Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

November 2020

Not an Alfa Romeo!

Photo: Clyde Hay

Model of the Riva Aquarama powered by twin Lamborghini V12s

Read Clyde’s account of building this model of the original.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

President’s Page

David Wright on AROCA Club benefits: At the October Club Night, which was held on-line, we attempted to show a video featuring our patron, David Wright, championing the Alfa Romeo club. For those that missed it, here is a link to the gearshifter video – enjoy! https://gearshifter.com.au/community/car-bike-clubs/

Log Book Covers - $20 plus postage: AROCA members are offered custom made Australian leather log book covers bearing the Club’s logo.

If you have a concessionally registered Alfa, you will know how easily the log book can get damaged – so why not protect your log book in one of these hand made covers? Contact the President ([email protected]) to order your log book cover.

Stop press! The “Ring of Steel” has lifted!!! So we have several drive events, west and east, scheduled over the next couple of weeks. See the calendar section for details, but don’t forget to BOOK your spot on the drive(s) of your choice.

Mandy Thompson President, AROCA Victoria

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Buongiorno Alfisti November 2020

This month Notizie Alfisti includes a Register Update from John Hanslow, the Register Coordinator, on some proposed club drives and on-line meetings – which hopefully, might be able to happen soon. John also provides us with an update on Spettacolo, which has, as have so many things this year, been postponed until March next year.

From the CoViD Projects arena, Clyde Hay has provided an account of building a timber, radio controlled, scale model of the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini, an Italian luxury runabout built in 1968. The original boat was made of mahogany and was apparently powered by twin Lamborghini 350 GT V12 motors. Sometime later they were replaced with the more usual twin V8s! A recent refurb by a new and fastidious owner, has reinstated it with twin Espada V12 motors. Clyde’s model is also made from mahogany and it too uses twin motors, but these ones are electric.

The newsletter features several other articles, also with an electric vehicle (EV) theme. AROCA SA member Mark Newton, details the range of Alfa Romeo bikes available in Oz, both human and battery powered and AROCA WA member, Greg Smith, provides an addendum to Mark’s piece, describing four about-to-be-released electric bikes emblazoned with Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Abarth branding.

Following up on the EV theme is an overview of member, Damon Earwaker’s, conversion of a Fiat 500 to EV - and the story behind the only Right-hand drive Fiat 500e known to exist in the world ...

To wrap up the theme, is a report on a test by an Australian company, COHDA Wireless, of Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) in an Urban Canyon in Adelaide earlier this year.

We still don’t have a winner for Glen Phillips’ Alfa-bet Quiz that appeared in both the August and September editions of Notizie Alfisti. Surely there are a few Alfisti out there in lockdown-land that know their Alfas? Why not give it a go and claim the prize?

Last month you were promised Part 2 of Glen Phillips’ Quiz. It is different, but still engaging. You will find it near the end of the Newsletter. When you have exhausted your knowledge of Italian automotive marques, send your entry to [email protected].

The Coronavirus restrictions across Victoria have started to ease, so AROCA’s events are back on!

See the calendar section below and watch the AROCA Victoria web site for the latest advice.

Do you have an Alfa for sale, or maybe you Are Looking For Another? Tell us! Member’s Alfa ads can be included in the newsletter at no charge. If you are selling, be sure to provide photos and VIN/Rego details.

AROCA Victoria’s magazine Cross + Serpent and the newsletter Notizie Alfisti are archived on the Club’s website under the “Publications” tab. https://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/publications/

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

News from around the traps

Thankfully, the lockdown has started to ease, and we can now recommence the planning of our Club events – though all events will still remain subject to the COVID-19 Reopening Roadmap.

Club drives:

Photo by Walter Pagano

We will still have two main issues to contend with: the number of people allowed to gather together as a group; and how far from home we are allowed to travel. But as soon as the window of opportunity opens, a number of Sunday Drives, including lunch where possible, will be back on. Some of the proposed drive venues include: Daylesford; Warburton; Lilydale and Noojee with various Register Groups – but note: for all of these events, pre-booking your attendance will be mandatory.

“Zoom” meetings:

Following the recent successful on-line Club Meeting in October, we are planning to hold a series of on- line information sessions via the Club’s “Zoom” account. The first will be focussing on “Detailing” and will hopefully be held in mid-November – subject to technical support being available.

Spettacolo:

The Club’s Committee is looking at various options for the next Spettacolo. As it is very unlikely that we would be permitted to hold a Spettacolo event this year (2020), it will not be held this year, but we are endeavouring to reschedule for early in 2021. Dates, venues and pandemics permitting!

Otherwise, Spettacolo may have to be postponed until November 2021. Hopefully, by then though, we will all be able to return for another successful event at Wesley College, Glen Waverley.

Special thanks to all our Club Register Captains, who all appreciate and welcome your support.

Watch the Calendar on the Club’s website for updates on the above and breaking news of Club events.

John Hanslow, Register Coordinator E: [email protected]

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Building a model of the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini

Words & photos by Clyde Hay

While we’ve all been doing lots of different activities during this extended lock down, for me, it’s been assembling a remote control scale model of a 1960s RIVA Aquarama, an Italian mahogany runabout – popular among the rich and famous. The model is made by AMATI who were founded in 1879.

It is very true in all facets to the original, except for the motor. The real Aquarama had twin Lamborghini V12 engines for power, whereas I’ve used twin battery powered electric ones - not quite the same.

The original is a double planked hull, so with the model you start by attaching ribs to a centre board and then plank the hull with strips of Birch. These strips are 7 mm wide and 1 mm thick and glued directly on to the ribs. During construction the planking is held in place with 12 mm long pins, which have to be removed once the glue has dried.

Ribs attached to centreboard Start of first layer of planking

Once the hull has had its first layer of planking applied, a second layer of planking made of Mahogany is applied. It’s the same process but is done with the aid of a plank bending tool which scores one side of the Mahogany so as to allow it to bend freely and fit snuggly around the curve of the bow.

First layer of planking nearly done, Second layer of planking - .

just needing a tidy up. this is the Mahogany layer.

Once the hull is completed it’s time to cut off any excess Mahogany and then sand it all smooth. AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

The Deck was up next and once the outer shaped Mahogany pieces were glued down it was onto the 1mm Limewood and 3mm Mahogany wide strips on the front deck and stern slipway.

Decking at the bow Decking at the stern

There are 50 pieces of each timber type used and as you get closer to the sides each piece has to be chamfered to fit the outer pieces, quite detailed. Over the project I used more than 1300 pins.

Once the deck is completed it’s time for more sanding and then onto the marine grade gloss varnish, applied five coats with a light sand in between.

Then onto upholstering the seat bases, front and rear carpet with a leather look alike textured vinyl. Painted the seats and sun lounge with Auto spray paint.

Cabin upholstery Deck upholstery

Next up was attaching all the decorative metal pieces to the deck, stern, sides and dashboard and the windscreen complete with search light and rear vision mirror. AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Some of the switches on the dash are made up of two very small eyelets, one inserted into the other and then applied to the dash using a push pin. Tweezers were the only way to hold these in place as they were only 2mm wide.

Last part of the build was the propeller shafts and motor mounting, I needed to cut a 5 x 25mm slot in two places towards the rear of the Hull. Now this part was very taxing, having spent so much time in getting the planking nicely sanded and varnished and here I was going to cut these slots into it, well bit the bullet and positioned the propeller shafts and glued them into place with resin. This model is so detailed that it even has an oil filler tube on the outer shaft to allow the inner propeller shaft to be lubricated.

Lastly it was positioning the speed controller and RC receiver plus the Servo for the twin rudders, very fiddly trying to tighten 5mm locking nuts onto the rudder shafts in the angled stern!

To finish off and make sure of water tightness I then applied some fibreglass cloth and resin to ensure the hull was completely sealed.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

I did not kept a log of the build time, but looking at some YouTube tutorials, other people have spent 150 plus hours!

I am very much looking forward to giving it its first run on water, hopefully soon.

The build took many hours through our cold winter, but it was worth it.

Clyde Hay.

If this has piqued your interest, see the Petrolicious piece on this fabulous boat too.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

News from further afield

A Different Way to Travel...

AROCA SA member Mark Newton introduces us to another line of vehicles bearing the famous Alfa Romeo name ...

This article first appeared in the September 2020 edition of AROCA SA’s “Le Automobili Alfa” and since then in the October edition of AROCA WA’s “Alfa Occidentale”.

So, it’s a perfect day for a drive in the Adelaide Hills, and you find yourself on a perfect twisting Hill’s road whereupon suddenly you're hard on the brakes because directly in front of you is a bunch of lycra wearing cyclists. What is your immediate reaction - anger, annoyance, or mere resignation? However, what would your reaction be if in front of you was a 4C, 8C Competizone or even a Stradale, but on this occasion equipped with only two wheels?

Well that could well be the case given that in the past decade Alfa Romeo has been selling bicycles with the same flare and style that we all appreciate from the Alfa stable. There of course is an offset to this in that the horsepower of these vehicles is seriously reduced to the power of one human.

So, let us start with the 4C IFD. This has been designed by Alfa Romeo Centro Stile and Compagnia Ducale. Its design complements the design principles of the “other” 4C by being lightweight at 6.9 kilograms as it is constructed using carbon fibre components similar the fabulous car.

The IFD stands for Innovation Frame Design, referring to the frame shape (which resembles an inverted number 4) and the carbon fibre semi-tubular section which emulates the C- shaped carbon rails used in the 4C car. Refined design profiles of various elements include the junction of the handlebars, at the bottom bracket and of the saddle creating structural strong points connected by steel tie rods.

The 4C comes in a range of specifications - Single speed, Veloce, Centaur, Hybrid and Corsa Record, with each of these models equipped with either Shimano or Campagnolo componentry.

As an aside, I have to admit to being somewhat perturbed by the Single Speed as the viability of this model would very much depend on the fitness of the rider ...

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Now, if that hasn’t enticed you to don a pair of cycling knicks then perhaps the Competizione 8C (right) will.

The Competizione 8C is inspired by the legendary 8C sports car which was produced in limited numbers from 2007 to 2010. Matching the car's construction, the 8C's frame is entirely manufactured from carbon fibre. In this instance the frame is made from Carbon Fibre HM40 CTC and again there are 6 styles to choose from - Veloce, Centaur, Athena, Chorus, Record and Super Record, all equipped with Campagnolo componentry.

The previous models do seem to assume that we shall all have calf muscles the size of Olympic champions so let’s look at a few gentler options.

The next of these is the Stradale (left) which employs an alloy frame based on the shape of the Alfa Romeo shield, designed to truly emphasise the sportiness and elegance of the Alfa Romeo brand.

Let's face it the best part of Alfa Romeo ownership is taking your car for a long drive (i.e. touring), so of course we have to have the Alfa Romeo Touring model, suitable for both off-road and urban use (I'm not sure that many of us take our cars off-roading, on purpose that is). However, in the cycling world this model has become one of the most popular Alfas on the mud/road!

As I stated at the beginning of this article, we are going to the mountains so why not have a Cross (right); a truly ultra-light weight handmade carbon fibre mountain bike frame makes this a sturdy and precision device with a combination of advanced componentry including specially designed Michelin tyres.

The future is coming and that means that electric vehicles will soon become a much more common feature on our roads, devoid of noise, gear changes and the pleasure of discovering new oil leaks.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

So, for the future we look to the Dolomiti Electric (right), a robust electric off-road bike with a 500 watt Bafang in-frame electric motor.

The in-frame lithium battery provides constant and reliable power with a riding range of up to 100 kms. The Dolomiti is equipped with front and rear hydraulic disk brakes, 10 speed gears and five power settings.

Now all you need to consider is what type of bike frame you will fit to the back of your car. Alternatively, you could tell the grandkids that you will buy them an Alfa, hoping that they're not disappointed with the Junior (below left) or the Baby (below right).

Mark Newton AROCA SA

These articles have borrowed from information that can be found on the following websites:

www.zanco.com.au www.designboom.com www.bikerumour.com

Thanks to Andrew Matusiewicz, editor of AROCA SA’s “Le Automobili Alfa” and AROCA SA member Mark Newton for permission to re-use this content.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

ELECTRIC Alfa, Abarth & Fiat 500 ARE RELEASED

By AROCA WA member Greg Smith

Who says that Alfa, Fiat or Abarth hasn’t made or sold electric vehicles already?

Zanco, the Australian distributor of Alfa Romeo, Abarth and Fiat marque bicycles has announced the 2020 release of a new range of electric-powered bikes. These are not just beautiful objects to look at, they are very durable and high performing electric bicycles.

The Alfa Romeo Dolomiti Touring Electric is a robust and beautifully designed electric off-road bike. With its 500 Watt Bafang in-frame electric motor, it has the needed power and torque to tackle rough terrains and steep inclines. The in-frame lithium battery provides constant and reliable power for a long ride up to 100 km. This removable battery also has a side port in the frame for recharging which is key locked. The Dolomiti has front and rear hydraulic disk brakes, front suspension, 10-speed gears and 5 power settings to cater for the off-road enthusiast. Cost is around $5,650, delivered to Perth.

The beautifully designed Alfa Romeo Giulia e-bike delivers an amazing 100 km range too on a single charge via its 450 Watt electric drive system and its 10-speed gear system. While it is yet to arrive in Australia, the expected price is between $5,000 and $6,000.

The E-MTB Abarth delivers 500 watts of power in a fully integrated 'in-frame' drive system. Meanwhile, the Fiat 500 ebike is a compact, foldable runabout. In stock in Australia, it costs $2,250, delivered to Perth.

I have been the proud owner of a (non-electric) Alfa Romeo Stradale touring bike for about 4 years; i.e., another Alfa Centro Style designed bike. Perhaps it is time I moved on to an electric bicycle?

Pricing and availability for these electric bikes was provided by the distributor, Zanco, who are based in Melbourne.

This article first appeared in AROCA WA’s October edition of Alfa Occidentale. Thanks to Greg for permission to republish.

We’ll check back with Greg after summer to see if he has scratched that EV itch …

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Damon Earwaker's Fiat 500e words and photos by Damon Earwaker

In 2017 I started to get interested in exploring the technical concepts and developments in the EV area with the initial idea of converting a classic Fiat 500 to electric drive as this was beginning to occur in Europe and even the US.

The costs however simply didn’t justify the effort involved and limited capabilities of the finished product but led me to investigation of the modern day Fiat 500 electric, a vehicle developed by FCA as a ‘compliance car’ to meet clean air standards in California. This concept made sense- a modern vehicle which perfectly suited requirements of a daily commuter, including all the safety and convenience features of a modern car but with the uniquely Italian style of a Fiat 500.

Unfortunately, the first generation 500e was only sold as a LHD vehicle within California in limited numbers due to its cost of manufacture vastly exceeding the price that it could sell for. At that time it was legally impossible to import one for road registration in Australia so I decided to follow the path of purchasing a damaged salvage vehicle from the US and then converting a local market RHD petrol powered vehicle into a fully road legal electric version.

The starting point - Two cosmetically similar Fiat 500s - a Black LHD 500e and Riviera Green 500 1.2 Anniversario in RHD.

To most of us it might seem like a relatively simple project: 1) remove the petrol motor and install the electric one in its place; and 2) remove the petrol fuel tank and install the EV battery pack! However, it was not quite so straight forward. The battery pack is significantly larger and heavier than a petrol tank and many challenges were caused by the different production locations, the ICE version from Poland and the EV manufactured by Chrysler in Mexico. While many parts looked superficially similar they were often subtly different enough to not fit or function without modification.

It was a significant conversion project, due in part to it not only being a conversion from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicle (EV), but it also entailed conversion from a left hand drive (LHD) drivetrain to right hand drive (RHD)! This was unchartered territory as there was absolutely no crossover of part numbers or technical information between the Chrysler produced EV and Fiat Manufactured ICE versions. As the EV drivetrain and wiring was not intended to be produced in RHD configuration the conversion involved much more than simply swapping in a motor and a battery!

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Firstly, it required stripping everything out of both cars and a series of full engineering assessments to determine how to ‘reverse engineer’ the EV drivetrain and electronics into the RHD bodyshell and comply with ADR requirements. This involved removing the entire central and rear section of the floor by drilling out hundreds of individual spotwelds, cutting out the ICE floor and then carefully transplanting and welding the EV structural components into the RHD shell.

Once this was completed and inspected then the task began to reassemble the suspension and drivetrain in the RHD shell and convert the EV components to operate on the other side of the vehicle.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

trial fitting of the battery replacing the new floor

In addition to retrofitting all the EV charging and control systems this also involved adaptation of the electric power steering, electric heater and air conditioning system, SRS and regenerative braking systems, accelerator, instruments and control stalks, central locking and electric windows to work in RHD configuration.

There were many hours of carefully stripping and rebuilding the individual wiring looms wire by wire as well as adaptation of many other items such as the seats to comply with ADR requirements and were then retrimmed in leather afterwards. This was accomplished over a 3 month period of every available late night, RDO and Sunday afternoon with final engineering inspection and registration completed in November 2018.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. While it will most likely remain a one off as it wouldn’t have been a financially viable exercise at commercial labour rates to do the conversion, it was an amazing learning experience to see and understand the technology in a modern EV from the inside out.

As a daily driver over the last 2 years the car has been exceptionally reliable and has now covered 40,000km at an electricity cost of $200 per quarter for 6000km- that’s around 3c per km with a range of up to 160km. Charging can be done anywhere via a normal 10amp 240V 3 pin plug overnight or faster at public chargers which are mostly free and easily located by phone app. Maintenance requirements are minimal- just brake fluid, pollen filter and wiper blades. The drivetrain is maintenance free, brakes last indefinitely due to the regenerative system although tyre wear is greater due to the vastly increased torque and weight.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

The vehicle is very enjoyable to drive even in heavy traffic, the instantaneous torque delivery with no gear changes is an absolute transformation over the sequential manual ICE version. Acceleration off the line is particularly impressive, with the 0-100km/h performance being now comparable with an Abarth 500. The increased weight (+400kg) distributed in the lower section of the car and between the axles totally changes the front/rear weight distribution and unsprung weight ratio, giving the car a vastly improved ride quality and very different feel of solidity on the road - normally the characteristics of a much larger vehicle.

I can now really enjoy both contrasting driving experiences- the addictive acceleration and calming efficiency of the 500e ideally suits my commuting requirements, it is undeniably the best tool for the job and solution for the future. In the weekends however and away from the traffic it also makes me appreciate even more the transformation of fuel into mechanical symphony delivered by my Alfas with their magnificent Boxer and Busso engines!

Footnotes:

Damon has provided a comprehensive and detailed account of his conversion project, including discussion of many of the technical issues encountered along the way, on the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) forum. The thread is titled: “Damon’s Fiat 500e project”

The images above have all been sourced from Damon’s thread on the AEVA forum.

Damon was also interviewed on his Fiat 500e project by Russ Shepherd of EVolution (https://www.evolutionaustralia.com.au/).

To see the interview click on the adjacent EVolution image:

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

COHDA Wireless Trials Self-Driving Connected Cars On City Streets

“Connected In The Canyon” is a press release by COHDA Wireless on a test of Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) in an Urban Canyon in Adelaide earlier this year.

Urban Canyons refer to situations that are often encountered in a CBD where walls of tall buildings lining both sides of a thoroughfare, create situations where electronic communication is unreliable and notoriously difficult to address. This project provides a solution to the communication problem in urban canyons and integrates their bespoke technology with autonomous vehicles, to enable the vehicles to detect, ameliorate and avoid, otherwise potentially dangerous situations.

The technology being demonstrated was developed by COHDA Wireless, an Australian group associated with the University of South Australia. Not only is this technology extremely impressive, it is also Australian!

Having seen CAVs in action above, you might want to delve a little deeper into the technology. Here is a link to a webinar interview “Putting the C in CAV” by Terry Lamprecht of AutonomouStuff with Paul Alexander, CTO for COHDA Wireless, discussing the technology and potential of CAV. “such as the ability to ‘see’ around corners or sense pedestrians nearby who are not in the line of sight.” Cohda Wireless makes it possible with hardware and software that enables vehicles to communicate location, trajectory, object detection and more — not only from vehicle to vehicle (V2V) but also from vehicle to infrastructure (V2X).

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Targa Florio Australian Tribute

Targa Florio Australian Tribute 2019 Photo: James Nicholls

Be part of the fun – in 2021! Join the next Targa Florio Australian Tribute … • 4 days of touring, Thursday 25th February – 28th February • 1000 km of Victoria’s best driving roads • Great food, wine and friendship • A travelling festival of cars • Grand finale in Lygon Street, Carlton Thank you to everyone who has registered – it has been great to see a wide range of amazing cars continue to enter for the event. Despite the never ending COVID lockdown, Victoria is showing signs of life. Online registration is available now: https://targaflorioaus.com/online-registration/

Targa Florio Australian Tribute 2019 Photo: James Nicholls

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA

Watch Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi test the new Giulia GTA at Circuito di Balocco …

… click on the image above, and don’t forget to turn the sound on!

And a little closer to home … Gerard Knapp’s Alfa Romeo GT V6 at TARGA Tasmania 2016

… click on the image and make sure the sound is on.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

The Alphabet Quiz – Part 2 – by Glen Phillips ITALIAN CAR MARQUES Below is another Italian automotive knowledge challenge by AROCA WA life member Glen Phillips.

How many Italian Car Marques can you identify?

Glen has developed his own, surprisingly large, list of Italian Car Marques. He says that there should not be many letters left blank across the whole alphabet. However, he cautions that, in the Italian language, letters like ‘H’ are rarely found as the initial letter of a word.

Each name must be that of an actual Italian Car Marque that was designed and marketed in Italy. Bonus points will not be awarded for any “creative” names – even if they do tickle the fancy of the adjudicators.

Let’s get you started …

A ALFA, N

B O

C P

D Q

E R

F S

G T

H U

I V

J W

K X

L Y

M Z

Thanks to Glen Phillips & Greg Smith for allowing AROCA Victoria to reproduce this quiz, which first appeared in AROCA WA’s e-magazine Alfa Occidentale #41 in October 2020.

When you have found your quota, send your entry to: [email protected]

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Mirboo North welcomes Targa Florio Australian Tribute 2019 Photo: Michael Perrin

AROCA Victoria Club Shop Alfa Club merchandise currently in stock includes: Caps (black or red), Polo shirts (M or F) and Tee shirts (grey or red). Direct all club merchandise enquiries to Adrian 0449 831 646 or [email protected].

Alfa Romeo Preferred Partner Program Club members and potential Alfa Romeo owners, who are considering buying a new car, are referred to the Alfa Romeo Preferred Partner Program. See the official program near the end of this newsletter.

AROCA Victoria Sponsorship & Advertising To sponsor AROCA Victoria and/or advertise in AROCA Victoria’s publications: Cross & Serpent; Notizie Alfisti; and the web site AlfaClubVIC.org.au email: [email protected]

Spettacolo 2020 rescheduled to 6th & 7th March 2021!

Spettacolo, is the Alfa Club’s premiere annual Show & Shine and Concorso. It is usually held each year in about November and is the Club’s main Spring time event. For the past few years, the venue for Spettacolo has been the main oval at Wesley College’s Mt Waverley campus. But this year, due to Coronavirus pandemic, Spettacolo has been rescheduled for 6th – 7th March next year. The Concorso will be conducted on the previous weekend. An appropriate venue is still under negotiation.

John Hanslow, Spettacolo Director, M: 0409 961 719 E: [email protected]

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

AROCA Victoria Calendar Check the AROCA Victoria web site for updates.

The following restrictions apply to ALL of the AROCA Drives listed below: • Bookings for each drive are 10 maximum, as COVID restrictions still apply. • Remember to bring a facemask and hand sanitizer for a coffee break.

Sunday 15 Nov- All Alfa Drive. Details: 9.00 am start: Blue Turtle Café, Lilydale to the Dandenongs. Contact: Please provide name, contact, member number and vehicle details: Clyde Hay: M: 0419 396 638 E: [email protected]

Sunday 15 Nov – All Alfa Drive. Details: 9.30 am Start at Blue Turtle Café, Lilydale through Kinglake and back near Healesville. We aim to finish in Lilydale at the OTree Restaurant about midday. Contact: Please provide name, contact, member number and vehicle details: John Hanslow M: 0409 961 719 E: [email protected]

Sunday 22 Nov – Giulietta Register Drive. Details: Giuliettas only 9.00 am Start at La Manna Supermarket at Essendon Fields to Kinglake. Optional picnic at Kinglake at a scenic location. Advise Max of your intensions. Contact: Please provide name, contact, member number and vehicle details: Max Maltese: M: 0411 172 834

Sunday 22 Nov – GTA Register Drive Details: 147 GTA and 156 GTA only. 9.00 am Start at Blue Turtle Café, Lilydale through Kinglake and back via Marysville. We aim to finish in Lilydale at the OTree Restaurant about midday. Contact: Please provide name, contact, member number and vehicle details: George Soropos M: 0449 517 656 E: [email protected]

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

Sunday 22 Nov – GT Register Drive - AGOG Details: Alfa GT Owners’ Group 9.00 am Start at The Emerald Village Bakery, Emerald. This will be an enthusiastic drive from Emerald through the Dandenongs with a midday finish. Contact: Please provide name, contact, member number and vehicle details: Brett Hayton M: 0418 997 311 E: [email protected]

Sunday 29 Nov – Drive to Daylesford Details: 9.00 am Start La Manna in Essendon to Daylesford. Contact: Please provide name, contact, member number and vehicle details: Secretary: Colin Edwards

Save these dates The following club related events are scheduled for later in the year or early next year. If the pandemic situation does not improve in time, they too may have to be postponed or cancelled, but meanwhile … the planning does go on!

• AROCA Xmas party and BBQ | Yarra Bend | December – for Alfisti of all ages!

• Targa Florio Australian Tribute | route TBA | 25th – 28th February 2021

The Targa Florio Australian Tribute is now scheduled for 25th to 28th February 2021. The finish will be in Lygon Street, Carlton, to coincide with the Carlton Italian Festa, also known as La Dolce Italia or Lygon Street Fiesta.

• Carlton Italian Festa (& finish of the Targa Florio Australian Tribute) | Sunday 28th Feb 2021

• Spettacolo Concorso | 1st March 2021 • Spettacolo Dinner | 6th March 2021 • Spettacolo | 7th March 2021

• Phillip Island Classic | weekend of 6th & 7th March

• Melbourne Grand Prix | weekend of 13th & 14th March

• Alfisti Autumn Tour | Cuore Sportivo/Forays in the Snowys | 18th to 21st March Starting in Lilydale, overnight stops in Beechworth, Wodonga, Tumut, Jindabyne & Beechworth. Concluding in King Valley or Mansfield on Tuesday. Route and overnight locations TBC.

AROCA Victoria web: https://alfaclubvic.org.au/ email Alfisti news to: [email protected] Notizie Alfisti

News from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Australia (Victoria Division) Inc.

• ALFESTA 2021 | Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia | Thursday 1st – Monday 5th April 2021

• Auto Italia Canberra 2021 | Exhibition Park In Canberra (EPIC) | Sunday 18th April

Details: https://www.autoitaliacanberra.com/

Thank you to the contributors to this edition of Notizie Alfisti: Clyde Hay, Damon Earwaker, Mark Newton, Greg Smith, Glen Phillips, Andrew Matusiewicz, Linda Lawson, John Hanslow & Mandy Thompson

You too can contribute to the newsletter: Notes, photos or brief reports of recent events, and any items of general interest to members, will be gratefully accepted for publication in Notizie Alfisti. Contributions are preferred as text (e.g. Word) rather than PDF and should be sent to: [email protected] Submit contributions at least seven days prior to the end of the month for inclusion in the next edition.