DFW FIAT CLUB – FIAT CLUB AMERICA: JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER
January brings a new year. 2025 will be full of new venues and old, but all will create new memories and, hopefully, some new friendships along the way. Here is to sharing some of them with you as we collectively take another trip around the Sun. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY:
JANUARY 11TH: Hard Eight Pit BBQ
Monthly Meet Up
688 Freeport Parkway, Coppell
11:00AM Meet up in parking lot.
12:00 PM Move inside for lunch.
Menu: https://www.hardeightbbq.com/coppell#menus
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
FCA Calendar May2025: Taz and Jennifer Brenner's modern Fiat 124 Spider Classica
FCA Calendar July 2025: Vinny Minchillo's vintage Fiat 500L (with his bother, he, and his car in Carabinieri garb!)
If you place in a car show, autocross, track event, etc, (or get put on a calendar!) email me at dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com and let me know so we can include you in The Winner’s Circle!
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STELLANTIS NEWS:
1. Through November, 2024 sales for Stellantis brands in the US were down 14.8% from 2023. Overall, for all car manufacturers, sales in the US were up 2.5%. The only division of Stellantis to see sales gains in the US was FIAT. However, with only 1,299 vehicles delivered, FIAT's increase could not offset losses by Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM.
2. John Elkann, great-great-great grandson of Giovanni Agnelli, temporary Stellantis CEO while the search for a permanent replacement for Carlos Tavares takes place, visited with a couple of Stellantis brands in December.
He began by meeting with the US Stellantis National Dealer Council in the first week of the month. Council President Kevin Farrish summed up the meeting, saying while US dealer's relationship with Stellantis has been strained, the meeting was productive and dealers were eager to move forward in 2025. He also praised the selection of Antonio Filosa as COO of Stellantis North America. Many industry insiders believe Filosa, who is a member of the 8 person CEO search committee, has a good chance of becoming Stellantis' next CEO.
During the meeting, Elkann said Filosi would have full authority to respond to market conditions. That was exactly what Farrish wanted to hear, saying, "It meant a great deal to us. We have a ton of opportunities to fix what Mr. Tavares harmed."
3. A few days later, Elkann met with Maserati officials in Moderna, Italy to calm fears within Maserati that Stellantis was planning to release them from the Stellantis family.
4. An interesting side note that underscores the continuing close relationship between Italian car makers: Besides serving as the temporary CEO of Stellantis, and even though FIAT sold its majority ownership of Ferrari in 2016, John Elkann also serves as the chairperson for Ferrari.
5. The stock market is responding well to the shake up within Stellantis, with stocks jumping up over 18% in December alone after having fallen 40% previously in 2024.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
1. The first of what will be a 33 vehicle run of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was just delivered. For some pics, go here: https://www.autoevolution.com/.../alfa-romeo-s-first-33...
2. The new Stelvio is currently projected to be released in summer 2025 with the new Giulia following in 2026.
Fiat:
1. If you are a resident of Colorado with a credit score above 700, hurry over to Larry H Miller Chrysler Dodge RAM FIAT in Denver to score a 27 month lease on a new 500e for $0 down and $0 a month! All you need to sign the lease is $1,692 for tax and disposition fees.
2. Due to continuing issues with global over supply, Fiat will not restart production of the 500e until January 20th, 2025.
Lancia:
In mid-December Lancia announced the new Gamma, slated for a 2026 release, will come with both EV and hybrid versions. A third new Lancia model (after the Ypsilon and Gamma) will debut in 2028.
Maserati:
Maserati spent the first half December on a world tour celebrating the company's 110 year anniversary. Special events were held in Moderna, Italy followed by Tokyo, Japan, then Miami, USA. Stops in Shanghai and Beijing, China celebrated both Maserati's 110th overall and 20th year in China. The global celebration wrapped up on Dec 12th in Seoul, South Korea.
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
1. The 13 month, 2025 FCA calendar is in the mail. Some have already arrived. If your FCA dues were current in December, expect to receive your calendar soon.
2. Registration for the 42nd annual Fiat Freakout in the Wisconsin Dells, July 9-13, is now open! Go here to register: https://fs4.formsite.com/Ei4wF4/fhy7wiszcd/index
Fiat Freakouts began as a small group of friends getting together in Pennsylvania in 1983 and have grown into 100-200+ cars meeting for 5 days of international camaraderie with FIATs, food, fun, family, and friends.
Jennifer and I have already registered. We will be arriving at the Chula Vista Resort sometime Wednesday afternoon. Hope to see you there!
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CLUB NEWS:
We still have a couple of months open on our calendar of events for 2025. It isn't for lack of ideas, although we are always open to new suggestions. We are still looking at some venues and waiting to see if some others will open during 2025. Expect the calendar to get filled in over the next several months.
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The next 2 months are really hit or miss for driving weather as Mother Nature in Texas displays her multiple personalities from day to day. Sometimes, we get to see all 4 season in 1 day! Our Meet Ups are always rain or shine, so plan on joining us no matter what the weather. We do draw the line at ice though. If the roads are icy, the Meet Up won't happen. We want to preserve our beautiful Italian cars for when the roads aren't downright treacherous so we can
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
DFW Fiat Club – Fiat Club America
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SPONSORS:
Park Cities Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat – We are still getting a 15% discount on parts, labor, and service. Unlike before (where you had to ask for a specific service advisor), you can now let any service advisor know you are in the club to receive the discount.
Drop Top Tees - An online Spreadshirt shop with T-shirts, and V-necks for 124 Spiders, Abarth 124s, Classic 124s, Fiat 500s, X1/9s, Giulias, and some especially for the DFW Fiat Club! https://droptoptees.myspreadshop.com/
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----2025 CALENDAR----
JANUARY
11TH: Hard Eight Pit BBQ
688 Freeport Parkway, Coppell, TX
11:00AM Meet up in parking lot.
12:00 PM Move inside for lunch.
Menu: https://www.hardeightbbq.com/coppell#menus
FEBRUARY
22ND: Amore Pasta and Pizza
1605 W Northwest Highway, Grapevine, TX
1130AM: Meet up in the parking lot.
1200AM: Lunch
Menu: https://www.amorepastapizzamenu.com/#menu
MARCH
8TH: Desperados Dos Mexican Restaurant
3443 W Campbell Rd, Garland, TX
11:00AM Meet up in parking lot.
12:00AM Lunch
Desperados has been in the DFW area for decades. They have accumulated a steady heap of accolades, including: 2024: Dallas Observer, Essential Tex Mex of Dallas, 2021: Dallas Morning News, Best DFW Mexican Restaurant, 2017: USA Today, One of the Most Authentic Mexican Restaurants Across America, 2015: NPR Radio, 2nd Best Mexican Restaurant in Texas, and many, many more. In 2011, they were the official caterers for the Dallas Mavericks Championship Parade!
Menu: https://desperadosrestaurant.com/#menu
APRIL
12TH or 19TH: Annual Bluebonnet Cruise
(We will determine the date once we see how winter goes precipitation-wise.)
MAY
11TH: All British and European Car Day
Bath House Cultural Center, White Rock Lake
521 E. Lawther, Dallas, TX
9:00AM Car club canopy setup
10:00AM Show field opens
2:00PM Winners announced
Because we had 10 FIATs enter last year, we will have our own FIAT class this year!
24TH: (tentative) Bray's Motor Museum and Playground
Bray's has a car museum and racetrack in Madisonville, TX. Lone Star Spiders is working to set up a visit in May. You can attend and visit the museum and/or join us on the track for a little 1 car at a time friendly competition. Some trophies may be in the works for the fastest laps in various classes. Stay tuned!
JUNE
28TH: Dinner and a Movie
Dinner and a Movie has become a popular addition to our summer lineup of events. This year, we have a good car movie to watch!
Pending release, as scheduled, of F1, Brad Pitt's upcoming Formula One movie, here is the itinerary:
6:00PM: Meet up at Terry Black's BBQ, 2926 W 7th St, Ft Worth.
6:30PM: Move inside to eat.
7:30PM: Drive 3.4 miles to the Coyote Drive-In, 223 NE 4th St, Ft Worth
9:00PM Watch F1
Terry Black's menu: https://terryblacksbbq.com/fortworth/menu/
JULY
9TH-13TH: Fiat Freakout 2025
The Dells, Wisconsin.
https://fs4.formsite.com/Ei4wF4/fhy7wiszcd/index
The Freakout is our largest gathering for the national club every year and also serves as our annual membership meeting.
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
7TH: Italian CarFest
Stay abreast of this event here: https://www.italiancarfest.org/
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
15TH?: Fort Richardson Civil War Reenactment
A drive, lunch, and civil war reenactment all in 1! Date will be determined when Ft. Richardson State Park publishes the days they will do the reenactment; typically the middle of November.
We will probably meet up at Yesterday's 50 Diner in Bridgeport, TXC then caravan to Ft. Richardson State Park for the civil war reenactment. They fire real cannons during the reenactment! Yesterday's is a 50s-60s car-themed diner.
DECEMBER
13TH?: Annual Toy Run With Ferrari Club America – DFW Chapter
Venues we would like to add to our calendar:
1. Robert Jackson's Southern Coach Works car museum in Madill, OK once it opens.
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/southern.coach.works
2. New car museum in Haltom City once it opens.
3. Vick's Autosports Open House in Cleburne (don't know the date yet)