Iniezione The newsletter of the NorthWest Alfa Romeo Club September, 2019 Going with the Flow The August Drive doesn’t go quite according to plan but is great fun!

tart your Engines!” “Alfas up front, all the oth- er cars in the back!” I call to all as I slip into S my 4C for the drive. So we all set off after a brief Driver’s Meeting, with Debi Schmid recommending a slight detour along the way. 5 Mile Drive in Point Defiance doesn’t open until Noon on summer Sundays, so we had a detour to Dune Peninsula, a new park in the city of Ruston, just west of the new restaurants at Point Ruston and connected to Point Defiance Park. At this time I am up front, leading the Alfa convoy in my black n’ white 4C with seven cars trailing Zip, zip, vroom, vroom, we all went down the close behind. I know this route so curvy windy roads. My rear view mirror dances well I hardly bother to check the with the colors of my fellow Alfisti’s cars as they zip route directions that were handed through the twisty road, all gentle turns, everyone out to all, along with a miniature having fun. Then, as we almost glide into Dash “racing flag” as a memento of the Point, all the cars in my mirror disappeared! day. (Later on, those driving an Ok, what happened to the regular program? I Alfa Romeo received another flag. pulled over and waited, then finally went back to See, it really does pay to use your find them. Was this an un-scheduled restroom Alfa!) stop? Road repair? Gotta keep the group together, I was thinking. I pulled over after a few traffic lights to let drivers catch up, then sped on. I used my turn signals to help guide them through a few more lights, and soon we are all on Marine View Drive, having so much fun, taking in glimpses of the water on the passenger side of our cars.

In this issue… * 8C Competizione ,,,,,,,,,.,..,, p 11 * August Club Drive ……... pp 1, 4 * Membership Update ……… p 12 * President’s Column ...... p 2 * Calendar ………...... ……... p 16 * Brew Cruise ……………….... p 3 I soon found them, all cautiously waiting behind * Prova Motorsports ….…….... p 3 Next club events… Tony Schmid’s 1987 Spider Veloce, with Tony fix- * Alfa Day at Group 2 …... pp 4, 5 * Brew Cruise ……………. Sep 10 ing his down and out exhaust pipe. Harry Reed * Pittsburgh Convention .…..... p 5 * Half-Fast Lap ………. Sep 14-16 provided some baling wire, which Tony used to re- * Upgrading a Spider ……. pp 6, 7 * Maryhill Weekend ….…. Oct 5-6 hang the pipe. Meanwhile Tony’s wife, Debi, soon * Half-Fast Lap ……... …... pp 8, 9 * Prova Motorsports …...…. Oct 8 sat back down in the passenger seat, knowing full * Maryhill Weekend ,,,,,,,. pp 9, 10 well that Tony could solve any problem. Why * AROC Goes to USGP ……..p 10 worry? * Classified Ads ………….…. p 10 Back on the road, I let (continued on page 4)

President’s Column By Fred Russell The Full Monte-rey door was our stop at Laguna Seca to eading to the Monterey peninsula for all the festivities visit the Rolex Motorsports Reunion; that make up one of the biggest, and definitely one of the mix of amazing and historic race- H the coolest, car weeks anywhere, it’s hard to imagine cars is fantastic. At the track you get that this happens every year. If you’ve gone, you know of up close and personal with the cars, what I speak. If you haven’t attended, it needs to be in your drivers and owners throughout the future. We have a few members who are regulars here so if paddock, and have numerous vantage you want to go, grab one of them and get expert advice so points to watch the cars racing on this great track. Don’t even you get as much of an experience as possible. get me started on the turn known as the Corkscrew. My enthusiasm was already high when I got a selfie from Friday evening was the Alfa Romeo invite-only party at member Michael Leonetti at the I-5 rest area and Mt Shasta Folktale Winery. Upon arrival, I immediately talked with Troy, viewpoint, with his silver Lamborghini Miura between him and a special events manager for FCA, then chatted with Ralph the mountain. His long-awaited car was running and taking Gilles, Head of Design at FCA and a really great Alfista. I him to Monterey. Shannon Low was also driving down in a also found Ant Anstead, co-host of Wheeler Dealers on Motor Porsche 928 while some of us were flying down. By Tues- Trend TV. He shared with me that there is a very cool Alfa- day, I was checked into my Monterey hotel with my fridge related project in the next season. I was so excited, I forgave stocked with snacks and milk and a bag of candy on the the fact that he refered to the Alfa 164 as a taxi. It was as the counter. I was ready to face Car Week. valet brought round my rental that Ralph, Ant and others Wednesday, I headed over to the parking area for Pebble started laughing out loud. My rental was a 15 passenger Beach entrants to check on the cars we were planning to dis- Chevy van. play on the lawn. We had a Lamborghini Miura to compete, Nicknamed the Prison Van, perhaps that was why security while Tazio’s Alfa P3 would display as part of the Scuderia let me go wherever I drove… everyone assumed I was the Ferrari show. I hadn’t picked up my event credentials which shuttle van. As a note, the van also worked great as a pho- include event tickets, parking passes and more, but I had no tography platform. Avis couldn’t find my reserved car so they trouble getting into wherever I wanted. I assumed they must gave me the van… despite the fact that 2 hours later they recognize me or something. Police moved barricades and sent me an email saying that since I “failed to pickup my car”, parking security waved me into even the closest lots… wher- they were giving my perfectly normal luxury sedan to some ever I wanted to go. Our guys were already at the cars and other customer. Wow. prepping the Miura. I spent time on the Alfa before heading The next two days were the busiest. At the goofy-cars Con- away to play. I checked out the Gooding Auction, then Cindy cours d’Lemons the most prestigious award was Worst in and I headed for Carmel for lunch and the “Prancing Ponies” Show, this year awarded to the ugliest Ferrari Enzo kit car car show… women-owned show and exotic cars. I’ve ever seen. My rental van would have been a close 2nd. Up early on Thursday to the start of the Pebble Beach Tour (Last year there was a GTV6 whose owner had used foil to d’Elegance. This is a chance for people to see many of the convert the rear window into a pizza oven.) Next came Con- cars that will be on the lawn on Sunday, out driving the way corso Italiano with its overload of amazing Italian cars. The the car Gods intended. The route takes participants down Alfa gathering is the biggest in North America each year. scenic Hwy 1 to the Big Sur area before returning to Carmel On Sunday we were at Pebble Beach Golf Course around for lunch. My niece, Cindy, and my friend Adam came along 5:30 AM as part of the Dawn Patrol, watching the Concours for the adventure. Scoping out where the photos will have a cars roll onto the lawn. We also got donuts and hats for our great foreground, middle ground and background, we found efforts. Then the Concours itself on the golf course, with our spot along the Highway. If you wave as the cars ap- stunning water views as a backdrop. There was also the proach they wave back, which makes for great photos. Casa Ferrari display where I stood by the Alfa P3 all day and Next, off to the Automobilia Show with tons of miniature shared the storied legacy of the 1935 German GP. cars, artwork, vintage posters, car parts, vintage tools, old Heading home after another great year of cool car events, books and much, much more. The parking lot had early Lam- memories of seeing an Alfa TZ or Giulia SSZ drive by on the borghinis, vintage Porsche, Alfa Duetto, GT Junior, Ferrari P4 roads, of lots of friends and great weather, we shared the replica and more before you got inside. Later, to the town of plane with Greg and Michelle Whitten, Roy Catz, my friend Pacific Grove for the Mini-Car Show with lots of small cars. Adam and Jack from VRM. Without a doubt, it is always a Friday meant visits to the Legends of the Autobahn treat to attend and for every event I attended, there were (German Cars) Show. Amazing and plenty of great cars three I didn’t get to see. Overload for a car geek. across the flowing grass of yet another golf course. Next - Fred Russell Iniezione page 2 September 2019

Next Club Meetings Board Members President Fred Russell September 10 Fremont Brew Cruise, Seattle (425) 308-6621 [email protected] Back to the Boat! restaurant as you look at it from the parking Vice President W Alfa Romeo Club returns to the area, in front of their outside seating. The David James Fremont Brew Cruise! Spend a late cruise is from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. (206) 849-3211 [email protected] N summer evening on a character-filled DON’T DELAY! THIS WAS VERY POPU- Secretary boat with plenty of good friends, good bever- LAR LAST YEAR AND WE DON’T WANT Joanie Vivaz ages and an unparalleled view of YOU TO MISS (206) 420 8161 [email protected] Seattle and its bridges from the OUT. Reservations water. are strongly encour- Treasurer Ken Case Boarding and your first house aged. Walk-ons are [email protected] beverage is $25 (+tax). Addition- welcome, but will be al beer and wine are $6, non- subject to space avail- Committee Leadership alcoholic beverages are $3. ability on the boat. There is also happy hour snack Payment (cash or Activities Directors Judy & Bill Gehring fare such as soft pretzels, chips, check payable to 425 822-4231 nuts, etc. for $3 & under. Please, no outside NWARC) will be collected at the boat for [email protected] food or beverages on board. Must be 21 or boarding and any additional food or beverage Chief Driving Instructor Mirko Freguia older and have ID. This event is open to purchases. 206-795-0861 NWARC members and their guests, so family Membership Chairs and friends are welcome to join the fun! Please RSVP David James by 6pm, Sun- Paul & Kristy Affolter 206-523-8534 Boarding will be 6:15-6:25 pm from Fisher- day, September 8 at 206-849-3211 (text) [email protected] man's Terminal Dock 9, for a 6:30 pm depar- or [email protected] (email). [email protected] ture. Google Chinook’s Restaurant for direc- Newsletter Editor Jon Inge tions: the boarding dock is to the left of the - David James 206-355-3111 [email protected] October 15 Prova Motorsports Webmaster Earl Krygier Tips and Tricks for Current Alfas 206-349-3913 [email protected] rova Motorsports will host the Octo- Technical ber club meeting. Following our brief Wes Ingram club meeting, Prova owner Chris 360-707-5701 P [email protected] Benny will present tips and tricks to enhance freshments will be provided . Bring a dinner 15613 “C” Peterson Road the performance of your new Alfa Romeo for or order ahead if you wish, and bring along Burlington, WA 98233 spirited driving on strada (road) and pista any unwanted magazines to exchange with (track). Learn how to get your 4C, Guilia or others! http://nwalfaclub.com Stelvio ready for the November driving Prova Motorsports www.aroc-usa.org school/HPDE! 4022 23rd Avenue W www.alfabb.com Facebook: NWARC Join us at 6:30 pm to socialize with your Seattle, WA 98199 fellow club members, with the formal meeting - David James starting at 7:00 pm. Light snacks and re- Club Liaisons AROO (Alfa Romeo Owners of ) Informazioni Generali Doug Zaitz 509-768-4312 The Iniezione is the monthly newsletter of the NorthWest Alfa Romeo Club, a non-profit organization of Alfa Ro- [email protected] meo enthusiasts. NWARC is a regional chapter of the national Alfa Romeo Owners Club (AROC). Chapter meet- ings are typically held the second Tuesday of most months except December. Membership dues are $65 per year, FEN (Fiat Enthusiasts NW) which includes subscriptions to the digital and/or print versions of the Iniezione and the monthly national publica- Gordy Hyde tion, Alfa Owner. For information about joining the club, contact the Membership Chairs listed in the right hand 425-241-9307 column. Opinions expressed in the Iniezione are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the club. (The authors may simply be nuts!) Publication of articles describing technical procedures does not constitute MGCCNWC (MG) an endorsement by the club, its officers or AROC. It is the responsibility of the person performing any procedure to Ken Bottini accept all consequences of his or her actions. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone would take personal responsibility? 425-883-9615 Commercial advertisements in the newsletter are a win! Give your business added exposure while supporting the Pacific Coast AROA NWARC. Ad rates are: Fullpage: $110/Qtr, $275/Yr Half Page: $90/Qtr, $220/Yr Qtr Page: $65/Qtr, $170/Yr (BC, Canada) Business Card: $50/Qtr, $120/Yr. E-mail a color .jpg, .tif or .pdf file (300 DPI) to [email protected] Don Best 604-939-5056 To subscribe to the digital newsletter, please sign up using the form at the lower right corner of the Club Web- dlbest@telus site’s home page, www.nwalfaclub.com.. Iniezione page 3 September 2019

Going with the Flow - continued Tony and Debi assume their new lead position to the Dune fishing season, so new parking areas had been designated for Peninsula, the detour route from the original drive, while I these folks. The parking lot was huge, holding maybe 1,000 stayed back in the ‘sweep’ position. Not very boat trailers with their corre- happy back here as opposed to being in the front sponding trucks/cars at- seat, I thought, but I had a job to do. Just do it! tached. Be happy! Our stomachs are starting to Now the plan is to go into the Dune Peninsula growl. Not as loud as the with the new leaders up front, so I relax and pull 4C’s engine, so close to my up the rear. ears, but it was time to mean- Whoops! I am staying be- Fred Russell der on. Katie Downs was just hind, like a good sweep, but as down the street; we found parking close by, care- we entered Point Defiance fully parked our Alfas and whatever else we chose Park, something happened. to drive that day, and went inside to our reserved Someone missed the last- table. Food and drinks soon arrived, and Debi minute route change turn at the snapped a group photo. second roundabout (or, if Fabulous food and drinks, spectacular scenery, you’re Fred Russell, “traffic cir- with twisty turns and bays of beautiful calm water cle”.) I decided to stay in last in the distance, in the company of place until I could re-direct this short many very happy Alfisti made this convoy back to Dune Peninsula. a memorable event that we Once in the Park the road wid- should do every year. ened to two lanes, so I zipped by all See ya next year ALL! the “lost” drivers, stopped to block - Mark Greengo them, turned on my flashers and - photos by Merril regrouped. I then had Gordy and Gordon except Dolly assume new leader roles (in where noted their Porsche…) to guide us back to the Dune Peninsula. So much for “Alfas up front”! Once again we’re all together, in a new place, Dune Penin- sula. Debi Schmid took us on a tour of the area, with Tony in the rear providing some of its previous history. We walked, chatted and enjoyed the wide views available here of Com- mencement Bay as it meets Dalco Passage. This is also peak Debi Schmid

Great Turn-Out for Group 2’s Alfa Romeo Day roup 2 pulled out all the stops to put on a memorable had arranged Alfa Romeo Day on Saturday, August 10, and were for a DJ to G rewarded by an excellent turn-out of 50-60 current keep us en- and prospective members! I’m sure we’ll gain more than a tertained with few new members from the gathering. upbeat mu- It was wonderful to see over 30 Alfas in one place, from new sic, as well Giulias, Stelvios and a 4C, through Spiders, Milanos, Giuli- as a food ettas, Giulia Supers and a Montreal, to a 1932 8C 2300 which kiosk (excellent Fijian “tacos”) and a t-shirt vendor printing announced its arrival with a throaty exhaust and loud supercharger whine! Full marks to Fred Russell for driv- ing it there through Seattle traffic. And new to many of us were a police-spec 155 (where did that come from?) and a V6-powered 147 wirh Canadian plates, both cur- rently at Group 2 for work. Our hosts John Van Rensburg and Melissa Donovan Iniezione page 4 September 2019

Group 2 Alfa Day - continued

shirts on the spot from 4 custom Alfa designs; both were kept busy throughout the day. boring out, re-porting and blue-printing a brand new Alfa V6 Our monthly club meeting took place after lunch, with Fred from a Giulia Quadrifoglio, with the aim of extracting the same casually using the 2300 as a podium; I guess you use whatev- 505 bhp it currently makes in stock turbocharged form, but er’s handy. After the officer reports and review of activities, without the turbochargers! It’ll probably need to rev to 9,000 JVR told rpm to do that, but John’s confident it can be done. And when us of the he’s done that, he’ll put the turbochargers back on and see various how much further he can push it! Just as well Group 2 also projects sells brake upgrade kits… Group 2 Overall, it was an excellent gathering. Early morning show- is under- ers had given way to sunshine by noon, and the tire-kicking taking. and highy enjoyable conversations went on well into the after- These noon. Many thanks to John and Melissa for a great event! include - Jon Inge

Postcard from Pittsburgh - the 2019 AROC Convention his year’s AROC National Convention was held in Pitts- Pittsburgh Vintage Grand burgh, PA from July 12 - 21, 2019, hosted by the Three Prix racetrack. We then had T Rivers Alfisti. It was also held in coordination with the dinner with many other Alfisti 2019 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, hence its slogan: “Cortile at the Double Wide Grill in della Corsa”, the Courtyard of the Race. I was able to attend Mars, PA. with my good friend Linda, and also to visit her relatives in Friday saw the gimmick western Ohio, Pittsburgh and Little Silver, NJ. rally leave at 8:30 am, but From the convention hotel in Cranberry, PA, events started Linda and I stayed at the ho- with the usual driving tours in the area. The AROC Board tel where the local Ferrari dealer was offering rides in a 2019 meeting was held on the Tuesday afternoon, and of Ferrari 488. We were impressed! course Joe Faherty was in attendance. Linda and I We attended the Welcome Reception and Din- arrived on the Wednesday afternoon, picked up a ner at the Pittsburgh Golf Club, then on Saturday rental car, headed for the hotel and immediately saw morning drove to Schenley Park for the car show Joe. I think we were the only other NWARC mem- on the lawn. With the temperature reaching 95 bers among the around 200 members attending, per deg. F with 95% relative humidity, I noticed that the registration office. Unusually, there was no ven- we were all well lubricated! Then we all drove dor area at the hotel, and no technical meetings. back to the hotel for the evening AROC Banquet, However, we did run into five couples and three Cindy Banzer presiding, and saw a video of Colo- individuals who were with me on the 2017 AROC- rado Springs, home of 2020 AROC convention. Goes-to-Italy tour. This reunion and much good friendship We left on Sunday afternoon to drive to Western Ohio to visit was for me a highlight of the convention and allowed Linda to Linda’s relatives, and came meet these good friends. back to Seattle on Monday Wednesday saw a parade downtown and a car show; Thurs- evening after a wonderful trip. day was the track day, with time trials held at the Schenley - text and photos Georges Park in Pittsburgh. This large park offers a huge section of Hebrant greenery downtown, with the Pittsburgh Golf Club and the

Iniezione page 5 September 2019

Putting New Life into a Spider purchased a bone stock, 1988 Spider Quadrifoglio about 2000-4500 RPM. I was pleased with the improved braking two years ago with just over 34,000 original miles. Even and the stiffer suspension. I after cleaning the injectors, replacing the spark plugs and changing all of the fluids and filters, the car just could not keep Modifications, Second Try up with modern cars, around town or on the highway. It was While driving the car around and thinking about possible sluggish out of corners and up hills with just me in the car. If I next steps, not really sure what to do going forward, I took it to timed my shifts carefully, I could pass farm tractors on flat, Randy Johnson at Authentic Motorcars in Redmond, WA, for a straight country roads, but passing cars and trucks was not simple oil change. When I learned about his experience with really an option. Alfas, I asked him to take an hour and test drive the car pretty Curious, I had thoroughly, as I was unsure about the performance. it checked on A few days later Randy reported a number of things. Most the dyno at Car- importantly, he noted that the engine did not have the power it buretor Connec- should between 2000-4500 RPM, and that the car was under- tion in Kirkland, steering pretty badly. At that point, I asked Randy to spend WA; it produced more time and go over the car very thoroughly. a peak of 81 hp He started by pulling the injectors and sending them out to and 93.5 ft-lbs be tested (they tested fine). In his earlier review of the car, of torque at the Randy found that the engine mounts had basically failed and back wheels. I needed to be replaced. He believed they had failed prema- wanted to drive it pretty often, so I looked into making some turely from the weight of the A/C components, which are kind modifications. of a bolt-on affair in the Modifications, First Try Series III. The suspension and brakes were the first area of focus. Randy checked the cam Using parts from Centerline Alfa, I had the car lowered an timing for the street per- inch, installed their big brake kit in the front, and had their rec- formance camshafts with tangular frame stiffener fitted. A few small holes were plugged a degree wheel, and in the rubber piece between the air filter and the intake mani- found that it was off. He fold, and all the fuel lines were replaced. The whole suspen- also found that the varia- sion was inspected and a few bushings replaced. ble valve timing actuator Handling and balance improved and I was pleased. The big thruster pin on the valve brake kit is actually about 16 pounds lighter than the stock cover was frozen and not brakes, and these cars seem to be quite sensitive to decreas- moving at all. Further, the es in weight around the engine was running very axles. lean at higher RPMs such Next, I installed a pair of that it could be damaged with prolonged use. street performance cams He replaced the engine mounts, removed for higher hp and torque the A/C components, checked with the cam- between 2000-4500 RPM, shaft manufacturer and adjusted the cam tim- a Centerline performance ing and valve clearances to the recommend- exhaust system and 1974 ed specs. Randy then installed an aftermar- GTV exhaust manifolds. ket adjustable fuel pressure regulator with a The manifolds were ob- fuel pressure gauge, which allowed him to tained from the Alfa parts adjust the air/fuel mixture to the correct stoi- place in Berkeley, CA, and are far less restrictive than the chiometric value at all engine speeds. 1988 Spider set up. I had them sand blasted and ceramic After Randy’s work on the Spider, a run on the dyno at Car- coated at Pacific Coatings in Auburn, WA. buretor Connection showed 107.1 hp and 104.6 ft lbs of torque I love the sound of that performance exhaust - I can actually at the back wheels. Compared to the first dyno run with the hear the engine with the top down on the freeway now. I stock car, that is about a 32% increase in horse power and couldn’t before, which really bothered me. Overall, engine about a 12% increase in torque at the back wheels. Wow! A performance improved, but the car was not that smooth to graph of the first and last dyno runs is shown below. drive and it really did not seem to produce more power from In addition, Randy made several other important recommen- Iniezione page 6 September 2019

Putting New Life into a Spider - continued dations and changes. He found that the stock radiator was full improved, perhaps more than you would think from the dyno of scaling, so he installed a lightweight and efficient aluminum graphs. There is much more power and torque between 2000 replacement. He removed the stock radiator fan and hooked and 4500 at partial throttle. It is now easy to keep up with traf- up the existing A/C electric fan in front of the radiator to come fic around town and out on the highway. on at a specific temperature, and replaced all of the coolant Passing cars and trucks is no problem, even if you have to hoses due to age. The electric fan and high efficiency radiator go up to 80-90 mph. Today I took the car over Highway 18 cool the engine well, even in stop and go traffic. (that’s a BIG hill more than a mile long for those not from this The removal of the A/C components and these last modifica- area) and easily passed large trucks and an RV, all at partial tions took off quite a bit of weight from the front axles, perhaps throttle. And all without slowing down the cars behind me - in 40-50 lbs, specifically reduced the understeer and improved fact, they were left far behind as I was somehow very quickly the handling in general. Randy also found that the insulation going way over the speed limit! It is so much fun to drive this car now. These changes have really given it a second lease on life! It was not just one change, but all of them together. I look forward to using this car as my daily driver for many years. I am happy to answer any questions about these modifications and the trade-offs I consid- ered, but Randy is the real expert and I will probably end up referring you to him as you consider your specific car and goals. And Randy has more suggestions for me for further improving the handling and acceleration. We did not get into these suggestions this time around, but I look forward to exploring them in the years ahead as well.

You may contact me at [email protected] if around the main power wire from the starter to the rest of the you have any questions. electrical system had melted and that this wire needed to be - text and photos John Parkey increased in size and replaced, that the rubber hoses to the injectors had cracked and needed to be replaced, that the uni- versal joints and center bearing on the drive line all needed to be replaced and finally, that the air/oil separator needed to be replaced. He did all this, and also flushed the old air/oil sepa- rator and painted it in case it was ever needed again.

How Does It Drive? I am very happy to report that the Spider drives very nicely now. The handling is much improved over stock and this makes the car really fun to drive. The understeer is greatly reduced and the car corners so much better. I would specu- late that the tires are now probably the limiting factor in most situations. The engine is much smoother and the clunkiness after the “First Try” is gone so that the car is easy to drive and very smooth in all aspects of driving. The dyno graphs show the engine performance at wide open throttle, but that is only part Engine bay showing new radiator, new hoses of the story, especially for a street car that is used to drive and painted components. The new fuel regulator with around town. The performance at partial throttle has greatly pressure gauge is in the lower left corner.

Iniezione page 7 September 2019

Upcoming Events Saturday - Monday, September 14-16 Half-Fast Lap lanes, Boats and Automobiles… without John southern shore of the Candy or Steve Martin. 14 miles P We are getting close to our Half Fast Lap of upriver and inside the on September 14-16, and we have a num- dangerous sands and ber of people signed up already. We'll enjoy some of water at the river's what our southern neighbors have to offer, and will visit mouth. We’ll be staying three different transportation museums during our trip. in the historic downtown I have arranged lunches on of Astoria. two days and group entrance We start September 16 to the museums, for which I with a tour of the Colum- need participants to pay $85 bia River Maritime Museum per person once we gather at (www.crmm.org) that focuses on the the start. The gas, coffee, din- complex water, currents, weather and ners, wine, lunch on the last history of the mouth of the massive day, speeding tickets and ho- Columbia River. There are great dis- tels are on your own tab. plays of shipwrecks, early coastal We’ll gather on the morning mapping, bar pilots and emotional Jap- of Sept 14 at the Tahoma Mar- anese flags known as Yosegaki Hino- ket in Fife, WA to start our maru drive. Heading east and south (Good Luck we take backroads as we avoid Interstate 5 and Flag). find lunch in Longview. After the After crossing the river into the Beaver State, museum, fun roads take us around Portland and down to we cross Wilsonville where the the Astoria World of Speed Museum – Megler awaits. Bridge that spans the 4-mile (www.worldofspeed.org) width of the Columbia River They’ll even stay open a and takes us back to Wash- little late for us to ensure ington State and our last we have plenty of time to lunch together. Then it’s enjoy the cars on display. backroads along the edge of Next it’s pleasant roads the mineral-rich tidal waters of over to McMinnville where Willapa Bay, through Ray- we’ll check into the McMin- mond before heading towards nville Inn before finding dinner and wine in the town. After breakfast on September 15, we see an SR-71 Black- bird, a Titan II missile, the huge flying boat known as the Spruce Goose and MUCH more at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. (www.evergreenmuseum.org) For some, a rare tour inside the Spruce Goose cockpit is an additional $30 for 4 people. A deli sandwich lunch with soda, water or lem- onade will be served in a private space at the museum. The afternoon sees us stop at a winery before wandering many great roads through scenic, rolling vineyards and for- ests as we head to the riverfront town of Astoria. Named for furrier John Jacob Astor, the town was created along the Iniezione page 8 September 2019

Upcoming Events - continued Brooklyn, Oakville, Rochester, and finally a quick stop to say goodbye at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. I hope to see everyone in new cars and old… this is always a wonderful social event and an even better driving one! Our hotel room blocks are no longer available but there may still be a chance to jump in on this fun. If you want to come along contact me at 426 308 6621. - Fred Russell

Sat/Sun, October 5-6 “Car is King” Maryhill Weekend - Book by Sep 24! oin us for an early autumn drive to the annual “Car Is The Maryhill Loops Road King” weekend at Maryhill Museum, above the pictur- was built by Good Roads J esque Columbia River gorge. promoter , An early Saturday morning departure from the NW Gilman with the help of engineer Boulevard Starbucks in Issaquah will see us driving east to and landscape architect Ellensburg and Yakima, then south on highway 97 through the Samuel C. Lancaster. rolling hills of the Yakama Indian Reservation. Crossing Sta- Laid in 1911 as the first tus Pass to Goldendale, we plunge down to the Columbia Riv- asphalt road in the state, er gorge for a noon arrival at the Maryhill Loops road. it achieved low grades After driving the Loops road, you’ll be on their own to take in with horseshoe curves. the various activities in the Maryhill area. You can appreciate Today the road is open the art of the car at the Concours de Maryhill show, or the art to automobiles only twice a year. This is your chance to take a of Rodin at the Maryhill Museum. Tickle your palate tasting spin past the beautiful scenery and through the roads eight vino at the Maryhill Winery, or contemplate the sacrifice of ser- hairpin curves. Maryhill Loops Road is located just east of US vicemen in the Great War while taking in the tremendous vista 97 off of State Route 14. from the Stonehenge Memorial. Do as much or as little as you IMPORTANT NOTE: Use of the Maryhill Loops Road is at wish, it’s sure to be an enjoyable afternoon - details below. the user’s risk (Washington State Law, RCW 4.24.210). The On Saturday evening we’ll gather for dinner at the popular road is steep, has blind corners, switchbacks, drop-offs and Ayutla’s Family Mexican restaurant in Goldendale. For Satur- gates. Be aware that wildlife, domestic animals and people day night lodging, a block of rooms has been reserved at the may be on or near the road. Ponderosa Motel in Goldendale. For Road & Track’s Sam Smith’s thoughts on the Maryhill After breakfast on Sunday morning, we’ll travel back to the Loops Road (and the future of automobiles), see: https:// Maryhill Loops road to catch the hill climb race. Then we head bit.ly/2NO5sXh back to the Puget Sound area via Chinook and Cayuse pass- For driving inspiration, watch rally master Alister McRae es, with a stop for lunch along the way. dance up the hill in a Lancia rally racer: https://bit.ly/2LfIUNs To book a spot on this drive, RSVP to me at Maryhill Museum 206-849-3211 or [email protected] Set on a stunning 5,300-acre site Lodging Information overlooking the Columbia River Call the Ponderosa Motel at 509-773-5842 Gorge, Maryhill Museum of Art is before September 24 and ask for the NW Alfa housed in a historic, three-story Romeo Club block of rooms (single queen bed, Beaux Arts mansion originally in- $98.55/rm including lodging tax). After this date tended as a residence for museum the rooms will be released. Lodging is also founder Sam Hill. Permanent instal- available at the Quality Inn & Suites in Golden- lations include more than 80 works dale. by Auguste Rodin, European and American paintings and decorative MARYHILL ACTIVITIES arts, the Native American collection, objects from the palaces Maryhill Loops Road of the Queen of Romania, unique chess sets from around the “Good roads are more than my hobby, they are my religion.” world and the renowned Théâtre de la Mode—small-scale Sam Hill fashion mannequins attired in haute couture of post-World War Iniezione page 9 September 2019

Upcoming Events - continued II France. Maryhill is also home to the William and Catherine Dickson Sculpture Park, with over a dozen outdoor sculptures by Pacific Northwest artists. Admission to the museum $12 for adults. Lunch is available at the museum café. (www.maryhillmuseum.org) Concours de Maryhill (on the grounds of the Maryhill Museum) A Classic car show featuring a variety of European, Ameri- can and Japanese cars. Some vintage race cars show on Saturday and race the hill climb event on Sunday. This show is an opportunity to view cars we don’t normally see in the Stonehenge Memorial Seattle area. It’s free for spectators and runs until 4pm, with The nation’s first WWI memorial, it was dedicated in 1918 to food trucks on site for lunch. the servicemen of Klickitat County, WA, who died in the Great Maryhill Winery War. The Stonehenge Memorial lies three miles east of the Opened in 2001 and family- Maryhill Museum of Art just off Highway 14. owned, Maryhill Winery is one Maryhill Loops Hill Climb Race (Sunday, 9am-5pm) of Washington’s largest winer- Vintage and contemporary competition machines race singly ies. Named the 2015 Pacific in a two-mile timed climb up the Maryhill Loops Road. It’s free Northwest Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest, it for spectators viewing the race from the Highway 97 overlook offers panoramic views of Mount Hood and the Columbia Riv- and from designated viewpoints along the route. er. Wine tastings and lunch options available. - David James

October 31 - November 4 AROC Goes to the US Grand Prix, COTA ROC is headed to Austin again drivers, attend practice and qualifying, this fall! Join your friends in wel- enjoy Texas hospitality, cheer the team A coming Alfa Romeo Racing back – and more! With World Champion to its 2nd year in Formula 1 at the United Kimi Raikkonen as our #1 driver, it’s States Grand Prix, once again at the going to be an amazing 2019 season. Circuit Of The Americas, Austin, TX. Join your AROC friends and be a part Steve Austin’s Great Vacations has arranged for another of it all! Details at https://www.aroc-usa.org/wp-content/ fabulous four full days for us. We’ll walk the track, meet the uploads/2019/07/COTA_2019.pdf

Classified Ads - Cars & Parts For Sale & Wanted

Moving overseas! FOR SALE - 1976 Alfetta GT, dark burgundy (“faggio” - beech), original survivor, 111K miles or 211K miles? Original owner purchased new in 1977 from Grand Prix Motors in Se- attle and lived in Auburn WA. I am the 2nd long term owner, 6yrs. 2.0 liter 4cyl, 5spd. Recent rebuilt Spica FI pump from Wes Ingram, new alternator, starter, radiator and front suspension. Previous work includes water pump, left rear wheel bearing, fuel lines. Rear seats good, fronts need padding and covers. I do have a complete set of front and rears reupholstered but in non-original vinyl. Includes spare steering column and wheel attached, and an original jack (seized). Runs great, al- ways more to do. $9,750 or reasonable offer. Euro bumpers also available $750. Contact Diego Lasheras, 206-390-1677 or [email protected] Iniezione page 10 September 2019

8C Competizione After 10 Years An Experience That’s Worth The Flaws This article is adapted from a report in Petrolicious on March grip in a bout of manual traction control that beats any dry 25, 2019, by Will Broadhead, who evaluated a black 8C for sprint, in my opinion. sale in England. Despite the lack of grip on that cold day it’s still not some------thing you’d call slow. The car moves its way up through the car company that looks to its history to inform its fu- gears with gusto and a soundtrack befitting a machine with ture is nothing new, hoping that the shine will rub off on “8C” on it. It sounds great on the way back down, too; a quick A the current lineup. Taking an iconic name and pasting flick of the paddle on the left drops a gear accompanied by just it onto a new car has a different rubric depending on what’s the right amount of pop and bang from the four trumpets at the written on the badge. If it spells out “Alfa Romeo” then there’s back on the overrun. a very lush backstory that must be done justice, and one But engine note and performance aside, you start to uncover needs to be pretty damn sure that whatever sports cars carry a few shortcomings in the process of having a blast with it. the name are worthy. Recently I had the opportunity to find The gearbox isn’t the best, and while it has no trouble select- out if a ten-year-old sports car ing and does it as fast as wearing the cross and serpent you’d expect, the process can was up to the task. feel a little cumbersome; there Of course, it wasn’t simply are certainly sweeter boxes just the famous Alfa Romeo out there. The handling too, crest that this car was carrying whilst precise at the point of forward. It also carries a des- input, is a touch skittish for a ignation that symbolizes the car that otherwise seems very history and success of the “GT.” At speed the stability of company in the way that the letters D and B do for Aston Mar- the taut chassis can easily become displaced, particularly at tin: the label 8C. The original 8C engine, Vittorio Jano’s the rear, although I admit that the rubber this model was run- straight-eight design, took the marque to track wins throughout ning wasn’t helping on a cold March day, so take all of this the 1930s in various cars while also powering road-going mod- with a few grains of lingering winter road salt. els with bodywork from some of the era’s finest coachbuilders. But then again, what does one want from a car like this? Is The most recent Alfa to take up the 8C name is an entirely a little jiggle and oversteer and the occasional bout of butt- different affair—it’s got a V8 in it for starters, and has just as clench so bad? Working hard for its affections, to tame it, is all many styling cues from the 33 Stradale—but it still carries part of the experience, and it is an experience worth pursuing. plenty of legacy in its soul. The 8C Competizione was revealed From the moment you clap eyes on the thing you can’t fail to as a concept back in 2003. When Alfa announced it would go appreciate that it is a piece of art, the squat and exotically into production they received 1,500 orders, although only 500 rounded rear of the car paired with the long nose echoing the each of the coupe and the later Spider were built. design of some of the coolest cab-rearward creations. Love and romance, of course, have large parts to play when The way that its voice burbles and shouts, the joy of slipping it comes to a marque like Alfa, and the brand has always relied into the sculpted seats that prepare you for a special drive, just on a certain amount of starry-eyed affection to help its road seeing that famous crest adorning the wheel in your hands… cars brush over whatever shortcomings may appear in the oth- Even the brake pedal looks good, which means you can for- erwise genius sauce. The Competizione is no different, as I give it for being completely in the way when you try to take found out behind the wheel of one that the Classic Motor Hub your foot off the accelerator. had in stock. This one had had some surgery to iron out a few Forgiveness kind of sums up this car to me, and if to own an kinks in its design, namely a major suspension overhaul to Alfa Romeo is to be in love, then perhaps forgiveness is the make the rigid factory ride a bit more bearable on the pock- greatest expression of that emotion. For all of its flaws, for all marked and potholed roads in Britain. of the things that other cars at this price point do better, faster, But how does it go when you aren’t dodging craters? With a easier, I still emerged from the cockpit of the machine with a bang. The dry-sumped Ferrari-assembled 4.7L V8 makes a massive smile and a heart full of warmth that those other cars tremendous noise as it sends 450 horses to the wheels scrab- just couldn’t give me. They impress in measurable ways; this bling against the tarmac. Alfa quotes a 0-60 time of 4.2 sec- one works in the realm of the subjective, though its numbers onds, although with the Pirelli boots struggling with the cold are nothing to sneeze at either. The cynics can pick at it and road surface on our test day I was never going to match that. offer critiques that don’t bear weight with those who just enjoy Instead I had fun feathering the pedal to find the sweet spot of cars like this. I’m quite happy over here with the lovers. Iniezione page 11 September 2019

Membership Update

Anniversaries Congratulations on all these Anniversaries this month!

Wilfred Painter - 47 years

Kim & Paula Buty - 34 years Wes & Rita Ingram - 32 years Dick & Jessica Camp - 24 years Gregg & Shama Albright - 22 years Ron Calkins - 22 years Mike & Jennifer Macaulay - 22 years New Members Paul & Kristin Affolter - 19 years We’ve added another three new members since the last Mirko Freguia - 16 years newsletter! Robert Gerttula - 9 years Please welcome: Jim & Geneva Busse - 8 years - James Evans of Seattle Philip Stonebraker - 8 years - Richard Maturi, also of Seattle, with his 2017 Giulia, and Charles Dayton - 5 years - Steven Norgaard with his 2000 GTV, up in Anacortes. Roger Van der Marel - 5 years Hans Peter Hauser - 2 years Nicholas Barrett - 2 years - Paul and Kristy Affolter David Swanson - 1 year John Wiley - 1 year

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Member Recommendations Have a parts or service provider you have found to be highly satisfactory? Share your wisdom with us all at [email protected]. With your help, we can all be better auto- motive consumers.

Burien Upholstery, Burien - Upholstery, carpets Convertibles Only - Convertible top repair/replacement Dent Solutions, Mobile - Paintless dent removal Mark 2 Collision Center, Lynnwood - Collision repair Muffler King - Kirkland Custom exhaust services

North Kitsap Auto Rebuilt, Poulsbo - Collision repair TZ at Dijon, June 2019 - Sports Car Digest, Photo Classic Racing Professional Glass Company, Seattle - Windshield Re- placement NW Crafted Interiors (was S&S Custom), Everett - Auto Upholstery & Interiors Security Safe & Lock, Inc., Bellevue - Lock rebuilding Sound Wheel Works, Bellevue - Wheel repair Tire Rack Internet - Tires, wheels and parts Vancity Plating, Burnaby BC - Chrome plating and polish- ing All the above providers have been recommended by one or more club members as being highly satisfactory but are not specifically endorsed by NWARC.

Member Mentors The following members provide Alfa Mentoring!!! Contact any of them for good Alfa info! Model/Series Member Name Contact 164 / GTV-6 Dan Jardine [email protected] GTV Dave Emerson [email protected] Spiders, GTV Fred Wright [email protected] 80’s Spiders Harry Reed [email protected] Almost Anything! Fred Russell [email protected]

Name: ______Spouse: ______

Address: ______

City/State/Zip: ______

Home Phone: ______Alt. Phone: ______E-mail Address: ______Do you wish to be affiliated with the local Alfa Club? Yes…. NWARC

Please indicate your interests:

ALFA ROMEO OWNERS CLUB OWNERS ROMEO CLUB ALFA CLARK BARBARA c/o 92155 BOX P.O. OR97292 PORTLAND, Technical______Tours______Social______Rally______Vintage Cars______

Cost: $68 annual AROC / NWARC dues

Make check payable to: ALFA ROMEO OWNERS CLUB

Or… Online registration http://www.aroc-usa.org/

Mailto:

NWARC / Membership NWARC AROC Application

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2019-2020 Calendar of Club & Local Car Events • Sep 10 NWARC Meeting / Fremont Brew Cruise, Seattle

• Sep 14 - 16 Half-Fast Lap of WA/OR / Portland-McMinnville-Astoria

• Oct 5-6 Maryhill Weekend Drive / Maryhill/Goldendale, WA

• Oct 8 NWARC Meeting / Prova Motorsports, Seattle

• Oct 31 - Nov 4 AROC Goes to the US Grand Prix 2019 / COTA, Austin, TX

• Nov 12 NWARC Meeting / Convertibles Only, Seattle

• Nov 17 Driving School/HPDE / Pacific Raceways, Kent

• Dec 8 Festa di Amici Holiday Party / Marianna Restaurant, Renton

• Jan 1 New Years Day Drive / tba

• Jan 14 NWARC Meeting / tba

• Feb 11 NWARC Meeting / tba

98020 WA Edmonds,

SW Street 236th 9301

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