Best of France and Italy So Cal

[So Cal Mark]

now I'm more curious, who exactly is the "Fiat Group"?

[ventura ace]

Wouldn't that be the people that are in Fiats, and park in the Fiat section?

[So Cal Mark]

so, somehow they gather prior to the event and purchase awards, then secretly meet and decide on the awards? If that is the case, wouldn't you know about the award since you are a Fiat person parked in the Fiat area?

[gary124sport]

You have to realize that this is Merkel's event - he started it, he's the one that organizes it and it is run by his friends. He is world renowned in the auto arena but most of us just know him because of our Fiats. This originated as a casual get togethe from Merkel's Rear Engine Fiat Club. It's the Anti-Concourso Italino and used to be called the Best of France and Italy Under 3 Liter Car Show. As many of us know Merkel is an eccentric engineer like many of us - at least I can relate to him well. After the show in his newsletter Rear Engine Fiat Club or as I think it is now referred to Southern California Fiat Club he always writes of the cars that receive the awards. He and a few of his knowledgeable friends walk around and look at the spread of cars and then dole out a few light-heart awards: Best Spider, Best Fiat, Second Best Fiat, Best Driver and his favorite grand prize winner - Most Money Invested In a Car that will Never go up in Value or Most Money Wasted. In my opinion they are like the awards you get in Little League everyone will eventually get an award for player of the week. Hey, there's only about 25 or so regulars who always go to this thing. So.... doing the math about every five years everyone should get an award. Alvon and I have been participating for about seven years now and we both been awarded twice. My goal is to get the Most Money Wasted Award. Merkel goes and buys the trophies, they were pretty cool this year with the toy Abarth 600 glued to the top of them.

[So Cal Mark]

thanks for revealing the "Fiat group"

[Daniel]

he always writes of the cars that receive the awards. He and a few of his knowledgeable friends walk around and look at the spread of cars and then dole out a few light-heart awards: Best Spider, Best Fiat, Second Best Fiat, Best Driver and his favorite grand prize winner -

Does Merkel ever post or write down how a car is judged, what makes that car the winner vs years past cause i've never
heard why or how it get's to be top pick just wondering

[Nancy1340]

I want 'em. All of 'em.

But the woody will do to start. Beautiful.

[Special]

Looks like it is going to rain this Sunday again.
So , are you guys going no matter what , or ...... ?

[jimincalif]

I won't be there this year as I am traveling out of town for a friend's wedding.

Been there the last two years but without my spider, which was not running. This year it is running. Figures.

Hope the weather cooperates.

[sptcoupe]

One of my favorite shows, and always a great turn out of FIATS inluding some very unusual models. Good to see pics - keep them coming!

[RJ80]

I'll be going, but without my car... assuming it's not raining, of course. If it is, I have plenty of Fiat-related projects to keep me busy in the garage.

[So Cal Mark]

I'm taking two cars, rain or shine

[Special]

[vandor]

Those sedans look good!
Need more pics!!!

[So Cal Mark]

here are a few pics from the mod bog today;