CC5Celebrazióne!

Benvenuti amici!

One year ago several FIAT 500 owners, of varying ages and backgrounds, gathered to celebrate their daily drivers. Unlike most USAmerican motorist gatherings, this one focused as much or more on the drivers as it did their coaches. With a commemorating event just around the corner, I think a quick recap is in order. Let's ride…

Most of my creative ideas come to me in a seemingly random manner. That is not the case with Cream City 500 Club. As has been documented on this blog and the CC5C/CCCC Facebook page, the idea for this club began with the friendly prodding of friends at our Local Studio and a random celebratory cruise & lunch with another married FIAT-driving couple. That is the very core of our club: FIATs. Family. Fun.

Ten months after that random cruise, with friends, we held the very first CC5C Guidare e Gelato gathering and led the cruise to a gelateria. The idea is any 'official' CC5Cruise is a Guidare e Gelato event. Unfortunately, we do not stop for gelato on every one of them. The name of our cruises is meant to be more of a nod to the Italian pedigree of our coaches as well as a cheeky wink to all the non-Italian North American car clubs.

The inaugural CC5Cruise event drew, I believe, 20 FIATs. Sixteen of the attendees actually stuck around after the photo-op and joined the caravan to La Coppa Gelateria & Café. Although the entry into the outdoor mall area was a bit awkward, we caused a stir and had a great time.

Our second Guidare e Gelato was a cruise into the heart of Milwaukee. We met where we ended our previous cruise and drove to the Pabst Brewery for photos... Cream City Brick buildings as a backdrop. The attendance was half what is was the month before, but that worked to our advantage. It was that much easier to stage a cool shot of our rides. Plus, it marked the first time we stopped for a family-styled meal and a vintage FIAT joined us… an X1/9!

It has been asked, of me, many times whether I mind non-500 FIATs joining our club & cruises. I want to take this moment to answer it 'officially'… once & for all. N-O. I do not mind non-500 FIATs joining our club and/or cruises. If you keep up with this blog and our FB page, you know I have a passion for ALL ITALIAN BRANDS IN THE FIAT FAMIGLIA. I want drivers of these lovely coaches to feel free to come & go as they please. This is a 'family' of Italian car lovers. Not every member of any given family looks or sounds alike. Why would a club identifying itself as La Famiglia exclude members that look different?

I first thought to name the club after the Topolino & the Cinquino, because it is the coach I assumed most members would own. I didn't see or hear of many vintage 124s and/or X1/9s in the Milwaukee area. Plus Cinquecento fit perfectly with Cream City. The more I dove into the wonderful world of FIAT S.p.A. history, the more I realized just how important the 1936, 1957 and 1991 500s were to Italy and the rest of Europe. It mirrored how important our first 2012 500 was/is to us. But that does not equate to us missing the fact there are other FIATs out there.

Get over the name. Get over the model. Get over whatever hang up/s you have and start joining in on the F-U-N of life experiences with other amazing people in your immediate area. Life, after all, is what this is really all about. Am I right? Of course, I am. Keep cruising.

The third Guidare e Gelato saw 11 FIATs join in on the fun, as seen above. It was held in October. That meant the view, as we made our way through tree-lined windy backroads was amazing. We concluded our drive with another family-styled meal. This would be the second time a CC5Cruise would end with such a meal. It has, to some degree, replaced the idea of stopping for gelato. But I have not given up looking for a way to get the cold, tasty treat back into our time together.

The fourth Guidare e Gelato did not have tasty treats on the menu, but it did have cold. We led the fair-sized group to the Third Ward area and stopped for some Ping-Pong and food. I had no idea whether anyone would be up for this one. It snowed that day and many, including ourselves, had recently purchased a 500 ABARTH. It is not the model you would immediately think of when taking in a winter drive. All went without a hitch, we had an absolute blast and the ABARTHs handled the white stuff flawlessly!

As the cold lingered, while snow melted, and another CC5Cruise seemed increasingly more unreasonable an idea, we decided to hold a planning meet for the upcoming driving season. After the meeting we drove to Divino Wine & Dine for lunch. That day we put down some delicious food and put together what would become a breathtaking year for our toddler of a club.

We agreed, in part, at the enthusiastic request of our Sales & Service department, the first 'official' CC5Cruise of 2014 would be a shared drive & dine with Brandon, Jeremiah & Luke. This marked the first CC5Cruise with a non-FIAT-related vehicle. Luke trailed us in his slick, red VW Golf. The original Polo/Golf look, just as is the case with the Renault 5, was based on and meant to compete with the FIAT 127. So, Luke & his German coach fit right in. 

But I digress.

The chosen eatery was the same as it was for our third Guidare e Gelato and we had a fantastic turnout. The Fox & Hounds restaurant agreed to reserve an area for our group, which was a good thing. So many people joined us, there was one free seat and little elbow run to be had. It was truly a family affair… one I intend to make an annual group event.

One final note on this CC5Cruise: I found the tree-lined windy backroads were even more fun in our ABARTH!

We quickly followed up our first CC5Cruise of 2014 with another. This time, we were led by an X1/9 and drove to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum. I think a vintage FIAT taking the lead on a cruise to an auto museum was the only way to go. In addition, it gave the missus & I the opportunity to take a position near the rear. That led to us getting loads of great photos and enjoying the ride without the pressure of looking after the group.

Here is a second shot of the Auto Museum CC5Cruise group. How cool does that X1/9 look in the midst of more modern FIATs? To tell you the truth, I think of any post-Giacosa designed FIAT as modern. The Italian coach builder had a different energy after don Giacosa retired. FIAT was, once again, focused on making a global splash. 

We ended this event with a pitstop at The Mineshaft for lunch.

This is a different type of cruise… one I find inspirational. On our Facebook page, you may have noticed a photo album called 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.' That title was inspired by this photo and the one directly following it (See; below)...

A 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.'… in the truest sense… is a random gathering of two or more CC5C famiglia members. A photo is taken and shared on our Facebook page. I am very proud of the fact quite a few people from our group hangout in-between events. Truth be told, I could not ask for a better outcome than friendships growing out of our original proposition. For me, it is proof we are a life experience society.

I've grown that Facebook photo album, over time, to include stuff I want to share with the group. However, the very essence of 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.' is still very much about FIAT-driving friends getting together, because they actually enjoy the company they share.

The shot, above, is a special Guidare e Gelato cruise I proposed. It took us to Jefferson County. Ten or eleven members cruised to and/or met at the Hwy-18 Outdoor Theater, also known as a Drive-In. This was to commemorate the very first television advert FIAT aired in the USA, upon their return to our market. In fact, a large source of inspiration for our gatherings… along with the vibe I do my best to establish… for our group is based on the spirit of FIAT adverts over the decades.

I find there is something FIAT communicates, in print as well as in moving film, that is unique to the Italian automaker. Whether or not there is an Italian person present in their adverts, there is always the soul of Italian (and generally Latin) flair & drama in those ads. Modeling club events after them  draws people to at least check us out.

Many have chosen to do just that. In this photo of a Guidare e Gelato cruise to the annual Strawberry Festival, in Cedarburg, two coaches joined us for the first time. One, pictured above, is a giallo 500 Sport. The other is an azzurro X1/9. The drivers of each FIAT are very active on our Facebook page and enthusiastic about the brand & club. The household of the Sport has multiplied by three, while the X1/9 almost always brings in other drivers of vintage FIATs.

While some have decided we offer something they'd like to regularly take part in, others are just fine taking us in spaced doses or once, then, never again. I dig that. FIATs are not coaches every person wants to drive every day and not every person driving a FIAT does so for any other reason than they are small, economical at the pump and different. It takes all kinds to build a community. That includes the Italian runabout variety.

On the subject of community… it has always been a goal of mine to support and be supported by our local Italian community. One of the 2014 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.' was an opportunity to take part in local news advertising for the Milwaukee Festa Italiana event. It is a local festival, that takes place on our Summerfest grounds, celebrating Italian heritage.

The Italian Community Center asked, at best, for five FIATs. Imagine their surprise when seven drove onto the grounds, together, in the middle of a work day on a sunny Wednesday morning. The news agencies present as well as the Italian Community Center were so excited they asked whether we had an interest in taking part in this sort of thing every year.

How cool is that?!

Another community I've made it my business to wedge our group into is the greater FIAT community… on a national and international level. It is with this in mind we attended the annual gathering of FIAT Club America. This group has been around a few decades. That means they weathered the years FIAT no longer sold their fun lil' machines on our shores. I've offered my services by submitting editorials for their self-published RICAMBI magazine and becoming a Regional Contact for Wisconsin.

Their annual gathering is called FIAT FreakOut! and, in 2014, was held in the Midwest for the first time in the group's history. The Chicago area event is also the first time the group met so far to the West. I felt we had to attend. By doing so, we forged new relationships with other community movements and solidified friendships we'd formally only enjoyed online. This 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.' drew six or seven local and non-local CC5Cers.

Our next Guidare e Gelato also drew a non-local CC5Cer. Colin Brown braved a drive from Minnesota to help us celebrate the birthdays of FIAT S.p.A., the FIAT 500 and CC5C. Unfortunately, timing limited attendance. For the first time, even I could only join the first mile or two of the caravan. I will put a lot more thought into planning future July gatherings.

One late July/early August gathering requiring very little from CC5C, in terms of planning is the Reina Italian Auto & Moto Show. Reina International Auto, a local fine foreign coach dealer puts this show on every year. Attendees are treated with the opportunity to feast their eyes on beautiful Italian machines of all vintages, wheel counts and price tags. Considering the Reina involvement in performance/Motorsport, it makes perfect sense to develop a relationship based on our mutual appreciation for Italian things that go Vvrooom!

This photo captures a moment that, like our Reina 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.', is performance/Motorsport based. This is the group we led to the FIAT/SRT-sponsored ABARTH Track Experience. We led three other ABARTHs to the Autobahn County Club, in Joliet IL, to enjoy a day at the track on FIAT USA. The experience provided an opportunity to learn more about our "Small but Wicked" rides and meet with Madison-based CC5Cer Mike Bradley. 

The packaged bonus to living with an ABARTH 500, I think, drew CC5C attendees closer… as intense life lessons tend to do. I could not be more thrilled. Or could I?

Next on the CC5Calendar takes us back to the start of this entry. On 17 August 2014, we will celebrate the very first CC5Cruise with a trip to the Madison area. The initial destination is the home of Craig & Ann Swenson. They graciously offered to host a light lunch and lead the group of attendees, through windy backroads, to the Wollersheim Winery. Our Southeastern Wisconsin-based club will not be the only attendees from our area, though. 

The winery will also be playing host to Cedar Creek Wines this weekend. A happy coincidence or fate? You decide.

That wraps up this recap of our first year in cruises. I trust you found the themes of our cruises inspiring. FIATs are not ordinary cars for ordinary people. Why should a club devoted to these cute lil' buggers and the cruises of said club be any less extraordinary?

"Life is best when driven…"

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

The ABARTH Experience

Benvenuti amici!

As you may have realized, by now, I was the elated driver of a wonderful FIAT 500 Pop. That beautiful little grocery getter blessed me with over a year of motorized bliss and led quite a few CC5Cruises. I am, now, the ecstatic driver of an equally wonderful FIAT 500 ABARTH. This beautiful little grocer getter blesses me with a bit more than the signature Italian styling associated with runabouts designed by the Italian automaker. The 'more' is the focus this blog entry. Read on...

For uninitiated, the USAmerican SRT team, on behalf of FIAT's ABARTH division, enlists professional drivers to teach interested owners of a Scorpione what their favorite little runabout can do. This is a perk, included with the purchase of a 500 ABARTH, and… as a bonus… allows for relatives and/or friends of the purchaser to attend as a non-driving (for $100) or a driving (for $500) participant. The package includes; an introduction to the World of ABARTH, three competitive driving disciplines, a nice breakfast with an equally appealing lunch and a 'Hot Lap' ride along to close out an 8-hour day. They call this perk the ABARTH Track Experience. 

With so many CC5C members moving from a naturally aspirated 500 to the turbo'd variety, specifically the one adorned with the Scorpio Rising badges, I decided to propose a small CC5Caravan to the 2014 North American ABARTH Track Experience. Quite a few members hadn't attended yet and leapt at the opportunity to share this new FIAT life experience with others.

First, we had to coordinate our date of attendance and hotel stay. When the event dates were announced, on the ABARTH Experience website, it was revealed we would be taking in a lovely August day at the esteemed Autobahn Country Club. As the name suggests, the ACC is petrol heaven for retired race car drivers and speed junkies with deep pockets. The Motorsport club also offers off-season prices, which amounts to an 8-hour day of motorized bliss on a pristine track at a very reasonable cost to the bold & able. 

But that's enough about the venue. We're gathered around our 'future boxes' to learn about this amazing added benefit to our lives behind the wheel of the coolest car cities ~ the world over ~ have ever known. Our day with the USAmerican SRT/ABARTH team was, as stated earlier, divided into three driving disciplines. I will break those three into sections and offer my impression of each. Keep in mind, the courses could and likely do change as often as individual opinions. So, my takeaway could be entirely different than the 40+ in attendance on this or any other given day. 

Driving Dynamics:

Physical. This portion of the day is dedicated to learning what your angry mighty mouse can do on a road course. A professional driver serves as your co-pilot and instructor. This section is meant to teach you all about how the 'Small but Wicked' one responds to driver input on the open road and reacts to driver approach in the tightest of corners.

I must admit to being absolutely terrified my first lap or two… and the nero e rosso Scorpion they strapped me into knew it. As any good road companion would do, she gave me time to build up the confidence I needed to have some real fun on the track and extended moments out of the driver's seat to consider how I could improve the next track opportunity.

CC5Cers comparing notes between track time...

The driving instructors are fantastic. Their steady and confident voices, quietly caressing the ego and think box of the driver takes the mind off the fear of wrecking the beautiful coach and allows for laser focus on getting each turn just right as well as building up speed in the straights. This is stuff I simply did not learn in Driver's Ed and/or the US Army.

Learning to drive manual transmission in a military issue deuce and a half and living life in the city allowed me to come away from this portion of the day with many practical pointers on ways I can continue to hone my wheel, clutch & brake skills. I always feel I can be a better driver. This driving discipline most certainly provides the feedback needed to be just that.

Autocross:

Mental. This portion of the day tests your wits. While the road course teaches one the importance of confidence in ones micro-machine, autocross teaches the importance of confidence in self. This is a thinking driver's game and the course laid out by the SRT/ABARTH team is there to remind you of the fact at every nail biting/self-cursing turn. To raise the competitive spirit, times are recorded as well as penalized for knocking over tiny cones placed along the course boundaries. I'm pictured, here, in the bianco ABARTH.

Truth be told, I never quite got into my groove with this one. I improved my time, with each consecutive lap on the course, but three shots was not enough to lock on to the target time I had in mind. Regardless, I came away with a greater appreciation for my Sombrita and a genuine respect for autocross as a philosophical exercise. I am, now, terrorizing the missus with the thought of saving up to purchase a used 500 Pop for exclusive use in autocross. 

Head-to-Head:

Body & Mind. The Head-to-Head Challenge is similar to autocross, despite the course being significantly more straightforward. It combines ones confidence in self with the confidence built in the A500. To test that confidence, the lead instructor pits driver against driver. Once again, drivers are timed and those times are penalized for knocking over cones as well as not making a complete stop in the midway point of the course. The mind & body come together in the spirit of friendly competition.

I beat myself up so bad about what I failed to accomplish in autocross, I made a conscious decision to show a marked improvement in this challenge. I was strapped into a grigio ABARTH my first two attempts at this course and lost… due to penalties. I laugh, now, but I was genuinely disappointed. I knew I could make my way around the course at a quick pace without touching a single cone. What was I missing? Now, we're talking. For my final run, I was strapped into a nero ABARTH. It was squeaky clean and fast! There is something to the personal connection to these little stingers, isn't there?!

Hot Lap:

F-U-N. With our day of discovery nearing an end, we made our way back to the road course for our 'Hot Lap'. This exclamation point to a well planned and organized day puts drivers & their guest/s in the passenger seat with an instructor. Until this point, guests were the only attendees privy to the hair-raising experience. While not nearly as much fun, for me, as learning about myself, I thoroughly enjoyed wondering whether my pilot would launch us off the track. Brilliant!

I strongly recommend this activity to all FIATisti. If you can afford to do so, find yourself a new ABARTH owner, and do it more than once.

To every end there is a new beginning...

Conclusion:

Commitment. As you may recall, I am keen on doing my part to bring back the good ol' days of FIAT Motorsport as well as maintain the Driving Social experience to which I devote countless hours of each day. Yes, FIAT is relatively active in Europe and other parts of the world. But I live in the USA… the land of the Pirelli World Challenge and IndyCar. Despite the fact our brand competes in PWC B-spec class, most USAmericans would annoyingly snicker at the thought of racing Italian runabouts. To them, driving a generic powerful car in a giant circle is much more thrilling than pushing a 500, Punto, Panda, Linea or Stilo around a a challenging road or off-road course. Little do they know, FIAT played & plays an integral role in creating and growing Motorsport. The ABARTH Track Experience and my relationships with true North American FIAT enthusiasts solidifies my resolve to action. You know what that means, dontcha? Wash 'Em. Wax 'Em. Wake 'Em Up©.

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Vivere. Amare. Guidare.

Benvenuti amici!

With July and the first complete year of building a Cream City foundation in the books, it is time for a bit of reflection on the past and fixation on the future...

As you may be aware, I have been busy, at work, doing my part to establish a strong North American FIAT community. Taking on this kind of challenge is not a simple task ~ which explains why they call it… a... challenge. It is very easy to lose sight of the end goal. So, setting my sights on a fixed target is crucial to accomplishing what I set out to do. Where to begin? Ah, yes.

Everything begins with a thought…

There isn't a goal worth reaching for that can be had without some serious thought. This includes establishing a FIAT community. FIAT has been around a long while and the world around the automaker has seen many sides of the same company. For me, there are two primary approaches to building a community around an automobile or an automaker; Performance a/k/a Motorsport and/or Lifestyle a/k/a Social Driving. Despite my drag racing pedigree, I've never been much of a Motorsport guy. Don't get me wrong. My father took his two sons to Great Lakes DragaWay and we were absolutely thrilled. I remember building model cars (and modifying the designs to fit my own creative vision). My brother & I breathed the scent of the electrified metal and tiny burning tires on various toy race tracks. I collected... and lost... innumerable Hot Wheels toy cars. But, as I grew older, I found myself pursuing things not immediately associated with Gas - Tires - Oil.

When I made the commitment to kick off the first Milwaukee-based FIAT club I considered what I most wished the brand had in North America. The one thing that stood out, as I joined various online communities, is a lack of passionate fanaticism. It seemed as though FIAT could be any other brand and too many communicated their belief the Italian automaker ought to conform… falling in line with USAmerican tastes & whims. No one digging the brand & coaches would truly want the company to be any less Torinese than it is. So, I sought out other Wisconsinites interested in celebrating the life & style the coach builder pours into everything it does.

I decided to take FIAT's eco:Drive Social online campaign literally. Rather than drive alone, only sharing cyberspace with others bent on driving as eco-friendly as possible, I would drive with a group of fun-loving people and share our life experiences (and the way/s our FIATs enhance them).

As it would turn out, there were quite a few people looking for; 1) a new way to celebrate their favorite daily driver, and 2) a fun excuse to get on the road. Thus, Cream City 500 Club was born. Oddly enough, the most successful of our events/gatherings have also been the most people-focused, social of the bunch. People will drive through rain, sleet and snow for fun activities with a likeminded group. Quite frankly, it has taken me by surprise while validating what I thought car clubs were missing in this country. But a local club is just that… local. I considered how to spread the news.

Back to the internet!

Armed with the CC5C blog and an online persona, I wrote about FIAT history, our local club exploits and shared photos… first on our club blog and, then, on our Facebook page. I found people in other parts of the country (as well as the world) were interested in this social endeavor. Maybe they were missing the same thing? I reached out to people, asking whether they would be interested in supporting the effort by sporting a free CC5C window cling on their FIAT/s. Many were happily willing and shared photos of their 500s adorned with the logo I created. Others chose to start their own club/s.

Along with their photos, I shared their exploits. If they organized an event, I promoted it. If they founded their own club, I announced it. If they launched their own Facebook page or forum, I pushed it on this blog and our Facebook page. Fortunately, for me and our club, they reciprocated and brought additional notice to CC5C. These mutually beneficial relationships continue to grow our individual efforts as a collective… C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y.

With the growing community, I can see people becoming more passionate about FIAT as a brand (and specifically their runabout of choice). FIATisti, in the US and Canada are repeat customers at their respective Local Studio. They are paying off their first FIAT and choosing to slide behind the wheel another trim or model. They are keeping their first FIAT love and mating her/him with another one… or two! Is this a direct result of the efforts of community builders? I don't really know. But having a support group, cheering on ones fandom, can't hurt.

So, with the social driving aspect of FIAT life taking firm root, what's next? How do we keep a good thing going? Well, as is the case with any other relationship, evolution is the key to continued growth. Yes, I believe it is paramount we keep the "Live. Love." element of our local club as the primary focal point/s of what we do and why we do it. But our respective purchase, or purchases in many cases, is what created the opportunity.

My gaze has fallen back on childhood motorized fancies. Seeing the FIAT logo on Ferrari F1 cars, following/attending the Pirelli World Challenge and including typical car club-type events to the CC5C 2014 schedule of Famiglia gatherings, I've noticed there isn't enough attention and/or respect paid to the racing heritage of Italian runabouts. Raised to believe one ought to put much energy into fixing something prior to complaining about whether or not the thing works at all, I am devising ways to include some overdue FIAT-sized trackside excitement to community activity (CC5C vs PWC, Trofeo CC5C, CC5C at ABARTH Track Experience). I trust you are ready to join me on the "Drive." 

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Un Lavoro d'Amore: Pt Otto

Benvenuti amici!

The FIAT 500 has held a special place in hearts of Italians since 1936 and captivated the imaginations of designers, the world over, since its iconic 1957 update. Bryan Thompson, an automotive & freelance designer of more than a decade, is no exception.

When FIAT S.p.A. released their latest update to their famous lil' mascot, in 2007, and relaunched the ABARTH & Co. version in 2008 it sparked something in Bryan he could not shake. He had to have a Scorpione of his own… and he would put his personal (Re: whimsical) stamp on it. Whimsy is Bryan's calling card. In the FIAT 500 ABARTH, he found a perfect playing field for his aesthetic leanings… and play he did.

It's been some time since we last checked in with Bryan Thompson and his (very much) one-of-a-kind FIAT 500c ABARTH. We've been with Bryan through this entire exciting process and, now, we finally get to see the finishing touch. If you regularly visit this blog, you know that touch is the W-H-E-E-L-S. 

I know Bryan pushed and pushed and, then, pushed some more to get every detail of this build just right. His vision was clear and his standards high. It is evident in the final product. Check it out…

But this brilliant slice of La Dolce Vita isn't the only work of art Bryan is sharing with us. As you are aware, Bryan is a contestant on Motor City Masters. Here is an original piece he sent me to celebrate USAmerican Independence Day… also the birthday of the FIAT 500 and CC5C. Thank you (so much) for sharing your journey with us, sir. I trust you'll post some shots of your first picnic with friends on the CC5C Facebook page.

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

FFO14: Rear Mirror View

Benvenuti amici!

We attended the 31st annual FIAT FreakOut, hosted by FIAT Club America, last week. For the uninitiated, the FreakOut is a gathering of Italian coach aficionados from all over the country (primarily East Coast mainstays). The group gathers for cruises and other activities, culminating with a field show… a 'Concorso'. These events provide fans of Italian motoring with the opportunity to celebrate their automotive passion and FIAT S.p.A. loyalists the chance to show off their favorite runabout or touring vehicle. 

The event is sponsored with a combination of dues paid by FIAT Club America membership and event-specific admission/participation along with other sponsorship (like that of FIAT USA and Bridgestone). 

The very day I learned of FIAT FreakOut I knew I, and the missus, would find a way to attend sooner than later. My passion for all things FIAT ignited immediately… and the annual gathering seemed to be the natural evolution and ultimate act of fanaticism.

For the entire year since proposing the Milwaukee-based FIAT club, called Cream City Cinquecento Club or Cream City 500 Club, I have promoted FIAT Club America membership, RICAMBI readership and FIAT FreakOut attendance. If you regularly follow this blog and/or the club Facebook page, you no doubt periodically read about both. My belief has always been the national club, East Coast-based, and its West Coast counterpart, FIAT America, are theoretically the best examples of North American FIAT fandom. I see a value in cooperation with those organizations. I see an even greater value in meeting with fans outside one's immediate community and experiencing how they celebrate in their daily lives.

A year to the month after launching this blog and proposing a local club, we found a small group of people equally interested in attending the FreakOut. One drove out the day the event began and, on day two, two met us at our Local Studio a/k/a LS in order to attend a 'Midnight Run'. Sean Kane led us down to the Saint Charles IL area. His route avoided major highways, in favor of backroads that allowed for a leisurely drive and kept the tiny group together. Along the way, Ron & Lisa Miller joined the CC5Caravan… bringing our count to four. We were aware of at least three more arriving when they could find a convenient time. Fantastic! 

I originally intended this entry to be a review of my impressions, after attending my first FreakOut. Instead, I've decided to make this a 'How-To' prepare for participation in a future FreakOut or any other FIAT-related gathering. This five-point key to FIAT FUN came to me as a result of my CC5C & FFO14 experiences.

I. Register Early

One thing I've learned in my time organizing our local gatherings is; the earlier people make firm commitments to attend, the better I am able to plan routes and activities. I have no idea why we procrastinate when it comes to RSVPing, but we do it all the time. This causes participant and organizer stress. 

Do yourself a favor and commit as early as you possibly can. It will no doubt help you properly prepare for the gathering.

Example 1: FIAT Club America and its partners were pushing the event for all of one year. Promotion begins almost immediately after the current event ends. Why? Turnout is important and big numbers help draw local media as well as potential sponsorship.

Example 2: I began planning 2014 gatherings of La Famiglia in 2013. I posted my ideas on this blog, on our FB page, I sent emails to local members and I called a club planning session in early 2014. Why? I want to get an idea for how many members will be at every outing. I want to know what other people want to do. I want to make our meets as simply enjoyable as possible.

II. Have an Agenda

No one knows you better than you. Know what you want to do & see before you hit the road. Little is worse than arriving at an event/place and learning, after the fact, you missed an opportunity to do or see something that is very important to you.

Example 1: There were a few people it was very important, for me, to meet at FFO14. I had no idea whether or not they'd be there, but I definitely wanted to speak with them, if they were. Well, I had such a great time snapping photos and meeting people, I missed two opportunities to speak with three of the people on my wish list.

Example 2: There are quite a few Italian coaches we dig… some are sentimentally (and historically) more important to us than others. We have our favorite Lancias, our favorite Alfas, our favorite Maseratis, our favorite Ferraris and our favorite FIATs. What I, personally, did not have at FFO14 is my wish list written. What did that do for me? 

I was like crazed child in a candy or toy store when we pulled into the parking of the selected resort. When I arrived at home I discovered there were a handful of coaches missing from my photos. That is not life ending, but it caused me to realize I had no plan for immortalizing my 'picks'.

III. Plan for the Worst

One mantra I often chant is "Plan the picnic, but remember to pack an umbrella." I am certain some regions of your country enjoy predictable weather, but there is always the off chance the unexpected will happen. Packing rain-friendly clothes/shoes and more than one umbrella is a must (for endless fun).

Example 1: It poured during FFO14. Thad Kirk said it is the first time he can recall rain during this 31 years aged event. Bad weather is no one's fault. Mother Nature will always have her way. Be prepared when it happens.

That is a literal example of 'planning your picnic for rain'. It works figuratively too. 

Example 2: Cruises are an essential part of car club activities. No matter what you have planned, the club will likely need to drive some distance to get there. Along that drive, no matter the size of your group, you are likely to lose someone. 'Pack your umbrella'. Plan a rendezvous point for stragglers. No one person/car on a cruise is more important than any other. A good rendezvous point underscores that crucial fact. Two-way radios aren't a bad idea either.

IV. Remain Flexible

This point is an extension of #3. The best laid plan has a 50% of ending in complete failure. If you are not flexible, you will no doubt fall to disappointment… to the peril of enjoying yourself. Bruce Lee said, "Flowing water never grows stale, so you gotta just keep on flowing. Be water, my friend." I think those are words upon which to base your entire life. Look for ways to have fun, despite things not going exactly as you thought or planned and you will find yourself in a constant state of positive engagement. It is okay to feel/get down, but do not allow yourself to stay down.

V. Lock Aim on Having Fun

Event planners and Cruise Captains are not mind readers. They have no idea what you like to do with your time or what kind of routes and/or tempos you prefer when you are out on the road. What they do know is enough to offer you something… big or small… to get excited about. 

Register/RVSP/commit early, have an agenda, plan for the worst and be flexible to increase your chances of having a F-U-N. This month we celebrate; The observed birth of FIAT S.p.A. (11 July), the observed birth of the Cinquecento (4 July) and the observed birth of the Città Crema Cinquecento Club. Celebrate with us this Saturday, 9am at our LS. You can find details here.

See you soon…

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: FIAT FreakOut!

Benvenuti amici!

In only a few hours hundreds of FIATs, from various decades, will begin descending on the state of Illinois. Hosted by FIAT Club America a/k/a FCA, the largest group of FIAT enthusiasts made up of smaller clubs from all over North America, the FIAT Freakout a/k/a FFO is in its 31st year. We covered FCA several times on this blog and we are very excited to include our club among the ranks of FIATisti converging in Chicagoland for this event. 

CC5C will have small groups meeting at/leaving from Bergstrom FIAT of MKE. This means we also have contacts for those interested in joining a CC5Cruise to the Pheasant Run Resort.

Confirmed CC5Cruise Captains:

Bryan Reiners: 
Grigio ABARTH 500

2pm at Bergstrom FIAT of MKE

Sean Kane: 
Grigio FIAT X1/9

6pm at Bergstrom FIAT of MKE

These CC5Caravans are leaving promptly, in order to make it to the FIAT Fun area in good time. The goal for Group One is to arrive at the Pheasant Run Resort in time to take part in the GoKart Racing activity. The goal for Group Two is to arrive at the resort early enough for drivers to catch-up with friends/family and take a much deserved break prior to the Midnight Run.

One very special FFO14-related announcement CC5C would like to share is the arrival of our CC5C FFO14 t-shirts. Designed by CC5C, and sponsored by Bergstrom FIAT of MKE, these are in an extremely limited supply and available to CC5Cers in attendance on a first-come-first-served basis.

Do not fret, if you are a CC5Cer and will not attend this event. This is only the first in a line of CC5Clothing we have planned. If you will be in attendance, please make sure you find me there and ask about the shirt.

We look forward to meeting our FCA friends soon. More than that, we look forward to meeting, face-to-face, our CC5C Famiglia from all over the US & Canada. Until our runabouts of choice take over Land of the Skywalkers... 

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Buon Compleanno, CC5C!

Benvenuti amici!

I will do my best to keep this celebratory entry short & sweet, because it is partially self-celebratory. If you follow this blog, you know FIAT fanatici have a lot to rejoice during the month of July. For those new to this blog, allow me to take a moment and shed a little light on the subject.

26 June 2014 marked one year since our soft launch of this blog. 11 July marks the foundation of FIAT S.p.A.. Tomorrow, 4 July 2014, marks the observed birthday of the FIAT 500 and Cream City 500 Club. In the year since proposing this club, I have; posted nearly 70 entries to this blog (with nearly 15000 visits), been blessed with a multi-state roster of over 30 CC5C FIATisti (crossing national borders with official members of La Famiglia in Canada) and launched a Facebook page with 130 official followers (reading in 10 different detected languages) to date. CC5C enjoys blog & Facebook readership from the Americas, Europe (West & East), Africa, Asia and even Oceania. 

It is due to the massive support of the greater FIAT community I continue to strive to bring you the best FIAT life enthusiast experience I can muster on a daily basis, on the Facebook page, and 3-5 times a month on this blog. I also work to increase the enjoyment level in the time spent with CC5C by forging relationships with other FIAT fan organizations I believe will benefit our loyal readers/followers/supporters, CC5C Famiglia members and everything FIAT Chrysler Automobiles. Recently, two pieces I wrote for RICAMBI magazine were published. One of said pieces is a how-to on starting your very own local FIAT Club. We have much more in store for you.

It is very likely many people do not understand why I… and we… carve so much time out of an already hectic life to freak over small, Italian runabouts. Those people are not FIATisti… yet.

Thank you; don Giovanni Agnelli for being a visionary, don Dante Giacosa for being a genius, don Karl 'Carlo' Abarth for your beautiful madness, don Roberto Giolito for being a brilliant student of the past and a bright creator of the future, John & Lapo Elkann for honoring your family legacy with bold and innovative business as well as marketing style, don Sergio Marchionne for your shrewd modern business sense, every Italian design house for the work involved with supporting FIAT in creating something special in the runabout category and, most of all, my thanks goes to all my FIAT PEOPLE… PAST AND PRESENT… for taking part in the effort of showing the world what FIAT life enthusiasm is all about…

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Grazie Mille!

@