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The Dr. Robert Cess Concorso d’Eleganza 2012

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The annual Concorso d’Eleganza was celebrated on Sunday, September 23rd at Stony Brook University.

This was the 7th year of the event and was being officially named this year and hereafter: The Dr. Robert Cess Concorso d’Eleganza  in recognition of  Robert Cess, Marine Science Professor Emeritus, Stony Brook University, whose interest in Italian automobiles, especially the Alfa Romeo, served as the inspiration and impetus for having this show initially and as a continuing annual campus event.

NYAROC was prominently in attendance. Several members drove to the campus in an Alfa caravan having joined together for breakfast at the Hauppauge Paradise Diner. An assortment of Spiders, GTV’s, 164’s, Milano’s and a rare Alfa Junior Zagato were on display with other Italian marques, including Ferrari, Fiat and Maserati. The weather was perfect. Acknowledgements went out to Jo Fusco of Stony Brook and Vinny Lambroia of NYAROC for their work in organizing & planning this annual event.

The day was capped by Dr. Cess winning the 1st place award for his immaculate ’69 1750 Spider Duetto.

Congratulations Bob. Our day was completed by a delicious luncheon provided by the Italian Studies Dept. We all look forward to returning for next year’s event

 


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Fiat Freak-Out 2012, Charlottesville Virgina

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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.  

Highlights of the 2012 FIAT Freakout in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Lunch at Cafe Giulia - April 21st 2012

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NYAROC invited fellow Alfistis from the local AROC chapters (AROC-CT & AONE) to join them for a fantastic lunch at Cafe Giulia. Preceding the lunch was a scenic drive, following was a visit to Alfas Unlimited. Unfortunately chef and owner of Cafe Giulia Rober Willis passed away only two months after our visit. 

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The Joe Nastasi Collection

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In a non-descript building, located in an industrial area of New York City's Borough of Queens, is housed one of the most wonderful collections of Alfa Romeo racing cars in the USA, belonging to the remarkable Joe Nastasi. Originally from the Messina area of Sicily, Joe came to New York City as a young man without funds but with a desire to learn all he could about cars and driving fast. He immediately found work in Brooklyn with a car dealer, then found another job more to his liking with a Ferrari-Maserati-Lamborghini dealer in Manhattan. A quick learner, Joe started to develop skills that have turned him into one of the best engineering technicians in the country. His work in federalizing Lamborghinis was known worldwide. Joes love for Alfa probably started when he watched the Targa Florio, the unrivaled, difficult race over public roads in Sicily. The NYAROC Chapter was invited to view his collection of ex-Factory Alfa racing cars at his private shop. The cars at this location included two flat-12 T33's, four T33 V8 variants and one Autodelta 1750 GTAm. Also we saw his restored Sprint Speciale as well as his current project, the restomod of a 750-series Giulietta Spider. Work on the racing cars is ongoing The racing cars have been driven in Europe as well as the USA. Fast. Anyone familiar with Lime Rock Park will attest to Joes capability with a recorded lap in the GTAm of 1.01 minutes. Joe was a wonderful host, answering all questions, including telling of the sometimes machiavelian twists and turns of Italian commerce that were necessary to buy a factory racing car.. His joy reflected both the pride in his work and his accomplishment in life. The New York Alfisti had a blast !