1-800-788-4435 - Italiancarclub.com

FLU Officers
FLU Board
John Montgomery
[email protected]
Mike Greer
[email protected]
864-304-6537
Sell your products AND support FLU by placing an ad
today. All ads can be full color and may be updated each
issue with a pre-paid year placement.
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Attn: Brett Melancon
145 South Gay Street
Knoxville TN 37902
marked payable to FLU.
Ad layout services are also available, call Brett Melancon at
865-525-1554 for more information about placing an ad in
RICAMBI today.
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me first.
President
Haz Neuman
[email protected]
Vice President
Accepting Nominations
Secretary
Scott Hill
[email protected]
Treasurer
RICAMBI/FLU Website
Brett Melancon
[email protected]
Editor/Publisher
Jody Farr
[email protected]
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Jon Logan
[email protected]
Membership
Evan Statham
[email protected]
Advertising Director
Shaun Folkerts
[email protected]
John Erskine
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Mike Sassaman
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Woody Woodson
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Thad Kirk
[email protected]
Charlie Bates
[email protected]
Susan Ruptash
[email protected]
Pete Angel
[email protected]
Scott Hill
[email protected]
Jim Aitken
[email protected]
We need your submissions!
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Send photos and articles to [email protected] or call 865-525-1554
for instructions on how to submit your articles. FLU thanks you!
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Visit the web for the latest in what’s happening in YOUR club.
1
www.flu.org
Our next Fiat Freak Out will be in
Asheville, NC, on July 16th-18th, 2004
Dear Members,
The Number One rule about writing
is: “Write About What You Know.” It
would be easy to write about everyday
topics orbiting around me like tricky
weather, election year politics, company
sales reports and my kid's cell phone bills.
But, what I really DO know about is
driving open cars. I've been doing it for a
long time. My first open car, a little pedal
car fire truck, shares many of the same
characteristics as my 1986 Bertone X 1/9.
Both are very red, low to the ground,
carry just one passenger and require lots
of RPM's from the motor to get
anywhere. Fire trucks receive plenty of
attention too, just like the X 1/9. Forty
years after growing out of the pedal car,
many people still insist that I've never
really grown up. There is evidence to the
contrary; one or two strands of gray hair,
a few eye line wrinkles and a home equity
credit line. I now thank store clerks who
“card” me when buying beer. Yea, anyone
can plainly see that I've grown up.
This is my 27th year of Fiat ownership;
the first purchase was a dark blue
1974 Spider in 1977. I was a young
bachelor and college student in western
Pennsylvania, living a budgeted yet
mostly charmed life. Once I got that car,
it was suddenly far easier to get a date. I'd
ask a girl out, and she'd look at me, then
glance at the convertible and say, “Well,
OK, if we could take the Fiat.” Hmmm.
My mother said I should look for a girl
who was a lot more interested in me than
the car. So I did just that, getting married
in 1980, never thinking that future
siblings would not fit in the back of a
Spider. Uh, oh. Consequently, the Fiat
had to be sold in 1982 because a child
safety seat would not fit in the back. The
Spider sold just two days after being
listed in the local Auto-Trader.
Thankfully, I was not home that fateful
afternoon when my wife happily handed
over the title for the asking price. My
convertible was quickly “converted”
into a small stack of $100 bills sitting on
the dining room table. I still remember
staring at that pile of money. What have
I done? Money does not buy happiness,
but it does buy safety seat compatible cars.
Looking back now, it's just a small
footnote that the pristine Spider would
now be worth several times my selling
price. Did I trade a carefree automotive
youth for parental responsibility?
Perhaps the rest of my life will be spent
behind the wheel of boring machinery.
What's next, a humiliating minivan with
the Mickey Mouse sunshades and a “Baby
on Board” sign? “No, please God, not
me!” Well, fear not; my eldest daughter
is now 21 years old, and I never bought a
Dodge Caravan. Whew!
Since that first Fiat sale in 1982, I've
bought six more Fiats and two Lancias.
Older and wiser today, I've learned to
“Just Say No” when pressed (OK,
nagged) about selling Italian cars.
Trading Italian machinery for mere
money is just as painful and hollow as
ever. So take my advice, if you can't
afford a few Italian cars, ask for a pay
raise and then look for more garage
space. Stay away from those boring
Caravans and Honda Odysseys with
slurpee cup holders and power opening
side entry doors; they'll stain your
automotive soul I say! Buy one of those
and the next thing you know the kids will
demand onboard DVD players
with pull down screens. Years later
it ultimately results in adult onset
“A.D.D.”- “Attention Driving
Disorder”. Yes, they’ll end up
driving boring cars like refrigerator
white Accords and Camrys, and it will be
your fault. So don’t sell your Italian car,
save yourself and your family!
OK, sermon's over… let's talk about
FLU. We have some great news!
FLO-FLU founder Evan Statman has
become our new advertising director.
Evan will help us with sponsorship,
vendor advertising, FLU wares sales, and
club promotion.
Evan's
e-mail
address
is
[email protected]. We just bought
more website space to make improvements
for more content and online website sales;
look for a new “FLU Store” in the coming months.
Spring is around the corner, and FLU
is gearing up for another big year. The
annual Fiat “Freeze Out” just kissed
winter goodbye while Auto-Italia
Portofino at Universal Studios in
Orlando is on for the first weekend
in March. The traditional ImportKit Car weekend at Carlisle
(www.carsatcarlisle.com) will be held on
the almost always “warm and sunny”
weekend of May 22nd and 23rd. A good
number of FLU members show up every
year, rain or shine.
This year's 21st the Fiat Freak Out is
July 16th to 18th, in Asheville, North
Carolina. All Italian marques are invited;
membership in Fiat Lancia
Unlimited is required to participate.
The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort
will be out host hotel, for reservations
call 1-800-733-3211 or online at
continued on back page
John-John
www.flu.org
2
FLU is spreading, if you would like to start a FLU chapter in your
area, please contact John Montgomery for information on how
to become an official FLU chapter. Join the fun!
Atlanta
FLO-FLU
Pittsburgh
John Montgomery– (770) 932-2380
[email protected]
Evan Statman– (954)325-3866 (days)
[email protected]
Al Dubinsky– (412) 521-8561
[email protected]
Blue Ridge
Indiana
Roamin Chariots
Don Robinson– (804) 556-5125
[email protected]
Mike Walsh– (765) 987-7558
[email protected]
Ron Colon– (405) 325-9498
[email protected]
Carolina FLU
Mid-Atlantic
Rocky Mountain
Meady Thomas– (919) 365-7087
[email protected]
Haz Neuman– (410) 836-1102
[email protected]
Jonathan Drout
[email protected]
DC National Capital
North East VT/NH/ME/RI/MA
Texas FLUud (Houston)
Mark Hergan– (410) 747-3646
[email protected]
Scott A. Phelps– (802) 763-2499
[email protected]
Mike Rutenberg
[email protected]
Delaware Valley
Northeast Coast CT/NJ/NY
Texas TXFLU
Frank E. Lembo– (570) 388-6269
[email protected]
Arman Labrada– (201) 741-0182
[email protected]
Al Williams
[email protected]
Detroit
Ohio Valley
Toronto
Harry Granito– (734) 936-4338 (days)
[email protected]
Jim Keller– (740) 383-2343
[email protected]
Scott McCraw– (416) 487-7169
[email protected]
East Tennessee
Ottawa Canada
WYNSO (Western New York, So. Ontario)
Brett Melancon– (865) 525-1554 (days)
[email protected]
Jeff Schneider– (613) 733-5657
[email protected]
Darryl Stacey– (716) 822-3812
[email protected]
Ottawa Canada
North East
VT/NH/ME/RI/MA
Toronto
Detroit
Northeast Coast CT/NJ/NY
WYNSO
Pittsburgh
Ohio Valley
Mid-Atlantic
Indiana
Blue Ridge
Rocky Mountain
East Tennessee
Carolina FLU
Atlanta
Romin Chariots
Texas FLUid
(Houston)
FLO-FLU
3
www.flu.org
Delaware Valley
DC National Capital
The FIAT Freak
Ciao Bambini! Most FLU members are
still reeling from the rather dismal winter
weather many of us have endured over the
past few months, making it an even sweeter
treat to have this magazine find its place in
our hands. This publication really reminds
us of the warmth we feel from our fellow
Fiat Freaks, not to mention the potential
heat we’ll feel from the engines of our
Italian machines when they’re revved-up
for the spring and summer motoring
season. It’s not too far away!
THE NEWS
Over on the other side of the Atlantic
(where Fiat fans can still indulge their automotive lust), Fiat reports that it fell short of
its sales targets for both the home market
and Western Europe as a whole. However,
things are improving considerably in the
first few months of 2004. Sales volume in
Italy has grown substantially since
December 2003, increasing to almost 31% of
the Italian market. While this is very good
news, remember that at one time, Fiat dominated its domestic turf with far more than
a 50% share. Still, considering the company’s precarious situation during the past two
years, this is welcomed news. Fiat has also
posted small but meaningful gains in the
western European market as a whole, with
new-car sales reaching an 8.6% level in
January, up from the same time period a
year ago.
North American Fiat fans primarily
relate to the sports cars created by the Italian
auto giant, but as most of you know, Fiat’s
major claim to fame has rested on its small
car production. At the recent Geneva auto
show, Fiat hinted at its future in the microcar market segment by showing its
Trepiuno concept vehicle. Reports say the
Trepiuno will likely be on the market in
2007.
The styling of the Trepiuno was created
in-house at Fiat’s styling center, drawing its
influence from the mega-famous and
much-loved Fiat Cinquecento (500). See
how the new Mini morphed itself from the
original Mini? Well then, you’ll see a similar evolution from the original Cinquecento
into the upcoming Trepiuno. Inside and
out, you see many traits from the first Fiat
500s in the newer car, but just like the Mini,
the Trepiuno takes on a very contemporary
flair.
The name “Trepiuno” means “3+1” in
Italian, a moniker derived from the car’s
clever adaptable seating configuration.
Basically, there are four seats, but only the
front two occupants have sufficient
legroom. However, the glove box can be
folded, allowing the front passenger seat to
move forward to create ample room for the
passenger in the right rear seat...hence, the
“3 + 1” designation. Both rear seats can be
folded to accommodate more cargo and to
create a simple 2-seat car. There’s also an
American connection: the seating system
was developed with help from Johnson
Controls, which is a major American
designer and supplier of seating for many
US automakers.
As reported in previous articles, Alfa
Romeo will not be returning to the US market in 2007. According to Fiat Group CEO
Giuseppe Morchio, an eventual return to
the American market is still part of Alfa’s
future strategy once European market share
is improved. Morchio, who has been in his
position for about a year, intends to ensure
that Alfa Romeo has a solid presence when
it does return, including an adequate sales
and service network. In other words, Fiat
intends to do it RIGHT this time!
Meanwhile, the famed Italian designer
Giorgetto Giugiaro unveiled his Visconti
concept car at the Geneva auto show that
could possibly be Alfa Romeo’s shot at cars
like the Audi A8 and BMW 7-series. Along
with a coupe-like shape, the Visconti has
goodies like a 405-horsepower twin-turbo
by Bobb Rayner
V6 and full-time four-wheel drive. Perhaps
a bit out of the range of most FLU folks, but
hey….we can dream, can’t we?
Regarding other brands, Fiat CEO
Morchio has stated that Lancia will not have
a model for every product segment in the
future. Instead, it will play a “specialty”
role, much like Alfa Romeo, finding small
but profitable segments in which it can
compete with other low-volume but significantly upscale cars.
THE VIEWS
As many of you know, I spend approximately six months as a product presenter
and spokesperson for a major American
automaker at many of the larger auto shows
in the USA. During my stint this past
January at the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit, I had
the pleasure of meeting many of the industry’s most significant personalities. There
were Italians all over the place! Even
though Italy’s car sales presence in America
is currently the sole province of exotic marques, Italian design and engineering firms
still play a major role in our domestic industry. During the international press days in
Detroit, I was usually positioned atop a
turntable presenting concept cars to the
audiences gathered around. From that
perch, I cold often spot small groups of
Italian designers and executives as they
strolled through the exhibits nearby.
Superbly crafted suits, shoes, and sunglasses
usually gave them away! They sure didn’t
look like the typical Michigan-based car
execs! Ah….that Italian sense of style! The
men themselves make their presence
known in the same manner in which their
cars speak for the Italian spirit. I took every
opportunity to talk with these people, and
some of what I’ve learned I’ll be sharing
with you in future articles.
Speaking of auto shows: on the FLU
website, I proposed an idea for club
continued on back page
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4
On the Soapbox
Commentary by club co-founder Dwight Varnes
Though not a board member, I attended
the recent online board meeting in January
as an interested member (all are invited to do so).
The planned hour-long meeting quickly
expired, with no issues being resolved and
much discussion taking place. It was clear
that there was not a concensus on the
issues, and most agreed the general
membership should contribute input
before any future votes were taken.
The issue at hand was a dues increase. A
complex issue, and not taken lightly by
anyone. There are essentially three reasons
the increase is being considered: the horrendous unreliability of 3rd class mail, the
benefit of a larger and more readable
Ricambi, and the desire to fund more
events with the chapters.
In the last Ricambi, John Montgomery
spoke of increasing the 'value' of the club.
I am in total agreement that 'value' should
be the focus of improvements. The question becomes, what exactly defines 'value'
to you? This is where we need feedback.
What should FLU be? With the arrival of
the internet in most households, information
is available with a few mouse clicks, and is
generally free. When this club was started,
email was not even commonplace. The
purpose of the club and it's magazine was
to connect all of us together, and disseminate
information on the repair and enjoyment of
by Dwight Varnes
our cars. With message boards and chat
rooms, this original mission has diminished
in it's urgency. However, as a result of the
club's original focus, we have created a
wonderful and ever-growing calendar of
events where people can meet face to face.
There simply is no substitute for personal
contact, and FLU is the perfect catalyst for
such things.
Before we raise the cost of membership,
myself and others would like to know
what additional income should be spent
on. What is it YOU want from FLU? What
can FLU do to guarantee you will continue
to be a member, and benefit from belonging
to it? I think board member Mike Greer
summarizes quite well: “I don't think anyone is going to pay either $29 or $35 a year
for a subscription to a 16 or even a 32 page
newsletter. Ricambi is great and it keeps
the non-internet folks attached to what's
going on, but that alone will not sustain the
club and club growth. Second, the increase
isn't needed just for Ricambi, it's needed to
help sustain the club in a healthy financial
manner and to do things that would foster
club growth. We have to get over the
preconceptions to be able to look at the big
picture and what your club dues are really
getting you. For the club to grow we have
to reach more Fiat/Lancia owners and we
have to provide them with something
tangible and of interest to them.”
This is a car club, and cars are meant to
be driven. Simply getting a magazine or
reading a message board will doubtfully
hold one's interest. Mike continues:
“Hosting local activities should be requirements for a local FLU chapter, not just
ideas. People just don't know how to get
started. There has to be a connection
between enjoying the hobby and FLU and
that is going to come at the local level to the
enthusiast. But FLU needs to do
something to support the local chapters or
there is a disconnect.”
Please tell us how you feel. Don't read
this and think you'll do it later. Do it now.
At least write yourself a note and do it in
the next day. Contact us via the message
board at www.flu.org, or email me |
privately at [email protected]. No
computer? Drop me a note at 525
Hereford Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
I've personally undertaken the task of
compiling your opinions and will
represent the wishes of the membership
without bias. The officers and board could
not come to an agreement at the board
meeting not because they simply could not
agree, but because each and every one was
passionate about representing what they
thought was best for the membership.
Without really knowing what the
membership wants, however, it will be
difficult to make progress.
This from email...
Hello - I came across your site while
trying to find some info on what I believe
to be a 1942 Fiat. I'm wondering if
somebody can help out with some info on
the car - I've attached two photos (not the
best) I snapped off in a dark garage the
other day. I have no idea what model,
when it was last driven or even registered.
It belonged to my grandfather, and I do
know that it was driven during WWII, so
5
www.flu.org
1942 would fit. The only info I can offer
are the photos, and that it's got only the
one tail light on the drivers side, and the
spare tire is visible, embedded in the rear
end (pardon the lack of technical knowledge!). The license plate with the car is
dated 1947 on the actual plate itself. The
interior fabric is some sort of weave.
Paige Byassee-California
Start Planning Now for Fiat Freak Out 2004
Fiat Lancia Unlimited proudly presents
the 21st Annual Fiat Freak Out in beautiful
Asheville, North Carolina, July 16th to 18th,
2004. Once again FLU returns to the Blue
Ridge Mountains and Sunspree Resort,
taking the best loved elements of last year's
show while adding new and exciting venues
for every Fiat and Lancia enthusiast.
The Holiday Inn Sunspree will once again
be our base and host hotel; over 200 rooms
have been blocked set aside for FFO
weekend. FLU intends to book the entire
hotel, which will open much more parking
this year. Reserve now by calling 1-800-7333211 or online at www.sunspree.com. If
you wish to reserve a room online at
www.sunspree.com, our group registration
code is “FIA”. The room rate is $93/night.
Friday early birds can take an early
afternoon drive to the state of the art BMW
factory and plant tour in Spartanburg, SC.
The BMW tour is a rare first hand opportunity
to get the real perspective on automotive
manufacturing in the new millennium. The
BMW Spartanburg plant builds the world's
entire supply of the new Z4 convertible and
X5 SUV. The BMW facility is a little
more than an hour's drive from
Asheville. Tour the Zentrum, BMW's
huge auto museum for free. There's
a 20-minute film to enjoy on the
history and current production of
BMW models. The actual guid-
ed plant tour (requires pre-registration) takes
2 hours to complete. There are two factory
tour sessions available. Space is limited so
register early! After the tour, we'll hustle
back to Sunspree for the opening party.
A favorite FFO pastime is to arrive early on
Friday afternoon to watch the spectacular
arrivals of Italian machinery. The expanded
FFO indoor registration area will include
some of your favorite vendors, showing the
latest parts and accessories for your car.
Fiat Freak Out 2004 will highlight opening
night with an outdoor pool party at
Sunspree. A cash bar will be available
throughout the evening. The FLU Board
will meet after dinner from 9 to 10PM in the
Dogwood room. Starting at 10 PM we'll
have our traditional Internet Users meeting.
All members are welcome.
The 2004 Freak Out will feature a record
breaking panoramic photograph ON THE
LAWN at the 110-year-old Biltmore Estate,
America's largest home. Be sure to get up early
on Saturday morning, as we will depart
Sunspree starting at 7 AM for the 15-minute
drive to the Biltmore lawn. Once again we have
negotiated free admission to
Biltmore Estate, but all cars must
be through the gate by 8 AM.
A spectacular new layout
design for lawn parking will
permit our photographer
Jeanpaul Harris a capture
more cars. The photograph will be taken at 8
AM sharp, just before Biltmore opens for
tourists. Biltmore's standard admission price
is $36/person, so remember that in order to
get in free, we have to be there before 8 AM.
Immediately after the panoramic photograph, we'll drive to the Deerpark
Restaurant just minutes away from the lawn
for a superb breakfast buffet. Those who
attended last year reveled about the outstanding “Breakfast at Biltmore” experience. FLU
has negotiated special group rates for those
who wish to visit Biltmore Estate. This year's
FLU price is $31/adult with an optional
upgrade to a one-year pass for just $10.
After our hearty breakfast, we will depart
Biltmore Estate. Just a short drive down
the Blue Ridge Parkway, we'll arrive at the
North Carolina Arboretum, the site of
the 2004 Freak Out “70's Show” Concours.
The arboretum spreads over a glorious 426
acres, including manicured flowering
gardens, walking trails, and a spectacular
greenhouse. Ginger Harris will take an
individual photo of all show cars as we enter
the “Auto-Garden” for our concours show.
This year Fiat Freak Out will feature a fun
and nostalgic 70's “Flower Power” theme.
Relive the glory days of Fiat's heyday in the
USA, when they outsold names like Toyota,
Datsun, Volvo and Volkswagen. All FLU
members are strongly urged
to wear 70's era apparel;
continued on back page
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6
Deja Vu...
It started in 1979 in Manchester, England.
I was 19 years old, had just started college
and, with no family history of the disease,
had fallen in love with “interesting” cars.
You know–anything that wasn't “sensible”.
Helping to stimulate this condition was the
existence of a Ferrari dealership slap bang in
the middle of the city. Here was the place to
ogle Ferraris as well as a selection of exotic
trade-ins all on display behind the glass
windows. Wonderful stuff even if the price
7
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By Dave Rowley
tags did seem to have too many zeroes on
the end for a “starving student.”
Then one day, looking through the
windows I saw a BABY Ferrari. No, I had
just discovered love at first sight–the X1/9.
Not nearly so many zeroes on the price tag
either! The car was a drop dead gorgeous
almost new 1979 1500 in light blue metallic
with ivory interior. I simply HAD to have
one–but remember, I was an impecunious
student.
For the next six months I obsessed on the
subject, practically reading the print off
newly acquired brochures and magazine
articles. An X1/9 vs. TR7 feature story in
the June 1980 issue of Car finally put paid
to any remaining resistance I might have
had–the reviewer's passion for the X1/9
came through in spadefuls. After much
creative financing and perhaps most
difficult of all—-finding insurance coverage for something less than the GDP of a
small country–I was on my way, in the
summer of 1980, to the market town of
Bedale in North Yorkshire. For here, in
almost the middle of nowhere, and without the aid of the then even unimagined
Internet, I had located a 1978 1300 for sale.
By pure coincidence this car was also light
blue metallic, complete with ladder stripes,
the Bertone Cromodora CD58 alloy
wheels and a blue interior with the funky
“deckchair” striped seats. Needless to say,
my dream was realized at last and I left
Bedale at the wheel of my first X1/9.
Compared with my previous (first) car,
an exceedingly boring beige (yuk!) 1970
Ford Escort 1300L, the X1/9 seemed to
have come from another planet in terms of
both automotive engineering as well as
styling. This despite the fact that there
were only about four years between the
basic designs. Handling was a revelation.
When the Escort would hit expansion
plates on elevated roundabouts, the live
rear axle would send the car leaping
sideways most alarmingly. The same
exercise, even at much higher speeds, was
a none-event in the independently
suspended X1/9. In fact roundabouts
became a source of much amusement as I
learned to throttle steer round them,
hanging the tail out and going round more
times than strictly necessary for
navigational purposes. I was blessed by
living in an area rich in twisty country
roads-Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire,
Cheshire–and between home, school and
work, had plenty of opportunity to drive
them. No motorways for me! Of course,
it didn't take me too long to find out that
the mid-engined layout can carry a sting in
it's tail! Pushing the limit on a sweeping
uphill left hander, the tail suddenly
announced that it was curious to see what
the other side of the road was like. No big
deal thinks I, applying a little opposite lock
to compensate, then wondering why the
world was suddenly spinning round very
fast in the opposite direction until stopping
with a jolt. So endeth the lesson on too
much opposite lock and the effect an
Armco barrier can have on one's pride and
joy–the left rear wing was now heavily
modified and not for the better! The shop
that fixed the damage, my dad's in fact,
gave me a piece of the replaced bodywork
as a souvenir–it was from just above the air
vent on the targa bar with the special
edition “X1/9” decal on it. Needless to
say I was spurred to learn more about
handling by driving around big
empty–icy–car parks just to see what
happens beyond the limit. The acid test
soon came when I hit some black ice at
night on a curve and managed to keep
both ends pointing in the right direction
with only an elevated heart rate to show
for it.
With the help of a timely bequeath from
a favourite uncle, I became the proud
owner of a 1979 five speed 1500 in the
spring of 1981. Again, by pure coincidence
this car just happened to be the same light
blue metallic as my previous X and the one
I first saw in the Ferrari dealership. In fact
the whole car was identical to the one in
the Ferrari dealership. Must be destiny!
Much fun was had with this car, not
least of which was two trips to France for
the Vingt Quatre Heures Du Mans in '82
and '83. First time with a friend from
college and second time with then
girlfriend (and now wife of 19 years.) Both
were camping trips and proved out the X's
astonishing luggage capacity. Now one of
the really cool things about Le Mans was
that they let you drive around about 80%
of the race circuit whenever there were no
actual race activities in progress. You had
better believe that this opportunity was not
passed up and many enthusiastic laps were
had on both trips.
Now remember what I said earlier about
interesting cars and more power? Well,
how do I say this? I need to confess. In
March of 1984 I sold my X1/9 in order to
help buy a 1978 Porsche 911SC Targa. Not
quite as agile through the twisty ess-bends,
but boy could it blast up those hills!
This might have been the end of the
story. Now I did keep all the brochures,
the magazine reviews, books, manuals,
various other X1/9 junkie memorabilia
including the souvenir piece of bodywork,
even the “Bertone” badges I had
purchased to replace the stock “Fiat”
badges. In fact most of the stuff moved
across the “Pond” with me in 1985 and has
spent the last eighteen years in the U.S.,
fifteen of them here in Tucson, Arizona. I
would even read through some of the stuff
once in a while. The “interesting”/”power”
car thing has mostly been satisfied for the
last sixteen years by a Porsche 944 Turbo
which we have had from new and which
still manages to look nearly new.
I said 1984 might have been the end of
the story, and indeed it had looked that
way for the better part of twenty years. But
this would have been wrong! I wanted a
car for commuting to work and pottering
around with and was damned if this
would be a boring car. (Anybody relating
to this yet!) I was hunting around on the
Internet (this of course had been invented
in the interim, by Al Gore if I remember)
last month and noticed myself entering
“X1/9” as a search term. Now if you don't
believe in destiny, you should probably
stop reading now because if you don't,
what follows is just going to ruin your day.
I started off looking for the newest and
lowest mileage cars. After having spotted
one or two nice looking examples and
quite a lot of, well let's be nice about it,
“parts cars”, what should turn up but a
rather nice looking 1979 car. Now if you've
really been following this story, you
already know what colour it was, right?
Yes, light blue metallic. The same exact
paint code as in the story so far. And the
interior? Yes, you guessed, well except that
someone had seen fit to put the steering
wheel and stuff on the left hand side
instead of the right hand side. Ha, now the
really sharp ones amongst you are going to
say that U.S. cars were never offered with
the Bertone Cromodora CD58 wheels so
continued on back page
www.flu.org
8
Dash Repair Instructions for X1/9s
As with any car over twenty years old, and
especially convertibles, vinyl dashes will dry
out and become brittle. Eventually cracks
will appear no matter how well they are
treated. In the X1/9 most cracks are between
the defrost vent and the windshield and
instrument pod. Other cracks appear going
to the glove box opening, extreme cases have
multiple cracks going from the windshield
to the dash pod. The front rarely gets cracks
because it is not in direct sunlight.
This technique applies to the later X1/9s,
particularly top dash repair, but these
techniques can be used with the1300 as well
models. Like many owners I have tried in
vane to repair cracks with vinyl repair kits to
have nothing but a temporary fix that looks
like a scab. The problem is that the vinyl is
loosely attached to a foam underlaiment that
has very little support, as the vinyl shrinks, it
will crack. This repair overcomes the problem by covering the dash with a flexible vinyl
cover that is blended with the original dash.
Supplies Needed:
-Medium and coarse stick-on sanding pads
-Plastic “Bondo”
-Spot putty
-1/16” plastic sheet
-5 min epoxy
-Industrial contact cement
-Vinyl repair glue
-”Permatex” vinyl repair kit with heating iron
-1’ x 6’ sheet of leather grained vinyl
-Vinyl spray paint
-Cleaner=Prep-So” and rubbing alcohol
-Tape and clamps (cloth pins)
Equipment Needed:
-Orbital sander
-Scissors
-Hobby knife
-Spatula
The Process
-Remove dash
-Prep the surface
-Cut out the cracks and reinforce
-Fill all cracks and imperfections and sand
-Fit and cut vinyl, glue down
-Use vinyl repair kit to blend edges
-Paint with vinyl paint
-Reinstall dash
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Remove Dash Start by removing the consol and
steering wheel/column (four bolts drop the
whole column). The instrument panel is
next, removed by taking out the hex head
screws, speedometer cable and electrical
plugs. Next comes the vents, glove box and
heater control unit (don’t remove the cables
the unit will hang free). The dash is then
held in place with metal brackets screws
into the body (8+). You can now lift the
dash free and take it to your work bench.
by John Hurlock
flexible, the cracks can be filled with
common “Bondo” (when applied in thin
layers it does have some elasticity).
NOTE: Mask off the part of the dash you
are not going to cover, to protect the grain.
When cured, sand the filler smooth and
reapply if necessary. Go over the top with
spot putty to fill any small cracks and sand
smooth. Now sand the top completely until
you are satisfied that it is completely
smooth and defect free.
Prep Use “Prep-Sol” (sold at auto paint
suppliers) and a stiff brush to clean all
exposed vinyl, followed by a wipe down
with rubbing alcohol. If unsure that it is
really clean, repeat to make sure all silicone
preservatives are removed.
Crack Repair Most cracks tend to curl up at the edges
above the surrounding area. Since you
don’t need to save the grain on the top of
the dash, cut back the crack to remove the
raised edges. You will also need to slide a
knife under the sides of the vinyl to
separate it from the foam, creating a slot for
the repair patch. Next cut a piece of 1/16”
plastic sheet (hobby shop) about 50% larger
in width than the crack and scuff up the
surface with sandpaper and clean with
alcohol. Cut a horizontal slot at one end of
the crack to slide the reinforcement plastic
sheet under the dash vinyl. Test fit the plastic patch, trim if necessary. Apply epoxy on
the patch and slide into place, put weights
on it until the glue sets.
Filling and Sanding Check all of the cracks with a straight
edge to make sure they are all level with the
rest of the dash, if not, redo the crack. It is
easier now to redo a patch that sticks up
than trying to level it out with filler. This
point will make or break your job in hiding
the cracks. Since the dash doesn’t need to be
Vinyl Top Since you are going to re-dye the whole
dash, the color of the vinyl cloth is not
important (though darker colors would be
preferable). Most Sewing centers have a
wide range of textures and weights of vinyl
available; you could even try an auto
re-upholstery shop for remnants. Try to get
a piece that is at least 25% larger than you
need. The most important thing is to try to
match the grain as close as possible (take
along the glove box door) and select a vinyl
that is also as thin as possible and
pliable/stretchable.
Cut the vinyl so that there is enough to
wrap around the edges. It’s better to have
too much and trim later than to have a
precise fit that has to be manhandled to fit.
Cut the vent by “X” cutting the hole with a
cut from corner to corner so the triangular
tabs can be wrapped around the opening. It
is important to not cut the opening right up
to the edges, leave about 1/8” so you can
stretch the material into the corners so that
no seam will show. The material will wrap
around all openings and edges except for
the seam above the side vents and around
the end (facing the door panels). These are
the only sections that need to be “blended”
with the old dash surface.
Apply the contact cement to the middle
1/3 of the vinyl and dash (remember the
underside of the dash where it meets the
windshield, glove box and instrument pod).
It is important to not try to stretch the vinyl
when you are placing it in position, the contact cement tends to soften the vinyl and it
becomes more pliable. If the vinyl is placed
down with too much tension it may creep
later. Place the vinyl down and lightly
stretch the edges around and attach. At this
point use clamps to hold the edges especially in the vent opening. As you attach it you
may now have to trim the edge.
Before you attach the sides trim the edges
carefully so the edge follows the break line
between the top and front/sides of the dash.
NOTE: Before you apply the adhesive
carefully sand the backing off the last ?”
of the vinyl, this will help smooth the transition to the rest of the dash by reducing the
thickness of the vinyl. Once this is attached
you may want to tape it down for a while.
Float Fix for X1/9s
A common “pill” bottle.
It was so close to the OEM float form/shape
that it brought tears to my eyes. It required
a minumum of rebending to the original
support wire holding loop to attach it.
It is working fine after two years of use
and appears to be fuel resistant. The seal at
the cap was stong as there was good clamping force exerted on the cap from the bottles
thread. No gasket was required on the cap.
Blend Edges -
Painting -
This stage is what will make your dash
look indistinguishable from a new dash.
The vinyl repair kit uses heat to cure the
liquid vinyl, which is embossed with
textured paper patterns. You will also use
the white activator powder that is
especially used in dash repair. Don’t try to
use the cold repair kits; they don’t bond
well with the surrounding material which
melts with this system. The color is unimportant since you will be dying the whole
dash. Apply the mixture sparingly, you can
always go back and apply more, don’t try to
rush it. Since most of the surfaces are
curved you will have to tape the paper
firmly in place before you apply the heat.
Move the iron around, making sure you go
beyond the area of the applied material.
NOTE: Never put the iron on naked
vinyl!! It will ruin it in a flash. I try to apply
heat longer than they suggest, the thicker
the vinyl jell is applied the longer it takes to
cure. Let it cool for a few minutes and peel
up a corner to see that it has all cured and
taken on the grain. If so work on the
adjacent piece until you have done all the
exposed edges. Now inspect your work,
this is the time to go back and touch up any
pieces that didn’t blend well. The flap
inside the glove box door is rarely seen so
you can smooth out a bead of vinyl repair
glue to hide the seam. Take this time to
correct any other blemishes before painting.
Fortunately nearly all later X1/9 dashes
are either dark brown or black. Later
Bertone models came in additional colors
like blue and red. The chocolate brown I
used and black are readily available at auto
parts stores. Before you paint the dash, go
over the surface again with alcohol (the
new vinyl still may have molding release
agents on the surface). You probably want
to re-spray the glove compartment, consol
and instrument binical at the is time so
everything matches. Put on several thin
coats (try a tack coat first) until you have
full coverage and consistent sheen.
Reinstall The dash is now finished. I found a
“buckskin” color for matching the door
panels and rear bulkhead vinyl coverings.
Reinstall in reverse order, save the vent
installation for last. My dash has been
through two summers and has nor cracked
or faded. I have owned my car for nearly
15 years and was always frustrated with
looking at the cracks, there right in front of
me!! I whish I had done this years ago.
Please tell me how this worked for you and
send pictures.
Good Luck
from theXweb forum
http://come.to/xana.org
The dimensions are 56mm total length,
37mm largest diameter, 25mm neck
diameter, and 31mm cap diameter,
It did require a slight coercing to install
the finished sender assembly into the tank
top due to the slight difference in float
size over OEM but nothing that an X1/9
driver-mechanic cannot handle.
lezesig '79 X 1/9
www.flu.org
10
Demise of another 2300s
Having owned my 2300s coupe for
over 30 years, I get a lot of messages
looking for help and information and
every so often, one like the recent one
from Bob Reid in the States who
is regrettably scrapping a car that is
“beyond economical repair” and
is looking to see if any of the parts that
are still on it may be useful to other
Owners.
Bob very kindly wrote a little story of
his ownership of this and other cars
(amongst which Fiats figure quite highly) and I thought it would make a nice
Obituary!
“After working for four years as an
engineer, I received my Ph.D. in 1969
from Southern Methodist University
in Dallas, Texas and started my first
teaching position in the Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering Department
at the University of Tennessee. I then
decided to purchase a sports car. I had
seen the new Fiat 124 Spider and much
admired the car. However, in 1969, I
could not afford one but did find a
white 1966 Fiat 1500 roadster which I
bought and enjoyed very much for a few
years. I then sold the 1500 to purchase a
green 1968 Fiat 124 Spider.
While working in Houston on the
Alaskan Pipeline in the summer of 1973,
I saw a somewhat neglected 1969 blue
124 Spider at a good price and
purchased that one also. However, on
returning to Tennessee in the fall, I was
offered and closed the deal on a pristine
1970 red 124 spider fitted with mag
wheels and a toneau cover. I then sold
the 68 and the 69. I later bought a
fiberglass hardtop for the car.
The red 124 spider attracted a lot of
admirers, particularly with the top
down and the toneau fitted. A few
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months later, I came upon a 1965
Sunbeam Tiger with the 260 Ford V-8
which I purchased for only $350.
However, I could not afford to keep
both the Fiat and the Sunbeam and I
much preferred the ride and styling of
the Fiat so I sold the Tiger for a profit of
$900.
My 2300s (number 114BS103981) is
a 1963 model that I bought in
Cleveland, OH in 1976 when I lived
there. I bought it at an import car
repair/sales shop where I had my Fiat
124 Spider in for some work. I was told
2300S had been brought over from
France by a doctor and I seem to recall
the previous title was in his name, Roux.
I found a map of Switzerland in the
trunk.
My history with the car is that when I
bought it, there was quite a bit of rust on
the sills and rear quarter panels but
I intended to restore it. I drove it from
Ohio to Michigan and it sat in my
father-in-laws garage for a few years. I
moved back to Tennessee in 1977 and
about 1979, I drove the car from
Michigan to Tennessee and started to try
to fix the rust. In 1980, I sold my 124
Spider and bought a 1973 Jaguar
E-Type, V-12 roadster, a car I had
always wanted, so the Fiat 2300S project
was put on hold. (I lived on 8 acres on a
by Bob Reid
mountain ridge so had plenty of room
but the car was stored outside). I later
heard that the purchaser of the 124
spider had left his Doberman pincher in
the car and the dog ate the interior. A
sad ending for a very nice car.
In 1982, I was preparing to move to
Texas and I had a person ready to buy
the 2300S. . He took it for a final test
drive down my long steep driveway and
I heard a crash. He had a low speed
collision with a utility pole. The
radiator was destroyed and the front
sheet metal buckled but the engine was
not damaged. He had an ankle injury
and then sued me for $40,000 because he
said the brakes failed and I knew they
were bad. I had been driving the car so
I know the brakes worked. I think he
just was not used to the car and lost
control. I had to go ahead and move to
Texas and the car was taken to various
mechanics to examine the brake system
and they could not find anything
wrong. He and his lawyer then lowered
their demand to $1500 and the
insurance company paid him off
without admitting liability. I did not
have collision insurance on the car so
I got nothing. The potential purchaser
This is Bob’s 2300S as it appears now in TN.
had recovered fine from the injury. I
did not think he was hurt too badly
because he had quickly exited the car
after the collision. He later told me this
was because when he had the accident
he was partially thrown into the
passenger seat and a large black snake
was thrown out from under the seat and
was staring him in the eyes.
I ended up renting out the house so
the car was taken back to my property.
I rented out the house for 18 years to
eight different families and when I
retired
in 2000, I moved from
Wisconsin back to the same house in
Tennessee after 31 years as a professor,
department chairman, and dean at four
different universities. (The house has
324 square feet of air heating solar
collectors with rock pebble storage and
additional passive solar heating that has
been featured in local newspapers.)
The Fiat 2300S
had sat in the
woods for the
entire 18 years.
About 1995, some
vandals, I think
the sons of one of
my renters, had
shot the windows
out of the car.
Even though the odometer shows less
than 94,000 km, there is so much rust
now to the main sheet metal that little is
usable except perhaps the boot lid. I am
stripping off mechanical and electrical
parts and other bits to sell or keep along
with the bumpers which were stored off
the car and the remains will be
scrapped.
I am now big into Jaguars and
President and Newsletter Editor of the
Smoky Mountain Jaguar Club which
I founded two years ago. We have
79 families in the club, including one
from South Africa and one from the
UK. I own the following Jaguars:
1961 E-Type roadster
1969 E-Type fixed head coupe
1973 E-Type roadster
1984 XJ6, 1984 XJ6 parts car
1986 XJS coupe
2000 S-Type.
I still like the 2300S and I wish it was
restorable.
www.flu.org
12
Darrell Vittone’s Funny Fiat
“W hat does it take to stay competitive in
drag racing? Ask any hardcore racer and
you will get a reply like “ a helluva lot of
work and plenty of luck”. The competitive
racer spends hours of research work striving
to get the lowest ETs to stay ahead of hundred other guys trying just as hard to do the
same thing. it's a never ending battle on two
fronts, the clocks and the competition and
it's not limited to the fuel burning Dragster
or Funny Car builders, either. It's just as
dificult, if not more so, to refine an exsting
factory-built machine to make it a better
drag racer all the while staying within the
limits of the very stiff NHRA Rule Book.
Darrell VITTONE has been connected
with high performance Volkswagens for a
good many years and his EMPI Inch
Pincher VW Gasser is well kwown to anyone
with an interest in drag racing. Untila short
time ago he track tested EMPI speed parts
in this company sponsored race car.
Now there's a small shop in Riverside,
California, simply named THE RACE
SHOP . It's a speed shop designed to make
VW-powered cars go fast, and it's Darrell
newest endeavor. To christen his new enterprise, Darrell started out to build a strong
race car. He was free to pick and choose
because he was no longer tied to the VW as
the car he must campaign. However he
wanted to saty with a VW powered
machine bacause he knew this engine best.
To fit the needs of superfast H/Gas drag
sedan, he looked for something with better
aerodynamics than of the Beetle sedan.
Even with a 4 inch top chop to make it a
better drag machine, there just had to be
a slicker way to go.
To comply with NHRA rules, the engine
must remain in the same location as it
was originally. At first a rear-engined
small sedan better than the Beetle seemed
nonexistent, but there was the super smooth
little Fiat 850 Spider. The only drawback
was that to race in a NHRA class, it must be
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a hardtop class, no open cars.
But there is a fiberglass top
that can be fitted to this model that would
qualify it as H/Gas class material. It wasn't
difficult for Darrell to decide that his new
car would be a hardtop Fiat 850 with the
strongest VW engine he could put together
nestled in the rear. Looking at Darrell's
new wildly painted drag machine, it is hard
to imagine it was once a stock street driven
roadster with all the regulars like bumpers,
wipers... Leon SCHINDELE of Riverside
takes credit for the magnificent job of
reworking the Spider's exterior, filling all
the holes that existed when the parts were
removed.
SCHINDELE also worked the 'glass top
to get it as smooth as the metal body. It is
evident that much time and hard work was
put into the car getting it ready to paint.
Credit for the paint goes to the wild car
paint artist, Georges CERNEY of Norco.
Sourced from the web
He was a way of using a
startling assortment of bright
colors and making them really
come on. The car sports lot of
orange and red and some bright
yellow, very dark burgandy,
shades of purple, and white. And
it's bright.
Most of the chassis work was done by
Charles MORSE. First the entire stock Fiat
suspension was removed. Up front the stock
A-arms and its complete suspension was
replaced with a much lighter set-up. For
strenght and simplicity, they decided to use
a Funny car tubular axle and
a dragster-type torsion tube.
The funny car axle was
originally built by John
BUTTERA but Charles cut
it in half and narrowed it 6
inches to fit the 850 body. The
torsion tube was made up
with brackets to attach it to
the lower edge of the chassis
rails. The housing was fitted
with a shortened VW torsion
bar and special arms attach the bar to the
reworked axle.
Small KONI shocks are used but are
held to a limited travel of 3 inches on the
front suspension. The steering bos is the
stock Fiat rack & pinion unit mounted in its
original location.
At the rear, the stock Fiat control arms
were retained but heavily strenghtened to
absorb drag racing punishment. The unit
were lightened considerably by drilling and
all of the seams were heliarc welded for
added strenght. The stock coil springs were
retained but have a long snubber bolt running trought them for travel control. The
rear suspension is set up with one inch of
travel as required by NHRA rules. Bilstein
gas-filled shocks are used in the rear and
have been relocated.”
blast from the past...
www.flu.org
14
One of the big 3 studios in the world
and, like Pininfarina, it has assembly
plants. Founded by Giovanni Bertone in
1912 as a small coach-builder and then
took over by his son Nuccio Bertone
(1914-97) in 1930. Nuccio was not a
designer but he employed some greatest
designers - Franco Scaglione (who
penned Alfa Giulietta Sprint which
drove Bertone to mass production),
Giugiaro (Fiat 850 Spider), and then even
more fruitful partnership with Marcello
Gandini for 15 years, during which created Lamborghini Miura (66), Espada (68),
Urraco (71), Countach (72), Alfa
Montreal (71), Maserati Khamsin (72),
Fiat X1/9 (73), Ferrari 308GT4 (73) and
Lancia Stratos (74). In the 80s and 90s,
Bertone concentrated on the production
of X1/9 and the design of Citroen BX
(84), XM (89) and Xantia (92), then the
assembly of Opel Astra cabriolet and Fiat
Punto cabriolet.
15
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In the past 25 years, Bertone's designs
emphasised angular and wedged shapes.
This made them looking special and
futuristic but also drove customers away,
especially in the organic-fancy late 80s
and 90s. Today only Citroen remains to
be its long-term admirer. On the other
hand, Opel still employed Bertone to
build Astra Coupe.
Famous designs
Pictured below, left to right: Alfa Romeo
Giulietta Sprint, Fiat 850 Spider,
Lamborghini Miura, Lamborghini Espada,
Alfa Romeo Montreal, Lamborghini
Urraco, Lamborghini Countach, Maserati
Khamsin, Fiat X1/9, Lancia Stratos,
Citroen XM, Citroen Xantia
More examples: Ferrari 308GT4,
Lamborghini Espada, CItroen BX, AX, ZX
Sourced on-line at
http://autozine.kyul.net
Recent Board Meeting...
Attending Officers:
John Montgomery-President
Scott Hill-Treasurer (and Board Member)
Attending Board Members:
Charlie Bates (Exp. 04)
Shaun Folkerts (Exp. 04)
Mike Sassaman (Exp. 04)
Scott Hill (Exp. 05)
Jim Aitken (Exp. 05)
Susan Ruptash (Exp. 05)
Pete Angel (Exp. 05)
Woody Woodson (Exp. 06)
Mike Greer (Exp. 06)
Attending Associates:
Jody Farr (Webmaster)
Jon Logan (Membership)
Brett Melancon (Ricambi)
Evan Statman (Advertising)
Dwight Varnes (Club Founder)
Absent:
Haz Neuman (Vice President)
Thad Kirk (Exp. 04)
John Erskine (Exp. 06)
John Montgomery served as Moderator
and Secretary.
The meeting started at 8 PM following
a pre-planned agenda, opening with the
first issue at hand.
Board Meeting Issue #1
Ricambi Magazine 1st class mail upgrade.
Ricambi Magazine to be mailed using
only 1st class mail, requiring an increase
in membership dues to a standard $35
from the current $29/year. The President
outlined that the current mailing
database consists of 20% 1st class mail at
$35/yr., and 80% elect bulk rate mail at
$29 year. The Board was sent (on 1/19/04)
a spreadsheet which amortizes Ricambi
costs and other club expenses through the
current membership counts. The
President stated that FLU may reserve
the future use of “Bulk rate mailings” for
state DMV lists, and the solicitation of
related clubs like the American Lancia
Club or other lists of Fiat/Lancia owners.
The rate of return in these solicitations is
expected to be excellent.
Reasoning for the upgrade includes
much faster and more consistent delivery
times from the US Postal Service, adding
return mail service if the issue fails to
make it's destination. Under the proposed
plan, new members and renewals would
be at a standard $35/year rate. The
upgrade postage cost for 16 page issues is
.83 per issue while the 32 page issue
would cost $1.29 each to mail. An
upgrade to $35 permits a slightly better
margin to enable printing more 32 page
issues and provide better support of the 20
FLU Chapters. The President noted in
the background information that FLU
dues are among the lowest citing several
examples:
BO D Y
continued on back page
BY
FIAT!
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16
The Dreaded Inspection
I recently moved to the great state of
Maryland, all of two minutes from my old
house. Nice neighborhood, good schools.
The family is pleased, and for the most
part, so am I. But I knew what this meant
for my ’82 spider, which I’ve had for the
past nine years – passing the dreaded
vehicle inspection, which I’d heard in
Maryland was an especially “thorough”
one. Great.
I have to say that after many years of
living in the Nation’s Capital, I’d grown
used to the D.C. inspection routine. The
downside is that there is only one – yes, one
– inspection station for the entire city, so
waiting times can be rather onerous. You
bring a book and inch forward a few feet
at a time. Three or four hours later, it’s
your turn. The upside, however, is that
vehicle inspection in D.C. isn’t exactly rigorous. The old Fiat typically passed with
flying colors, having failed only once for
emissions, rectification of which was no
big deal. Plus there were always one or
two things I knew about the car that could
have, maybe even should have, been
caught by the inspectors, but they never
did. Their ignorance was truly my bliss.
The last time I lived in Maryland was
over 25 years ago. My friends all knew at
the time to take our rattletraps for inspection to “Ken’s Gulf.” Ken was a kindly old
gent who walked around the car for about
two minutes, kicked the tires, and pronounced is fit as a fiddle. Well, things have
changed since then. Old Ken, I’m sure,
has gone on to the great garage in the sky
and Maryland inspections have taken a
decided turn for the serious.
The spider, as it happens, is in pretty
good shape, no outstanding issues that I
knew of. Even the clock works, what’s not
to like? So I take it to a nearby Texaco station, drop it off and cross my fingers. I get
the call later in the day. “Mr. Waldmann,
we found a few things that need to be
taken care of.” The heart begins to sink.
Okay, bring it on, I’m a man, I can take it.
The first item on the list was amusing.
The car, he gravely informed me, did not
have variable speed wipers. I graciously
pointed out that on Fiat spiders, the variable speed knob is on the dash, not the
stalk. Score one for my side – ha!
Next up was a partially frayed brake
hose. Okay, not a huge deal, I can live with
that one. Call it a tie.
Then he drops the big one. I need the
front bushings replaced. Front bushings,
as you may know, are only a few dollars
each, but the labor to get at them is
hideous. Many hours of disassembly and
reassembly. Unfortunately, I am long past
the point where I have the time, inclination or even ability to do such work myself
anymore, so they’ve got me by the short
hairs. If I want to get the car registered, it
has to be done, period. Someone, I
figured, is going to be getting a lot of my
money, and it is not going to be the Texaco
station, that’s for sure. Other than the $69
they charged me for the inspection.
I take the spider to my local shop for an
estimate and I am not pleased with what I
hear. But I have no choice, so I tell them to
go ahead. A few days later, the car is ready.
I load up the credit card (which has been
suffering enough recently due to the new
house) and take it back to the Texaco for
re-inspection at the bargain price of only
$39.95.
Guess what? It passes. My troubles are
over, right? Well, only partly. I complete
the registration process with the state of
Maryland department of motor vehicles
(three hours, about what I was told to
expect) and get my new plates. I’m legal.
But I notice that after the front-end work,
the spider is now pulling to the right.
Back to the shop. They tell me that after
By George Waldmann
replacing the bushings, front ends
frequently need an alignment, and as this
particular shop does not have the
equipment to do an alignment, they send
me to shop #2 down the street to finish, for
another $85, what I assumed would have
been done in the first place.
I drop off the spider at shop #2. They
call me at work mid-day.
“Mr.
Waldmann, you don’t need an alignment,
the bushings were installed incorrectly and
the caster is way off.” When I pick up the
car, they provide handy color printouts
demonstrating just how out of whack my
front end is. I learn for the first time exactly what caster is.
So it’s back to shop #1. Naturally, they
take a different view of things. The
bushings can’t be installed incorrectly, they
say, they just drop in. Shop #2 doesn’t
know what they’re talking about. They
agree to take the car themselves up to shop
#2 to show them what they need to do.
Indeed, shop #2 calls me later and says they
will take care of it, just drop the car off in
two day when they can get to it. Which I
do. Problem solved, right?
Uh, not so fast. I get another call from
shop #2. The manager tells me the guy
who said he could do the work had
mis-spoken. He refers me to the colorful
printouts once again to demonstrate why it
is that shop #1 screwed up and should
never be doing front-end work in the first
place when they don’t even have the
equipment to do a proper alignment. This
is threatening to get ugly and I don’t know
quite who to believe at this point.
I pick up the car and after relating all
this to shop #1, they say the will take the
car again to shop #2 and explain to the
manager what, exactly, is the problem.
Curiously, I get a call the next day from
shop #1. It seems they have taken the
spider to a new shop (#3, if you’re keeping
continued on back page
17
www.flu.org
Italian Car
Parade
submitted by Jeff Schneider
June 14, 2003
As we readied ourselves and shone up
our beauties in preparation for this June’s
annual Italian Car Parade, organized by
Frank’s Auto, there was a different feeling in the air. The change was clearly
attributable to Ottawa’s FLU Executives
who were busy helping Giovanni, of
Frank’s Auto, with the final parade
preparations, including the preparation
of ballots for the new Drivers’ Choice
Awards.
As you follow the route, you may be
wondering why we stopped at the
Museum of Civilization. Well, as luck
would have it, the Museum is featuring
the exhibit, “Presenza: A New Look At
Italian-Canadian Heritage”,
which runs until September 6,
2004. This exhibit is the first
major national exhibition to
present the heritage and diversity of Italian Canadians. The
display utilizes videotaped
interviews, fictional characters
and over 300 personal objects,
gathered from across Canada,
to highlight the values and
skills that a generation of
Italian immigrants brought to
their new country. One of the
personal objects on display is
Joe Amendola’s lovingly and beautifully
restored 1949 Fiat Topolino. Make sure
you don’t miss this exhibition!
Perhaps it was word spreading about
the awards, or maybe it was the potential
for sunny skies that brought out a
tremendous crowd to the event. In total,
there were 37 Italian cars, motorcycles
and scooters participating in the parade the biggest parade in recent memory.
This year the route included a tour of
downtown, over the Interprovincial
Bridge to Hull where we parked at the
A true demonstration of this
year’s parade popularity.
From left to right: Marc Grenier’s
Lancia and Jeff Schneider’s Spider.
Best of Show:
Oliver Collins
1948 Alfa Romeo
6C2500SS Cabriolet
Best Motorcycle:
Green Lambretta
Best Rear Engine:
Joe Amendola’s OTHER Fiat 500 – his 1947 is
currently serving as part of the Museum’s exhibit.a
Joe Amendola
1947 Fiat Topolino C
tied with
Julie Mugford
1972 Fiat 500 L
Best Alfa Romeo:
Museum of Civilization and drivers chatted with museum goers about the cars.
We then continued back to downtown
Ottawa, with a stop on Sparks Street,
again where passersby could admire our
cars up close. And finally, we headed
back to Preston Street where Frank’s
Auto hosted the post-parade event and
the award winners were announced.
The cars and drivers taking home
prizes consisted of the following:
Greg and Danielle Stewart
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
Best Lancia:
Marc Grenier
1977 Lancia Scorpion
Best Fiat:
Jeff and Donna Schneider
1984 Pininfarina Spider
See you at next year’s parade –
rain or shine!
www.flu.org
18
6th Annual ByWard Market Auto Classic
June 1, 2003
Congratulations! This year, Italian car
owners from Ottawa and surrounding
area participated in the largest showing of
Italian cars the ByWard Market car show
has ever seen.
Despite the threat of rain that loomed
over one and all until late Saturday
afternoon, participation was second to
none. Not even the early start time, the
cool (or should I say freezing) morning
temperatures, nor the lure of the Monaco
Grand Prix kept participants, or
spectators, at home.
All totalled, we had twenty-four
cars, including Fiats, Alfa Romeos,
a Lancia, a Maserati, and a few
Ferraris, as well as some cars
designed by Pininfarina. The
show ranged from the humble Fiat
500s and 600s, to some sporty
Sypders, some classic coupes, to the
ever aggressive 355 GTS. A huge
thank you to all participants.
Jim Robertson’s 500 and
Stuart Wilkinson’s Multipla.
Marc Grenier’s Gold 1977 Lancia Scoprion
and Julie Mugford’s 1972 Fiat 500L.
Chuck Storry being interviewed by the
New RO with his Volumex Spider.
19
www.flu.org
submitted by Jeff Schneider
Don’t worry, I did my part to help out
by following up with the New RO on
Thursday, if only for the reason that no
one else wanted to get up for the 6:45 AM
session. Despite the early time, my little
Fiat 500 shone as best it could!
But only good taste could account for
the winner in our midst. On the day of
the show, Oliver Collins drove his 1948
Alfa Romeo 6C2500SS Cabriolet, body
designed by Pininfarina, from Toronto
and captured 4th place in the People’s
Choice Award.
Many
thought he should have
walked away with 1st, but
apparently there’s no
accounting for everyone’s
taste. For those of you unfamiliar with Colin’s car, it is
one of the last, hand-crafted
Alfa’s, and comes complete
with right-hand drive. It’s a
rare and original beauty!
Perhaps the huge
turnout had something to
do with the great publicity
and advertising about what
a super event it promised to be. Chuck
Storry helped start off the promotional
campaign with back-to-back interviews on
the Wednesday before the show including
ones with the CBC Radio, the Ottawa
Citizen, and a spot on the New RO with
their roaming eye in the sky.
Although Chuck performed with ease
during the gruelling interviews, his 1985
Pininfarina Spidereuropa Volumex, imported from Europe, really stole the show.
Following the main event was a
top-notch, albeit impromptu gathering of
Italian car enthusiasts at Steve Tippet’s
and Alison McBratney’s place, home to a
dashing blue Fiat 500 and various Fiat
Spiders. Thanks guys, for organizing
such a great BBQ.
continued on back page
Alfa Romeo Club: $60/yr. 12 issues
Ferrari Club of NA : $135/yr.
Maserati Club: $60/yr. 2 issues
Lamborghini: $65/yr. 3 issues
Fiat America: $28/yr. 12 issues 8.5x11 B&W
BMWCCA: $35/yr.+$13.50/chapt dues
The motion to change all standard dues
to $35 providing 1st class was called to a
vote:
Results are as follows:
Mike Sassaman-Yes
Scott Hill-Yes
Jim Aitken-Yes
Mike Greer-Yes
Charlie Bates-No
Shaun Folkerts-No
Susan Ruptash-No
Pete Angel-No
Woody Woodson-No
(John Erskine-Absent)
(Thad Kirk-Absent)
At least 6 affirmative votes from the 11
member Board are necessary to pass an
issue.
Yes votes: 4
No votes: 5
The issue failed to pass.
After several minutes of discussion
regarding upgrade costs, a new motion
was introduced by Susan Ruptash.
Standard (bulk rate) dues would be raised
to $32 for upgrade bulk rate members to
1st class mail. Ricambi publication would
be limited to five 16 page Ricambis and
one 32 page Ricambi per year. Motion
seconds came from Pete Angel and
Charlie Bates.
The motion was called to a vote:
Results are as follows:
Charlie Bates-Yes
Shaun Folkerts-Yes
Susan Ruptash-Yes
Pete Angel-Yes
Mike Sassaman-Yes
Woody Woodson-No
Scott Hill-No
Jim Aitken-No
Mike Greer-No
Yes votes: 5
No votes: 4
The issue failed to pass.
The collective Board voted no on both
motions, thereby making no changes to
current membership dues or mailing
services.
The President notes that 32 page
Ricambi production will continue to be
limited, along with Chapter funding and
support. Expanding FLU sponsor
advertising in Ricambi may also be
effected.
Previous Board meeting, Sept 14, 2003
The last meeting included the inclusion
of the FLO-FLU Florida Chapter, passed
6-0. Two refund requests from FFO03
were dispatched by the President; one
granted, one denied. Also discussed were
FFO profit sharing by the host Chapter
and general membership dues. After
several minutes of discussion online, no
changes were made to membership
dues.
Respectfully submitted,
John Montgomery
FLU President
Board Meeting Issue #2
Mr. Evan Statman, founder of the
FLO-FLO Chapter [email protected]
will be assisting FLU National as
Advertising Director. His mandate will
develop new revenue streams through
FLU Wares, expanding our advertising
and exposure to new avenues in order to
build the club. The Board and associates
participated in a discussion of ideas.
Evan's intention is to build more value
into our club membership, and find ways
to underwrite our Ricambi magazine and
other expenses while developing an
expanded membership base. Currently
advertising revenues generate 10% of
club revenues.
Billing for 2004 is being sent to current
advertisers in Ricambi. Pricing has
increased slightly from $325 to $350 per
year for a running half page ad and web
banner.
No other issues were submitted by the
Board. The remainder of time was
devoted to open discussion by all
participants.
Frames are beautiful
chromed plastic with
black accents.
$10 each + $3.50 shipping for 1-3 frames
$4.00 shipping for 4 or more frames
Show your club support
and buy FLU frames!
Contact Shaun Folkarts
at 631-262-7392 or
e-mail at [email protected]
www.flu.org
20
Fiats Invade Deep River, August 16, 2003
Not many know about the true lure of
Deep River, thinking instead of nuclear
energy and of Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited. But this year a small contingent
of the Ottawa FLU Chapter took advantage of the scenic 2 hour drive and took the
town by storm. All drivers and co-pilots
Italian cars on the ferry
en route to Deep River.
met at the Clubhouse, from
A day on the water.
which we headed west in order to
take the Fitzroy Harbour Ferry
across to la belle province where
we stopped to admire the cars
parked by one of Quebec’s longest
covered bridges near Fort
Coulogne. We finally continued
through Pembroke and Chalk
River to our final destination.
Now it’s time to come clean The day was such a success that the
although the drive was great on its own, it
was really inspired by the generous offer FLU Executive proposed making the
of Andrew and Sandra Celovsky who event an annual affair. And to everyone’s
invited us for a BBQ and a day at the beach satisfaction, the Celovsky’s agreed. Stay
- complete with boat rides and tubing. tuned for details on next year’s event.
And best of all, in order to get to the beach,
Sandra orchestrated a driving tour, comme
parade, through the heart of Deep River.
Sad news
submitted by Chris Obert
Bill Clark, who basically ran Fiat Auto
USA from the late sixties thru the early
90's, passed on from cancer February 6 of
this year. I spoke with his wife Janis this
afternoon only because I was calling to
ask Bill some questions related to the
good old days.
Janis said Bill was a humble man that
did not want a ceremony or anything big,
so she has followed thru with his wishes.
She did ask me to let interested parties
know of Bill's passing.
I don't know how old Bill was, or obviously the exact years he worked for and
ran Fiat Autos USA's operations, but I
can tell you that the major reason we even
have these cars today that are the major
part of our lives that they are, is because of
Bill's love for the Fiat and Lancia marks.
Bill had lots of stories to tell, but whenev-
21
submitted by Jeff Schneider
www.flu.org
er my wife Genny spoke with him about
sitting down and interviewing him so we
could do a tribute issue of our company's
newsletter telling his story, he always said
he would be very interested, later. He
hinted that the stories would be great, and
possibly even tall, but certainly of interest
to those of us that still have Fiat products
today.
I remember the time I became an
authorized Fiat dealer. We were still in
our 1800s redwood barn doing repairs
mostly and selling parts secondly. Bill
always had to do a site inspection of their
new dealerships, and he paid us a visit
and took pictures for his files. He joked
that if the boys back east ever saw the pictures they would kill him for making us a
dealer, but he knew our enthusiasm made
up for the facility's visual appeal.
Over the years I learned so much from
Bill. He was always ready to spend any
amount of time with any enthusiast to
help them get their Fiat back running. It
did not matter if you were a dealer, or just
an owner that had found the company.
Bill found the time to either help you
solve your problem yourself, or found the
person to send you to so you could solve it
professionally. Bill and I developed a
great relationship over the years that kept
on after Bill retired.
Bill Clark. A quiet man that was in the
background by choice. A major force in
the presence of Fiat product in North
America for a long time. A dear friend I
will miss.
My heart goes out to Janis.
Chris Obert
continued on back page
including bell bottom jeans, cut offs, hip
huggers, halter & tube tops, tie dye or
polyester shirts, groovy beads, mood rings,
sandals and rose colored sunglasses. FLU is
going to pull out all the stops for our far out
70's show, inviting special guest Elvis
Presley to appear in person. We'll have
plenty of good 70's music, and FLU's
original hippie, Chris Obert, will be on
hand to judge all 70's costumes! So start
growing your hair out now! Be ready for
this happenin event! A catered lunch will be
served at Noon in the air-conditioned
“Education Center” at the Arboretum.
Tour the gardens and vote for your favorite
Fiats and Lancias.
We'll depart the Arboretum by 3 PM for
our traditional afternoon drive! The
Arboretum is next to the entrance for
the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will take the
scenic parkway north through 15 miles of
natural beauty, then circle back to Asheville,
returning to the Sunspree for the awards
banquet in the evening. Sunday is another
full day of FLU Members! Breakfast
(on own) is great at the Sunspree as they
offer a buffet or table service.
The FLU Autocross group departs
Sunspree at 8 AM for the track, located just
5 miles away at Biltmore Square Mall, Exit
#2 off of I-26 East. Another group will
depart 9AM for the FLU “Hot Curves”
mountain tour to Hot Springs, NC. The
third group will depart at 10 AM for
Chimney Rock Park and a catered picnic
lunch. Take your choice, there's always
something to do at Fiat Freak Out! The
Autocross Awards banquet and FFO04
closeout party will start at 6 PM at
Sunspree. Don't miss a minute of the action
this year! The FFO registration form will
be online soon at www.flu.org, mailed in
the next issue of Ricambi.
Don't forget, you can register a room now
by calling 1-800-733-3211. See you
there!
Fiat Freak Out 2004 General Itinerary
Friday, July 16th
Saturday, July 17th
10AM- Registration Opens
Sunspree Resort Hotel
(Room check in after 3PM)
7:30AM SHARP!- Panoramic
photo, lawn at Biltmore Estate.
Free Admission until 8:30AM
11:00AM- Early Bird Drive
departs for BMW Factory Tour,
Spartanburg, SC-Group BMW
Tour (Z4 convertible and X5
SUV) starts at 1PM, ends 3PM
1:00PM- Early Bird Drive
departs for BMW Factory Tour,
Spartanburg, SC-Group 2
BMW Tour (Z4 convertible and
X5 SUV) starts at 3PM, ends 5PM
7:30 - 9:00PM- Friday Night
BBQ at Poolside, Holiday Inn
Sunspree*
9:00 -10:00PM- FLU Board
Meeting, Sunspree Dogwood
Room, (All welcome)
10:00PM- Internet Users
Meeting, Sunspree Dogwood
Room, (All welcome)
8:30 - 9:30AM- Breakfast at
Biltmore, Deerpark Restaurant
on estate property*(3 mile drive
from Biltmore Estate lawn)
9:30 - 9:45AM- Drive to North
Carolina Arboretum Concours
Field (about 6 miles)
10:00-2:00 PM- Concours Car
“70's Show”, North Carolina
Arboretum
12:00 - 1:30PM- Catered LunchNC Arboretum*
2:30 - 4:00PM- Blue Ridge
Parkway Afternoon Drive
(25 mile loop)
6:00 - 7:00PM- Cocktail Hour at
Sunspree Resort (Cash bar)
7:00 - 10:00PM- Concours
awards banquet dinner in
Sunspree Ballroom*
12:00 Noon- Chimney Rock
Park Catered Picnic Lunch at
“The Meadows Pavillion”*
10:00PM- ??- Poolside nightcap
refreshments /Parking Lot Party
6:00 - 8:00PM Autocross Awards
dinner, Sunspree Resort*
Sunday, July 18th
Important FFO Websites:
6:00 - 8:00AM- Breakfast on
your own. Sunspree buffet or
table service available.
8:00AM- Autocross group
departs from Sunspree to
Biltmore Square Mall (I-26E exit 2)
9:00AM- “Hot Curves”
Mountain Drive departs
Sunspree to Hot Springs, NC
10:00AM- Chimney Rock
Drive & Catered Family Picnic
Departs Sunspree Resort.
10:30AM- Autocross starts,
Biltmore Square Mall, I-26
East at Exit 2.
FFO2004 Hotel:
www.Sunspree.com
1-800-733-3211 / Rate $93/ Group
Code “FIA”
BMW Tour:
www.bmwusfactory.com
Biltmore Estate:
www.biltmore.com
Concours Car Show:
www.ncarboretum.org
Autocross:
www.highlandssportscarclub.com
Hot Springs Mountain Drive:
www.hotspringsnc.org
Chimney Rock Park:
www.chimneyrockpark.com
Blue Ridge Parkway:
www.blueridgeparkway.org
Asheville Information:
www.asheville-nc.com
Fiat Lancia Unlimited:
www.flu.org
* Indicates pre-registered meal
www.flu.org
22
Winter Luncheon in Norman, Oklahoma
December 7th
A pleasant surprise was in store when I
began to organize the winter/Christmas
luncheon. This is the third one of these and
it just keeps on getting bigger. Fiat and
Lancia owners booked from all over
Oklahoma and the adjoining states.
The executive of the Roamin’ Chariots
met on Saturday at Ron’s place to select a
new executive member and John Houchin
was volunteered to replace Mike Greer who
has served his 3 year term.
On Sunday we all met at Ron’s and then
at a Norman restaurant for a pleasant meal.
Several guest appearances enlivened the
activities at the early gathering and at the
restaurant. Not the least of these was the
local police who nabbed a shoplifter in the
store and hauled him out in cuffs. Csaba
experienced some alternator grief, which
we solved by digging a spare up from
Delmer’s well-equipped garage. That is
what he gets for going to Britain and
missing the fun. He is lucky we did not
raffle off the Scorpion (it was mentioned).
Everyone even the long haulers got back
home without incident.
the car is in really excellent shape overall,
there is still plenty work to keep me
occupied. I've replaced the clock which
was dim and missing some segments, and
have new sun visors on order. The
passenger seat needs reupholstering (any
ideas?) and there a couple of other minor
things needing attention. I have also
embarked on a kind of rolling concours
detailing mission. I pretty much plan on
pulling everything apart and cleaning it
to as near new condition as I can get, but
still keeping it on the road in the
meantime. I'm sure I'll have lots of
questions as I go along, so I hope at least
one of you has stayed with this story.
I have already had more people ask
about the car and compliment it than
the owner of a Yawnmobile Deluxe
Transportaion Appliance would get in a
thousand years. Oh yes, the twentyish kid
at the emissions test station asked what
kind of car it was as he had never seen one
before but commented that it looked
like-and I quote him here–”a baby
Ferrari.” I think this is proof that X1/9s
are still interesting thirty one years after
being introduced to a world full of cars
that looked like shoe boxes. Maybe more
than ever!
longer pulls to the right. Shop #2 calls,
unsolicited, and offers a full refund. Shop
#1, it turns out, was right all along
(forgive me for doubting them!), and I
must say they were like a dog on red meat
when it came to advocating on my behalf
with two different repair shops.
The even better news is this: Maryland
requires only one vehicle inspection when
you register your car and that’s it. I’m
done! Good to go! Forever! Hard to
believe that in this era of regulating just
about everything, Maryland would
overlook an obvious annual candidate for
heartache and wallet reduction, but there
you have it. Somewhere, the old man
from Ken’s Gulf is smiling.
submitted by Ronald Conlon
continued on back page
the wheels are going to be a spoiler in this
story right? Well actually, wrong. For
reasons unknown, the one (really!)
previous owner had imported a set of
CD58 wheels from Europe, meaning the
car really was the splitting image of the
cars that both started and ended the first
part of this story. Despite having been a
daily driver and having covered almost
270,000 miles, the car looked in
outstanding shape and had ALL the very
extensive maintenance records (a four
inch thick folder starting with the
window sticker and the bill of sale.) The
car had even been shown in the August
2003 Concorso Italiano event in
Monterey. How could I not buy this car?
Sorry about that. I've rebooted. Though
Pics of the car are still on Classic Car's
website at http://classiccarsltd.com Just click
on “Italian” and on the X1/9 thumbnail
for many fine photos.
continued on back page
score) that will fix it and have it ready for
me by close of business and, by the way,
you should demand your money back
from shop #2.
I don’t know exactly what transpired
between shop #1 and shop #2, but it can’t
have been pretty. There was, however, a
happy ending. Shop #3 calls, the car is
ready. They’ve fixed the caster and car no
23
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Name______________________________________________ Spouse_______________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone (H) ______________________ (W) ______________________ ITALIAN AUTOS OWNED (Year, Make, Model)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________e-mail address____________________________
How did you hear about FLU?____________________________________Please indicate your interests:______________________
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Make Check payable to: Fiat Lancia Unlimited
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www.flu.org
26
Customize your shirt with optional artwork of a Spider or
All items custom made with the 3 color stitched FLU Logo, or substitute
the Spider Logo or X 1/9 logo in custom colors! Sizes are Meduim, Large,
X-Large, 2-XL. USA Shipping $5.95 for up to three items. International orders
extra. VISA/Mastercard accepted.
(716) 822-3812, [email protected]
A
FLU Polo Shirt
White, Red or Black
choose
your own
design!
B
FLU Italia Shirt
White with tri-color sleeves
& “Italia” collar-$55
C
FLU Wrangler Denim
Long sleeve Shirt
Blue or stone color,
Men’s or Ladies
Cut-$35
FLU Full Zip Fleece Vest
Red, Black & Charcoal-$42.50
27
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FLU CapsBlack, Khacki,
Navy, Red,
Natural-$13
FLU stoneware
Coffee Cup with
four color logo
$6.95
28
Cars–for sale
82 Lancia Zagato- $2500 firm, pics please
email me. 330-898-2006. Tim Timko 1/04
_________________________________
Lancia Aurelia B24 Convertible, 19582500 cc, V-6engine, perfect, completely
restored according to original specs with
original parts;newleather interiorand cloth
hood. Please, send inquiries to: Alessandra
Colfi [email protected]
858-735-5708/858-488-1063 1/04
_________________________________
1978 124, 1800cc.- Good engine and
transmission. Car is sans hood, running
lights and dash board. Body is very solid!
Car is in Buffalo, NY area. $600 or best
offer. Pix by email [email protected]
Serious inquiries call (716)632-1387 1/04
_________________________________
1976 Fiat 124 Spider 1756cc- 5 speed
transmission. Includes water pump and
starter. No Carb. No Altenator. $500 for
both, or will separate. Also 1 set of Fiat
chrome hubcaps from 1976, good shape;
$80 or best. All located in southeast Ohio.
Leo D. Weatherhead 740-559-3357 1/04
_________________________________
1979 Lancia Zagato- less than 40,000
original miles and needs restoring. Body is
in good condition with little rust and has
the original wheels. Interior is leather and
in fair condition. I have the original key
ring, ear rings and service manuals that
came with the car as new. Yes, I did say ear
rings. I will sell to the best offer. Pictures
can be e-mailed per request. Dwight
Simpson, Penn Yan, NY 315-531-1576
Residence, 315-694-1214 Cell 1/04
_________________________________
1978 Fiat X1/9 Limited Edition (#1435) Runs GREAT, 108k original miles,
needs two exhaust manifold-to-head
bolts fixed. body is straight, some rust,
RF headlight pivot need to be welded.
$750 OBO with your choice of campy
4-spoke rims or ‘87 pepper pots with
brand-new michelins. Bob Danielak,
Bayville, NJ [email protected]
work: 215-497-1665 home: 732-237-9331
cell: 215-932-8582 1/04
_________________________________
1979 Super Brava- If interested please
contact me at [email protected]
I am in the Atlanta area. 1/04
29
www.flu.org
1980 Fiat 124 Spider Pininfarina
Convertible, 5 speed, $1500.00 OBO NEW
PARTS:GAS TANK, PERFORMANCE CARBURETOR, OIL FILTER, AIR FILTER, HOSES &
CLAMPS, OIL PAN & PLUG, SPARK PLUGS
&WIRES, OIL CAP, DISTRIBUTOR CAP,
ROTOR, FUEL SENDING UNIT, WIPER BAG,
WIPERS, FUEL PUMP, NEW BATTERY,
$1300.00 in receipts since March. Have
service record from previous owner. Not
running. Was running when parked in
2000. Needs resto, minor bodywork,
perfect project car. Contact Melissa in
East Tennessee 865-748-0186 or
[email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider 1800Ferrarri Red, a real head turner. 76,000
original miles. 5 speed, AM/FM cassette,
tires like new. $ 4,800. Car is located in
Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. Call 239-4637086 or email [email protected]
for more details. FLU member. 1/04
_________________________________
1980 spider 2000- 4 chrome trim rings
for steel wheels $20 each or trade for
equal value. 1 round emergency flasher
switch $20 or trade. 4 black plastic wheel
centers w/FIAT logo $10 each or trade.
Right and left side split bumpers
w/lisence plate lite in the ends.$30 each
or trade. 1 steering wheel center for stock
wood wheel,includes plastic outer
ring.$20 or trade. 1 each right and left
rear window rubber seal w/chrome (new)
$40 each or trade. Please call 1-440-9469702 (OHIO) after 7:00 pm e.s.t. ask for
“fiatfive” or email at [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1978 Fiat Spider 124- restored, 127k
new paint-blue, white interior, in excellent condition. Recent top end work on
engine, Koni suspension all around. ANSA
exhaust system w/header. Asking $3,500
or obo. Please call for more info if interested [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1970 Fiat 850 Spider - Very good shape
considering the age, needs front brakes
and paint job, top is primarily intact, runs
great. More info, Bob: R and R Foreign
Parts - 1-719-634-5677 1/04
‘73 850 Spider - Running, not licensed
dings, most notably a crease in the nose.
Paint is chipping off the rear panel of the
car. Many new parts recently installed,
including brakes and wheel cylinders,
radiator, rebuilt carb, exhaust, alternator,
kingpins and convertible top. over
80,000 miles and the motor is a bit
smoky. There is some minor rust. The
interior is black except for the rear shelf.
The driver’s seat will need a slip cover. I
have a dash with no cracks to go with the
car. $1,250 Contact [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
‘71 850 Spider - original NJ title but I’ve
never transferred it to my name. French
blue, chrome looks immaculate. P.O. had
just refinished it. Paint is also new but
needs a buffing. Top will needs to be
replaced, and the seats are covered, but
the rest of the interior looks great. The
bad: Needs a gas tank (I have one) and
a couple parts I’ve robbed for the green
one (valve cover, coolant overflow bottle,
and one relay). It will also need some
welding underneath. The engine does run
This is a 75% restoration job that just
needs the last 25% to be a nice car.
PRICE: $750 obo The cars are located in
Jeannette, PA 25 miles southeast of
Pittsburgh. Cash takes ‘em, and buyer is
responsible for shipping or pickup.
Contact [email protected] for info 1/04
_________________________________
1984 Pininfarina Spider Azurra - daily
driver, 180,000 miles. 2nd owner since
40,000 miles, all receipts available.2 liter
strong, 15,000 miles on new head, all
synchros good, extra diferential available,
brakes good with braided steeel lines,
original turbo wheels, remote alarm, 4
point roll bar, AC, Pioneer stereo, tan top
as new, additional black top on frame,
good tan leather seats, all badging correct, original P6 on spare rim, usual rusty
wells $2,500. in NY area, email
[email protected], 917-841-2596 1/04
_________________________________
1983 Pininfarina Spider 2000 - 87K,
needs some work. Some rust, carpet and
seats adequate but could be replaced.
Currently has blown head gasket. Top is in
excellent condition. Includes Evolution 4
car cover. FIAT plates are genuine, and can
be assigned to new VA owner, or could sell
independently. Located in Richmond VA.
$1500. Call 804-512-1266 or email Andy at
[email protected] 1/04
1985 Pininfarina - Black on Black $15,500, 1984 Pininfarina - Red on Tan $15,000, 1983 Pininfarina - Silver on
Black - $12,900 and a 1979 Fiat - Maroon
on Cocoa - $14,500 For further photos or
info, let me know, Franco Cavaliere 416587-4291 1/04
_________________________________
1980 Fiat Spider - 53K miles; automatic; fuel-injected; dark green exterior and
tan & black interior recently restored and
kept under car cover; custom racing tires,
new interior parts, panels and upholstery;
new convertible top; entire braking system replaced; new stereo and 4 speakers;
new fuel pump; has a short in the tail
light circuit board; runs good - needs airflow sensor. $3,000 OBO. Contact Bill
McDonald 410.420.8854 after 6 EST or
[email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1935 Ballia - needs a complete restoration but bones are there. Not running, 2
engines, body stripped and primed 20
years ago but good, needs some glass,
needs upholstery. Car is located in
Charleston West Virginia Contact Don at
586.725.9414 or [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1977 Fiat X1/9, 68K Original blue paint
with factory gold stripe Custom rear wing
(prior to OE factory availability) PBS Big
Valve Head FAZA cam, Adjustable cam
wheel Ceramic coated Stahl 4-1 header
Dual 40 DCNF carbs Custom foam air filters Earl's oil cooler Remote Mecca oil filter Plex ignition Aeroquip fuel lines, with
fuel regulator, 2 gauges and holley rotary
pump Ansa 4 tip exhaust Sway bars front
& rear Lowered front springs with KYB
Gas struts A008R Yokohama on 13” MSW
gold wheels. VERY well maintained and
pampered car and would be nearly impossible to re-create today as many of the
items are no longer available. For price &
pictures please contact me directly at
[email protected]. 1/04
_________________________________
1980 FIAT SPIDER - driveable but needs
work. Comes with complete fuel injected parts
car, plus many other parts including a new top
still in the box and a good windshield glass.
$300. Call Bill Sampson at 631-286-9413, or
email at [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1981 Lancia Zagato 2.0cc- Fuel Injected
5-Speed, Red. Many new parts including:
Convertible Top, Gear-Shift Bushings,
Rebuilt Transmission, Fuel Pump & Filter,
Exhaust Manifold, Anza Exhaust Tip,
Battery. Toyo tires still have a lot of tread
life. This car still runs and looks good and
with some minor work, can be brought back
to its former glory. Paint has a few very
minor rust spots. Sacrifice at $2,500. Call
Ryan at 404-734-7243. 1/04
_________________________________
1960 500 D USA version. Very rare.
Driver's restoration just completed. Looks
and drives excellent. 18,500 miles from
new. Correct new Green exterior with new
correct green int. Looks great! Excellent
car, $8,000 Contact: Chris Obert in Santa
Cruz CA at 831 423 0218 [email protected]
_________________________________
1982 TURBO Fiat Spider, RARE. Orignal
owner/all documentation. 5 spd, leather,
A/C, new top and new Pirellis. Engine and
turbo rebuilt. Excellent mechanical
condition but needs body restoraion.
116,000 miles $4800, Thomas [email protected] - Boston MA 1/03
_________________________________
1977 Lancia Scorpian, - Black W/tan
interior,run good, $4500. seller; J.J.
Davey. I live in Virgina Beach 757-4311130. e-mail [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1982 Lancia Beta HPE 02/01 Met Blue with blue
cloth int. 65K miles, 3rd owner. 2 Liter fuel
Injected stock euro motor, 8.9:1 comp, 122
HP. Orig car in orig paint. New tires (Pirelli
P4000 Super touring), new shocks, all filter &
fluid changes, timing belt & tensioner change,
hoses & thermostat changed, complete tune up w
valve adjustment, new exhaust system, shift bushing replacement, Carrello lights, side wing
lights, stainless steel euro bumpers. Never any
rust. Always garaged since new. Interior is perfectly preserved, no disappointments. Blaupunkt
radio circa 1982. $5,900. Extra parts include
new spare entire subframe & CV drives, hubs,
brake calipers, starter, tow hitch, plus many
other Lancia parts available. John Montgomery
864-304-6537 ([email protected]) 1/04
_________________________________
1979 124 2000 Spider, new 3-part
DuPont Centari beige paint, new F suspension. Excellent mechanical condition.
Just restored & detailed, zero miles
03/2003. About 2,000 more in 2003. Iron
cross alloy wheels. Beige interior & top
are used, but great condition. A great car.
Shown at Italian Car Day in Alameda
California October 2003. Beige,
$7,000.00. Contact: Chris Obert in Santa
Cruz CA at 831 423 0218 [email protected]
_________________________________
1971 500 F. Restored in Italy in 2000.
Excellent European car in excellent
driving condition. Extremely cute factor
high. White, red interior. $8,000.00.
Contact: Chris Obert in Santa Cruz CA at
831 423 0218 [email protected]
_________________________________
1966 Abarth 1000 OTR Radiale Coupe,
Original as new condition (not restored,
even has the original tires) & extremely
rare. Show winner. This is the farthest
Abarth developed the 850 based engine
when installed in an 850 chassis. To be
featured in another article soon! Red,
$45,000.00. Contact: Chris Obert in Santa
Cruz CA at 831 423 0218 [email protected]
_________________________________
1980 124 2000 Spider. Fuel injected
automatic. Runs, but needs some maintenance work and other minor repairs.
Beige interior good condition. Top has
cracks in the window. Has not been
registered for eleven years. Dark green,
$1,000.00 Contact: Chris Obert in Santa
Cruz CA at 831 423 0218 [email protected]
_________________________________
1979 X1/9 Runs great, my driver. Goes anywhere reliably and quickly. Mechanically
stock. New DuPont Chroma One paint on an
excellent condition 80,000 mile car completed 12/20/03. 1975-76 bumpers modified to single bars with all 1979-88 bumper
plastic and related trim removed. Has 1.3
metal front spoiler and custom grill. Brown
original interior in good condition, no rips
or tears, but seats are showing some age.
$5,500.00. A set of rebuilt Cromodora CD31
Daytona wheels with new Yokohama AVS
have just been installed, if you want those
add $1,000.00.Contact: Chris Obert in Santa
Cruz CA at 831 423 0218 [email protected]
1976 Lancia Beta Coupe'. Runs, needs
major service, rear wheel bearing & front
struts. Has some rust, but nothing
structural. Blue. $600.00.Contact: Chris
Obert in Santa Cruz CA at 831 423 0218
[email protected]
PARTS–For Sale
Neat Novelty For Fan of the Fiat Family
of Cars - Brand New Yugo Bags. These
bags are very colorful displays that were
once something given out at auto shows
back in the mid-late eighties when the
car was introduced. On one side there is
a picture of a red Yugo against a black
starred background. The flip side consist
of the Yugo “emblem” stacked on top of
each other in its colors of yellow and gray
against the black background. These
bags are double walled for added
strength. Selling for $7.50 a pair which
includes shipping. I am suggesting a
pair because if you were displaying them,
you would want to be able to see both
sides at once. I've had people frame
them to expose one side , them the other.
Call Arnold at (610) 626-1436 or 394-9692 1/04
_________________________________
Fiat 124 Spider parts at reasonable prices:
Fuel injection system, tan front seats, iron
cross alloy rims, older magnesium rims with
chrome hub cap, top frame parts, hood from
79-84. miscell. lens and lens holders, radio
console, gages, alternators, starters, mirrors, and many more. Call or email for list
and prices. Terry at (717) 626-5541 or
email at [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
WANTED: Used High Performance
Exhaust System Such as Ansa or other
high-end manufacturer for a 1976 Lancia
Scorpion. Reply with price. Contact Tino
Blasioli. tel: (914)736-2437 after 5PM,
email: [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
‘56-’59, $25; ‘60-’64, $20; ‘65-’69 $18; ‘70-’79, $15; ‘80present, $12, add $3.50 for ship, specify yr. Have
lit for Alfa, Lancia and other Euro cars. Walter
Miller, 315-432-8282 www.autolit.com 1/04
_________________________________
Service Manuals, History Books, Owners
Manuals, Parts interchange manuals,
history books, & more for 500, 600, 850,
1100, 1200, 1500, 128, X1/9, 124, Spider,
125, 131, Strada, Brava Alex Voss Tel:
206-721-3077 www.books4cars.com Alex
Voss Tel: USA-206-721-3077 1/04
_________________________________
Lots of Lancia - Scorpion, Coupe, Sedan,
spares Please call or email with needs.
Scorpion complete 4 tip Ansa exhaust system,
aluminized, used. NEW 84.4MM 8.9:1 piston
set. 1800 cyl heads and exhaust manifolds,
John Kostelansky 908-782-4237 anytime email:
[email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
SHIFT BUSHING KIT 07/02 for Lancia Beta
manual transmissions. The factory plastic bushings
are the primary cause of linkage problems. Lancia
Beta shift bushing kits are available for $95 (US)
plus shipping. We can press the new bushings in for
$145 (US) plus shipping. Single bushings are $20
plus $5 shipping. Each bushing comes with a retaining
ring and nut. John Montgomery 770-932-2380 1/04
_________________________________
Fiat Spider targa hard top, with rear glass
window--European piece, very rare, excellent
condition, never on cars, 20% below Doc’s cost
at $1250. Buyer pays pays shipping or pick up
in Atlanta. Other items, including dual webers,
manifolds, etc. Fiat Spiders. Doug Hamway,
[email protected] or call (770) 867-5869. 1/04
_________________________________
X1/9 Spoiler- Newly reproduced to fit and
look JUST like the OE version. Goes in front
under bumper, Fits 1979 to end of production.
$110 + $15 shipping to anywhere in US,
Contact Brett at 865-525-1554 or e-mail at
[email protected]
Dearler inquiries welcome! 1/04
Hard top for Fiat 124/2000 Spiders Black Vinyl exterior. Back window is missing. Top is in southeast Ohio. $100 or
best. 740-559-3357.
_________________________________
Parting out 4 X 1/9s - 3 are FI 1500CC
and the other is a 1300cc carb. I have a
1978 2.0 spider for parts too. Some NOS
parts and exhaust systems are available.
Contact Bob Santoro (513) 305-9312 1/04
_________________________________
Fiat Iron Cross wheels - (4) Came off
1980 Fiat Spyder. Good condition.
Includes bolts and caps. $75.00 each
plus shipping. Grand Blanc Michigan.
Call 810.694.5669 John 1/04
_________________________________
Fiat, Lancia, Alfa sales broch, books, models
& toys. Wide selection. 100s of items - fun
stuff for all budgets. Call/write for your free
10 page list. Doug Schellinger, 13717 W Green
Meadow Dr, New Berlin, WI 53151. email:
[email protected] 414/687-2489 eve. 1/04
_________________________________
Lots of Lancia - Scorpion, Coupe, Orig. Fiat
Sales Brochures 02/01 Shows all models, interiors
and features. Prices per year: ‘49-’55, $35;
PARTS–wanted
One left rear (drivers side) tail light
lense for 850 Spider. Call Ken at (717) 5660803, or e-mail at: [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
1961 Fiat 1200 cabriolet front bumper with
or w/o brackets, headlight rims, front turn signal assem. with lens, taillight lens and taillight
assembly.Russ Burril at 630-530-1831 or
e-mail [email protected] 1/04
_________________________________
Advertising is FREE to all Fiat Lancia Unlimited
members. For non–members, cost per ad is
$10.00 with payment to Fiat Lancia Unlimited.
We reserve the right to edit all ads. Ads are
published in two issues. Please make sure
your copy is legible. Fax your ad copy to
(865) 525-0118 or e-mail text with photo to
[email protected] 1/04For Sale:
www.flu.org
30
continued on back page
members to exhibit cars at some of the
public auto shows this season.
Unfortunately, no one appears to have
attempted to do this. This would have
been a fun and effective way to show off
our rare and wonderful machines to
an appreciative audience, along with
promoting the virtues of club FLU to an
adoring public. I hope we can make some
plans in advance of the 2004-2005 auto
show season so that FLU members can
showcase their cars to thousand of folks
who may ignorant of the exhilaration
inherent in Italian cars.
Looking ahead, 2004 appears to be
shaping up to be another great year for
FLU activities. Our traditional gathering
at the Carlisle, PA, Import Festival and
Swap meet is coming in May, and of
course, the annual Fiat Freak Out conclave
returns in July for its second year in
Asheville, North Carolina. Record attendance is predicted for these and other
regional events. A reminder: if there are
no FLU events scheduled near your own
area, use the pages of this magazine and
the club website to create them! FLU is a
“resource.” The club can not provide
events and activities…only active people
can do that. However, the resources that
club FLU provides are tools with which
Fiat and Lancia enthusiasts can create and
promote events. What’s more, FLU
provides valuable assistance as a resource
of parts and information on maintaining
and enjoying your automobile. Your
continued membership is VITAL, not only
to yourself, but to hundreds of others in the
organization.
Please renew your
membership, participate in events,
contribute to the pages of this magazine or
the club website, and you’ll reap wonderful
rewards. Strength in numbers…that’s
important. With no support from the
manufacturer, we need each other to
survive and prosper as an active group of
enthusiasts.
I hope to see you all in the coming
months. Let’s keep the crankshafts
turning in 2004! Ciao, e Buona Fortuna!
Registration forms will be mailed in
the next issue of Ricambi and online
registration will be at www.flu.org.
This year FLU member Pam Parker
from Maine will be our FFO04 registrar.
Pam has excellent registration experience
and currently restoring a 1974 Fiat Spider.
Her E-mail address is [email protected]
Lastly, did you notice that our latest
Ricambi issue is 32 pages long? Well, it's
supposed to be 16 pages, but we had so
much content that once again we are
splurging a little. Our last Board meeting
included a vote on the possibility of a small
dues increase to make 32 page issues more
frequent and provide more support for
chapters. It nearly passed, but FLU
dues remain the same at $29 US
and $35/yr. Canada and first class.
Please E-mail or write to your FLU
Board members to express your wishes
on this or any subject. My personal opinion
is that I love reading about Fiats…Yea, I
would be willing to pay a small increase to
get more Ricambireading material. We
need to support Italian automotive literacy!
My new adopted home state of South
Carolina is ranked a dismal 49th in education, so I know what I'm talking about
there too! As a matter of fact, there's just a
tiny number of Italian cars in the whole
State of South Carolina. I rest my case.
continued on back page
www.sunspree.com. Room rates are again
$93 per night; our online group code is
“FIA” The event includes a BMW factory
tour on Friday and evening dinner at
Sunspree. Early on Saturday morning a
panoramic photo will be taken of the cars
on the Biltmore Estate Lawn, followed by a
nostalgic “70's show” concours car show at
the North Carolina Arboretum. Don't
forget to pack your bellbottom jeans, rosecolored glasses and mood ring. An awards
banquet will be held Saturday evening at
Sunspree. Sunday activities include a SCCA
Autocross, driving tours and a catered
picnic at Chimney Rock Park. For
complete information click on www.flu.org
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
Columbus, OH
PERMIT #4416
FLU Membership
3258 Scioto Farms Drive
Hilliard, Ohio 43026
www.flu.org