SPRING ALFA DAYImages clockwise from top left; Massive Rolls Royce Wraith was an amazing place to...
Transcript of SPRING ALFA DAYImages clockwise from top left; Massive Rolls Royce Wraith was an amazing place to...
■ Alfisti Issue 152 ■ April 2013
Inside this edition:Inside this edition:Inside this edition:
Coventry Transport Coventry Transport Coventry Transport Museum Alfa Display Museum Alfa Display Museum Alfa Display
Sensational Alfa 4C up closeSensational Alfa 4C up closeSensational Alfa 4C up close
Geneva Motor Show highlightsGeneva Motor Show highlightsGeneva Motor Show highlights
March Meeting NightMarch Meeting NightMarch Meeting Night
A new big Alfa? . . . A new big Alfa? . . . A new big Alfa? . . . and moreand moreand more
Alfisti is the AROC East Midlands Section
newsletter, edited and produced by
John Griffiths AROC East Midlands Section Secretary
Tel: 0774 8881317
e-mail: [email protected]
Our website for the latest news and more:
www.AROC--UK.COM/EASTMIDS
Alfisti production sponsored by
SPRING ALFA DAYSPRING ALFA DAYSPRING ALFA DAY
ALFISTI / EASTMIDS Price? IT’S FREE!!
AROCAROC
EAST MIDLANDSEAST MIDLANDS
SECTIONSECTION
Formerly Central & East MidlandsFormerly Central & East Midlands
We can only hope for a nice, warm spring day I guess for this year’s event, just like the one we had for the event at Burleigh House in 2010, an event largely delivered by our Section of course.
This year the North West Section has stepped up to the plate to stage the event at Gawsworth Hall near Macclesfield.
Ticket price is just £10.50 per car for pre-booked entry by members. Entrance on the day for members and non-members arriving in Alfa Romeos will be just £15 per car. All tickets include entry to Gawsworth Hall itself too.
There will be an array of trade stands, the AROC Club shop, Alfas from local dealership Mangoletsi plus an Italian market and Italian food stalls all on site to keep you busy through the day.
Book tickets at www.arocuktickets.lpl-uk.com or by posting a cheque to Club Manager Nick Wright, 8 Ickworth Court, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 2XL. CONVOY RUN
Our Section will meet up at the Donington Park Services, M1 J23a, to depart at 8.30am prompt. Please arrive sooner if you would like breakfast / refreshments there.
SUNDAY 21 APRILSUNDAY 21 APRILSUNDAY 21 APRIL Section Convoy Run Too!Section Convoy Run Too!Section Convoy Run Too!
The editorial bit now. It looks like our section has bucked a trend of decline in car club’s generally with local membership increasing ever so slightly since the same time last year. This despite the new Alfa range being just two mainstream models and a noticeable decline in the number of older Alfas on the roads.
We’re still a relatively small bunch really, (perfectly formed of course!) - with about 170 members plus partners in the region. Of that we have a core of around 40 true ‘activists’. We have a great list of events and gatherings each year, a well established regular meeting date, a website updated constantly and this organ of course . As a proportionate ratio of activists in the country our Section actually does very well, but it’s never good to rest on laurels.
So what should we do to attract more people along? Do we need to do new things? Are some of the things we do a bit ‘tired’ now? Do we need a new regular meeting venue for ‘freshness’? Suggestions by email please - all ideas welcome.
We were sad to have to postpone the Curborough Sprint Experience in March, but delighted its back in May. The weather has been horrific, and not much better for the Coventry event reported on inside, so I’m really not surprised that we had so many no-shows on the day. Hopefully we’ll have more along for Spring Alfa Day. I do hope to see you there. Cheers!
John
BROOKLANDSBROOKLANDSBROOKLANDS SPRING ITALIAN SPRING ITALIAN SPRING ITALIAN CAR DAYCAR DAYCAR DAY Saturday 4 MaySaturday 4 MaySaturday 4 May People from our Section are supporting this big Italian gathering again this year at the magnificent Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey (KT13 0QN).
The club van will be central to the AROC display and parking area which always fills up incredibly quickly.
If you plan to go, do let John know so he can keep an eye out for you, and if you do want to park in the main Alfa Romeo area do plan to arrive by about 9.15 at the latest. Any time after that and you could end up in the mixed parking, often on the old 40-degree banking itself—photo below taken as it began to fill.
Brooklands has both a car museum and historic aircraft park and sections of the incredible old banked race track that have to be seen to be believed. Highlight of the day is the runs up the steep test hill - see photo below featuring a Ferrari 458 Italia. Also during the day, various special cars will be lapping the adjacent Mercedes Benz World track. The event famously attracts a host of Italian Supercars and fascinating classics too, as well as all the major Italian car clubs. The trade area is always well supported too.
Tickets are available at discounted rate in advance via www.brooklandsmuseum.com. Again, if you plan to go please get in touch with John, it maybe that a (very) early convoy run can be arranged.
Alfa Romeo 4C Alfa Romeo 4C Alfa Romeo 4C --- It’s official:It’s official:It’s official:
STAR OF THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW!STAR OF THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW!STAR OF THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW!
ALFISTI ALFISTI ALFISTI --- April 2013 April 2013 April 2013 --- No. 152 No. 152 No. 152 AROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section Newsletter
After being first shown in Geneva as a concept in
2011, the 4C now enters production at Maserati’s
factory in Modena. It’s a lithe, 2 seat, mid-engined
coupe; I think of it as a 4/5ths scale Ferrari.
Perfectly proportioned, at 850kg dry (that’s half a
Nissan 370Z!!) its 1750cc, turbocharged, all
aluminium engine with twin-clutch ‘box will let it fly
to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed
of around 160mph. The special limited number
Launch Edition’s Interior is beautifully functional
with really superb seats, a digital tft instrument
panel, multi-function DAB entertainment unit, no-
nonsense switches from the Giulietta, swathes of
carbon fibre (carpeted, unlike a Lotus Elise ), with
leather and aluminium just where you need it - and
a gorgeous, tiny sports steering wheel. It’s a special
place to sit; not minimalist Lotus, not luxury cruiser
Alfisti have be praying that this one
would be right - the Alfa to truly
demonstrate the style, performance and
technology of the marque. Me, Leigh,
Martin and Simon just had to find out
and our trip to the Geneva Motor Show
was organised early in the year, with
stand hospitality including full access to
the 4C provided via Damian Dally, Alfa
Romeo UK’s Brand manager. The 3am
wake up to get to the airport proved to
be well worthwhile. . .
Above: “Standard” version of the 4C will appear
in early 2014. Expected to be priced from around
£42,000 and with a very long option list.
4C 4C 4C --- UP CLOSEUP CLOSEUP CLOSE
- it’s just right.
Before the full annual production of 3,500 units
commences, (approx 1,000 pa destined for
Europe) the Launch Edition features, complete
with carbon fibre mirrors, boot spoiler and
headlamp surrounds, plus additional air ducts in
the front wings. Two colours are available, Alfa
Rosso or a very special Carrara Bianco, a very
attractive semi-matt metallic white. Both look
superb, the white one is the most ‘show car’ for
sure, but it’s hard to beat red on an Alfa Romeo.
100 RHD Launch Editions are coming to the UK
from October priced at £52,000. If you want one,
it’s £16K deposit - quick!
Overall, the 4C is a fantastic way of showing off
the “essence of Alfa” - or as per the advertising
material, PURE ALFA ROMEO. John
ALFISTI ALFISTI ALFISTI --- April 2013 April 2013 April 2013 --- No. 152 No. 152 No. 152 AROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section Newsletter
MORE FROM GENEVA SHOW
Think of a new car and it was there. New cars from many manufacturers of course, but I’ve picked on half a dozen here.
Images clockwise from top left; Massive Rolls Royce Wraith was an amazing place to sit, suicide doors and twinkly star-effect headlining and world’s deepest carpets. New 500L is a very practical family motor. Lacks sportiness though. Aston Vanquish, one heck of a car. New Abarth 695 has huge spec and 180bhp. MiTo ‘SBK’ has plenty of kit. Jazzy red and black cloth interior in new Spec Giulietta to be called Collezione in the UK.
After the 4C there was still plenty to see. Clever work
from Martin Lindus firstly got us into the Maserati stand,
then, having befriended Natasha, our host, we got onto
the hallowed ground of the Ferrari stand. Martin had
also secured la very nice hot lunch on the Saturday
courtesy of Mercedes Benz (he’s bought a E-Class Coupe
for work). ‘Blag of the Weekend’ however came via
Simon who befriended the driver of our taxi who gave us
contacts with Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin. This got us
the other side of the barriers on the Saturday too. We
were massively impressed by the quality and features of
the Rolls Phantom Coupe and new Wraith in particular,
the Astons generally looked terrific too, though some
were in questionable colour combinations.
The Maserati coupes still look terrific 6 years on, but
the HUGE new Quattroporte is definitely aimed at rich
Chinese businessmen; the old one’s sporty mojo has
gone, hopefully to return in the new, smaller, Ghibli
saloon.
Ferrari. Where do you start? LaFerrari, the £1M+
950bhp Enzo successor is breath-taking. If it was a
boxing match, the McLaren P1, its prime competitor,
would be knocked spark-out at the first punch. An
awesome car. California, FF, 458, 458 Spider, all
beautiful, but we all fell for the magnificent new F12
Berlinetta, in subtle ‘Grigio Silverstone’ with fantastic
interior in sumptuous tan hide. Very special, and we can
only imagine its performance from the 730bhp 6.3L
V12. It’s only £239,000, before the long list of extras!
All the supercars were there of course; Pagani Huayra,
Lamborghini, the bonkers Gumpert Apollo (love it!); and
some very special Alfas of a sorts too. Touring
Superleggera had their Disco Volante based on an 8C
donor they strip to bits (I’d keep my 8C), and the IED
Gloria, a seriously big Berlina concept, looked very
attractive in the metal (and carbon etc.) I wasn’t a big fan
of it in photos, but it was mighty impressive up close.
On the Alfa stand we had two MiTos in SBK trim and
four Giuliettas; a Cloverleaf in 8C red with carbon add-
ons was to the fore and was one of my overall favourites,
especially with the optional rear ‘diffuser’ panel fitted.
We also enjoyed looking at the more prosaic stuff from
Mercedes, BMW and Audi to Kia, Opel and Dacia… well,
did the lot really. If you ever plan to go look for weekdays
as crowds double at the weekend. A great trip anyway
with a lot of laughs, but boy-oh-boy that 4C - what a
machine. John
LOTS more photos on our website.
From top - Hypercars, supercars and concepts… the more normal feature below. Top row: IED Gloria, stunning Alfa concept. Second row; Ferrari F12 hugely impressive. (Pics by Simon. That’s John grinning at the wheel!) Row 3: - Touring’s Disco Volante and bonkers Gumpert Apollo; Row 4: Sublime LaFerrari and Lamborghini Aventador. Bottom row; Simon, Martin and Leigh - gottta try ‘em out!
Elsewhere at the Elsewhere at the Elsewhere at the Geneva Motor ShowGeneva Motor ShowGeneva Motor Show
Easter Sunday 2013 dawned freezing cold, but
mercifully dry and bright. Temperatures were to
climb during the day to a dizzy 4 degrees in
Coventry (not taking into account the wind chill!), a
far cry from last year’s event in March that saw 22
degrees! This no doubt deterred a few on the day,
along with losing an hour’s sleep, but we were all
still pleased to see 35 Alfas along during the day.
Sadly however many of the Classic Alfas were left
indoors with the roads being simply caked in salt.
Still, there were plenty of interesting cars to see.
Redvers Arnold’s Bertone 2000 GTV looked
superb, parked fairly close to two classic saloons
in the shape of Mike Scarf’s 75 Twin Spark and
Dave Atkins’ Giulietta TurboDelta, the latter having
its first outing since October. Mike had driven
down all the way from near Grimsby, his car very
dusty with salt on arrival!
Viv Stephens’ immaculate GTV Cup was looking
stunning as always. It’s really hard to find any
fault at all on the car. He is looking to bring it as
close to standard as possible now, and is looking
into replacing its twin-exit stainless steel exhaust
with a standard rear box. I’d be very happy with it
as it stands!
Paul Jones from Chris Variava Alfa Romeo
ALFISTI ALFISTI ALFISTI --- April 2013 April 2013 April 2013 --- No. 152 No. 152 No. 152 AROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section Newsletter
ALFA ROMEO DISPLAY ALFA ROMEO DISPLAY ALFA ROMEO DISPLAY --- Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Transport Museum 31 March 2013
Nottingham brought along their 8C Competizione
last year of course which stole the show. Owing
to the road grit and salt and the car currently
being in the window of Graypaul Ferrari, Paul
took the opportunity to bring along his wife Liz
and the two kids in a brand new white Giulietta
Sportiva TCT which looked fantastic with its dark
grey wheels and red leather seats.
Getting there extra early to sort things out, me
in my red Giulietta, Alan in his white one and
Duncan in his Etna black one parked them
together in a line to later add Steve Sembay with
his white one and Paul’s. It made an interesting
line in its own right, all 5 being spotlessly turned
out. Well spotless ‘til they were bombed by some
pigeons! Autoglym wipes to the rescue there!
Bob Woodward brought along his 166 V6 in
place of his ‘mint’ 164 V6, Simon and Clare
Addison brought their V6 Brera and GT
respectively (the Spider S4 being in the body
repair shop). On the Spider front people could
enjoy seeing Brian Smith’s white S4, hood down
as always! Three 916 Spiders were along too
belonging to Paul Mayes, Stuart O’Donnell and
Phil Gotts who’d come all the way over from
Suffolk. Mandy Nethercot’s Brera Spider LE
looked great there too. Andrew McInerney drove
up from Silverstone in his SZ which we plonked
near the main entrance where it drew much
attention as these unusual machines do, with
Martin Bourne’s Silver Brera and Brian Austin’s
silver GTV close by, plus Bob and Gill Human’s
159 and Keith Millard’s similar black machine. All
in all a good selection of Alfas anyway.
I could list the classics we were missing, from
GTV6 to Junior Zagato, but hopefully they will all be
along at Spring Alfa Day instead.
I must mention Liz Jones’ cup cakes - she
brought a big pack of these all topped with an
edible Alfa badge - they looked (and tasted)
brilliant!
The museum proved as fascinating as ever,
though there was not a huge amount of change in
exhibits from last year though I was delighted to
spy a 6-wheel P34 Tyrrell this time, a personal
favourite of old. Oh, inside the warm coffee shop
was extremely welcome during the day too!
So, suffice to say it was a very enjoyable day.
Thanks to Simon for co-ordinating the passes and
hanks to everyone who came along. We’ll be
doing something similar in the spring next year.
John
The day started wonderfully bright… but freezing cold! Giulietta line-up Simon and Clare’s Brera and GT
Redvers Arnold’s delightful 2000 GTV Dave Akins’ Giulietta Turbodelta Mandy’s Spider LE looks terrific
ALFISTI ALFISTI ALFISTI --- April 2013 April 2013 April 2013 --- No. 152 No. 152 No. 152 AROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section Newsletter
More photos from CoventryMore photos from CoventryMore photos from Coventry
This is a bit of an unusual one as it is from the AutoGlym Trade Range only, but available through our Section. It is simply called Autoglym Car Shampoo which has been re-formulated - not the ‘trad green Shampoo and Conditioner, it’s a deep red colour. I bought 5 litres on recommendation from Carl from our local AG franchise and after a few washes, I’m really impressed with it. Quoting from the manufacturer blurb; ‘Car Shampoo is a concentrated, wild cherry fragranced detergent designed to remove traffic film and other contaminants from vehicle bodywork. It has a neutral, biodegradable formulation, is easy rinsing and is silicone free.’ Basically it works really well and smells terrific, and our local guys sell it at a bit less than the well known (and excellent) ‘green one’ too! We’ll see them a few times this summer if you fancy some. John
DetailingDetailingDetailing CornerCornerCorner
Brian Smith’s Spider S4 Viv Stephen’s GTV Cup Stuart O’Donnell’s 916 Spider
Bob Woodward got the Autoglym out!
Mike Scarf’s 75 next to Phil Gotts’ 916 Spider
Thrust SSC - mighty impressive
Triumph Stag - Italian designed of course
Talbot and Peugeot rally cars - Coventry links
Liam Jones liked Viv’s GTV... Liz Jones’ fantastic Alfa cakes!
Fantastic Tyrrell P34 six-wheeler
Barbie’s XJS!
Andrew MacInerney’s ES30 SZ drew attention... The day was a good advert for Giuliettas
New Maserati Ghibli New Maserati Ghibli New Maserati Ghibli --- basis for a new ‘big’ basis for a new ‘big’ basis for a new ‘big’ RWD Alfa saloon?RWD Alfa saloon?RWD Alfa saloon?
It’s no secret that Alfa Romeo is working more closely with Maserati and Ferrari, the new Alfa 4C being actually produced at Maserati’s plant in Modena.
FIAT Group boss, Sig. Marchionne, has openly stated that the co-operation will extend beyond the exciting coupé and that, where logical, various sharing between brands will take place. With the huge new Quattroporte aimed at the growing Limousine market, Maserati will very soon be launching the Ghibli, a true ‘drivers’ Berlina in the fold of the old ‘QP’. With some clever work on differentiation, (panel styling, interior) it would make a superb rear drive Alfa Romeo, particularly suitable to the huge market of America. For Europe a selection of turbodiesels will be essential of course. It looks very probable to be before the Giulia... John
March Meeting NightMarch Meeting NightMarch Meeting Night We had a really good attendance at our meeting at the George & Dragon in March despite it being sub-Arctic again. Our friends Carl and Fred from the local AutoGlym franchise brought their huge van along and many of us took
advantage of some really good deals.
MALLORY PARK AROC RACING DAY - Sunday 4 August Just one AROC race meeting this year, but back at one of the circuits in our region; Mallory Park near Earl Shilton in Leicestershire. This will be a very well promoted event (organised again by the Classic Touring Car Racing Club), just like the terrific day we had in 2011. Our Section is being called upon to organise special Alfa display parking again, but we do hope that this will be rewarded with the opportunity of a track parade or parades during the day. More later in the year...
ALFISTI ALFISTI ALFISTI --- April 2013 April 2013 April 2013 --- No. 152 No. 152 No. 152 AROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section Newsletter
Part of our Alfa display at Mallory Park in 2011
In fact their van struggled to get in the car park as there were so many people in at the pub - mainly our lot! Excuse Mark Sangster’s mega-reflective Alfa jacket, the shot on the left is supposed to show him colleting a whopping 25-litre pack of car wash. We think it’s being shared, or else he’s buying 5 years’ worth!
Inside, as usual, lots of friendly banter, some discussion around Coventry, Geneva Show, various Alfa projects underway, the Mallory Park saga, El Presidenté’s race car … I could go on. Good fun as ever. Do join us all next time, when it might even get above zero! John
3 of the 6 Giuliettas there!
Impression of a ‘Big’ Alfa Saloon
AROC East Midlands Section Events 2013
Gazetta News Snippets
The Small Print: ‘Alfisti’ is published primarily for the enjoyment of members of the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club East Midlands Section. Chris Variava Alfa Romeo Nottingham supports the cost of Alfisti’s printed production carried out at cost rate by a Section Member’s company. Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club UK ltd cannot endorse or recommend services or products advertised in its publications. Any opinions published in ‘Alfisti’ or its sister website are personal ones. Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club Ltd registered Number 01106134. Please contact John Griffiths if you have any queries about the club or our active local area Section. See cover for contact details.
APRIL MEETING AT THE GEORGE & DRAGON It’s the fist light evening of the year of course, so hopefully we can start off outside around our cars. An earlier start too - we meet from 7pm. NB, if you want to eat it is recommended to get your order in early. (Please remember that the G&D is a friendly, family run pub that do not charge us for using the place - it is not a Harvester/Beefeater ‘fast food’ type joint.)
JULY MEETING ‘SUMMERTIME SPIN’ We’re going to make the July meeting a bit diff-erent this year. Parking in the paddock area at the G&D, we will organise a 30 minute drive around the countryside as part of things. That will also be a good opportunity to ‘blag a ride’ in another person’s Alfa if
you fancy too. CURBOROUGH SPRINT EXPERIENCE Owing to the threat of more snow and freezing temperatures the planned event in March had to be post-poned. Organiser George Cole has now rearranged it for 29 May when hopefully we’ll have spring! 4C LAUNCH EDITION: THE ESSENTIAL EXTRAS
Rear Parking Sensors = £450
Cruise Control = £220
Hi-Fi = £305
Suitcase = £350
Interior bag = £175 (The front ‘boot’ doesn’t open incidentally.)
Battery Maintenance = £175
Vehicle cover = £260
Cigarette lighter = £0
(Hmm, might order a Cigarette Lighter.)
Date Event
10 April ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. (See Gazetta opposite)
21 April ‘13 Spring Alfa Day at Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire. Our Section CONVOY RUN meets at the Castle Donington Services, M1 J23A, ready to depart for 8.30am.
4 May ‘13 Auto Italia Spring Italian Car Day - Brooklands, Surrey. See cover.
8 May ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm
NEW DATE 29 May ‘13
Curborough Sprint Experience - Event now rearranged after postponement from March. People who had booked spots have first call, but please contact John G if interested. (Event will be mid week 9.45—5pm, cost for all drivers is @£60).
NEW 2 June AUTOKARNA at Wollaton Park, Nottingham. A very easy going Classic Car show; our Alfas park in mixed general parking, but Section meets at the Chris Variava hospitality area at 12noon. (Free drinks and nibbles!) Great day out in 2012 repeated again,
12 June ‘13 Fun Concours Night at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. All Alfa Romeos automatically entered and all present do the voting! Stacks of categories and terrific prizes from our Section’s supporters.
23 June ‘13 Cotswold Alfa Day - Including the Giro Panoramico run that will finish at Stanway House which has the highest gravity-fed fountain in the world. More details nearer the time.
7 July ‘13 Auto Italia Italian Car Concours and ’Summertime Classics’ - Stanford Hall near Lutterworth. Includes special Section parking area and picnic.
NEW 11 July ‘Summertime Spin’ at the George & Dragon in Thringstone. from 7pm.
4 Aug ‘13 AROC Racing at Mallory Park – Lots of Alfa racing as part of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s event. Special Alfa parking area and track parades!!
11 Aug ‘13 National Alfa Day – Chatham Historic Dockyard, Kent. We will again have a convoy run to the event. It’s a nice run down on a Sunday, especially after a good breakfast.
14 Aug ‘13 Spider Night – at our regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. (All Alfas welcome of course!)
18 Aug ‘13 MITCAR 2013 - Midlands Italian Car Day at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. The 13th edition of our Section's flagship event will be one not to miss. Incredibly, admission is still just £5 per Italian Car!!
8 Sep ‘13 Leicester Aeroclub Open Day - at Leicester Airport (aka Stoughton Aerodrome), including air displays, special Alfa display and potential free pleasure flights too! Starts at 10.30am.
11 Sep ‘13 Twilight Drive at our regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. Drive at 7.45pm followed by optional pub meal.
TBC Sep ‘13 KARTING NIGHT at Sutton Circuit, Broughton Astley. Fantastic outdoor track, Endurance style mini-team event. Racing followed by drinks and supper.
9 Oct ‘13 AGM & Alfa Quiz at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm
13 Nov ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm.
15 -17 Nov ‘13 Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham, AROC display featuring historic Alfa Romeos
11 Dec ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm.
Please keep an eye on our website as things can change!!
MOST INAPPROPRIATE NAME
The KIA Provo. A deeply ugly ‘concept car’ presumably not aimed at the Irish market.
We are uncertain of reports that it will be followed by the KIA Black September, The KIA PLO and the KIA ‘L’ Qaeda.
ALFISTI ALFISTI ALFISTI --- April 2013 April 2013 April 2013 --- No. 152 No. 152 No. 152 AROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section Newsletter
AROC EAST MIDLANDS MERCHANDISE AROC EAST MIDLANDS MERCHANDISE AROC EAST MIDLANDS MERCHANDISE Polo shirts with full colour embroidered logo. All sizes - Just £15 each.
PLUS Fleeces from £25 and Soft-Shell waterproof jackets from £30
TO ORDER contact our man Brian Smith at [email protected]@[email protected]
■ Alfisti no.153 will be out in May
Our AlfasOur AlfasOur Alfas All the latest on our local members’ cars...All the latest on our local members’ cars...All the latest on our local members’ cars...
- SCOOP! - Unusual news from the world of motoring
Mark’s long term project continues, but Mark only has a certain amount of time for it. Turbocharger is installed - but the clutch packed up. Race-spec one now installed and it’s back to the rolling road for more tuning. We are talking 360bhp plus… Will be fantastic when complete!
■ Alfisti’s production is kindly sponsored by Chris Variava Alfa Romeo Nottingham
Giulietta Veloce 2.0 JTDm2 /170 - John Griffiths A February day trip emphasised the superb capabilities of this Giulietta. The journey was Leicester to London (O2); London to central Birmingham, then Brum back to Leicester. 300 miles, averaging 55mph overall including city crawls and M11 speed restrictions. It took a true no-holds-barred charge round M25/M1/M6 to get to the evening show in Brum, averaging a motorway speed of, er, a lot! After all that tanking along the overall MPG fell to 41.5, still using just half a tank. The ‘G’ was tremend-ously secure on icy roads, gave a really smooth ride and was ‘3-up’ too. 29K on the clock now, it’s better than ever. A fantastic all-rounder; hard to replace.
164 Twin Spark - To IntaServices! Andy Wallington has finally handed over his beloved 164 to Dave Knott at IntaServices in Leicester. Dave intends to remove certain parts and the remainder will be sent to Alfa Heaven. Many will recall that the car was originally purchased for £100 and, with some preparation work from IntaServices, it was entered in the 2009 ‘Home 2 Rome’ Banger Rally to raise funds for charity. Initial plans were to leave the car in Italy but it was driven back to the UK and Andy bought the car for his own use. The H2R 164 has made many Section and AROC event app-earances over the years and not so long ago I had the pleasure of taking it for a few laps of the 'Curburgring'. It is sad to see it gone for good but let us hope that the parts removed will assist other 164's to remain on the road. RIP. Brian Smith
Alfasud Sprint Trofeo - Bryan Alexander From an email to John: My Trofeo has been to Lincoln Hospital to undergo surgery under the care of Dr Shrubb. Symptoms were serious loss of hydraulic fluid and iffy clutch disengage-ment. Diagnosis: shot clutch slave cylinder and minor leak from brake hose. The former, relatively easy with the engine out but diabolical with it in situ. Skilled surgeon definitely required. So it was another hairy drive to Lincoln, this time nursing (and pumping) the clutch - it still needed several lay-bye stops on the A46 to top up the fluid. What fun! Clean bill of health - AKA - an MoT certificate, was happily soon received! Bryan
Giulietta MultiAir TCT Veloce - Duncan Langford You may remember Dunk’s car from last month’s back page . Here though you’ll see he’s done a swap to the 5-hole 18” alloys from his Turbines, a swap organised by Paul Jones from Chris Variava. Dunk really likes their style and how it displays the red Brembo brakes. Looking good...
GTV 2.0 JTS TURBO - Mark Wood
Spider Series 4 - Simon Addison Slippery, just-gritted road, cold tyres, traffic island, skid, crash barrier - prang! Simon was gutted. The repair is being trusted to Mike Spencely at MGS coachworks, the classic Alfa Romeo specialists in Surrey. Happily Simon was totally unharmed - it really could have been a great deal worse. Insurance hassle aside, Simon has decided to have the car fully re-sprayed whilst in, plus new door handles etc., so it should emerge looking great.
V6 Special - Andy Wallington Here’s a teaser photo of Andy’s V6 Busso-powered ‘special’ very soon to be transported from preparer to his new home ‘Darn’Sarf. It’s going to have areal ’50’s vibe to it, I mean, just look at the Borranis! Quoting from his email to John: “Now that the suspension geometry is resolved, and all welding complete, the chassis has been dismantled and sent for shot blasting before painting and reassembly. Hoping to source Bilsteins this week, and maybe the exhaust manifold (CSC now available in stainless from EB spares). He’ll keep us in the picture.
Martin Lindus is the New ‘Face of Panda’
Martin Lindus, fresh from his modelling success for the AROC SHOP, has now been signed by FIAT Group to promote the new Panda 4x4 across Europe.
Martin, himself a Panda 100 HP owner, says he will continue his career as a model unless the pressure of fame becomes too much.