FIAT CLUB AMERICA – DFW CHAPTER: MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER
Our schedule is starting to really fill up as various car shows and venues announce their dates for various activities. Check the calendar for info on Vick Autosports Open House. The ABCDE+ car show registration is now open, so don’t forget to go and sign up! A huge, new car museum is opening in April and we are trying to set up a visit in May. Mixed in with all our normal monthly meet ups and drives, 2025 looks to be chock full of fun ways to experience your Italian marvel.
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY:
8TH: Desperados Mexican Restaurant Dos
3443 W Campbell Rd, Garland, TX
11:00AM Meet up in the 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
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
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. Stellantis is set to reward its UAW workers with profit-sharing checks of ~$3,780. While that sounds great, it is about 73% less than the checks they received last year.
2. While Stellantis is expecting business to improve in 2025, they warn against expecting too much. When some industry analysts predicted Stellantis would seek to regain 4.4% market share, temporary CEO Elkann quickly shot that down, saying, “That’s definitely not what we are expecting to achieve.”
3. As far as the search for a leader goes, Elkann states Stellantis remains on track to name a new CEO in the first half of 2025.
4. In a press release on Feb 20, 2025, Stellantis announced their STLA AutoDrive system is ready to deploy on vehicles. Designed for dense urban driving conditions, STLA AutoDrive offers hands free, eyes off driving at speeds up to 37 mph. The system is designed to be forward compatible with future goals allowing the system to be hands free, eyes off up to 59 mph. Currently, above 37 mph, the system retains Adaptative Cruise Control and lane centering functions.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
1. Alfa Romeo ends February strong, raking in multiple awards from German and Swiss automobile magazines. The German Auto Motor und Sport named the Giulia the Best Midsized Import, the Tonale the Best Compact SUV/Off-Road, and the Stelvio the Best Large SUV/Off-Road. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, Auto Illustrierte named the Giulia the Best Midsize car, the Tonale the Best SUV/Off-Road and the Junior the Best Small SUV/Off-Road.
In both cases, the Giulia won the award for the 8th year in a row. Notably, these magazines awards are voted on by consumers. In Germany, over 94,000 readers voted on the awards. In both countries, there were 462 vehicles competing in 13 different classes.
2. Alfa released a promotional video for their new Intensa trim levels. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/nwnUyskAXRo?si=otuVoz7AsFV_Bhbx
Fiat:
1. The new Grande Panda will hit the European market in March. The hybrid version of the 500 will come out in November. According to Amir Ahmed dealers in the USA have been asked on their thoughts about bringing the Grande Panda to the US; however, he did not disclose what the results of that survey have been.
2. Two vintage 124s have sold in the last 90 days at prices above $30,000, 1 was over $50,000!
Lancia:
Lancia and Sparco have announced a return to their legendary partnership, with Sparco providing the gear inside the Rally 4 as well as their fireproof clothing. The entire Lancia team will sport Sparco gear. Along with the on track fashion, a line of HF clothing will be available through Sparco stores. Miki Biasion, 2 time World Rally Champion (‘88, ‘89) with the Delta Group A car was on hand to help introduce the partnership.
Maserati:
1. The future of Maserati EVs is in question as Stellantis announced the writing down of $1.5 billion in investments in the company. The first anticipated victim is the Folgore, an EV version of the critically acclaimed MC20.
2. Maserati announced a base model of the GranCabrio Convertible called simply the “GranCabrio”. It will have the 490hp twin turbo 6 speed and be capable of 0-60 in 4 seconds with air suspension and all wheel drive standard. Production is reported to begin in North America in March with the first models hitting the show rooms in April. Prices are forecast to start around $165,000, but Maserati has not yet confirmed pricing.
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
1. Our new website is live! Dues current members should have received an email from Arman giving you your initial login information. If you have not received an email, contact Michael Sharpe at: vp@fiatclubamerica.com for assistance. (Check your spam folders first!)
2. Following long established freaky tradition, 2025's FIAT Freakout will include many venues unique to the local Wisconsin Dells area. Things like duck boat rides, spelunking, houses built on top of rocks, and a water park located both inside and outside the host hotel (free use with your reservation!), as well as all the traditional normal things like the Concorso D'Eleganza, Welcome and Awards Diners, driving competitions, and more. And did we mention cheese factories? If you aren't a cheese head now, you will be by the time you leave!
Go here to register: https://fs4.formsite.com/Ei4wF4/fhy7wiszcd/index
3. Your spouse/partner gets free associate membership status in FCA. If they take a second car to a FCA sanctioned event, they are counted as being a member of FCA. That is important for insurance reasons. On the new website, a separate log in account for your Spouse/Partner is available for a small annual fee of $5. Club Express charges us a monthly fee for each active log in account we have. The $5 fee for your Spouse/Partner log in is designed to offset that fee. No matter whether you opt to get a Spouse/Partner log in account for the website or not, your Spouse/Partner retains their associate status with FCA with your paid dues. Also, note that if you continue or switch to a recurring membership, club dues are only $55, as opposed to single year membership dues of $60.
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CLUB NEWS:
1. The DFW Car and Toy Museum announced they will open in April. I have sent them an email to set up a visit in May. Expect the visit to include other Italian car clubs, as the owner would love to have an Italian Car Day. The museum will display 200+ cars and 3,000+ toys.
2. I am still waiting on various other venues to publish their plans for 2025. We are looking at taking a day trip to Ft Richardson in November, going up to Robert Jackson’s Southern Coach Works when it opens, and several other things.
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March tends to be a bit schizoid in personality. Whether you are feeling a little chile or just want to eat one, whether it’s hot outside or you just want some heat on your food, we have the perfect venue for you at our March Meet Up: Desperados Dos – one of North Texas’ premiere Tex Mex restaurants. Stop by and join us south of the border (but northeast of Dallas) on March 8th. As for all the other nice days March will gift us:
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
Fiat Club America – DFW Chapter
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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----
MARCH
8TH: Desperados Mexican Restaurant Dos
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: 5th Annual Bluebonnet Cruise
The date is firm; the itinerary is not. We are looking at meeting at Buc-ees in Ennis, TX, then starting the drive at 1030 AM after a short driver's meet at 10:25 AM.
26TH: Vick Autosports Open House
601 E Chambers St Cleburne, TX
10AM-3PM
Vick will provide free food, free drinks and some door prizes, too!
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!
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. (May?)
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Tazilon Brenner
DFW Chapter Leader
FCA Board of Directors