(The Best Spider Challenge is the search for the 'best' FIAT 124 spider/FIAT 2000/Pininfarina Azure and, of course, includes Abarth versions.) For the selection of North America's Best Spider, the first contender was selected at LA's terrific Best of France & Italy car show by the FIATs of So. Cal in Nov. 2006 FIAT Enthusiasts Northwest, a very active club in the Pacific Northwest, has just announced an event in Washington state on Sunday, April 29, 2007 to pick their contender. Fiat-Lancia Unlimited will pick their contender in July 2007 in Pontiac at Fiat Freak Out. FIAT America has not yet announced their event. Cars form these clubs will come as contenders to the final round of competition at ItalianCarFest's show-by-the-lake to be held in Grapevine, Texas on Saturday Sept. 22, 2007. One of these cars will win the title of 'North America's Best Spider'. This is a first-of-its-kind project meant to shine a light on FIAT and Pininfarina as a whole and to highlight the evolutionary progession of models that started with the FIAT 124 Sport Spider in 1967 (US) and wrapping up as the Pininfarina Azure in 1985 1/2. -Jerry Lee Phillips 817 521-4400 [email protected]
Two cars have been selected for the Best Spider Challenge. More info at: http://www.italiancarfest.com/bsc.htm
not even close to being the 124... I am the original owner of my 73 124 Spider and it wont even come close to the FIAT Dino Spider, my Dino is causing me to consider selling the 124 after 35 years of ownership. The best Spider ? easy Dino Spider !
The intent wasn't to find the best spider period, just the best Fiat 124, 2000 or Pininfarina Azzura spider. Best Fiat 124, Fiat 2000 or Pininfarina Azzura Spider Challenge - doesn't sound very good.
Over the decades, a few models of inexpensive roadsters have surpassed the test of time to become coveted classics. There is a model- perhaps more accurately a series of models- that has developed a devoted following and is rapidly becoming one of the greats. That series of special automobiles was produced starting in 1967 and ended in 1985 ½. These cars were produced as Fiat 124 & 2000 Spiders and Pininfarina Spider Azzura. To celebrate this remarkable series, ItalianCarFest 2007 will designate these cars Honored Models. And to add to the excitement, ItalianCarFest has invited North Americas Fiat clubs to participate in the Best Spider Challenge. The challenge is this: who owns the best example of these wonderful cars? To find the answer, each of these great clubs- FIAT America, Fiat Enthusiasts Northwest, Fiat-Lancia Unlimited and Fiats of So. Cal.- has graciously accepted the challenge. Fiats of So. Cal. have selected a car from the Best of France & Italy show in Los Angeles. FEN selected a car at their show near Seattle. FA & FLU will host separate events to find the cars they will designate as their Best Spider. And those four cars- one from each club- will come to ItalianCarFest in September of 2007 to compete for the title of BSC North American Champion. The challenger from each Fiat club will receive an ItalianCarFest Prize Package that includes: · 2 ICF reception tickets · A room Fri. night at ICF host hotel the Gaylord Texan Resort · Entry in the show in a special area to feature the challengers · 2 tickets for Sat. evening- dinner, silent auction for charity · A room Sat. night · 2 for Sun. brunch In addition to bragging rights, the winner will receive: · A fabulous Blenko Glass Co. trophy worth at least $500 · Whoa Brake Series II 13 Brake Kit · $500+ IN CASH. -Jerry Lee Phillips Pres.- Italian Car Club of the Southwest, INC - Organizers of ItalianCarFest Weekend (817) 521-4400
FIAT America will be the third club to pick a contender in the Best Spider Challenge (BSC) following Fiats of So. Cal. and Fiat Enthusiasts Northwest. The FIAT America spider will be selected June 23, 2007 at Quarry Lakes in Fremont, CA. FIAT America will use popular vote to pick their contender. Fiat Lancia Unlimited will pick their contender in Detroit at Fiat Freak Out this summer. The spiders from the 4 clubs will compete for the title of 'North America's BSC Champion' at the final round to be held Sept. 22, 2007 at ItalianCarFest's Show-by-the-Lake. -Jerry Lee Phillips Italian Car Club the Southwest 817 521-4400
