AROC ANNUAL CONVENTION, PONTIAC, MI, AUGUST 1-5, 2007
&
MEADOW BROOK CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE, AUGUST 5, 2007

1)  Ted Hohman (and Barbara) brought the only known genuine Corto Gara still to exist, *01047*.  Previous owner Martin Swig was there too; it was he who bought the ex-Franco Cortese car in Ann Arbor, MI, restored it and used it in many events, including several of the  retrospective Mille Miglia events and his own California Mille. 

We had hoped that Dirk Stoehr would be able to attend and bring his regular tipo-1 to demonstrate the many differences but, alas, he could not. The Corto Gara has a short trunk carrying an extra fuel tank (no opening trunk lid), vee windshield, sliding plexi door windows, flat dash design, Jaeger tacho, etc., lower roof, lower fender, big Webers and air box...we could go on another page with the factory mods.

2)  Tim Gallagher was there with his 1900C Pinin Farina coupe *01598*, trailered in by ever-enthusiastic and supportive Bob Selz.  This coupe has been brought up to Super Sprint specification to give it some extra power.

3) Joost Gompel's *01877* tipo-3, the 5-window configuration Super Sprint, was there having been trailered 1000 miles from Savannah with son Mark's rig. This still looked magnificent despite the completion of its restoration 17 years ago and richly deserved its class win under the rigorous AROC judging of Al Cortes.  Al has a tipo-1 *01022* and rare Boano *01960*, but is presently busy with the restoration of his 6C2500 Super Sport Pinin Farina cabriolet.

4) Doug Wood brought along his exciting 1900 Zagato *10003* fresh from its successful MM run in May and its showing at the Greenwich Concours in June. It is now a veteran of 3 consecutive MM runs.  The scribe has to confess to a Zagato bias ...I want one!!

5)  Joe Mirenda, together with Roberto, brought his late-series Super Sprint (tipo-4) *10081* with its fresh red paint looking great.

6) having taken a keen interest in Tom Caulfeld's restoration of Jim Johnson's Ghia Aigle cabriolet *10208*, its appearance with restorer and owner was most welcome. There was quite a push to get the car ready and the remaining detailing did not detract. Tom is also involved in a local Wisconsin hill climb where the likes of cars such as Frazer Nash outnumber anything Italian. The car is totally different in design to the ex-Gene Ponder Ghia Aigle 1900 which appeared at Amelia Island two years ago (does anyone know where that went? Sold before the recent RM sale in Texas.)

7)  excluding the three BATs, last but by no means least is *10542*, the white tipo-4 of Robert and Diane Gore. Their new Borrani wheels arrived only a day before they shipped the car out from their London home to Newark. There they began their US tour and had already covered 1200 miles by the time they arrived at the AROC concours.  With a quick wash on Friday, the 1900 was ready for the Concours the next day and Sunday's Meadow Brook. It looked magnificent and every bit as good as any of the other 1900s. Their enthusiasm was truly infectious and we can only recommend that the more you use a 1900, the more reliable it becomes and the more pleasure is obtained.

Richard Sirota sadly had to scratch from the event with his Ghia Supergioiello *01531* which was seen at Amelia Island in 2005. 

And a Concours d'Elegance would not be complete without SCM editor Keith Martin whose 1900s owned include the 4x4 Matta, and he was busy interviewing entrants at Meadow Brook, where the Corto Gara of Ted Hohman won Best of Class followed by Joost Gompels’ Touring tipo-3 and Tim Gallagher’s PF Coupe with Lion Awards of Excellence.

All three BATS were present at both the AROC concours and MB. Ex-owner of BAT 9d, Gary Kaberle, was on hand to ensure proper attention was given to these exotic masterpieces of aerodynamics and Gary had a historical photographic display as well as his design for the next BAT, BAT 11dk, which is likely to be realised by Bertone themselves. At Meadow Brook there was an equivalent follow-on of the Nardi Lancia Blue Ray II, alongside the original car, but Gary's design captures much more of the spirit of Scaglione's aerodynamic extravaganza.

The Dinner

All entrants attended a boisterous and enjoyable dinner at the Northern Lakes Seafood Company restaurant which got overbooked by enthusiastic 1900 owners and friends.

In addition to entrants, in random order were Martin Swig, Al Cortes, Bill Kelly (and Jenny) whose 1900 Zagato *01947* is about to take a leap forward in its restoration following Bill's acquisition of a 1900 TI *07418*, awaiting shipment from Switzerland. This has been modified to full Super Sprint spec. and has the necessary 5-speed gear box to donate to the Zagato.  However, Bill will be looking for another because the TI is in great shape and will need to be re-instated.

Ex-Zagato *02062* owner Steve Schwarz brought along his cache of 1900 parts (shortly to be listed on the 1900 web site). Renan Uflacker (and Helena) tipo-4 *10166* took advantage to snap up his spare crankshaft and one or two other “heavy" pieces from Steve's list. 

David Allison, PF cabriolet *00056* (and ditto *01131* and Super *09736*) was still looking for rod bearings. 

Bill Greenslade had photos of his tipo 4 *10522* which is one of those with the single-carburettor set up. 

Ed Aenlle (and Leonora) tipo-4 *10172* and Paul Wilson *10319* both came along. Paul's teardrop body creation on a 6C2500 chassis has paused but it is 75% there.

Dave Yager (and Kathleen) were there. Delmas (and Polly) Greene should receive a mention for bringing the 1900's younger sister (brother?), the Vignale 2000 coupe, its green and white paintwork (original colour scheme) making the car stand out at any event.

The total number of ribald diners was 32 in a room with a capacity of 24 which included friends John Piquot, Matt Jones without whose parts several 1900s would be languishing, and Buddy Guynn.

After nearly 30 years of corresponding, I finally got to meet Bob Schnittger from West Chester, Ohio.  His name may soon be as familiar as those of  Joost Gompels and Peter Marshall because next year he hopes to be able to work his skills on the 1900 web site.  Already he has put together a slide show on the BATs using both old and new photographs. We feel sure that some will be even new to Gary Kaberle. 

Many simple questions came up over what was original, what was not, and what may not be. This strengened our resolve to record more details, attempting more positive anwers. As years go, by it becomes increasingly difficult to find unmolested examples that heve either not been through a restoration shop or not been modified in some way.  Each to his own as far as modifications are concerned, but records of originality are important to help other owners with their restorations.   

More

"Where for the next 1900 meeting?" was to have come up on the Friday evening meal. The chance of combining with a show-and-parts meeting in Padova, Italy, is still a possibility. Padova is not far from Venice and the Italian lakes and two days out of a family holiday could have appeal as agreed at the Radnor Hunt meeting but not yet consummated. Alternatively a West Coast site and occasion might be in our sights. Your reaction to these or alternatives would be welcome.

Cristian Bertschi, Guillermo and Lao Iacona (ex-tipo-3) came up from Argentina to promote their books (that for Alfa Romeo in Argentina is must-have) and Eliseo Carillo was in from Mexico. He has a tipo-1 ex- successful Puebla race car *10057*. No, not a misprint; this is car no. 17 and the "5" was a constant figure in the early chassis numbers. 

Bob Bartel ex-tipo-3 *01793* and Alan Routt were there. Alan had the earliest known tipo-3 *01594* but still owns the Ghia 1900 *01906*. 

Bob Denton showed me his race-prepped Primavera *16017*, complete with 2600 disc brakes, but decided not to show the car at the concours. 

Joe Cantore had his 1750 Zagato but we failed miserably to hook up with him for news on his Pinin Farina coupe *01618*.  Sorry Joe. 

David Cooper is restoring two 6C2500s, both shown in the 6C book, whilst Oliver Collins and Shawn Miller both showed their 6C2500s, Oliver's being the dark blue Touring Super Sport coupe and Shawn's the red modified Pinin Farina cabriolet.

Another 6C owner there was Bob Tucker who has the one-off Riva coupe. 

Bill Hall was showing his 2600 Sprint; Bill played a vital part in keeping tabs on *10081* before it was acquired by Joe Mirenda.

Thanks to Larry Smith and Claus Menzel for their excellent recommendation of a locale for our 1900 Dinner Meet on Friday August 3^rd on famous Woodward Avenue in Detroit: The Northern Seafood Company restaurant, 39495 N. Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

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