Mille Miglia 2013

Da Brescia a Roma con amore!

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FFotW: 1959 Alfa Romeo 2000, $3500

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Posted 5.20.2013

Yes these beautiful vintage Alfas bring serious money. This one makes no bones that it will require serious funds to make it beautiful once again. But as with everything, no pain, no gain. 

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What she could look like.

The ad reads:

1959 Alfa Romeo 102/2000 Spider Convertible, RESTORATION PROJECT. 90% complete, not running, engine condition unknown, all major assemblies present. Filthy, deteriorated interior, good chrome back bumper, straight body panels with heavy rust on lower sections. Windshield broken, probably cannot be flat towed. This an exceptionally rare car that must be saved and not parted out.

PLEASE SAVE THIS CAR !
Don’t expect a fixer upper and you will not be disappointed. MAJOR TIME AND EXPENSE will be required to get this car roadable. I have very hard to find engine NOS parts for this car at a separate price to the buyer, if wanted. Additional HQ pictures can be supplied to interested parties. Email is best for me, car is located in Crete IL. (SE Will county)

Email seller here.

The “Real” Community

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On an excursion to Danvers, IL to do a feature on automotive icon and Fuelfed member Bo Danenberger, we spent some time wandering around the two stop sign town. Everything, less the gas station and the Vault tavern was gone, leaving behind a haunting trail of economic destruction fueled by what we call the “Walmarting of America.” The above photo is what was once the local department store a mere ten years.

We’re not ones to rant about causes outside automotive culture. But we strongly believe in supporting locally owned small businesses. “Locally owned,” the purist form of community and is what this, or any great country, was once built-on.

For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $70 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $35 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes back. Think REAL HARD before you click that “buy it” button.

Do your part and save your real community.

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Editors Update:

We caught some flack that the world has evolved and selling online is the way selling needs to be. Granted it’s easier and most times, faster. But dreadfully devoid of soul.

But the point is community. The act of face to face interpersonal communication. This is how real relationships are built. Actually going into an owner-operated store and asking questions and getting realtime answers makes for a more memorable human experience. In fact, you might just learn something useful your electronic pacipher can’t find online.

Going to Fat Johnnies on south Western Ave. or Target for a hotdog? Which experience is going to support a local resident, be a more memorable experience, and actually taste better? It also keeps neighborhoods just that..neighborhoods.

Next time you need help moving that transmission to the other side of the garage, ask your Facebook friends or the kid at Target. Betcha Fat Johny would would be there and he’d bring a six pack.

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La Macchina Italiana

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La Macchina Italiana private client preview party this Saturday night should prove to be quite the contrast to last night’s Spontaneous Combustion at The Last Detail in Kenilworth.

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Spontaneous Combustion Tonight

 

 

April 2013 Fuelfed Coffee & Classics

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The 2013 Fuelfed Coffee & Classics season kicked-off with some ominous weather, but the car Gods spared us more rain and gave us sunshine by 11:00am.

First, a big thank you to Fueled members Brad T., Tyler B., Tim S., Bruce K., Chris R., George K. & Sam D. and of course Winnetka’s finest, for helping traffic the cars for the event! Without their help, we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off.

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This year we have a new parking format allowing European, non-European and future classics to have their own zones. Everyone obliged and the crowds drifted between them with distinct crowds gathering at each.

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We had the usual 110+ classics gather this month. Some notables were: Alans’ Gullwing, Steve’s Victress, Wingers’ BMW 2002 with matching trailer, our first SAAB Sonnet and Sunbeam Tiger, a pack of Citroens, a brace of R-Gruppe 911s, and every variety of Jaguar and MG, just to name a few incredible vehicles gathered.

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Appropriately, Sheridan Road Magazine was there to cover the gathering and interview some North Shore members for their video documentary. More on that in the coming weeks.

Big supporter, friend and member Martin M. bid farewell to everyone as he spent his last minutes in Chicago at Coffee & Classics before departing to his new digs in FLA. Even local rally hero Bill Caswell joined in the farewell.

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Overall, another great event with the best mix European classics and more importantly…great people.

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Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge

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BMW 2002 History

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After spending the past weekend driving the wife’s pastel blue 2002 aka…Fuelfem, I’ve come to re-appreciate the “happy-like-a-puppy” personality the classic sedan exudes. Unlike the black 911, the 2002 constantly gets smiles and thumbs-up everywhere we go. While at Lou’s annual spring house/car party on Saturday, I got into a conservation about 2002s and the many differences of opinions on it’s evolution. I thought I’d let the above video do the talking.

North Shore Coupe

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Having over 300 active Fuelfed members in Chicagoland affords fun garage visits. One evening while dropping off a delivery of Brad Penn motor oil to a new member in Wilmette, I was pleasantly greeted by this tough guy. A genuine Alpina CS.

Lets see if the veteran beast shows up at Spontaneous Combustion in Kenilworth.

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TFD13.1 This Weekend

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After a great first Coffee & Classics this past Sunday, we move from gathering to motoring.

For those who are willing to truly drive their cars, this is the weekend to do it Fuelfed style with TFD13.1. After we spectate the New Glarus vintage hill-climb, we’re off to the best twisty roads in the midwest. 3.5 hours of motoring bliss, the occasional stomach drop & great enthusiast camaraderie. All culminating with cocktails at vintage brewery and more cocktails in a classic Wisconsin supper club on the mighty Mississippi. This event is not for the faint of heart, throttle or liver.

15 Fuelfed drivers are primed and ready.

Sorry the event is now closed for sign up.

Coffee & Classics This Sunday, April 28th