Freakout 2010...complete with Fiat girls!!!!

[ga.spyder]

I just got back from FFO,and thought I would file a report for all that couldnt attend.We had a absolute blast!The weather was pretty cooperative,show was well attended.and there were more top quality cars than ever before.Really tough competition,in every class.
We had a 200 mile trip on Thursday,where I led 15 cars up the 'Tail of the Dragon',ran it ,then turned around and did it again for kicks.I will have some great video in the coming days.We had one of the hottest days of the year and all those vintage Italian steeds ran great.The only real problem was a case of vapor lock after refueling,but we got it back running.Great job by everyone.
Friday was the Poker Run through 'shiners' road.It was a favorite of moonshiners in the day.Really twisty with great overlooks and views.We found a fantastic restraunt in a little town called Trust,NC.all 40 + cars involved ran flawlessly,and everyone was excited about the route.Especially the glitch with mapquest that sent all 40 beautiful classics into a mobile home park dead end!Imagine those fols trying to figure out ''what the hell kinda' car is that?" Our drive in movie was moved inside as a rainstorm came through.
The show was awesome on Sat.The picture in front of the Biltmore mansion(largest private home in the country),went off w/o a hitch.We were off the lawn as the first busload of tourists came in.Spent a beautiful afternoon at Deerpark,on the Biltmore grounds followed by a scenic run up the Blue Ridge Parkway.Our banquet was fantastic and people on this forum ran off with many trophies.Some of the winners;
kristoj John's Lancia won his class ,best of show,and peoples choice award.Wow!!Also,he had the huge honor of a 'special' guest presenter.More to follow
kmac33 finished his unreal resto just in time to get the car there...and win his class and second place best in show.Great effort Kevin
Dburchette took second in her class
Aceventura took second in class(with Denises X)
Elial took second in class
Fiatcoupe took all 3 in his class!!
I probably missed someone,so pipe in!
The big news...at the last minute,Fiat Corp. stepped up with monetary underwriting of the event.They built a special pavillion and trucked it to the site,along with 2 new 500s.They sent 6 models,500 lbs of gelato,and free expresso and cappuchinos all weekend.Then,the President of Fiat NorthAmerica,Laura Soave,flew in for 2 days.She had a great speech,and presented John with his 'Best in Show' award!Then the big news.To show their support to FLU keeping the name alive for many years,she offered all attendees the chance to order the first 500s to be sold! Numbered ,special addition cars.Pick your number!!So many of the people on this forum will have brand new 500s in the fall.They sold over 40 cars last night.They are going to work with the club on some other future events.They also provided David May,winner of the raffle grand prize,a all expense paid trip to the unveiling of the American edition 500.A really cool weekend,and it is too bad you all couldnt have been there.
Craig
one pic for now,but my favorite

[So Cal Mark]

man, now I'm kicking myself for not attending

[ga.spyder]

Mark,I was really disappointed when I heard you werent going to make it(there were rumors from an unnamed blonde that you were coming).We even had a car lined up for you to tame 'The Dragon" in.It was eventful to say the least.

[ga.spyder]

One guy who did show up,although without his car ,was Europa.We managed to get him in every ride and event,we even fed him!! He even spent time driving my daughter,Heather, around in a X19. He will surely have plenty of pix to post.Thanks for coming,I really enjoyed finally meeting you in person.



ga.spyder and Europa at FFO

[kmac33]

Craig,
You guys did an amazing job with the entire weekend. It was a BLAST. Just wish you guys wouldn't have had to "work" so much to make sure the rest of us had such a great weekend - but much appreciated!
It's too bad everyone from the forum couldn't have been there!

[TulsaSpider]

Wow Nice! it's great to hear that Fiat stepped up like that! Sounds like a wonderful time! Spokes models and all!

[spidernut]

But how much will the Fiat 500 cost?

[ga.spyder]

Hey John,

that is the million dollar question.When the pricing has been established,Fiat will contact those who have placed orders.If they still want the car,then the deposit they put down will be put through.Until then,it is held as a reservation fee only,and fully refundable.The LE first edition cars were offered in 3 colors ,all with black interior .The only option was a sunroof or a block heater.They will all be numbered.One FLU officer who worked with Fiat to put the whole FFO deal together felt the cars will be around 15K.They are a great little car,and they would be a deal at that price.These LE's will be built on the European line and shipped over,not built at the North American factory,which is being tooled now to begin production.

[sptcoupe]

I spoke to the FNA rep regarding our car (#20), and he further explained that dealership selection will be done by 30 September. The dealer nearest you will be informed of your deposit, and contact you to process the purchase and handle the delivery of the car.

The rep also explained that if you were at the FO, you can still make a deposit on one of the 100 cars made available to attendees. They apparently have a list of attendees. For thjose who did not attend, you can get on a "preference list", and be eligible to get a car if one becomes available, which I suspect will be the case.

You can call the rep to discuss all of this at 1-888-242-6342 (888-CIAOFIAT), so if you are interested, I would call right away, as I understand 38 cars have been sold already, and there is absolutely no risk and no charge to your card unless and if you make the final purchase.

[Danno]

Craig, what were the three colors? Red, white, and like a gray or gunmetal or something? Too bad the interior only came in black. I like the pictures I've seen of the red. I'd love to have one like the gray one i've seen in the FFO pictures. There's a big difference (for me) between 15 and 19K on a new car. If I thought I could pre-order one of those 500 special edition ones and it would be near 15K I'd really have to think long and hard about it. otherwise, I'll just wait until someone sells theirs used....