CONTENTS
As usual, Mark Carpenter leads
the pack… or was it a parade lap?
Well, it doesn’t really matter.
The point is, he’s in front.
III
Nobody we know in those cars,
but Mark sent this cover-worthy
pic of two Alfas at Laguna Seca in
that great late-afternoon light.
Editor’s Column, “Con Brio”
President’s Column, “Driver’s Seat”
Club Business
October 2013 Board Meeting Minutes
Past Events
Griot’s Demo Day
The Goodwood Revival
Future Events
Monthly Meeting
AROO Karting Challenge
Some Other Stuff
Vidissimo
Steve Says
Rally Sponsors
Our Advertisers
Buy-Sell-Trade
Rear View Mirror
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII-XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI-XVIII
XIX
XX
XXI
XXII-XXIV
XXV-XXVII
XXVIII
Just another frustrated restaurant critic
I have a theory that inside every car club newsletter editor there lurks a restaurant critic. Or maybe it’s just
me. Either way, this month I was going to exercise my editorial discretion to highlight one of Portland’s
greatest mostly undiscovered shellfish emporia, but then there was the fire.
I was going to title the piece, “Dive, He Said,” but now you’re going to have to put
off diving to Pal’s Shanty on Northeast Sandy Boulevard in the Hollywood District,
but do put it on your list. Anyplace that boasts that its “soup of the day” is beer
must be explored. After they repair the fire damage, that is.
Speaking of exploring, elsewhere in this issue you’ll find details of the next club
event, the annual auction and election at the November monthly meeting. That’s
Must Do #1. Donate something that you want gone and that someone else may
want to take home. Or at least bring your checkbook.
Then there’s the Holiday Banquet, a.k.a. Must Do #2. You should very soon receive
a Christmas-New Year’s card in the snail mail with instructions on how to make
your reservation (hint: by mailing AROO Treasurer Cindy Banzer a check for $39 per
person by December 2; see, was that hard?). It’s always a nice occasion and
nobody’s going to press-gang you into volunteering
for the Board or organizing elections in Haiti
or anything. We’re newbie-friendly, too.
So why do Mark Carpenter’s cars appear so
frequently in the newsletter, including on
the cover? I’m glad you asked. Well, aside
from all the drinks he buys me, the magic
formula is: He sends me pictures. You can,
too. (Buy me drinks and send me pictures
of your Alfa.) In fact I wish you would. The
winter is slow and we need content for Alfa
Bits.
Speaking of which, there is no December
issue as it is replaced by the Alfa Romeo
calendar that you will receive in the mail. So
I’ll see you here in January, and of course at
the November auction meeting and at the
December Holiday Banquet, where you can
buy me drinks.
IV
Reid Trummel, Editor
Donate, Buy, Vote, Celebrate!
This is the last Alfa Bits for the year. In December we’ll publish a beautiful calendar, pre-loaded with AROO
events and lavishly illustrated with full color photos of Alfas and their alfisti. To close out the year, I’ll just
mention some upcoming events that you don’t want to miss.
The November meeting has traditionally been our annual AROO Auction and this year is no different. Last year
this fundraiser paid the rent on our meeting room for the year, which is a nice accomplishment. Let’s do it again
this year! Bob Stewart is the organizer and Doug Klein will be our auctioneer. You can do your part two ways:
First, bring stuff to donate for sale. Alfa-related is nice, but desirable is even better. Think car parts, tools,
magazines, books, apparel, art, jewelry, wine, etc. Second, bring money and a generous attitude. And buy stuff.
Get into a bidding war over a gasket kit, fine art print, or a sparkly bauble for your sweetie and come home
victorious. (Yes, we will continue the “have a beer on us” tradition this month.)
Before the auction gets under way, we’ll hold our election for the Board of Directors. The AROO Board
conducts the club’s business, sets the calendar and budget for the year, and otherwise makes this machine work
as it should. Every year half the seats come up for election. This year Erik Roe has decided not to seek reelection and George Kraus is running for the open seat. The other candidates hoping to continue our work on
the Board are Lee Anne Barham, Yulia Smolyansky, Reid Trummel, and myself. I think we have a great Board of
dedicated, hard-working members and I’d like to see it continue on. Even though there is no competition for
Board seats this year, I urge you to show your support by casting your vote for all five candidates, either through
filling out and mailing in a ballot, or by voting in person at the November meeting.
Speaking of Boards, as a chapter in the national Alfa Romeo Owners Club, AROO has the right to send up to two
members to the AROC Board. Cindy Banzer has graciously offered to continue her service as an AROC Board
member. Cindy has been on the AROC Board for many years and is the current AROC vice president. Bill
Gillham is stepping down after many years of service. His contribution will be greatly missed. The election is in
April, but nominations are due before January 15, 2014. If you would be interested in running for the national
Board, you can ask Cindy about the position and let any Board member know you’d like to be nominated. We’ll
take care of the rest.
The AROO year winds up with the Holiday Banquet where we get together to celebrate our club, honor some of
our members and have a good old time enjoying a fine meal with good friends. We will again be at Bugatti’s in
West Linn. You can find details elsewhere in the Bits. We all had such a great time at the Volunteer
Appreciation Dinner, the Banquet is bound to be even more fun. Be sure to RSVP and join us for a fine evening.
See, it’s easy to have fun and support your club at the same time: donate, buy, vote, and celebrate.
Roger Dilts, Club President
V
Board of Directors Meeting, October 2, 2013
Meeting called to order: 7:18 P.M. at Busters Barbeque Restaurant In Tigard.
Those in attendance: Dennis, Roger, Reid, Erik, Mark, Lee Anne, Cindy, Bob Stewart, and guest Ken Hart.
Old Business-Reports:
1. Minutes review. The September minutes were reviewed, a motion was made by Reid for approval with the spelling corrections being made, and Bob seconded the
motion. It was approved with notes for spelling.
2. Treasurer's Report. Cindy provided the treasurer’s report. It was approved by a voice approval no motion was made.
3. Membership was reported by the very ever clever engineer Erik at a standing of still about 182 members.
B. Past Events:
1. September 14-15 AROO Fall Tour with Tom McGirr was held, no report.
2. Membership meeting with Bob Ames, 35 people attended, thanks to Cindy for setting this up.
3. President’s Tour. Roger reported it was a bit wet. REALLY, if was pouring sideways-down RAIN! But, six closed cars showed up, and no Spiders!
4. MSNWCR report by Reid that the event at this time is fully subscribed and has 6 on the waiting list.
5. Calendar Review. Bob has taken over this responsibility and reports no updates for the balance of the year. Ideas we put on for next year’s calendar to get an idea of
what was coming up.
6. Merchandise/Apparel. No report.
7. Competition/Track. Ken and Erik reported that is looks OK and a few minor follow-ups, but we should have a good day and enough volunteers.
8. Advertising and Promotion. Lee Anne is working on more ideas.
C. New Events:
1. October 6 Track Day with Ken Hart is set up with Erik is helping support. A number of other events are making this year hard for volunteers, but Ken is working the
crowd quite well.
2. October 16 is the Membership meeting with Reid and a Goodwood Revival presentation.
3. October 20 is the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Caro Amico Restaurant with Lee Anne in charge.
4. October 26 Sidedraught City is hosting a Griot’s Demo Day for AROO at 10 a.m. a $200 budget is approved for food.
5. November 20 AROO Auction and Elections of Board Members. Steve Meunier was signed up to host the event (but has since resigned from the Board). Maybe Bob will
do it. Bob did accept the role of looking for an auctioneer; any suggestions are encouraged.
D. New Business:
Board elections are in November. Terms ending are those of Roger, Lee Anne, Erik (not running for re-election) Yulia and Reid. Any others want to run?
Adjourned 8:24 p.m.
Submitted by Mark Carpenter, Secretary
VI
5,000 years ago they sat around small fires…
The scene on the street at the Griot’s Demo Day at
Sidedraught City. Staring down engine
compartments is grim business, but somebody’s
gotta do it.
George Kraus’s immaculate Giulietta is always a
center of attention, and here we see several of the
club’s graybeards showing their approval: Bruce
Fogerty, George the proud owner (peering
skeptically over his reading glasses), Stu Moss and
Mike Schroedl.
VII
Alfa Romeos at the Goodwood Revival
VIII
1965 GTA 1600. Finished 1st of 30 cars in the St. Mary’s Trophy Race.
Alfa Romeos at the Goodwood Revival
IX
1965 GTA 1600. Finished 13th of 30 cars in the St. Mary’s Trophy Race.
Alfa Romeos at the Goodwood Revival
1951-52 Matta 51 belonging to
Scuderia del Portello from Italy.
X
Not an Alfa Romeo at the Goodwood Revival
XI
1964 Ferrari 250 LM leading a 1963 AC Cobra through the chicane in a rain-soaked race.
Seen at the Goodwood Revival
XII
The next 30-60 days or so…
November 20, Annual Election and Auction Meeting
Best meeting of the year! Donate stuff for the auction! Buy other stuff to replace it! Elect five members
of the Board (don’t worry, nobody nominated you)! Beer! Is this a great club, or what?!?!? Details on
the next page.
December 4, Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m.
Open to all members. Held at Buster’s Texas Style Barbecue – in the Meeting Room in the back – at
11419 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard OR 97223. Free sausage-making demo every month!
December 8, Holiday Banquet
You will soon receive our now annual Holiday Card with details, but the Department of Redundancy
Department urged us to repeat them here anyway: Sunday, December 8, at Bugatti’s Ristorante in West
Linn. No-host cocktails begin at 5 p.m. with complimentary appetizers. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with the
gratuity paid by the club. For more information contact Cindy Banzer or 503.709.7277. Dinner is $39
per person. House red or white wine is available at $22/bottle. Corkage fee is $15. Please mail
checks payable to AROO by December 2 to Cindy Banzer, 6505 SE Stark St, Portland 97215. Your
check is your reservation. Bugatti’s Ristorante is located in West Linn at 18740 Willamette Drive.
Capisce?
January 15, Monthly Meeting
Who knows what madcap hijinks might ensue? Show up, drink beer, smile and nod. We’re counting on
you!
January 26, AROO Karting Challenge
So we were going to say “1st Annual,” but first let’s see how this goes…
…details elsewhere in this issue.
XIII
View full Activity Calendar on AROO website
November Monthly Meeting
FREE BEER
And free is a good price.
We have our own private room at the Lucky Lab Pub. It’s like our very own clubhouse.
And there’s free beer, free snacks, good friends, and fun times waiting for you there.
This month’s meeting includes the election of officers and our annual auction. Auctioneer
Extraordinaire Doug Klein will be presenting wondrous wares for your discerning eye. Please bring
your checkbooks because you won’t want to miss out on the opportunities presented.
Where do these “wondrous wares” come from? Glad you asked! That’s where you come in. Please
bring Alfa-related or other “wares” you consider “wondrous” to donate for the auction. It’s a fun
and effective way to boost the club coffers while you take home some cool stuff.
We look forward to seeing you (and your checkbook) there!
Lucky Lab Pub
915 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland 97214
(503) 236-3555
Wednesday, November 20,
beginning at 7:30 p.m.
XIV
AROO Karting Challenge
What do Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Aryton Senna,
Dario Franchitti, and you have in common? They’re all AROO members. Just kidding.
Actually they all sharpened their racing skills karting. What? You haven’t tried karting yet? Then come to the AROO Karting Challenge, 1 p.m., Sunday,
January 26, at Sykart Indoor Racing Center, 8205 SW Hunziker St in Tigard and see what you’ve been missing. Karting is fun. Karting is easy. Karting is
challenging. Karting is safe. Karting is thrilling. Karting is fun. The event is as simple as can be. Show up, register and pay $25, watch the short
orientation movie, put on your helmet (they supply or you can bring your own), and go out and show us what you got. We will compete in two 10-minute
races. After the races we’ll adjourn to Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub, 12562 SW Main St in Tigard (less than a mile from the track) to lie discuss how
brave and skilled we all were. We’ll have more details in the January Alfa Bits.
XV
Vintage Advertising
XVI
The Alfa Romeo Also Rises
XVII
Things Could Be Worse
XVIII
“…as good as a car can be… briefly.”
A double-feature this month.
First, ride along with Jeremy Clarkson and the lads
from the BBC television hit “Top Gear” where
Jeremy sums it up with, “Alfa build a car as good as
a car can be… briefly.”
Our second feature is a nearly theme-less
compilation that includes some fun footage of
Alfas in performance rallies, including a look at one
of them performing the maneuver known as the
“Scandinavian flick” beginning at about the 2:50
point. There’s also some nice soundtracks in this
one, and a scary look at spectators standing in the
road inches from speeding cars.
Tighten your chinstrap and
click on the images to the left and right.
XIX
Steve’s going to the AROO Auction
“So you really
wanna bid
against me?
Bring it. See
you there,
checkbookboy.”
XX
Monte Shelton Northwest Classic Rally Sponsors
Please consider our rally sponsors and advertisers when you need the goods and services they provide.
Those business names in bold below are owned by AROO members, or an AROO member is an employee.
Click on the business names to visit their websites (those not underlined do not have websites).
Monte Shelton Motor Company
Arrow Mechanical
Club Carrera
Auto Bella
Mac’s Radiator
Bring a Trailer
Nuffield Imports
Cascade Investment Advisors
Valvoline
Guy’s Interior Restorations
Hagerty Collector Car Insurance
Columbia Roofing & Sheet Metal
Income Property Management
Linda’s ATD
Maynard Chambers
Ivey, Jacobson & Co.
Lynn Gibner Auto Tops & Interiors
Provenance Hotels
Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market
Speedometer Service
Minuteman Press
Tom Black’s Garage
Sidedraught City
XXI
XXII
ADVERTISERS
Please note that your ads may
now be all-color.
Please take advantage of this
to make your ads even more
attractive. And when
designing new ads, please
also be sure to use the new
dimensions made possible by
our landscape format.
Advertising Manager Dennis
Torgeson has the details.
XXIII
Alfa Romeo promotes the responsible enjoyment of wine. And also of driving.
To enjoy both, please never mix the two.
XXIV
For Sale: 1985 Spider Graduate
1985 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate. I've owned it for about nine years, and while it has 190,000 miles, everything has
been rebuilt in the last 12 including a new top, interior, paint, engine overhaul, and transmission overhaul (two years
ago). I have the original shop manual and a folder of receipts. The car has always been loved and well cared for. It's
a real head turner, runs great, and is a total blast to drive. I am only selling it because I don't have a garage, and
would prefer not to have it live under a cover. Asking $5250 OBO. Call 971.409.7949.
XXV
For Sale: 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
Brought up from Southern California to Portland in 2009.
No mileage put on since arrival.
$5,000 spent at Nasko’s (all documented) on mechanicals.
Interior in decent shape.
Body has some dings and door hinges do not line up.
Windshield removed and needs rust repaired around cowling
before it can be re-installed.
Wheels in good condition and tires with no mileage since new.
Recent re-spray.
Overall nice looking car in need of detail attention.
Asking $9,500.
Contact:
Brian 503.367.3088
[email protected]
XXVI
For Sale: Alfa Romeo Collectible
Located in Amsterdam, The
Netherlands, and belonging
to a Mr. Taco Joustra of a
high-end men’s clothing
store there, this interesting
Alfa Romeo collectible is
available for sale at a price to
be negotiated.
If interested, please contact
Mr. Joustra at
[email protected]
We make no representation
as to the authenticity,
condition or availability of
the subject item. It’s
availability was reported to
us by a trusted friend of the
editor, who examined it first
hand. If you would like to
contact him first, he is Lou
Jaffe whom you may know
as a regular Northwest
Classic Rally entrant, at
[email protected]
XXVII
Alfa Romeo 430 SIAI Marchetti
XXVIII