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Best Spider Challenge
Over the decades, a few models of inexpensive roadsters have surpassed the test of time to become coveted classics.
There is a model - perhaps more accurately a series of models - that has developed a devoted following and is rapidly becoming one of the greats.
That series of special automobiles was produced starting in 1967 and ended in 1985 ½.
These cars were produced as Fiat 124 & 2000 Spiders and Pininfarina Spider Azzurras.
To celebrate this remarkable series, ItalianCarFest 2007 will designate these cars Honored Models.
And to add to the excitement, ItalianCarFest has invited North America’s Fiat clubs to participate in the Best Spider Challenge.
The challenge is this: who owns the best example of these wonderful cars?
To find the answer, each of these great clubs - FIAT America, Fiat Enthusiasts Northwest, Fiat-Lancia Unlimited and Fiats of So. Cal. - has graciously accepted the challenge.
The clubs will host separate events around the country to find a car that their club will designate as their Best Spider.
And those four cars - one from each club - will come to ItalianCarFest in September of 2007 to compete for the title of ‘North American Champion’.
Photos of 2007 Best Spider Challenge Blenko trophy:
In addition to awards from ICF, the winning spider will also receive a Series II 13” Brake Kit generously provided by Whoa Brakes!
Each Fiat club will be identified with prominent signage by their entry at ICF ‘07.
The entries will be displayed at the focal point of ICF’s Saturday show: directly in front of the Awards Area.
And the club that sends the car winning the North American championship will receive a special accolade.
Our First Challenger
Car: 1969 Fiat 124 Spider
Color: mustard yellow
Owner: Gary Poage
From: Los Angeles, CA
Distance To ICF: 1,393 miles
Group: Fiats of So. Cal.
Selected at: Best of France & Italy in Los Angeles, CA
Comments on the car from the owner:
I was 7 years old when my parents purchased the car and I still remember sitting in it in the showroom and riding home in it with my sister and I in the back seat.
It broke down on the way home (the radio was mis-wired and the car wouldn't shut-off at the gas station).
'Those Were the Days My Friend' was playing on the radio and my sister kicked the back of the seat and told my dad she hated his new car.
This Fiat represents much more than just a car to me.
It brings with it a lifetime of memories spent with my dad.
I learned to work on cars with it and it was the first car I drove.
More than anything else, I remember the long evenings with my very patient dad holding a flashlight helping me do some sort of tinkering on it.
At least once a month my dad would wax it with Classic Paste Car Wax.
Eventually we replaced the original 1438 with an engine from a wrecked 131 that was warmed over by PBS Engineering.
I could go on and on with the memories.
A few years ago I decided to get the car going again so that I could do the same with my sons.
Our Second Challenger
Car: 1982 Fiat Spider 2000
Color: black
Owner: Dan Rian
From: Seattle, WA
Distance To ICF: 2,191 miles
Group: Fiat Enthusiasts Northwest
Comments on the car from the owner:
Dan purchased the 2000 Fiat Spider in 1983 from the Boeing Company.
It had been a Boeing Corporate Executive’s car and had only 19,000 miles on it.
Dan fell in love with "Poco Guiseppi" at first site, took him on a test drive, then asked the family to come and look at it before he made his decision to buy it.
As manager of Boeing Surplus, he knew that they were not, for some reason, getting any prospective buyers for the car.
So Dan composed a written offer to his V.P. for the car, it was accepted and Guiseppi found a new home.
We don’t think that the car had ever been cleaned or vacuumed inside.
Dan found many interesting things which had been forgotten.
Dan’s intent was to save the car for ‘special’ trips, but loved to drive it so much, he drove it to and from work in Kent almost every day for 10 years (approx. 40 miles round trip).
We had the car re-painted in Canada a few years ago when the exchange rate was more favorable.
Dan’s wife, Sooz, can drive the car, but with short legs and arms, finds it rather difficult and she loves being a passenger (as long as it’s not freeway driving).
We have had many adventures in Guiseppi.
We have been three times to Monterey, CA for the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, Black Horse Concorso de Italiano, Laguna Seca vintage races (4 days of pure auto stuff) and events sponsored by FIAT America, the California club.
This year, he won the Best Fiat in the Italian Concorso in Seattle.
Dan has also taken the Fiat, as is, and entered a Professional Racing School class.
All the rest of the class drove their Porches, new Hondas, etc.
They were surprised that a 23 year old Fiat could do as well as it did.
Fiat Enthusiasts Northwest was formed in 1990 by a core of enthusiasts who love Italian cars.
Our club has events almost once each month from June to November.
We are only limited by the weather.
Most of us still drive our Fiats to winter club meetings, however. In 2000 we sponsored a 4 day Festa, which included a car show, 2 Rallyes, a big BBQ, a tour of Whidbey Island, a pancake breakfast and a Gymkhana in which the drivers are blindfolded and the passenger must navigate them through a course mowed thru tall grass.
It is a whole lot of laughs!
And, sounds like something Texans should do!
Two years later, we put together a 2 day Festa.
Our Third Challenger
Car: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000
Color: black
Owner: Neils Uni
From: San Francisco, CA
Distance To ICF: 1,711 miles
Group: Fiat America
Selected at: Quarry Lakes in Fremont, CA
Comments on the car from the owner:
This 1981 Fiat Spider was rescued from the back of the tow truck as it was heading for the junkyard.
My good friend saw the potential in this beauty and summoned the driver to leave it at his house.
After a few weeks, I was asked to store the car and of course I HAD to see if I could get it running.
Once successful, I drove it around the block and found out WHY the car was junked: It caught on fire after about 10 minutes of driving!
Many thanks to all the Fiat America members who have helped prepare the car and made it possible to show the car.
My love for 124 Spiders stems back to my birthday in 1971.
That morning, I awoke to find a brand new Spider parked in front of our house.
Naïve enough to think it was for ME; I ran out in barefoot and in my PJ’s to admire the car.
But when I opened the door, our neighbor rushed out and set the record straight.
Even so, the bond was made!
The best thing about driving a Fiat is the great friends I have made, not just in our club but around the world.
Italian car enthusiasts are a SPECIAL group of people!
Our Fourth Challenger
Car: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Color: burgandy
Owner: Denise Burchette
From: Walkertown, NC
Distance To ICF: 996 miles
Group: Fiat-Lancia Unlimited
Selected at: Fiat Freak Out in Detroit, MI
Comments on the car from the owner:
I first fell in love with the 124 Spider while in high school in the late 70's.
My first was a '68 model daily driver that was later sold because of a growing family.
Years later, while looking through an Auto Trader, I came across my '72.
Even though I was searching for a truck at the time, I talked my husband into looking at the car.
It was in rough condition but it brought back fond memories of my youth and I knew I had been bitten by the bug once again.
This was the beginning of a 12-year restoration and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
I have been fortunate enough to have a great husband that has the tools, experience and patience to help me with my restoration.
This car is more to me than just an automobile.
It has become part of the family.
Ron has given me the courage and guidance to tackle most of the mechanical work when his business takes him out of town and when he's home, we have "family nights" in the shop that include our young daughters.
Everything accomplished on this car has been performed by Ron and myself, from the paint and bodywork to the suspension, interior and engine rebuild.
It has given me grief, busted knuckles, broken fingernails and immense pleasure that no amount of money could buy.
I am amazed at how well a 35-year-old car handles and have abused it on rallies and autocross courses.
It continues to impress me every time I drive it.
The most important asset associated with this car is the network of friends from around the world.
Fiat owners are the best and I thank all the people that have guided me through all the quirks of Fiat ownership.
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