Tom Tjaarda accepts invitation to attend ItalianCarFest Weekend, Sept. '06

http://www.tom-tjaarda.net/cars.htm

Tom Tjaarda, one of the world's most respected car designers, has graciously accepted an invitation to travel from his home in Turin, Italy to attend ItalianCarFest Weekend, Sept. 8-10, 2006 in Grapevine, Texas (near Dallas).

We are especially excited to have Mr. Tjaarda, best known as the designer of the DeTomaso Pantera, since we are honoring the model's 35th anniversary at this year's event. In addition to the Pantera, he also designed the iconic Ferrari 365 GT California Spider, the classic Fiat 124 Spider and many other wonderful cars. In 1997, he was honored at the Pebble Beach Concours d´Elegance and regularly serves as a judge at that event.

Still active in the industry, Mr. Tjaarda will make a presentation about car design at the 'ICF Saturday Evening at Gaylord', held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center following the all-Italian car show, this year on the waterfront of Lake Grapevine. Mr. Tjaarda states this will be his first trip to Texas. He will make only 2 other appearances in the US this year.

This is another big step in providing Italian car enthusiasts with a show of national prominence that takes place between the coasts. Last year, the Saturday show attendance was 8,500. In addition to Texas, ICF has had entrants from 15 states to date. Thanks again to all who have participated.


-Jerry Lee Phillips

817 521-4400

Pres.- Italian Car Club of the Southwest, a 501 (c) (4) organization

Web site: italiancarfest.com

 

It is not far, but it is too long to walk. Maybe 5 minutes from GF by car. We are working at providing shuttles to travel exclusively between ICF & GrapeFest. In addition, and this we need help with from ICF participants, we are increasing the local promotional effort to bring more persons directly to ICF. The great news is there is plenty of nearby parking for visitors at the new venue.

We took note last year that the unusual heat eliminated most of the walkers from GrapeFest to ICF. The crowd was essentially made up of people who drove out for ICF. In fact, the large parking lots dedicated for ICF parking were never expected to fill, but by 11 a.m. they were already at overflow and parking along adjacent streets started. The upshot of this is we were happily surprised at the number of ICF destination visitors in '05.

 

Agreed. It would be thrilling to have great representations of Mr. Tjaarda's designs on the showfield.


I rec'd a very nice e-mail from an out-of-state gentleman with a Ferrai 330 GT who is interested in attending.

 

Not only is Mr. Tjaarda's appearance big news, but how this came about is very exciting. The leadership of the Pantera Club of North Texas has been very supportive of ICF starting with the first show in '03. They extended the invitation in our behalf and for that we thank them. It is wonderful to have so many enthusiasts who have become involved with the goal of making ICF a premier national event.

Please pass on this news about Mr. Tjaarda to other enthusiasts and to persons in the media that can help publicize this development.

Best regards to our supporters

-Jerry

 

135 cars were on the turf last year depite the heat wave.

With Mr. Tjaarda coming, yes, I think 150 is now a minimum.