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• W W W. A R O C - U S A . O R G •
$5.95 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE A L FA ROMEO OWNERS CLUB
MAY 2021
R O A D
Michigan T R I P
Paradise to
Marquette
Fast Times in Florida • 1957 1900 CSS Coupe Fetches $299,188 • The Silver Surfer Spider Project
2 ALFA OWNER MAY 2021
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 3
4 ALFA OWNER MAY 2021
A L F A O W N E R • VO L U M E 6 5 • NU M B E R 5 • M AY 2 0 2 1
Alfa Romeo Owners Club
www.aroc-usa.org
NAtiONAL OFFiCE
AROC Headquarters
P.O. Box 92155, Portland, OR 97292
971-254-6660 aroc.office@gmail.com
Contents
BOARD OF DiRECtORS
Executive Committee
President: Cindy Banzer
6505 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97215
503-709-7277 c.banzer@aroc-usa.org
Vice President: Mike Bange
Huntington, NY
631-379-4060 m.bange@aroc-usa.org
Secretary: Susan Houser
12736 West Watson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63127
314-952-7337 s.houser@aroc-usa.org
treasurer: Anthony intintoli
Nesconset, NY
631-767-7526 a.intintoli@aroc-usa.org
DiRECtORS
Chip Denyko
9002 N. River Rd., tampa, FL 33635-9106
813-814-7887 (home) c.denyko@aroc-USA.org
Lance Dong
San Marcos, CA
760-822-2532 l.dong@aroc-usa.org
Gordy Hyde
Palm Desert, CA
425-241-9307 g.hyde@aroc-usa.org On the cover: Alfa Roads Goes to Michigan, Paradise to Marquette. Story on page 16
John Justus Above: The classic 1968 Spider Junior. Is there a better way to spend $51,968? Story on page 34.
1544 SW 41st St, Lee's Summit, MO 64082
816-668-0399 j.justus@aroc-usa.org
Flying High ~ In the Air Again by Cindy Banzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Arno Leskinen
2905 S. Palm St., Gilbert, AZ 85295
Member Profile: John and Marsha Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
480-722-1316 a.leskinen@aroc-usa.org
Brewster thackeray
6516 Montrose St., Alexandria, VA 22312
703-508-4418 b.thackeray@aroc-usa.org You Write, We Listen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Doug Zaitz
P.O. Box 1364, Deer Park, WA 99006
Alfa and AROC News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
509-768-4312 d.zaitz@aroc-usa.org
The Silver Surfer Spider Project Part 3 by John Barchasch . . . . . . . . . . 12
Alfa Roads: Paradise to Marquette, Michigan by Dave Hammond . . . . 16
Enrique Zuniga
303 Highfield Lane, Nutley, NJ 07110-2410
201-650-7351 e.zuniga@aroc-usa.org
DEPARtMENtS Alfas in Focus: Whit Smith’s “il Mostro” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
First Alfas: The White Whale by Terry Quilico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Advertising
John Duncan: Advertising Coordinator
Being There by Phyllis Tilden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
859-274-7945 jmduncan01@aol.com
AROC Headquarters: Classified Advertising
Chapter Scrapbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
971-254-6660 aroc.office@gmail.com
Moving Events Chair: David Small
Alto Miglia National Convention Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
moving.events@aroc-usa.org
Alfas at Auction by Bob Abhalter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Alfa Owner Liaison: Elyse Barrett
Pre-Publication Review: Mike Bange, Dave Hammond,
Doug Zaitz, Brewster thackeray,
Cindy Banzer, Elyse Barrett
AROC Chapter Directory & Member Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
FCA Liaison: O. Delmas Greene
1410 Pineapple Ln., Clearwater, FL 33759-2315
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
727-799-1486 o.dgreene@aroc-usa.org
AROC Convention Advisors:
Dave Hammond, Enrique Zuniga
AROC Platinum Business Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Alfa Owner Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Concorso Chair & Chief Concorso Judge: Arno Leskinen
insurance Chair: Gene Kessler, 301-537-8254
Legal Counsel: George Pezold
120 Main St., Huntington, NY 11743-6906
DATA: Alfa Owner (ISSN 0364-930X, USPS 543-520) is published monthly by AROC, P.O. Box 92155, Portland, OR 97292. Alfa Owner is edited and
631-427-0100 g.pezold@aroc-usa.org
produced by Parabolica Publishing, LLC, P.O. Box 2351, Cypress, CA 90630; for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, Inc., P.O. Box 92155, Portland, OR 97292.
Subscription is $68.00 and part of AROC membership dues and is available only to paid members. Periodical postage paid at Portland, OR and
Restoration & Preservation Chair: Bill Gillham
541-327-1486
additional mailing offices. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and art are welcome but cannot be returned unless accompanied by a stamped,
self-addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage.
Social Media
Social Media Board Liaison: Lance Dong POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Alfa Owner, P.O. Box 92155, Portland, OR 97292. All member communication regarding non-delivery, address
l.dong@aroc-usa.org changes, information on needs or chapter information should be addressed to the AROC Headquarters at the AROC national address.
Facebook: Alex Sandor Csank
P.O. Box 866, Vankleek Hill, ON, K0B 1R0, Canada DISCLAIMER: While it is a primary service of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club to disseminate technical information, any maintenance technique or
alfacentury2010@gmail.com possible modification published in Alfa Owner should be weighed against conventional, traditional, and generally accepted techniques and modi-
twitter: John trevey
fications. Alfa Owner should not be considered the authority on maintaining or improving Alfa Romeos and the views expressed are those of the
512-789-6516 aroc.twitter@aroc-usa.org
author of an article or person quoted. The mention of a product, service, or procedure herein does not constitute endorsement of it by the club, its
instagram: Jim Barrett
officers or employees, Alfa Owner, its editor, the author, FCA US LLC or FCA Group Marketing S.p.A.. Prudent owners should consider possible techniques
aroc.instagram@aroc-usa.org
or modifications in light of common sense compromises among economy, longevity, performance, reliability, driveability, legality and resale value.
Any modifications possibly affecting emissions or safety are the sole responsibility of the person performing them and when such possible mod-
Webmaster: John Justus • Webmaster@aroc-usa.org ifications are presented in Alfa Owner, it is with the understanding that they will be used for racing and not on public highways. It is also incumbent
immediate Past President: Dave Hammond
upon the owner of an Alfa Romeo to consider the effect of any changes in his vehicle upon any warranty in force before undertaking any technique
248-798-4805 d.hammond@aroc-usa.org or modification. Failure to do so could result in denial of warranty coverage by FCA US LLC. This publication and this organization will not assume
Alfa Owner is published for AROC by
liability for any such consequences. Advertisement of products or services in Alfa Owner magazine does not necessarily imply endorsement or
Parabolica Publishing, LLC.
approval by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.
www.parabolicapub.com
Phone 714-699-1881
Cover Photo: Whitefish Point, Michigan. Photo: Dave Hammond
Editor: Casey M. Annis
editor@aroc-usa.org
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 5
AROC PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
From the Driver’s Seat
Flying High ~ In the Air Again
While eagerly anticipating a heaping over 18 months before I would again hit
platter of AROC and chapter activities, fifth gear in an Alfa, surrounded by other
we must celebrate the aperitifs and the like-minded Alfisti, at the Colorado
small bites on this multi-course route Convention.
back to normalcy in our lives. One such Since I was last at the desert home,
nibble was my first airline flight in over a Gordy Hyde and Dolly Samson moved
year. Thanks to being fully vaccinated, I into a beautiful desert oasis home with
was able to enjoy flying from Portland to garage space for four Alfas and substan-
Palm Springs to check on the Palm tial off-street parking just walking dis-
Desert home. To my delight, I was tance away from me. Their 2015 4C, 2018
surrounded by Alfas galore, starting with Stelvio and 1967 Super Bollino d’Oro
being ferried from the airport to the nestled in their temperature-controlled
house in a cream Alfetta Sport Sedan. spaces was a joyous sight for one’s spirit
This 1978 Alfetta has a lengthy AROC dampened these past months.
history – rescued some years ago from a Dining al fresco with Gordy, Dolly and
Norwalk, California, junkyard for $800 by Doug at one of our favorite El Paseo Colorado Springs, Colorado, awaits your
Jim Barrett, the car was his daily driver restaurants was yet another baby step registration. Details at www.alfa2021.com
until it found its way onto eBay. After the back into normal routines. Stan Deller and on page 32–33. And join your AROC
eBay listing closed unsold, Bernie and and David Weir, who keep their collection friends on our next Italian adventure,
Diana Bennett, of Brenham, Texas (with of Alfas – Milanos, a Super, a Berlina and AROC Goes to Italy, October 1-13, 2021;
seller and buyer unbeknownst to each a Spider – tucked away from the desert details on page 22 or email
other at the time) were able to purchase heat, joined Doug and I for the first c.banzer@aroc-usa.org for the latest
the car and drove it for 14 years. Several in-home dining with friends at Desert information on the long-awaited trip.
years ago, Doug Zaitz negotiated a deal Lily since January 2020. Husband John The USGP at Austin is happening, Octo-
with Bernie to purchase the car, flew to Kilian joined us via Facetime to celebrate ber 21-25, 2021 and AROC will be there!
Texas to pick up the vehicle, checked the the reopening of our home. Details on page 9.
fluids, packed the trunk with spare parts All felt so normal that we began As we go to press, I learned that gifted,
and unused tools, and headed west to brainstorming with DesertALFAS generous and gracious Lou Grasso,
Palm Desert. It has been residing there members about the Eighth Annual AROC NYAROC (New York), transitioned into
since, often serving as the area’s official Winter Retreat, January 14-16, 2022, and the twisty roads and sunny skies in the
AROC Airport Shuttle. how to make it a remarkable reunion and heavens above. A nationally renowned
Not to be overshadowed by the Alfetta, celebration. graphic designer, Lou designed and
the silver 1987 Spider Quadrifoglio that On the next trip to Palm Desert, I look produced the logos and printed materials
Doug graciously let me zip around in at forward to seeing Will Follett and Mia for the 2015 AROC Convention in Rhode
last year’s AROC Winter Retreat was Robinson, snapping pictures of their ’69 Island. The worlds of art, design and
grandly perched under the carport, Spider and ’69 Berlina and maybe even Alfas have lost a great talent; Lou’s
sparkling, ever so invitingly, with top their Fiats. In fact, maybe we can get all presence will be sorely missed.
down. It’s hard to believe it has been a our Alfas together for a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stay healthy, stay safe, stay strong,
year-plus since I piloted that Alfa over portrait in the desert. Eye candy to
200 miles on the event’s Saturday drive, project ahead to the September 2021
keeping the speed to about 60 mph and AROC Convention and the January 2022 Cindy Banzer, President
wondering why I was passing the 4Cs. AROC Winter Retreat.
Only later did I learn that the speedo was Speaking of events, Alto Miglia Alfa
off. Little did I know that it would be well 2021 Convention, September 7-12, 2021,
6 ALFA OWNER MAY 2021
MEET AROC MEMBERS JOHN AND MARSHA HICKS
Member Profile
Names: John and Marsha Hicks better. We’ve been together ever since!
Occupations: Retired John was in IT; Worst Alfa owned? Of the more than
Marsha was an attorney 30 Alfa Romeos we have owned, we
Where do you live? Louisville, have enjoyed them all. We had several
Kentucky 164s that we loved, but couldn’t find a
What was your first car? John – local shop to maintain them.
1964 MGB; Marsha – 1968 MGB GT Favorite road to tour? US 42 to
Your first Alfa Romeo? John – the Covered Bridge Road to KY Highway
’67 Duetto which I bought in ’74 and 1694 and through Sleepy Hollow in
still own today. Marsha – a ’68 Duetto the Louisville area. We have been
(Do you see a theme here?) driving this favorite route for many
Currently, what Alfa Romeos are years, although recently civilization
in your collection? John – ’67 Duetto, is catching up and the area is getting
’73 GTV, ’86 GTV6, ’88 Milano Verde; more developed so it’s not quite as
Marsha – ’85 Spider, ’92 Spider. enjoyable as it used to be. mechanicals. We can only imagine that
Do you have other vintage cars? What do you like best about it would be thrilling to drive on country
No, our other cars are modern daily owning vintage vehicles? If they are roads and the track.
drivers. well cared for, they are great fun to What do you enjoy most about
Your favorite Alfa? John – My drive and much more dependable than being a member of your local and
Duetto, it was my first Alfa and Marsha most people think. And they have national Alfa Club? The friendships
and I met because of it. Marsha – allowed us to meet some of our best we’ve made over the years, the shared
John’s Duetto, because I had wanted an friends. knowledge and enthusiasm that allows
Alfa Spider since my early teens and If you could have one Alfa? A all of us to keep our treasures on the
when I met him and saw his Duetto I Stradale. Beautiful design, fantastic road, and trips to wonderful
knew I wanted to get to know him sound, and reasonably modern conventions in great locations.
alfisti gift ideas Show Your Pride
Pin
Our cloisonne-style lapel
pin is wearable art: rich
colors, smooth & polished
Measures 1" x 1.25"
Sticker
A perfect AROC
logo sticker that
easily applies
Heavyweight Beach Towel to any glass from
Plush velour sheared-microfiber polyester - the inside.
with full-color logo - reverses to 100% cotton Measures 2.5" x 3"
gray terry. Thirsty. Luxurious. 30" W x 60" L
www.aroc-usa.org www.aroc-usa.org
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 7
Be a part of
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
You Write, We Listen
The Passion Request for info: AROC Goes to the Kids are Alright
italy #4 2021 Elyse,
While sitting at a winery today, I told my The March issue came in the mail this
wife about the AROC trip to Italy this fall. I week. And I loved it! The article about
showed her the itinerary. She said, “Let’s go!” Dorian Valenzuela – especially his car
Are there spots left for the two of us? philosophy – really resonated with me.
Lynn Grimshaw Too bad I am not a social media person, as
Ohio Valley Chapter some of the spontaneous events
described near the end of the piece sound
Thank you for your inquiry about the interesting. I have been to a few
October 2021 AROC Goes to Italy trip. We Luftgekuhlt, but never even heard of
have mailed you the brochure with the RADwood. I look forward to the possibility
itinerary, pricing and an application. Feel free of an outlaw Italian car version in the
to reach out to trip organizer, Steve Austin future.
(steveaustin@colton.com), for more Val Dietrich
information. Also, if you like, AROC President ARO SoCal
Cindy Banzer (503-709-7277; c.banzer@aroc-
usa.org) would be delighted to fill you in on There just may be such a rad Italian
the details. happening on the horizon – in Los Angeles.
Hope you will be able to join us, Forge into social media just a little and follow
Join Us!
The AROC Administrative Team Macchinisima! on Instagram. You could be
part of something fabulous.
Best Wishes to Orlando Pastore Elyse
AROC is Alfa Romeo
Hi Cindy and Elyse,
I visited Naperville Italian Imports today, More Movies!
in the United States as I had one tire that decided to lose Women's History Month and International
and North America pressure now that we are warming up Women's Day in March brought the names
here in Chiberia. The guys and gals there and lives of many female Alfa drivers to our
are always friendly, and take great care of collective consciences. We will showcase a
Member benefits include me and Giulia. They resealed my tire few of them in a future issue. Meanwhile, our
the monthly Alfa Owner because there were no other issues found, correspondents in Texas, Richard Cross,
magazine, travel opportuni- and did not charge me a thing. Karen Phillips and Drew Wilson made note of
ties, regional special events I did hear some news: Orlando Pastore Maria “Lella” Lombardi and the YouTube
and online access to all (profiled in the wonderful article by Terry video posted by Petersen Automotive
things Alfa. Quilico in the December 2020 Alfa Owner) Museum, “Beyond Driven - Discover Lella
is retiring. Maybe I'll get to know Orlando a Lombardi and the Women of Formula One
National membership is just
bit better now that he may have time to Racing.”
$68. Enjoy affiliation with
come out to Chicago AROC activities, like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qscmhdI
your local chapter for free,
or a modest surcharge. our upcoming (June 12, 2021) Blackhawk QIO4
Farms Raceway Track Event with the Lotus They remember hanging out with Lella at
WEBSitE • www.aroc-usa.org Corps! Watkins Glen in 1975, and we hope to see
EMAiL • aroc.office@gmail.com I left some CAROC brochures with my some of their photos from back in the day.
PHONE • 971-254-6660
Service Advisor, Felipe Aguinaga, and The Editors
Alfa Romeo Owners Club mentioned our Dealer Outreach Program
P.O. Box 92155 • Portland, OR 97292 as well. Feels like spring is just around the
corner,
Cindy Bennett
VISIT OUR WEBSITE Chicago AROC
CLICK “MEMBERSHIP”
8 ALFA OWNER MAY 2021
JOIN AROC FRIENDS ON OUR NEXT ITALIAN ADVENTURE!
AROC GOES TO
ITALY October 1-13, 2021
LIMITED SPACE STILL AVAILABLE
We're returning to our northern Italian stomping grounds in a delayed 2021 trip set for early October;
international travel rules will be followed. This foray includes additional days in Monaco and at the wine
harvest in Soave and Valpolicella. We'll make a great circle from Milano and Torino to Maranello and
back up to Lake Como and Lake Garda. Sandwiched in between are visits to manufacturers and show-
rooms of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ducati, Maserati and naturally, Alfa Romeo. This trip is again organized
in collaboration with our favorite travel partner, Steve Austin’s Great Vacations.
FOR INFORMATION EMAIL: ADMIN@AROC-USA.ORG
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 9
A L FA A N D A R O C N E W S
2021 Convention: Book Now
Hello Fellow Alfisti!
As you probably know, the AROC 2021
National Convention is being held in
Colorado Springs, September 7-12. This
is a wonderful time to visit Colorado,
since the weather is normally not too The one thing we are missing in convention possible. What I am asking
hot and not too cold. Colorado is YOU! We want to encourage is for anyone planning to come to
We have many great events planned all of you to come join us, and we really Colorado, to go to our website
for the Convention, including a drive up want you to register NOW! Given the www.ALFA2021.COM and register
Pikes Peak, a drive through the Garden issues with the COVID pandemic, there today.
of the Gods, a track day at Pikes Peak were questions as to whether or not we Looking forward to September,
International Raceway, tours of the would even hold a convention this year. Scott Walker, Chairman
Olympic Training Center, and drives in Well, we are holding it, but we need to AROC 2021 National Convention
the Colorado Rocky Mountains. get a good turnout to make this the best
S A V E T H E D AT E : A L FA S AT W AT K I N S G L E N 2 0 2 1
Alfa Romeo is the Featured Marque Restaurant in Penn Yan. Register/regis- www.grandprixfestival.com; 607-535-
at Grand Prix Festival events in Watkins tration questions at: www.grandprix- 3003.
Glen, NY!! Many exciting events are festival.com; 607-535-3003. Thursday - Sunday, September 9 - 12 /
happening over the long weekend, with Friday, September 10 / Grand Prix Alfas at the Glen: The organizers of
several host organizations involved. Festival of Watkins Glen: Chateau Alfas at the Glen 2021 welcome you to
Below are brief summaries of some ac- LaFayette Reneau Tour de Marque, Alfa the historic Watkins Glen Grand Prix
tivities which are sure to provide enjoy- Romeo – An opportunity for Alfa driv- Circuit for an Alfa gathering celebrating
able experiences for all Alfa drivers! ers to participate in the Grand Prix Fes- 110 Anni di Competizione e Amicizia
Event organizers are closely watching tival as part of the show, including rally (110 Years of Competition and Friend-
developments regarding pandemic rec- route to Watkins Glen International for ship) will offer friends, family, food and
ommendations for gatherings, per New brunch, plus paced laps of the world fa- racing with activities for both competi-
York State and Schuyler County Depart- mous WGI road course. Cars then head tion and street-driven Alfas. Event
ments of Health, and other regulatory downtown for laps of the historic, origi- info/registration at: info@alfasatthe-
agencies. All safe procedures in effect nal course, and display parking at glen.com
at the time of the event will be expect- LaFayette Park. Weekend tickets for the Wednesday - Sunday, September
ed to be followed, and organizers will The Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix at 8 - 12 / Sportscar Vintage Racing Asso-
be monitoring adherence to those rec- Watkins Glen International are includ- ciation: Watkins Glen SpeedTour. Event
ommendations. Please check the web- ed in registration. Register/registration information/registration/eligibility/me
sites referenced below for updates. questions at: mbership at: www.svra.com
Thursday, September 9 / Grand Prix Thursday - Sunday, September 9 - 12 /
Festival Kick-Off: FLX Alfa Romeo The Hilliard U. S. Vintage Grand Prix at
Show and Journey to The Top – An all- Watkins Glen International. Event tick-
day Alfa-only event sponsored by Lake- ets at: www.theGlen.com
wood Vineyards. Includes a downtown – Terrie Sautter
car show, scenic rally/tour, wine-tasting Member, AROC & Grand Prix Festival
and tours at Lakewood Vineyards. Sup- of Watkins Glen Organizing Committee
per follows at the Top of the Lake alfagirl56@gmail.com
10 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 11
S I LV E R S U R F E R S P I D E R
The Silver Surfer Spider
Project Part Three
Let’s Go
S
aturday, February 29, 2020 – The shiny repainted booster and restored
motor is built. The numbers from pedal block, with a new clutch cylinder
the dyno are astounding – 174 ft- and restored brake cylinder/reservoir
lb torque at 4,600 rpm, remains strong up attached. The new seat covers are in and
to 6,200, where it measures 182 hp. looking good. Everything is pre-sorted
Redline is at 7,500. “Not bad for a stock and ready for final assembly. Again, my
crank and rods,” we all said. gearhead friend Michael has volunteered
The engine bay is painted, restored and his trailer, as he does not want to miss
clean. The headlight relays are wired up. out on the wrenching activities to come.
The brake system is bled and ready with a Michael arrives at my house and backs
12 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021Surfin’ Story and Photos
by John Barchasch
the trailer up in the driveway. Good luck With the car in tow, radiator in the and Wes Ingram is ready and waiting. We
was with us that morning, as the DOT trunk, driveshaft in the truck bed and roll the car off and push it into the empty
had scheduled to close the road north to hood in the back seat, we headed to second bay, past the first bay where Herb
my house for flood repair, and Michael Burlington, Washington, for the install. Sanborn’s GTV sits in suspended
was the last vehicle to get past the My assumption is that it will take a few animation eight feet off the ground. Herb
flagger before they shut it down. We were days to get everything hooked up and is the H in H&W Racing, and the man
already running a little late, so any dialed in, so I will be needing to bum behind the curtain who handles the
additional delays would have been costly. another ride north after this in order to intricate task of rebuilding SPICA pumps.
This time it was a bit easier to load the surf home under her own power. My pump was one of the last that Herb
chassis on the trailer, sans motor. We get to the shop around 10:30 AM, rebuilt before taking a needed hiatus to
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 13S I LV E R S U R F E R S P I D E R
repair some neck issues.
The motor is hanging on the lift, in all
its radiant beauty. Fresh off the dyno,
filled with motor oil and ready to drop in.
Wes handed me the hoist chain and
told me to make it happen. I started
lowering the motor into the bay, working
the angle with the second line attached
to the front of the motor. Even with the
right tools, I still had problems getting it
in clean without banging up the firewall.
Wes grabbed the rope and eased it in
gently, as he has had done so many times
before. The custom headers gave us some
fits, and we had to wrestle with them
quite a bit before the motor finally found
its way onto the mounts.
From here, it was a matter of getting
everything hooked back up. Wes
fabricated a metal heat shield protecting
the exhaust pipe from the speedo cable.
Right: Up, up and away into the engine bay.
Below: Carefully lowering the motor.
Michael and I worked on getting the
giubo and driveline back in place, and
reconnecting various wiring, cables and
hoses. We got a lot done that night, but I
knew there was still much more to do,
and it was best to leave it to Wes to finish
the job.
Once everything got buttoned up, Wes
took it for a test drive. It was running
great, but unfortunately, the
transmission got stuck in fifth gear. He
had to drop the tranny, which was a great
excuse to get the transmission jack he
always wanted for the shop. Another
problem always means another excuse to
buy more tools. He worked with Larry
and determined there was insufficient
clearance on the tail shaft between fifth
and the yoke flange, which only became
14 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021fired it up and it made a noise that I had
never heard from her before. It was a
whole new machine. My only concern
was that the smile on my face would be a
permanent Joker-esque fixture of pure
insanity.
As part of the upgrade package on the
SPICA, Wes provided me a custom tool
to adjust the mixture on the fuel cutoff
solenoid. After a few dozen miles, I
determined she was running a little rich,
so a quarter-turn leaned it out just
enough to clear up some excess exhaust
smoke from unburned fuel. The timing
curve that Wes set on the 123 ignition
system was just right – any of my
Above: Looking good. ready for the road. monkey-business resulted in pinging, so
Left: Sweet thing is ready for her close up. I left well enough alone.
One last thing to do – with all this
new torque, I decided to swap out the
apparent under load at operating differential from a 4.56 to a 4.10 to get a
temperature. Wes was able to mill .004 in. little more top-end speed. Fortunately,
off the gear, providing sufficient Larry had one available for a rebuild, so I
clearance. A deal was made where Larry worked a deal and picked it up a few
would cover the cost of a future project weeks later from his Dad who happened
for Wes in return for the repair labor, so to be driving through the Seattle area.
basically it was warranty work by proxy. Sweet Thing strikes again. Chris Benny
Everybody was happy. at Prova did the install, and now the
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – The kitty purrs quietly at high speed.
world was going COVID crazy, and folks This all began with a phone call
were starting to hunker down. exactly two years ago, March 18, 2018.
Fortunately, Wes was satisfied with the So much time, effort, and money for a
work, and asked me to come pick up the simple pleasure. People ask me if it was
car. Any later than this, and quarantine worth it. I tell them that I could have
could have held my Silver Surfer hostage just gone out and spent two or three
indefinitely. times as much for a new Porsche
Wes pointed out the work he did to Cayman or a used 911, but it wouldn’t
complete the tasks, mentioned that there come close to the fun, enjoyment and
were a few things that still needed to be satisfaction I get from driving this car at
sorted (some of my wiring work was a speed through a twisty canyon road,
little off when I installed the relays), but hearing that exhaust note at high rpm,
overall, it was ready to go. With those big the tires gripping the asphalt with full
cams, starting when cold required a little confidence, the steering responding to
more throttle than the thermostatic my command as if it’s an extension of
actuator could provide, so he suggested I my own hands. There is simply nothing
utilize the manual cable – just like the else like driving a classic, well-sorted,
old days with Weber carbs. No problem. I highly tuned Alfa Romeo! n
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 15A L FA R O A D S
Paradise to
A tour of lighthouses, bogs, waterfalls and
log slides along the shores of Lake Superior
N
ot many journeys begin in Paradise and get better.
This is one. Paradise, Michigan is a village with a
bakery featuring wild blueberries from just down
the road and cranberries from a local bog. They serve lunch,
then you can walk to a house where they dish out ice cream
for you to enjoy on the front porch. Brown’s Fish House is a
family outfit, fitting exactly what the sign implies, opening
when the patriarch’s boat ties up at the dock, closing when
all the fish is eaten. There is no more perfect start to an Alfa
Roads adventure.
On this drive we'll cover about 160 miles and dozens of
Michigan landmarks, transiting maritime and arboreal
ecotones, skirting fast-running waterways and glimpsing the
forces of nature and man that influenced this land. There’s
so much to see that this trip could occupy four days and keep
you amazed and engaged, hour by hour.
Above: Follow the red line to Alfa adventure.
Background: A photographer is always looking for the perfect shot.
Dave Hammond found it on the beach at Whitefish Point.
16 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021Marquette
Story and Photos by
Dave Hammond
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 17A L FA R O A D S
The Graveyard of Ships known for European sourdough and the National Park road, roughly 40
Heading north from Paradise, you their wood-fired brick oven. I like miles along the National Lakeshore
will notice how the temperature slides warm cinnamon blueberry bread with now completely paved. Twenty-five
approximately 10 degrees alongside wild blueberry compote. It’s not far years ago this was a two-rut truck trail
Whitefish Bay over the nine miles to from the Two Hearted River, a and an adventure by itself. In case you
the point. Whitefish Point is the rainbow trout stream that Ernest are wondering, yes we’ve driven that
Graveyard of Ships, with more than Hemingway wrote about, and is the road in an Alfa.
300 wrecks at the bottom of Lake name of a popular ale. Pictured Rocks
Superior within sight of its historic Shortly after the town of Newberry The name comes from 20 miles of
beacon. The bay just beyond the light is 50 miles of forest and marsh terrain sandstone and limestone bluffs laced
is a harbor of refuge from 200 miles of across Seney National Wildlife Refuge. with copper, iron, calcite, sulfur,
storms and open water to its west. You will need to drive about halfway manganese and more. They create
Many a ship, including the Edmund through this area before making a colorful paintings across rock
Fitzgerald, did not survive their right turn north onto M77 at the town canvases as water leaches an array of
frantic run for Whitefish Bay. of Seney (maybe three buildings and minerals out of cliffs up to 200 feet
The Life Station Crew Quarters is therefore hard to miss) to Grand tall. Over time, rain washes away each
now a bed and breakfast. Numerous Marais. If you instead turn left at abstract expressionist “painting” and
artifacts from the era when Abraham Seney, the wildlife headquarters has the process begins anew.
Lincoln signed orders for the a loop that is a classic spot for A short run down H58 first brings
lighthouse to be erected are housed photographing loons, herons and you to Sable Falls. It splashes down a
here and in the Shipwreck Museum, a cranes in dawn’s mist. series of steps. The trail leads to Agate
few yards’ walk away. It is well worth Grand Marais Beach and a view of the dunes, which
an hour of your time. Linger, build a The drive up M77 ends at Grand is well worth that extra 10-minute
fire on the beach; watch the sunset, Marais, gateway to Pictured Rocks stroll. After Sable Falls and Agate
then pick out the running lights of the National Lakeshore. Stop for a while Beach come Grand Sable Banks, the
freighters as they pass in the dark. here. West Bay Diner is a memorably Log Slide, Sable Point Light and the
Because Whitefish Point is much idiosyncratic place where the front Hurricane River.
closer to Canada (40 miles) than most portion is a 1949 Paramount Diner. The lighthouse is accessible by
of Lake Superior, it is also a major bird They serve local farm fare, make deli hiking from the Devil’s Log Slide. The
migration point. meats and baked goods. Its the kind of name is handed down from the mid-
Tahquamenon Falls place where if you order an egg, there 19th century, when loggers slid trees
Minutes west of Paradise is the might soon be a chicken heard down the dune to waiting boats. Logs
thundering Upper Falls, 199 feet clucking. Booths have collections of sometimes caught fire from the steep
across. You can hike the Tahqua- regional books chosen by co-owner drop and friction over the sand.
menon River path over to the Lower and baker Ellen Airgood. Rick Guth From there, you may follow the
Falls, which is actually a series of makes grilled sandwiches on Ellen’s incredibly scenic shoreline trail west
shorter drops. The first mile is tangled bread. After ordering, you can to the lighthouse at Sable Point. Most
with gnarled hemlock, cedar and typically hear someone chopping days you can climb the tower to the
white pine roots, so watch onions, pulling out iron skillets and light room. Shortly after the light-
your step. preparing your order, so don't expect house are three 19th-century ship-
Nine miles west of Tahquamenon quick, pre-prepared dishes. Relax and wrecks that ran aground in storms.
Falls on M123, North Star Bakery pops take in all the stuff around you. They are visible because Superior’s
out of nowhere in a forest. Power is At the intersection of M77 and H58 clean, cold water preserves every-
from a propane generator. Joanne and is Grand Marais Superior Brewing. You thing. Continue walking to the Hurri-
Paul Behm and their little shop are might choose a growler to go. H58 is cane River and stand on the wooden
18 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021A three-masted gaff-rigger passes Whitefish
Point bound for Duluth.
Whitefish Point Lighthouse
Pictured Rocks
Cruise passing
indian Head.
Above: Grand Marais morning mist.
Right: tahquamenon Falls.
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 19A L FA R O A D S bridge to view the swirling, canopied Chapel Falls (roughly 2.5 miles round ors. Avoid any Pictured Rocks cruises stream dashing into Lake Superior. The trip) and its connecting nine-mile hiking before 2 PM because the cliffs will be entire hike is approximately four miles path to Spray Falls, the Grand Portal and mostly in shadow. in length and reasonably easy, with plat- Mosquito Falls is one of the nation’s great As mentioned, Munising is full of wa- forms and bridges over wet areas and walks for stunning vistas, but a truck is terfalls. The quick and easy picturesque runoffs. It wasn't always this easy, but needed to bounce to the starting point. ones to see are Munising and Wagner don’t twist your ankle. The closest doc- Reserve a Pictured Rocks Cruise at 5 PM Falls, although every one has a distinct tor is likely 40 miles away, and she will or whenever the late afternoon Spray personality. probably be a veterinarian. Falls Cruise is scheduled. It is popular; Munising Bay is clear with visibility to Munising do order tickets in advance. It provides a depth of about 60 feet, so consider tak- Pictured Rocks is bracketed by Grand you the lake-side view of the hikes previ- ing the glass-bottomed-boat shipwreck Marais to the east and Munising ously mentioned, plus a lot more. Kayak tour to view well-preserved wooden (pronounced “MUNE-i-sing”) 45 miles to rentals are available if you want to get shipwrecks such as the Bermuda (1870) the west. The town is located in a basin really close to the cliffs. The best time to and Herman H. Hettler (1926). The Kiowa, below an escarpment, which is why it has see Pictured Rocks is in the late after- Manhattan, Steven M. Selvick and Smith eleven waterfalls. noon or at sunset, which warm the col- Moore are also here, as well as a mystery Wagner Falls 20 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021
ship from circa 1815. expensive to restore and were torn down For a Victorian mining town saloon
Marquette around 2001. experience, nothing beats lunch at the
Heading west from Munising, you can The Arch and Third Street residences 1883 Vierling Saloon, with its original
slip a bit to the south to view Laughing were the homes of 19th century sea gaslight fixtures and historical photos
Whitefish Falls which skips 95 feet down captains and industrialists. Several dotting the walls. Step across the street
along about 200 feet of steps. homes include a tall tower or widow’s from the Vierling and into the ornate
The direct route to Marquette out M28 walk for viewing incoming ships on Lake Wells Fargo Bank, looking as it did 130
takes you its picturesque and historical Superior. The Call House on Arch Street years ago. Ask about its money and
downtown. The massive wooden provides an immediate clue to the first mining scrip room and you might receive
railroad trestles to ore docks above Lake owner’s origins: a textbook 1850s New a tour. The core of downtown is
Superior are gone, marked only by a gap Bedford captain’s house (a major whal- a page from the 1890s.
where locomotives once chugged above ing port of the period). The odd thing is, there is more
the city each day. They carried iron and There’s much to see, from the trade- fabulous scenery and history yet to
copper from the world's largest, deepest mark big red lighthouse on a rock cliff come: Marquette to Copper Harbor.
mines, the ore lifted by six-stories-tall to the black rocks of McCarty's Cove, or Hmmm ... My last photos are four years
steam hoists. The docks became too going up Lakeshore to Presque Isle Park. old. Road trip! n
the Call House on Arch Street.
Marquette trestles to the ore docks, ca. 1908.
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 21Join Us in AROC Goes to the
U.S. Grand Prix 2021
Austin this
October
October 21 - 25
Are you up for a third round at the Circuit of We'll be part of it all via Steve Austin's
the Americas? AROC will again support our Great Vacations to tour the paddocks, watch
Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team as they take to practice and qualifying, meet the drivers,
the track at the United States Grand Prix on enjoy Alfa hospitality, visit our Texas AROC
October 24th. New sponsors, fresh livery and brethren and view the main event!
lots of energy are behind our drivers Kimi
Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi. Let's
cheer them to victory!
Be an early supporter and sign up today!
Reservations Brochure and details available by
are open! email: c.banzer@aroc-usa.org
22 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021New AROC Merchandise
Show Your Pride
AROC Flag
Our new 3' x 5' double-sided AROC flag is ready
to unfurl and fly! Sturdy, double-stitched,
3-piece 100D polyester. An excellent way
to show your AROC pride!
www.aroc-usa.org
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 23A L FA S I N F O C U S 24 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021
PRESENTED BY CENTERLINE
the car arrived in my garage with approximately 5,000 kilometers accumulated
over its first 27 years. in the last three i’ve put another 3,200 on the odometer, and
it feels better and better with each kilometer. the car loves to be driven, and is
rewarding me for doing so. it’s been to the Simeone in Philadelpha; the Mt. Equinox
Hillclimb in Manchester, Vermont; the Bridge in Bridgehampton, New York;
Caffeine and Carburetors in New Canaan, Connecticut, and Gears on the Piers at
the Classic Car Club Manhattan. il Mostro never ceases to attract admirers.
– Whit Smith, Connecticut Chapter
Sean Smith
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 25F I R S T A L FA S 26 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021
The White Whale By Terry Quilico
O
kay, there is a beautiful ’66 Dar, my wife, had suffered from my car Butler polo field courtesy of our mem-
GTV in front of me, rosso with addiction since she met me. I taught her bership in Chicago AROC. Our trip to
a massive roll bar, serious stuff to drive on a TR3, and when I met her at La Dolce Via, the 1989 National Conven-
for sure. What in God’s Holy Name is an college I was driving a Sunbeam Imp of tion in Waterbury, Connecticut was
AMC Javelin doing behind me? Jeez, why all things. I talked her around, as she unforgettable.
is my heart pounding so? Just settle knew I would hammer on relentlessly. There goes the GTV. In a few seconds
down and remember what Mike B I traded in the Strada for the GTV-6. I I’ll be off. One lap to warm everything
showed you on the parade lap: “Brake convinced Darlene that the Fiat was on up, one to race and one to cool down.
before entry and accelerate after the its last legs and was proven to be the Who could drive better? Ascari? No way!
apex ... steady and smooth.” When that craven liar I am as Orlando bought the Fangio? Not bloody likely! Nuvolari? Il
GTV is halfway around, they will let me car from Sam and drove it for the next Mantovano Volante wouldn’t stand a
go. Just relax, this ain’t Le Mans, just 15 years or so. chance! I would be a legend in CAROC
Blackhawk Farms. Cripes, how will I get But the best car I ever had or would history!
home, much less to work on Monday if I have was a reality. The 2.5 Busso V-6, the In the end, I was third from the bot-
crash? Why, oh why am I thinking of inboard brakes, the DeDion rear suspen- tom of the leader board with that cursed
Melville? I am tormented with an ever- sion was all mine. Giorgetto Giugiaro AMC Javelin even faster. It was a glori-
lasting itch for things remote. Focus. was my pusher, and I had my fix. ous humiliation.
Just focus. For six years and 66,000 miles it never I would still have the car today if not
That “everlasting itch” started a cou- let me down, even through the worst for that Russian steel that beat Rusty
ple of years earlier. I was taking the winter in Chicago history when I had to Jones and two futile repairs. The writing
Strada to Suburban Auto Imports for a persuade our aircraft mechanic at Tigers was on the wall and we had to part. Still,
niggling problem and it was parked just to blow hot air from the Aircraft Start to quote Herman Melville, “Better to
off to the side of the driveway into the Unit at the car, melting part of the plas- sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk
shop: a white ’84 GTV-6. I talked to tic grille but turning the jelled AGIP Christian.” Ah no, not that quote, this
Orlando and said hello to Mike Besic. back into petroleum so I could crank her one: “Whenever I find myself growing
They quickly squared away the Strada, up for the ride home. Ah, the ride home! grim about the mouth, whenever it is a
and I went home to sleep before my As I usually returned from work when damp, drizzly November in my soul ...” I
graveyard shift at Flying Tigers, but as I only drunks and cops were about, and I revive my spirits with the thought of
drifted off, that car was there, nestled in could stretch her legs on a winding road that GTV-6. n
a vacant corner of my brain. that weaved a mile through the
So I drove back a week later. It was Thatcher Woods, cranking open the
still there, and again a week after that. sunroof and windows to drink in
I took a closer look then: black interior, the glorious sound. That blast was
low miles, steel sunroof, dark gray P6- worth every blown head gasket
shod wheels. So I put myself on the hook and worn second gear synchro.
and talked to Sam Tomaino who had My family loved the car too. It
sold me the Strada and before that the lived up to its GT badge in every
glorious Fiat Spider. “It’s a factory car sense. With my son ensconced
the family loved
that one of the Alfa reps had. They in the backseat with his suitcase
the car too.
turned it over to us, Ter. You would love of Matchbox cars, we drove up
it. I’d really give you a good price.” to Door County and took half
“Ah, Sam, I’ve got to talk to Darlene.” an hour off the foggy four-
“You do that, kid. It won’t last long.” hour trip, and were able to grace the
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 27MONACO
Bruce and i in front of the
Monaco pit lane.
Being There seats in three different grandstands:
Practice in front of the Casino, Qualy
across from the pits, Race across from
the harbor with a view of cars coming out
Remembering
W
ith one of us pushing 70 and of the tunnel, through the Nouvelle
the other one pulling it, we Chicane, dipping out of sight, then
Our Grand Prix decided it might be time to
pick up the pace on emptying F1 races
suddenly 30 feet away and between us
and the yachts before screaming toward
of Monaco, 2017 from the bucket list. That meant a 2017 La Rascasse. Each spot was perfect for
trip to Monte Carlo for the Monaco GP. that day’s action. We became wary of bad
By Phyllis Tilden Monaco! karma when the only wreck of the day for
Photos by Bruce Tilden It’s quite true you see a lot more of an both practice and qualy happened right
F1 race from your recliner than from a in front of us. Another happened on race
grandstand, but being there is, well, day, but at least it wasn’t the only wreck
being there. How else can you train your of the day. Actually, the most fascinating
binoculars on the $600 million yacht, part of the race activity was watching the
Dilbar, riding elegantly in the harbor, the corner and crane workers extract a car
biggest yacht by volume in the world? from the circuit’s narrow confines.
Eyeball the latest Aston Martin, Rolls- On the Monday before the GP, we took
Royce, Bentley, and Lamborghini parked a sort of reconnaissance lap of our own
in front of the Monte Carlo Casino? to practice catching the train from Nice
Watch a woman clad only in underwear to Monaco and find our way around the
Me and the Stelvio with the Sainte-Dévote take pictures from the balcony of her principality and its historic street circuit.
Chapel in the background. Hotel de Paris room? The country is only about one mile
Bruce did an excellent job reserving us square but I swear it’s 10 miles high.
28 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021Phoebe the Fitbit thought we’d climbed
145 sets of stairs in search of the Alfa
Romeo dealership to scope out a Stelvio.
The dealership was closed.
Totally unbeknownst to us, that
Monday was the day all the team haulers
came in by land and by sea so we got to
watch the unloading and unwrapping of Bruce in front of the Monte Carlo Casino on
Practice day. inset: Romain Grosjean signing
an autograph for me on pitwalk day.
pieces and parts and the pits get set up
from scratch. Very cool! Being there.
Friday is an “off day”, but the circuit
holds a pit walk for race ticketholders. finding a Stelvio, a Stelvio found us. We along Nice’s busy streets. And we saw
Hot, crowded and palpably electric. were making our way uphill to the something neither of us had ever seen:
Drivers, principals, Ross Brawn, celebs, Monaco train station, when the red an Alfa station wagon. We saw two
loud music blaring enough bass to vibrate beauty passed us, then pulled right into wagons, in fact, one branded a 159 and
your innards. Autographs. Being there. the turnaround we had to traverse. The the other a 155.
On our way to the Saturday stands, we driver, a quite nice-looking young Italian Our last night in Nice, we sat on the
almost got run over by Lewis Hamilton. fellow, got out of the car. I rushed over balcony of our apartment overlooking the
He was driving a nondescript white with a dozen questions. He was downright Promenade des Anglais and the
Mercedes. Three identical white Mercedes gushing in his praise of the car. He Mediterranean Sea. Just as we raised a
followed him. Being there. politely let us look it over and take some toast to our trip, its memories and each
At the end of the race, all those giant pictures. other, what should cruise down the Prom
yachts across from us literally laid on We saw a fair number of new Giuliettas but a primo Duetto, top down in the
their horns in salute. A deafening but only one new Giulia along our little evening’s cool breeze. Voila. Being there.
cacophony. Being there. section of the French Riviera from Nice to Your Editors were unsure that there
Sometime along the way, instead of Menton. A smattering of 147s parked would be a 2021 Grand Prix of Monaco, so
we were very pleased that the Tildens
shared this wonderful memory. As a bonus,
however, at Alfa Owner
deadline time the race
was on for May 20-23!
Viva F1! n
Left: Lance Stroll’s Williams being extracted
from the track on practice day.
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 29AROC ACTIVITIES
Chapter Scrapbook
Harmon Heed (3)
Florida Chapters
Represent Bigly at
the B.I.G
The day prior was rainy all along the
southwest Florida coastline, but the day
of the show in Cape Coral was a
wonderful Florida winter day, high 70s
and cloudless, blue sky. As the cars rolled
into the pristine Rotary Park volunteers
directed them to their parking places.
Under a central cupola, the Boy Scouts
had coffee and donuts ready to take off
Left: Scott Crater with 1st in Class for his
the early morning chill.
'57 Sprint. Above: tom Rossi with Best
The number of registrants set a new
high of 172 this year. There were Maserati award.
approximately 90 British, 60 German and
21 Italian cars, almost all of them sports Jo Heed’s blond Giulia Spider; Alfa Hard rain during the two-hour drive down
cars and a few historic cars. The Top through 1980, SWFLAROC member from Sarasota in their windowless
organization was superb, every car had Scott Crater’s red Giulietta Sprint. Tom Spider. “It made our last overnight trip
its parking place pre-designated and and Carol Rossi, who are members of in ‘Abby’ a bit of an adventure. Now I can
marked. both chapters, won the Maserati class. At retire the shower curtain that’s been
Judging at this event is done by all of the end, the “President’s Award” was keeping me dry for 15 years.” On
the entrants and the AROC winners presented to FAC members Delmas and Monday they picked up their new Jaguar
were: Alfa Soft Top through 1980, Polly Greene’s 1960 Vignale 2000. F-type.
Florida Alfa Club members Harmon and Jo Heed said that she was glad it did — Harmon Heed
30 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021Florida Alfa Club at Festivals of Speed
Left: John Picot's '73 trophy GtV. Right: tim Roger's 2017 Giulia Quad.
Harmon Heed (2)
In February, while Texas, the bright-blue skies, and sail boats on Porsches are modern, and many of
Midwest and Northeast were buried the bay, 13 Alfa Romeos sat polished the Alfa entrants are 45 years or
in snow and ice and misery, the and parked on the grass in the shade older. They are true classics, and they
Florida Alfa Club was comfortably of a crescent of grand oaks. draw a crowd. Nine of the FAC cars
displaying their Alfas at the Festivals This has long been an annual event entered were over 35 years old, one 57
of Speed. They gathered again at the for FAC where its cars garner many years old. In Florida you’re never too
exclusive Vinoy Renaissance Resort in ‘per capita’ awards because most of old to go to the beach, and beach time
St. Petersburg on the shore of Tampa the other “exotic” cars, the morass of is all year around!
Bay. With an air temperature of 75F, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Maseratis and — Harmon Heed
the Vinoy Renaissance
Resort in St. Petersburg.
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 3132 A L F A O W N E R MAY 2021
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 33
A L FA S AT A U C T I O N
Paris Retromobile –
A Moving Target
1965 Giulia Sprint GtA
By Bob Abhalter
N
ormally Retromobile is the car and 26 sold. In keeping with the online 1990s, intent on returning the car to its
lover’s excuse to visit Paris in nature of the event, the cars offered original configuration. It had been little
early February, but not this were not assembled in Paris. The used since.
year. The ever-changing COVID winning bidders needed to collect their The auction photos showed a good
situation forced its organizers to slide prizes wherever they were, across the finish overall, with only a few nicks and
the annual collector car exposition to continent. Two Alfas were in the mix. chips. The interior showed a few minor
June 2-6 this year. The three major Both were very desirable models. issues with the upholstery of the racing
auctions associated with the show First was lot 120, a 1965 Giulia Sprint buckets. A full roll cage was installed,
decided to hold their events anyway, GTA, chassis AR613015. The racer was along with a complete GTA dashboard.
with some modifications. The French finished in red with white trim. The A proper 1600 twin plug engine was
firm Artcurial, the official auction house chassis number suggested that it was sourced to replace the 2-liter GTAm
of Retromobile, held its event February among the first 15 of the 500 GTAs unit the car acquired later in its racing
5. The limited live and online auction produced and that it was produced by career. Detail photos cataloged the riv-
was much smaller than the normal Autodelta in race trim, one of six ets that attached the aluminum body-
extravaganza, offering 42 cars of which “customer cars” with specifications work to the GT’s chassis. It was claimed
only 28 were sold. Worse for us, none similar to the team cars. According to that the first cars were produced with
were Alfas. Artcurial will mount another RM Sotheby’s, this car was delivered to aluminum floor pans rather than the
auction June 4 as a part of the the Belgian F1 and Le Mans ace Lucien steel pans fitted to later cars in the
rescheduled Retromobile event. Bianchi. His team campaigned the GTA series. The result of the restoration
RM Sotheby’s Paris in various European race series for the seemed to be a largely complete and au-
RM Sotheby’s Paris auction was held next four years, after which it was sold thentic return to original specification.
February 13 as a live-streamed online on to another Belgian racer. All told, the Bidders responded favorably and the car
event. Much smaller than the usual car claimed four owners. The consignor was sold for €270,000 ($327,213), a good
Retromobile, only 40 cars were offered commissioned a full restoration in the buy for the lucky new owner.
Later in the auction a Touring-bodied
1957 1900 CSS Coupe, chassis
1900C10548, ran across the virtual
block. It was handsomely finished in
dark blue with gray fabric upholstery
trimmed in blue. The auction house
could claim very little knowledge of the
car’s history, stating only its long-term
residence in an Italian collection
through 1990. The only information
provided about the restoration was that
it predated the consignor’s acquisition
four years ago. These later Touring-bod-
ied coupes bear a strong family resem-
1957 1900 CSS Coupe blance to the contemporary Giulietta
Sprints and Spiders, despite coming
34 A L F A O W N E R MAY 20211968 Spider Junior 1963 2600 Spider 1973 Montreal
from the pens of different designers. Bonham’s, it was given a “body-off” rather than the usual two-eared Alfa
The overall finish of the car presented restoration in 2018, hard to do with a version. The seat upholstery showed
very well. Detail pictures show a few unit-body car. I assume they meant to light signs of use and the dash and
chips on door and hood edges and say the work done was comprehensive. instruments were all in good shape.
mostly good chrome, except for a defect The Spider Junior was first released in Triple Webers replaced the original
in the windshield surround. The 1968. Aside from engine displacement, Solex carburetors. The carbs wore
Michelin-shod Borrani wire wheels the cars differed only in some minor individual aftermarket foam air cleaners,
gleamed. The engine and induction details from the original Duettos. This but the unconnected original filter
system were finished in black crackle one appeared to have been well restored cannister was left in place, an odd
finish, and the engine compartment was and perhaps a bit over-restored in the choice. The high bid was $113,216, not
all in good order. The undercarriage engine bay, where the cam covers and enough to send the Spider to a new
escaped the full-concours treatment but intake were polished and the air filter owner. The consignor was looking for a
still appeared to be in good shape. The cannister was finished in high-gloss price closer to the low auction estimate
interior was well-appointed, with no black. The headlight fairings were in of $140,000. Although the high bid
wear evident to the upholstery or gray place, and the car rode on its original seemed low, the auction valuation was
carpeting. The wood-rimmed steering steel road wheels. perhaps a bit high.
wheel set off the handsome instrument The interior was very tidy, with fresh Next was a 1973 Montreal, chassis
cluster with its shiny gauges. The dash upholstery. The fabric convertible top AR1427151, resplendent in a two-year-
held a vintage Philips transistorized looked fresh, as well. The trunk lid was old red respray. The French-delivered
two-band radio from a slightly later devoid of any trim. This consignment car was fitted with the classic yellow
period. All told, this was one handsome, was the most popular of the four Alfas headlamps once mandated in France
appealing example of a later 1900 C. The offered and sold for a healthy $51,968 and stood tall on its OEM wheels and
bidders thought so too, and the car sold including fees, putting the $45,268 tires. Inside, the seats were upholstered
for €246,875 ($299,188), well above the hammer price just shy of the $49,000 in black fabric set off by bright red
Sports Car Market price guide’s median low estimate. carpeting. The odometer showed 99,000
value of $224,000. A 1963 2600 Spider, chassis km (61,500 mi.) and the instruments
Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du AR191808, looked stunning in ivory were all in good condition. The
Monde à Paris over black upholstery and convertible uncracked dash was graced by a radio
Bonhams chose to delay its 2021 top. Originally delivered to the with 8-track tape player. At least one
French event until March 3. The Netherlands, the car claimed a complete cartridge of Aretha Franklin hits was
consignments numbered 77. One Ferrari restoration “a few years ago,” and the included, per the photos. There was
was withdrawn, and 30 other cars failed documentation included an inspection some scratching on the rear luggage
to sell. The 60% sell-through rate was report completed in September 2019. shelf, indicating some use. The paint
less than spectacular. The photos showed a Spider in very finish and trim appeared to be in good
Among the offerings was a 1968 good overall condition, inside and out. order, with only minor corrosion noted
Spider Junior in the traditional red with Wire wheels had been added during the low on the rear valence. It appeared that
black vinyl upholstery. This 1300- restoration. They were stated to be the door latches could use some minor
engined example of a first series Turrino wheels (a British company) and adjustments. The engine compartment
roundtail Spider appeared to be in good looked similar to the traditional was in generally good order, but was
condition overall. According to Borranis, but had three-eared knockoffs most likely not included in the respray.
ALFA OWNER MAY 2021 35You can also read
