December 1999
What does this trailer have to do with the Dennis Poore Alfa-Romeo 8C35? Find out below!
December Monthly Meeting
On Tuesday the 14th at our monthly gathering we enjoyed Steve Jones’ new Ferrari 328 GTS which he purchased the week before at Foreign Cars Italia. Steve had been looking for a Coupe and after having to pass on several other cars finally found his spider at Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro. Congratulations are in order.
Jason Fedler, Steve Jones, Blake Frazier, Jim Clarkson, John Hauser and Tim and Susan Simons enjoyed an our of laughs started with Tim doing his radio announcing and then a live impromtu song by the group singing Jones’ new Ferrari praises.
Ciao! John Hauser
More information on the Dennis Poore Alfa-Romeo 8C35
Corsa Rossa received a letter from Rick Jones in U.K. regarding the ex-Dennis Poore 8C35, now owned and raced by Peter Giddings.
Hi! I was very interested to read up on the Alfa 8C35 as now owned by P Giddings. Tucked away I have the original race car transporter that Dennis Poore used to carry the Alfa after the war. I also have the trailer, all of which I am to restore to original transporter trim. It is great to see the Alfa being used
in competition - during my research into the Dodge truck, and the Alfa, I was lucky enough to track down both Poore's team mechanics, from whom I obtained all manner of stories and tales!! I bumped into P Giddings and the car at Goodwood in 97 - what a pleasure to see such a fine car.
I've spent quite a while researching the story of RD Poore Motor Racing (which is what his amateur outfit was called) .. the R standing for Roger, which was his first name. One thing I'd love to find is a paddock shot of this Alfa in the 50s, with the Dodge transporter alongside.
The Dodge transporter getting ready for restoration.
I found the truck dumped (and due to be scrapped) at Donington Park racing circuit, here in the UK. Attached is a pic of the dodge, safely stored in a Cheshire barn. It'll need plenty of work but will be a unique vehicle when done, with avery colourful history.
Rick Jones
P.S. Poore won the hillclimb championship in 1950 (not -51), and was runner up in -49 and -51.
(Ed: The ex-Poore Alfa competed in the Monterrey historics in 1999, where it retired with a broken crankshaft.)
Formula Uno
On Tuesday December 2nd we gathered for our monthly formula one
gathering. We watched the 1988 Monza race in which Gerhard Berger finished first and Albareto finished second in a one - two finish for Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix just two months after Enzo Ferrari died. John Hauser hosted Jack O’Brien, Jim Clarkson, Steve Jones, Thor Mirchandani, Steve Karapetian, Blake Frazier at his house for the December meeting. He provided some 1960s club racing film, Pizza, and beer while we waited for the 7:30pm start time of the surprise Formula One race.
Our goal during the off season is to show a race each month and not let out of the bag what happened so it will not spoil the fun for the rest who either do not remember or never saw the race.
(Ed: Although the result of Novembers' race was all too well known. After all it was the last time Ferrari finished 1-2 at Monza until 1999!)
If you are interested in joining us call Jim Clarkson as he will be hosting the next get together.
The prior formula one gathering was hosted by Steve Karapetian and ended with Ferrari winning the constructors and McLaren winning the drivers championship. Steve and Jim led a spirited Ferrari drive shortly after the race. Blake Frazier, Steve Jones, John Hauser, Thor Mirchandani, Jack O’Brien, Steve Karapetian, Jim Clarkson, Gene Giancarlo, Adam Berusch came
together for the final race of the Millenium. We hope you will make our next gathering in support of Corsa Rossa.
Steve Karapetian
Help wanted!
The holiday season is the time to help out our fellow men. Corsa Rossa has received the following letters. Maybe you can help Maria or Rick?
Help Wanted 1: Maria's Maserati Dilemma
We received the following cry for help from Maria Wikstrom:
I could not find the right www-page, so I figured that you might be able to help me a bit. My father is a big Maserati fan and actually has one of his own in Finnland. Now he has wished a maserati t-shirt for a Christmas present. I am studing at the moment in Germany so he tought that I could help, because there should be one store selling such shirts here in Germany. Do you happen to know were and if it it has a www-page, what is the right address?
Thank you!
Best regards,
Maria Wikström e-mail: k24846@ky.hkkk.fi
Rick's Fiat Conundrum
Corsa Rossa has received several e-mails from Rick Howard regarding an Italian sportscar he purchased. The information provided by the seller was very sparse. It is registered as a "1969 Fiat Prototype". The serial number is 124AS0017087, which looks like it could be a Fiat VIN, possibly on a 2.4 liter Dino.
As can be seen in the pictures, the car has many features that suggests it is a Fiat Dino of some kind. However, there are a lot of things that cloud the picture. (One is of course the fact that the car is a targa top!) Does anybody know what the car in the picture is? Send an email to corsarossa@geocities.com or leave a message in our online mailbox.
The general lines are reminescent of the Pininfarina designed Fiat Dino Spider.
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The outline of a Ferrari horse, which in all likelihood was applied by an owner. No Dinos (Fiat or Ferrari) displayed the prancing horse, until the Dino 308 GT/4 was "re-branded" Ferrari late in its production run.
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The all-alloy engine has the Dino logo. At the time the engine capacity is not known.
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Steering wheel looks like it comes from a Ferrari Dino, as Fiat Dino units sport the Fiat emblem. The instrument layout is different from the traditional Fiat Dino layout with tach and speedo mounted centrally, surrounded by four smaller instruments.
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Dual headlight and grille are reminsecent of Fiat Dino...
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as is this side view.
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"Design by Giugiaro" emblem. In 1969 Giugiaro was still with Bertone, where he actually designed the Fiat Dino coupe in 1967. The Dino coupe does not sport such an emblem. Ferrai Dino and Fiat Dino Spider were of course designed by Pininfarina.
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Another view of the "mystery Fiat".
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A good view of the targa setup. The wheels are consistent with Fiat Dino of the era.
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So what is the car in the pictures? Many speculations have been voiced, ranging from a rare Giugiaro prototype of some kind (what?) to a Fiat Dino "chop job" with added Ferrari elements (by whom?). Maybe you have the answer to this mystery!
Millennial Events
This is reminder of the "must attend" events in Year 2000.
MAARC Wine Tour - Vintage 2000
Our group will once again attend the Hampton Roads Branch of the Mid Atlantic Alfa Romeo Club’s annual wine tour in and around Charlottesville this April 14th-16th. Call 1-800-786-5400 for reservations at the English Inn of Charlottesville. Our Group number is 041400 for the group discount of $68.50-74.50 for double occupancy.
In 1999 Thor and Amy drove a Ferrari and Bill and John drove an Alfa Romeo from Winston Salem. In 2000 we hope to have a larger turnout from Corsa Rossa.
Hill Climb
Corsa Rossa will attend the annual hill climb in May. We will stay at the little Switzerland Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information call Jack O’Brien.
Corsa Rossa's European Car Festival
The Corsa Rossa European Car Festival will be Saturday October 14th. Jim Clarkson is writing an article for Alfa Owner and Prancing Horse on our event this year.
Click here for more info and pictures
from the 1999 European Car Festival!
MAARC Track Event
MAARC is holding its Alfas Roaming Roeblin IV March 4-5th.
To register call Peter Krause at 919 781 1871.
For more evnt info, please see our event calendar.
Ciao
John Hauser
European Car Festival Shirts for Sale
We have a limited number of 1999 vintage European car Festival T-Shirts and Sweat Shirts for sale. The T-Shirts are yellow with a red 1960 Tipo 156 "shark-nose" Ferrari in front and Club logo in the back, and are priced to sell at $10.00 plus shipping. The sweat shirts are grey, with similar designs, and priced at $16.00. Both are 100% cotton and available in sizes M through XXL. As always, the proceeds go to the Childrens Arts Program at the Reynolda House, in Winston-Salem.
Contact Steve Karapetian at (336) 766-1785 or leave a message in our online mailbox.
We have a new Web Address!
You can now get to our homepage at the address http://www.geocities.com/corsarossa/. A little easier to remember than /MotorCity/Track/2690, right? The old address will still work, however.
Thor Mirchandani
