Iniezione the Newsletter of the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club
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Iniezione The newsletter of the Northwest Alfa Romeo Club Ken Case Runs the Old Spider Tour It was a cool and clear morning April 16 when a hardy group of Alfisti gathered in Washougal, Washington to start the 23rd annual Old Spider Tour. This tour, like all its predecessors, was organized by Erik Roe of Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon (AROO). Erik's reputation for organizing a lively tour encouraged a good turnout for an event scheduled so early in the season. Twenty two cars arrived, 21 Alfa Romeos and one Audi Romeo driven by an Alfista who didn't quite get his old spider back together in time for the event. Of these entrants, nine were, in fact, old spiders, 5 Giulias and 4 Giuliettas. All the old spiders were driven by their "age appropriate" owners. After some short organizing details, the group headed up the Washougal River on a lovely winding road. For those with their tops down, there was some concern about hands freezing to steering wheels but the route more than made up for the discomfort. Before frostbite set in, we came down from the hills, and headed East to our first rest stop. We gathered at Maryhill State Park on the banks of the Columbia River. Fifty miles in and we had one set of brake lights inactive, one ignition switch misbehaving and one generator that was attempting to go its own way. About right for twenty plus well aged Alfas. The next several hours were spent scampering over south-central Washington at brisk speeds that were sometimes legal. The scenery was magnificent, the weather was great and the route was a delight. In the late afternoon we crossed over the Columbia River into Oregon, arriving in The Dalles in time for evening festivities. Dinner was served after a short presentation at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles. This facility displays the history of the region and is well worth a visit. The catering staff was initially a little short on food for our hardy group, but the con- dition was soon corrected and a good time was had by all. Sunday's route brought more spirited travel, this time in north- central Oregon. We traveled East then South to Condon and into the beautiful Cot- tonwood Canyon State Park. We zipped in and out of various canyons, resting in the John Day Fossil Beds before traveled along the Deschutes River and the Rowena Loops. The end of the tour found us in Mosier Oregon happy with the tour and ready to try it again next year. The Old Spider Tour is an event for those who want to give their Alfa Romeo some vigorous exercise. This is not an event for leisurely sight- seeing. If this sounds like your kind of fun, give it a try, you will not be disappointed. Words & Photos by Ken Case! Inside this May 2016 issue… * Old Spider Tour ……….... pg 1 * Garden Tour RSVP ……... pg 5 * Membership …..…...…. pg 11 * President’s Column ....... pg 2 * All Italian Show …….. pgs 6,7 * Calendar …………...….… pg 12 * Club Meeting ……….….... pg 3 * Tulip Rallye ………..……... pg 8 Next club events… * NEWS …………………....…. pg 4 * Red Square Show ......… pg 9 * Club Meeting ……….……….....…….. May 10 * Garden Tour ………..………...…..…. June 4 * 2018 Convention …........ pg 4 * Classifieds …………….... pg 10 * Club Meeting …….…………….…..…. June 14 President’s Column By Bill Gehring as when I looked at the other side, both screws had less than one-half of their head remaining. So, that leads to the warning. Check your plastic screws! It also is a reminder that APE is still there and a good source of parts. I usually include some news, or at least rumors, of the arrival of the new Giu- lia. There is none of that this time, but just a few days ago, I did see a beau- tiful Giulia sedan that I would love to have. It was a very nice blue 1967 Su- per. The seats and carpet were especially impressive and were done by a shop in Mount Vernon which will be my go-to shop if I ever have some serious uphol- stery work done. This Giu- Do you know the movie, “The Graduate”, in which lia had a recent professional restoration, but with a Dustin Hoffman drove an Alfa spider and introduced 1750 and is absolutely beautiful. It’s for sale, too. Alfa Romeo to the American masses? In it, apparent- So are its two garage mates, which are so nice I have ly needing some career direction, he is advised, to mention them. They are in an impressive four bay “Plastics, plastics”. Well, the combination of an Alfa garage that I do not think has ever seen a car other Spider and plastics did not work out for us recently than an Alfa. One is a 1969 1750 boat-tail, which I and may warrant a warning for other spider owners. first saw many years ago when it was undergoing a Perhaps a warning for drivers of other models, too. two year restoration. It is a great red. The other is a 1959 Spider Veloce, also red. It has been also pro- Judy and I were out for a nice top-down drive through fessionally restored and is immaculate, like the other Redmond, when going through a parking lot, we cars. I usually do not mention cars for sale but these heard a funny crunching noise. I did not think much are so fantastic that I had to put them out there for about it. We parked, had lunch, and when we were anyone who might have an interest. It would be walking back to the car, I noticed it did not have a great to have them stay in the community. left parking light/turn signal lens. Of course we re- traced our steps and when we went through that Judy and I attended the Italian Car Show at the Triple parking lot again, there were many small orange and X Drive In and there were some great cars there. I clear plastic pieces scattered about. That shouldn’t think I will change my participation at this event from happen on a “normal” car, right? I knew that the now on, too. I have previously just parked on the lenses were attached with plastic screws, and I even street and gone in and hung with the other Alfa peo- had a couple of extras, in case one of them ever ple. This year I realized it would have been much broke. I never thought of the possibility of both be- more fun if my car was there too, so when Harry ing broken at the same time. Reed left early and left an empty space, I asked the organizers if I could just “park” there. It really in- I really did not want to drive the car in its cosmetic creased my enjoyment of the show. That’s the other embarrassment, so I went online to Centerline and piece of my advice for this month. Be a participant! saw that lenses were readily available. I wasn’t too happy about the price, so remembered Alfa Parts Ex- See you at the May 10 meeting / movie and the change (APE). When I called, I found that they had a Garden Tour on June 5. lens for about one-third of the price and I was also Bill Gehring offered some metal allen head screws to replace all NWARC President four of the plastic ones. That was a good thing too, NWARC May 2016 newsletter page 2 Club Meeting Wild About Cars Garage Tuesday, May 10 Board Members Its movie night for the May 10 club meeting. Back at Wild About Cars Garage President Bill Gehring (425) 822 4231 we’ll hold a short meeting to start the evening, then use their big screen to [email protected] watch the wonderful movie about Enzo Ferrari by Carlo Carlei. It nicely covers his life and features Alfa Romeo with cars from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo. Vice President Cindy Akana (425) 502 1185 The movie will run just past 9PM so we aim to get it started on time at 7PM. [email protected] Where: Wild About Cars, 11200 Kirkland Way #200, Kirkland Secretary Gordy Hyde When: Tuesday April 12 6:30 – 9:00 PM (425) 241 9307 [email protected] Food: Order dinner ahead of time or bring your food. Treasurer Ron Calkins (206) 403 3445 Popcorn, water, Coke, wine will be provid- [email protected] ed. Committee Leadership To order food: Subs, sandwiches, sides, Activities Director TBD and beverages from JimmyJohn's, go to www.online.jimmyjohns.com or call 425- Chief Driving Intructors 828-9000. Mirko Freguia (206) 795 0861 Chris Benny (206) 283 9065 Pizzas, salads, and beverages from Zeek- Membership Chair sPizza, go to www.ZeeksPizza.com or call Paul & Kristy Affolter 425-893-8646. (206) 523 8534 Either one… let them know you want your food [email protected] [email protected] delivered around 6:45 PM to: Wild About Cars,11200 Kirkland Way, Ste. 200, Kirkland, Iniezione Editor Fred Russell WA 98033. [email protected] Webmaster Earl Krygier Surprise! Mirko Turns 50 [email protected] Sometimes it takes a family, even the Alfa family. Mirko happens to be married to a Technical Editor wonderful woman, Julie, and with the help of his fun daughters and a few friends, she Wes Ingram 15613 “C” Peterson Road threw him a surprise party for his 50th Birthday. Gordy Hyde, Fred Russell, Chris Ben- Burlington, WA 98233 ny, and Rob MF George helped distract (360) 707 5701 him for the day on Saturday with the [email protected] Tulip Rallye then a swing past PROVA Motorsports to steal a flag.