Taking place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virgina, one of the most areas of the East Coast, the 2012 Fiat Freak Out hosted by the Fiat Lancia Unlimited club (FLU) was attended by several NYAROC members.
As Alfa Romeo (or any other Italian marque) is made welcome at the yearly convention it was fitting that NYAROC members drove their vintage Alfas to the event. Dan Goldman and Annette Wong drove their beautiful Alfa Spider, John and Cornelia Catera in their 164 along with Robert Rizzo who also drove a 164. Members Vic and Gail Cerami and Fred Frey and Beverley Fisher drove brand new Fiat Abarths over the mountain roads often with the air-conditioning on high!
The eight hour drive to Charlottesville Virgina was broken up over two days to afford us more time to take the scenic and twisty roads that our cars were built for. Our first stop of the day was for lunch at the famous Troegs Brewing company in Hershey PA. Next we took a look at the AACA auto museum just down the street from the brewery. We then hit the interstate and arrived at our stop for the night in the historic town of Winchester Virgina.
Day two was much shorter on miles but would take as many hours of driving as this day we would be driving the beautiful Skyline Drive that eventually connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The speed limits are low but enjoyment is high, as you twist and turn with occasional stops at scenic rest areas. Dan and Annette were the envy of everyone - having a drop-top.
Arriving mid-afternoon at the convention hotel (Wintergreen resort) started our Freak Out weekend with the highlight the concourse and panoramic photo that is done each year. FIAT (the convention sponsor) was on hand with factory representatives tointerview owners and answer questions.
