Anyone out there planning on going to the Auto Italia event at Brooklands? It's on Sat the 5th of May. Went a couple of years ago and it was a good do with a big showing of coops. Best thing about the Auto Italia events is they park you all together. Would look bad if it was coopless!

If anyone's interested I'll get in touch with Auto Italia and make sure they're save a place for us

(Apologies if someone has already raised this?)

I could be up for this, as the family are away that weekend . It would be nice to have a proper show of Coupes .

Phil

wheres brooklands??

im game ive been meaning to go to an auto italia event for years!!

In Surrey, between M25 J10 and 11.

I usually go to this and will probably be there

Well that's a few at least! Before I contact Auto Italia have any of the moderaters been in touch with them to organise a spot for us coops?

I'll be there if I can make it. Put me down as a definate maybe!

I was there last year, quite a pleasant day out and will probably go again this year.

Pete

Might have a wander along to that one also, have to see what the diary says

Not been in touch with them yet, will get one of the club board members to sort something, although I won't be able to make it along.

Should be there

I would like to go to this for once. Only live 3 miles from the place

I'll be there.

Be rude not to as it's not far at all

As a newbie i would love to be there. Count me in

for the last two years that i have attended all the coupes get put together anyway, behind the ferrari's.
You shouldn't have to organise it.

Are there any details for this? What's the form?

Just turn up - the coupes will be parked together - I am looking forward to parking next to my 'twin':)

Hopefully mine will have working AC by then too

Brooklands museum website

Not very informative, opens 10:00am. £8.00 entry includes parking. Just turn up.

Pete

Can't wait for this, I've foolishly booked myself on the test track for 3 laps No strut brace, not lowered, not handling mods! Bet I bin it!

It's a very small and tight track with very very little run off

test track???? where do I sign?

Oh bugger!

All the details for sign up are on
http://www.auto-italia.co.uk/

I only signed up last week so there's probably some places left.

Maybe I'll just cruise round at 30mph!

Below is what i had in a PM

I've recieved my track confirmation from Auto Italia. Looks like a few leisurely laps similar to tose we did at Rockingham a couple of years back

Thank you for your interest in the Auto Italia Spring Italian Car Day. This letter is to confirm your track drive booking for Saturday May 5th at Brooklands. Please bring this letter with you as your proof of payment.

Please read the following instructions carefully and contact us if you have any enquiries.


Timetable:


Safety Briefing 11.30

Track cars ready 12.00

Track open 12.30

Track Closed 13.30


All drivers and passengers must report to the Auto Italia HQ in the Brooklands Museum Paddock for signing-on at any time before 11.30. A mandatory safety briefing will be held at 11.30. Drivers and passengers will then be required to sign an indemnity form and be issued with security wristbands.

Helmets are not essential. Seat belts must be worn. One passenger per car may be carried. Children may be carried provided they are securely seated and wear approved seat belts. Sportscars must have their roofs raised.

All cars are to assemble at the gate to Mercedes-Benz World by 12.00. Late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the circuit.

This is not a competitive event. Each track session will be run in groups of ten cars behind a pace car driven by Mercedes-Benz World track staff for three laps. Any cars seen to be ‘holding back’ to create space for a high speed burst will immediately bring the session to a close. Any drivers considered to be driving inappropriately will be removed from the circuit.

Will we be able to watch the people driving on the track ?

Yeah, you can stand on the main road to / from Mercedes world and see the track which is on the other side of the road

If this opens at 10am, do you need to get there prior to that to get in.

I am just thinking if I can get my bricks down before the weekend I may come along. Will they let me park with the coupes or do I have to hob nob with the other alfas

None of your Bertone tat in the Pinninfarina Car park thank you very much

least I can spell Bertone

So it's basically pootle around for a few laps then!

I might be able to get to this - I have committments over the weekend but they're not yet final, so I should be able to come along for a couple of hours.

The pic on my web page http://www.nailed-barnacle.co.uk/coupe/emu.html is from a meet there three or four years ago, when some kind soul in the upper echelons of the club decided that mine should be polished up in pride of place.

Neil

Yup you'll have to park up with the commoners in 'Alfa Land'

Looks like me and Blingmaster will be down to this. Just need to get permission off the boss. Wife will be home later, so i will ask her.

Andy.

Yup, I'll be down in the morning, flying in the afternoon. How terribly, terribly, Brooklands, old bean!

Neil

cravat for brooklands then?

Andy.

I'll be there coming with my mate's 355 and his dad's old 33, leaving the tractor at home

I remember that Barnacle, wasn't that because it was 10yrs of the Coop and yours is the oldest living coop known to man

That's the one, my coupe is nearly as old and creaky as me!

i will be there..but dont know if i should take the coupe or the strada abarth??

I'll be there - Always a good day out.

I'll try and get a pass for this one too

Strada Abarth.

loads of coupes will be there, so take the Abarth. must get mine finished!!

Andy

Is this an eight quid per person entry, or is that just for the museum?

think i will take the strada

£10 on the gate i think.

Andy.

I'll be giving this one a miss now. Taking my dear old mum, gord bless her, away for the weekend.

Count me in, I'll be there.

Have spoken to my bro (Webbo) too, he might also limp up the M3 to get there...

Come to think of it, I might also mention it to the old man to see if he wants to bring his banana.

Barnacle - any chance of bringing my widget?

Anyone going to this from the South? Maybe we could meet up at Fleet Services for a bit of a convoy?

Phil

Hi Phil

I am going but I plan to get there quite early. I am meeting my brother in Chertsey at 9:45 and I plan to find a garage before that to give my filthy beast a bit of a mop, so I plan to leave at about 8:45

YO Webbo look forward to meeting you

See y'all tomorrow

The banana is washed and even polished ...she is glowing...look out NASA

I'll be there half-ten, eleven, depending how the M25 is.

The sixth-form schoolgirls who hassled me to wash my car for charity earlier in the week failed to turn up last night as promised so I guess I'll have to get the hose out myself.

Neil

What a great day and a great turnout. No space for Barnacle Sorry Neil but it was very busy

Here are some Pics:-
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay20074.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay20073.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay20072.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay20071.jpg

More to follow. Great to see some new faces and some old.

And some later pics when it got really busy:-
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay200729.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay200727.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay200726.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/bockers/Meets/AutoItaliaMay07/AutoItaliaMay200725.jpg

I didnt make it for 2 reasons :

1. Hungover from drinking some 8% beer and cider last night
2. Cambelt snapped on the clio

Looks like a nice day and saw a couple of Ferrari's and a Lambo when being towed back. Also saw a ink black coupe, with rear light rings and a megane coupe badge on the rear, anyone from here?

Great day out...good to see everyone again and also some lovely lovely cars, especially 60s Alfas Will post pics at some point over the weekend

And an amazing coop turn out too

Crazycoop was there with Angelica and matching toe nails.

Pete

Quality

Was an excellent day - even better when the sun came out at about 3.

Good to see so many Coupes and meet a few people, almost got carried away and bought an Uno Turbo The circuit was a bit lame, though the Porto blue Coupe sounded good when there was a chance to boot it - was it anyone off here? Shame more cars didn't try the hillclimb, though it was quite entertaining anyway.

Some truly lovely and characterful cars there for all budgets, was quite sad to get back in the Czech wreck at the end of it.

Yep, good to meet everyone again, and that there was such a great show of Coupes . I'll sort out some photos of the more interesting stuff and post up later .

Suba - Sorry I didn't get to see you again later, but I'd been there since 10.30 and had an hour's drive home !

Phil

An excellent day out!! that was me and Tabs in the portoblue on the track (his car) - good fun! good to finally put faces to names after 2 years!

this was my fave car for of the day, do you think CarlT could do this for the Coupe. After all now bonnets are so scare we could make good use of the rears

I though it fitting that we were next to the Fezzers , even caught a few envious glances from them

Well I had two favourites, both of which were Lambos:

Classic
Modern (Pearly White !)

Here's a few more photos of the excellent Coupe contingent:

Coupes 1
Coupes 2
Coupes 3

Oh, and lest we forget what Brooklands is famous for:

The Banking!

Phil

My photos are here None of my coupe in anyone else's photos

I now HAVE to have a classic alfa...giulia in purple

You stinkers, not saving me a place

Aye well, I forgive you, since I ended up parked with a good view of the Concord and a less good one of Blingmaster's, um, idiosyncratic coupe...

Quote of the day: "Have you seen Barnacle's car over there?"
"Yes, this is Barnacle "

Thought the turnout on the hill was a bit feeble though some of the cars sounded pretty good - and kudos to the Panda

Neil

Great Day, Some superb cars, great to see another Vinci Grey L.E Will post some photos soon

I'll put my hands up to that, but then seeing as I'd never met you before, and nobody introduced me, how was I supposed to know !

Phil

Really good meet, great to put names to faces and see some great coupes!

Car of the show for me is a split between the modified F40 and the DeTomaso Pantera

F40 Each and every time
I managed to get a seat in one ahhhhhhhhhh god that made my day!!!

I had such a FANTASTIC DAY!!! my brother (roo) drove over from Switzerland last w/end for this show so im glad he had am amazing time too.
I caught up with soooo many people but no doubt missed a few of you on here do i am sorry in advance for that.....

I will post my picckies up when i have 6 hours and my poo laptop is wayyyyyyy too slow!

WOW WHAT A FAB DAY!
WELL DONE ONE AND ALL GREAT TO SEE SO MANY COOP'S SHOWING IN FORCE!

Hs a great day Crazy Coop, did you manage to get out on the track?? Hope so, tottaly rocked. The F575 behined me knew his place;)

No Tabs as i havent been on here or any forum lately i did not know that you had to pre-book so missed my chance.
cest la vie!

Glad you had a rockin time around the track AND came back in one piece without stuffing it into anything like you thought you may have done!
Always a result
Did you enjoy your day there then?

Hi All,

An excellent day at Brooklands - packed out with all sorts of Italian stuff, although my wife complained there was no decent italian coffee.

I did ask to go up the hill climb, but they said it was booked up - I'll book in advance next year, I'm sure I could make it more spectacular than some of the Ferraris.

Here are some pictures:

Brooklands Pictures

All the best

Mike

looks like there were loads more coupes there than the last two years.
Couldn't make it this year, what with not having a coupe anymore.

No worries Phil!

What about this one?

Alfa

Not sure about the price though.

Kirsty - you are absolutely nuts - in a nice way of course!

Yeah had a top time, shame you missed the track action. Please I didn't stuff it......not sure Justin was convinced I wasn't going to though! He was hangin on for dear life Could have done with some Recaro's though...he was nearly sat on my lap round some corners!

Thanks suba thats why i picked the name "CRAZYCOOP"

The reason i did it (for people that dont know) was that i had just got my strut brace back on Thursday and was given a pot of touch up and as its water based i thought "sod it ill paint my toe nails and wear flip flops and see who notices" but the sting in that tail was that i woke up in the morning to find that the sun wasn't shining and infact was a tad cold so had to wear trainers - Bummer!

Tabs - Im glad you had a fab time around the track and just gutted that i didnt get to even see the track action let alone have a go altho the feedback i heard form some people was that you could not see much of the track........

Thanks for the pictures Mike - mine's the yellow one R692 - obviously caught your eye!

Shame our twin coops weren't introduced

Quote, "Aye well, I forgive you, since I ended up parked with a good view of the Concord and a less good one of Blingmaster's, um, idiosyncratic coupe..."



Nice of you to be so complimentary Barnacle. You're obviously well in touch with your feminine side (meeow!)Thankfully others understand the car. Certainly the six-deep kids at the Bristol Show voted it ok, (ask Flea and the guys) though, understandably perhaps, the judges may have found it a little OTT! On the recent Lakes' Run, the car came in for quite a bit of favourable comment, though, because the northern sunshine was doing its bit, it may have been a factor.

To my mind, Chris Bangle got it nearly right. A little more money for paint, rims, tints and a kit (the Zender was offered by Fiat afterwards so they recognised the need to repair the damage! lol) would have seen the project finished.

Nice to meet you and your wife(partner?). There will always be a warm fire and a cuppa for you on the SFC stand when next you're left out in the cold. We'll try hard to overlook your car's lack of modification and stealthy shadows paint.
We also have the good grace and manners not to have a pop at fellow owners, regardless of how we view their cars or their ignorance of who we are. It's been the death of clubs I've been associated with.

As my old mum (Gawd Bless her bones) used to say, 'If you've got now't good to say about folk, then say now't.'

Its probably a southern humour thing that we genteel types in the North don't understand due to our back streets upbringing and lack of public shools.LOL

The SFC, as usual, had the best of its cars nicked for the Clubhouse frontage and, as we are an umbrella organisation for all Fiat-based clubs, so homeless and unloved bog-standard cars enjoy just as much respect as the highly modded types and we offered space to the huddled masses, though there can't be too many occasions when a Ferrari is turned away from a Fiat site! (Common or garden Rosso is soooo yesterday dahhhling!)

As I write this the car is booked to appear at Tatton Park as well as the Scottish (works boss permitting), Welsh and Yorkshire runs, all by invitation. Nice to be wanted!TIC

Dave

Shame you did not take her advice then

Dave,

Apologies if you thought I was being particularly critical of your car... as I said when we met and spoke briefly (good to meet you too), it wasn't to my taste. But far be it from me to criticise other's taste.

My preference - particularly give the history of my car - is for standard, but I'm quite happy for anyone to do anything they want to it. Preferably I'd like it done like yours - competently and well executed, irrespective of the finished style.

But surely you can't deny that 'idiosyncratic' is not the *exact* word to describe it?



The welcome you extend is of course reciprocated; we northerners must stick together (I was born and raised in Yorkshire; 'down south' is Barnsley).

Regards,

Neil

I shoul've guessed that you'd be from Yorshire Neil, they grow thicker skins than our side. My comments were to get some banter going - overdid it as usual, hence the offense caused to Bockers. Try to explain 'the crack' to someone other than from Ireland or northern England where pi** taking is an art form and you get predictable results!
I'm less precious than most about my cars (oh really?) than most. One of the reasons for being involved with the SFC is the variety - old/new/classics/modded - I love 'em all.

Regards,

Dave

ps. do you think you might have lived down there long enough? Did 14 years in Swindon without time off for good behaviour!

Um, pushing thirty years south of the 'Umber, with just a few years based in Leeds?

I've always been South of the 'umber'I'm from Grimsby so never see a reason to cross to the 'dark side' and 'Hurll'. Then again 7yrs in Essex is taking it's toll. I almost ordered a lager-top the other day

True, Guess we were too distracted by all the other beauties - agree one could lose your heart to a Giulia but the coupe's also rather special

A few pictures from the meet:

Keith from AutoIntegrale: Keith's Integrale
Inside THAT yellow Coupe: Yellow interior
Outside THAT yellow Coupe: Yellow Exterior
The Purple one: A hint or Purple
A little bigger around the hips maybe: Little Fiat
A design Classic: at leaste one's a classic
And the colours they come in two by two: Paired up

Posted by Lez on behalf of Ali

I that wee 500 and Keiths Integrale they look .

Baz

That grale looks absolutely stunning!

Didn't get to this one,looks like I missed a great meet.Was wondering if anyone knew the name of the company who was taking pics of the cars as they came in,as my Brother went in his Beta Monte Carlo & he forgot to get a pic of it. Cheers.

Some FAB pics there
I shall upload mine in a mo! Had NO TIME what so-ever recently since the show to upload my pictures......

Yellow Interior ermmm, not my cup of pureist tea

Right i hope this works but it is the first time i have made an album etc so here goes:
http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f135/Crazycoop1/Auto%20Italia%202007/

Hopefully that should link to my pictures from Auto Italia and some VERY GOOD black & white and also sepia pics of our coops

And still no pics of mine...she may not have a hairdryer attachment but she is still mighty perty

Vicky she is lovely i am sorry i didnt get some pics of her surely somebody did?

Only me as far as I can tell...and not a good pic either I'll take a few next time I wash her and pretend - will need to airbrush my house out and photoshop a few Ferraris in

Great Photos Kerbsty

Whose coop is this? I pass it every time I'm in St.Albans!

Dave

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f135/Crazycoop1/Auto%20Italia%202007/P1010347.jpg