potential new club in So Cal

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:36 pm

I've been looking into establishing a FLU So Cal chapter. If you're interested please let me know. For the most part, clubs in So Cal have been very loosely organized and/or not very active. FLU would provide structure and importantly, insurance for events. There is a yearly membership fee to the national group, but there are benefits.
If you want information on the national organization, the website is http://www.flu.org.

Perhaps some FLU members from other areas can add some thoughts about the club in general

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:29 pm

you know im in.

gary124as · Post by **gary124as** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:32 am

I'm in!

fiatS2000 · Post by **fiatS2000** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:16 am

me too(or is it three)!

ventura ace · Post by **ventura ace** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:40 am

Sounds good, Mark. BTW, I am already a member of FLU, which is necessary, if you want to attend the FLU sponsored Fiat Freak Out. Next year, the 25th anniversary of FFO, the FFO will be at the same place as the very first one: Pocano's Mountains. Time to start thinking about it now.

Alvon

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:22 pm

HOORAY !! As a long time member of FLU, i strongly encourage you to pursue this venture....all of you. it is well worth the monetary expense. the rewards to you by far-and-away exceed the expectations of you.

The liability insurance coverage itself is worth the peace of mind it affords. Especially in a society where a lawsuit supersedes an apology. You never know when an accident will happen.

Plus, there is the RICAMBI magazine that is published 6 times a year. Members get free classified ads, technical articles, social and club event write-ups from across the nation.

As Alvon mentioned, there is the annual FIAT FREAK OUT that only members can enter. I am currently looking at the panorama picture (you know how much i love pictures) of the '07 FFO held in Pontiac. I see nearly 100 Fiats in this picture, 500's Spiders, X's. Lancias and Alfa Romeo's too. A Jolly, Zagato's....street cars and racers. If Denise were here right now, she'd tell you how she felt by being sung "Happy Birthday" to by 87 of her closest friends!!

If you allow them, FLU members will become very important and close friends. People you will want to share dinner with. People you wouldn't hesitate to lend a hand to. People who will lend you there car! In one day, i had FLU members from Indianapolis, Chicago, and California in my driveway.

Plus, a local chapter gives you the same sense of belonging to a larger group, with the closeness of personal relationships. Your spouse will quickly gain a sense of excitement about YOUR PASSION, as he/she attends local events.

Oh, and the FLU membership sticker looks real nice on your windshield.

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:52 pm

If it werent for FLU, I wouldnt have met characters like Mike, Denise, Alvon, and so on. The Freakout is a friendly affair, and my wifie would not miss it! It puts faces behind the posts, and ties me in to the local club. But most important is the posative attitude and sence of brotherhood. Ive never heard a squabble, and think most flusters would not tolerate one!Honestly I can just go to the events and be myself, and everyone else does the same. Mark, sounds like a good move to join up, are you includin all cars Italian, or just concentratin on Fiat/Lancia? I like showin my steed without the fancy showcars, as she is slightly modest! Dave

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:54 am

Great move, Mark! I hope you are successful with the new chapter. Like Mike and Dave said, the best selling point of becoming a FLU member is all the great people you meet. Fiats are what brought us together but they really take a backseat once you get to know the people behind the wheel. I don't know if anyone noticed, but I'm a bit different than many females. First, even after 20 years in the car business, I've had a hard time being accepted by many of the male gender. Then, when trying to find something in common with other females, I fall short because of my passion for cars. But, with the FLU community, I'm comfortable with all. I still blush when thinking of the night all my friends sang Happy Birthday to me!

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:25 pm

Give her some chocolate, and shes your friend for life!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:38 pm

I think all of the forum members know that Denise sets an example that more females should follow!

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:35 pm

Actually, Denise is a very good representation of what many FLU women are. Just that most others don't chat on the forums.

My wife enjoys our FLU outings as much as I do. Her Spider won a tropy at the '06 Freak Out. Her Spider was the car we took on our latest three day FLU outing earlier this fall; she drove 80% of that trip, and didn't miss a minute of the social action.

Givem a car and watch out !!

FLU events are a couples' event, as much as - or more than - a car thing.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:14 pm

Mark, that was a nice thing to say. And Mike, that's the reason why Missy, Carol and I had such a great time together....of course, the chocolate cake helped!

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:15 am

SOOOOooooo.....

Who's birthday is next year at FFO '08 ?? We gotta start plannin' now for sumbuddy....

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:45 am

Do our spiders have build dates on them? We could always celebrate some Fiat/Lancia birthdays....

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:31 am

the month/year is on the left door jamb