... well it will be next year. I have had one in one shape or form for much of that time but i am guessing that if Barnacle still has his n/a would still be the oldest known UK example - we should put on a proper celebration for it...

Especially at the likes of Auto Italia etc - examples of old, new, modified, daily drivers etc.

Who's up for it? Should get some good media coverage, I know I could organise some good PR. Lets start the thread / wild ideas here - see if the ownership passion is still there.

What i do know is I drive LOTS of cars each day and not many (really) come up to scratch to a good £1500 coop.

I think its got good potential and a few nights out!

I think a few things are already in the early planning stage with regard to this and Auto Italia / SPA etc.

well then they probably need to be focused, and not some half arsed non forum lead happy clappy events. If the general consensus is more jog on than lets do it then fine, but as a founder member and once exec of the FCCUK - a club that runs a forum that was once a world force that could make FIAT do stuff that equated to a C*** up their a*se (thanks Nigel) I just think we should take the chance to get some proper recognition.

I remember reading over a year ago on the forum, an idea to get together as many Coupes as possible and taking an aerial photo of them.

Kind of like a world record.

Not quite the oldest, Steve, but almost certainly the oldest one-owner. Nigel's 16 is three older than mine, I think!

Clearly we as a collective should do something to mark 20 years of the Coupe. And I'm sure there will be something at Spa, but there should also be something this side of the channel.

I'm not sure we should focus on sticking one to Fiat, or the occasional organisational failures of the forum more generally. It might be nice if we somehow got Fiat, or Pininfarina, or even in some sort of utopia Chris Bangle, to join in.

It was fascinating at Cars in the Park on Sunday - where I was the sole Coupe - how much attention the old girl got, even parked among machines that are far more exotic.

Plus I agree that when we do club stands it would be cool if we could somehow mark out the different types of Coupe - Daily, Modded, Preservation.

Of course - I was not for a minute suggsting we should stick one to them, Nigel did a fantastic job with the negotiations, but they said "OK", I was more hinting that this forum and club is a HUGE representation of the fiat coupe ownership WORLDWIDE, and that comes with an incredible amount of collective knowledge, passion and dedication (not to mention experience) of the car.... that added together possibly will totally outweigh that of FIAT's themselves.

How many members on here that are IN the UK and have at least one coop would you say - 600?

I am still in contact with the person that dealt with the FCCUK manifold claim all those years ago. She's still at Fiat and in a very senior position - she certainly has contacts at the top level of Fiat UK.

I'm happy to step up to assist with the organisation of a Coupe event, although to be fair, the 20th anniversary of the Coupe is a Euro-only occasion, as the UK didn't get the car for another couple of years after the Euro-zone

20 years of the coupe...

this should be a big deal...

can we not pair it with spa 2013 then a trip to italy?

To be honest Marco - I was think its important to try and create an event for the masses, with due respect I think there are many people that would attend that due to work/home life and financial commitments wont be taking part in a Jolly abroad this year (me for one) but would take part in something that was a nice day out!

Good man Nigel. Coupe Fest... could be great.

how about a big meet at a testing ground??

like... Milbroke?

a few mates work there..

i can see if they can arrange some thing like a corperate day or some thing?

Firstly while things are being organised for SPA next year etc. We should take stock of what is already rolling for next years Auto Italia and see what the board have in their thoughts.

This isn't going to be something that will of just sprung up on them. What does the board think about this? Do they have any plans etc?

While it is a euro zone thing given the year I do agree that an event should be organised for the UK. However it needs to be centrally organised through people with the connections. The board will prove vital here along with the help of long term board/admin members such as Nigel.

Personally a UK event and a trip to Italy would be very good imo. A trip the FIAT and the Pinin factory (should it not be closed...)

I think this is the way forward also. I want to go to SPA next year, but I would happily give that up to go to Italy on a special factory tour or something.

Spa can wait for another year if that happens!!

Ross

I'd be keen on both a UK event and International one. It'd be good if we could get together with the other Fiat Coupe forums, the German and French ones spring to mind as they have people on here, and we have members on there. One mass road trip to Italy would be fun!

Cheers, Steve. The joys of internet communication.

I agree on the point that we should have a UK event that must be for everyone - i.e. a day.

For the bigger events, Spa is not so bad, if I decided to go. It's 2 or 3 days off work. But a trip to Italy is easily a week off, and frankly I want to spend my limited holidays with the kids. The cost is also an issue for many. We need something for the masses, like Steve says. And Nigel, if you can get some Fiat involvement, that's excellent.

I'm sure the board have something up their sleeves, though.

I agree something for the masses, we should be mentioning our ideas to the board then raise and discuss them at the AGM this year.

Exactly - there can be and will be many celebrations and people will go wherever do what else they want are able to.

I am suggesting a single day (maybe even a few drinks later on) but UK based Family event where we can get literally hundreds of coupes all together which will get coverage in all forms of press (organised and otherwise, perhaps a small nod From Fiat UK - but The main focus just being a bit of fun and perhaps so great press photos of the most amount of coupes ever to converge in one spot.

There are loads of positives reason for this UK event, no negatives so lets just get on with it.

I will speak to Nigel soon as he so kindly stepped up and come up with a plan...in the mean time any suggestions.... I guess this is the place to post it.

Please keep it relevant though - UK 1 day event ideas only.

Christ this place has changed

Yes a UK event or Several Tagged on to some of Annual UK Car events might be worth considering.

Also as I mentioned in another thread- Nurburgring is only about 1.5 hours from Spa. As there will already be a a lot of Coupes at Spa, maybe a Spa to Nurburgring Rally/Road trip Trip would be possible?

A 1 day uk, event which then allows others to go on another longer trip, will suit everyone.

A central uk location, but allowing for easy access for most people, would be the hardest part, as illustrated by the AGM last year. It was 3hrs driving for some of the southerners but still 4.5hrs for some of the Scottish guys (from what I remember) so location will be a key point if you want to maximise attendance!!

Ross

My car would make it to Italy but I don't know about making it back.

Well If we can organise some sponsorship and get the Cars on a Boat to Italy I'll go.

Otherwise it's just to far for most people to drive.
My Total mileage to Spa and back this year was 1,730 and I wont be doing it that way again.

Great idea Steve. Got to be a 1 day UK event aimed at the masses.

We'd probably bring both my cars up for this

Will you? I don't recall ANY Scots in attendance at the AGM last year?

It was 255 miles from Worthing to the venue for me that weekend, a little shy of 5 hours. Similar travel distance from Glasgow. And it wasn't only me!

Sorry didn't notice this.

If it's to be a Family event as suggested (which I'd like), it may be worth considering that we tag it onto another Major UK Event(by attending en masse). Where we can organise our own coupe centred stuff within. That way all the Catering, Entertainmemt, Merchandising infrastructure etc is already in place and they'll be plenty to see and do for the less Coupe enthusiastic family members and partners.

Speaking for myself only - I live in Edinburgh and I'm happy to travel as far South as Birmingham and further for the right event.

Things have a little over the last. Oh dear ... near decade i've been around. The reason I suggest the board is that they can centralise the planning and advertising for the event.

As a club we have a lot of contacts now which we should maximise.

True, plus people with responsibility for such events. I'd be more than happy to attend such an event

Some of us are already in talks with AutoItalia.
Brooklands shortly should be very interesting.