Over 100 beautifully
presented Alfa Romeos from the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club
UK took over the streets of York as part of a weekend of
Italian-themed festivities, spurred by Alfa Romeo’s
Centenary, which included a large Italian market and
musical performances.
The Alfa Romeos
represented all of the ages of the marque, from the 1929
1750 Super Sport Zagato, belonging to AROC’s Vintage
Registrar Carol Corliss, through to the latest Brera
Italia Independent, MiTo Cloverleaf and GT Special
Edition, all part of the display from Piccadilly Alfa
Romeo of Knaresborough. Piccadilly also brought along a
stunning black 8C Competizione which was the focus of a
huge amount of attention from the general public.
AROC’s organisers
arranged the cars on the specially closed roads in age
order, flowing from the vintage cars through 1900s,
Giuliettas, 2600s and Montreal’s, to a host of 105
Series Berlinas, Coupés and Spiders, to St Sampson’s
Square, the centre of the event, which was surrounded by
Alfasuds, 33s, 75s, 155s, 164s, an impressive line of SZ
and RZs, then ‘916’ model GTVs and Spiders, 156s, 166s
and 147s – right up to the latest GTs, 159s, Breras,
Brera Spiders and a side road full of MiTos close to the
Italian market area. Colin Metcalfe, AROC Yorkshire
Section Secretary and Events Team member said: "We
wanted to have 100 cars to help celebrate Alfa Romeo's
centenary. While we didn't quite manage to get a car
from every year, it has been a wonderful turnout. York
is the perfect place to stage something like this and
there has been a real feeling of a Little Italy during
the day.”
Many Club members had
travelled from across the country to be part of the
special event, indeed from as far as Scotland and the
South of France, all meeting up at focal point of the
Alfa Romeo Hospitality Unit in St Sampson’s Square
itself. Reaction from the general public during the day
was remarkable, with people drooling over the hood-down
Spiders, posing for photographs by the Vintage cars, and
stopping for long chats with the various owners. Many
just could not believe the variety of models, but all
were taken aback by their general condition,
presentation and sheer beauty! The club was also
delighted to sign up a good many new members, inspired
by the collection of cars on display.
Alan Lathwell,
from the AROC Events Team commented: “Our Club is
delighted to hold such a unique event in the historical
city of York, clearly enjoyed by all those who’ve made a
special visit and those just passing by," while John
Griffiths, also from the AROC Events Team said during
the day, “I’ve just been talking to a lady who’s owned
Peugeots for 15 years who’s literally now off to place
an order on a MiTo that she’s just seen for the first
time, and clearly influenced by the enthusiasm of the
owners!”
Mention must go to York
City Council who were key to making this event the great
success it was; always constructive and helpful
throughout the prior year of planning – of course this
type of thing doesn’t happen overnight. The Council’s
representatives present on the day were absolutely
delighted by it, and particularly the general public
reaction to the cars which looked so good among the
city’s beautiful architecture – so much so that they are
very keen for it to become an annual event. Also
delighted with the outcome of the day was Ed McDonough,
the ever-enthusiastic AROC Chairman, he added: “The team
has done a brilliant job to bring this together, but we
are indebted to the support of our members for bringing
along such wonderful cars for everyone to enjoy.”
All Alfa Romeo fans can
be part of the Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club UK’s Alfa
centenary celebrations at their next big event on 21 and
22 August at the famous Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb track
in Worcestershire, UK. As well as a two days of
top-flight competition including a wonderful array of
Alfa Romeos both racing and doing demonstration runs,
there will be as many as 800 Alfa Romeos parked in a
large display area, plus an Alfa Romeo Concours
d’Elegance contest, trade stands, the AROC shop and many
other attractions. All details of this event and the
AROC UK can be found on
www.aroc-uk.com
