeo Club, a director of AROC, Secretary and finally Vice President of AROC.
I met Roger and Dot on many, many other occasions. He made me feel most welcome when I became an AROC Board Member. He always had a smile and a good word, even though he had been plagued with a series of health problems.
I last saw Roger and Dot at this year's AROC Convention in Nashville. I know I will miss seeing him.
I write this because I know many of you knew Roger personally. He was one of the "old Boys" many of us are accused of being. If we all could be an "old Boy" like Roger, the world would be a better place.
Gene Kessler, VP and Director
Alfantics is the official publication of the Capital Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (AROC). Local membership and a subscription to this newsletter is included in the annual AROC membership fee of $45.
Permission is granted to other AROC Chapter Newsletters to reproduce any original material herein, provided full credit is given to the author and the Capital Chapter. Pictures may be available from the editor in digital format.
Articles, letters and photos should be submitted to the editor, Brewster Thackeray; brewthack@aol.com; 100 Battle St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180.
Authors should be aware that acceptance for publication in Alfantics implicitly grants republication rights to other AROC Chapter newsletters. Alfantics reserves the right to edit or reject any submitted items. Classified ads for Alfa-related items are free to members of $5 for non-members. Commercial rates are available from the Treasurer.
The deadline for classified ads and contributions to the newsletter is the 15th of each month prior to publication. Articles may be sent to the editor by e-mail or on a diskette in a common format.
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last updated: Aug 2001