AlfaBits – November, 2025 – Volume 57, Issue 11
Steve Davis, AROO Prez
As the rain pours and wind howls through the Coburg hills here outside Eugene, I find myself looking more forward than back. We’ve had an amazing 2025 in AROO, and we have two awesome events left in the year – the Tour to visit Vintage Underground and the Haugland Collection, and the Holiday Party.
After that, it’s next year! The Board will meet in January to map out 2026 events, with many returning and a few new ones. There are two “big item events” that are already being planned that I want to share with you.
First, those of you that go on the Tom McGirr trips (Spring Overnight, Fall Overnight and “Alfa Wannabe” tours) may know that Tom is planning his “bucket list tour” for 2026. Tom wants to take a group of people all the way to New England (not by car, mind you!) and then rent cars to go on a multi-day “leaf peeper” tour. Tom has already worked out many of the details… wanna know more? tomsredalfa@gmail.com.
A “little” closer to home, but still a drive away is the 2026 AROC National Convention, held next year in Ogden, Utah (near Salt Lake City). It’s a two or three day drive from Oregon, and a few of us are already planning routes, perhaps to connect in Boise with people from the Northwest Chapter and Northern California ARA, leading to a BIG caravan into the SLC area. The dates are September 23-27… could be fun! More to come on this one…
I’ve set a challenge for myself regarding the AROC Convention. You probably all know about my Alfetta GT, and I’m definitely planning to take it to Ogden. I also have a ’79 Alfetta Sedan that is in “not ready for prime time” shape. I bought it (eyes open, I add here!) from AROO Board member Lila Dale, who warned me about the rust. Well, I never had to learn to weld to put the GT back together, as it was 99% rust free… not so this one! In my quest to “never stop learning”, I’ve now put new, custom-fabricated floorboards into the car, and rebuilt and reinforced the rocker panels. Learning to weld is challenging and VERY fun! I’m by NO MEANS and expert, but now I wander around the yard saying, “I can weld this! I can weld that!” Wow, give a guy a hammer, and everything is a nail…
Anyway, my son-in-law wants to take his fam (my daughter and grandson, last seen at the Summer Solstice picnic) out to Ogden in the Sedan… and who am I to refuse that! So, I’m planning to get to it and put this Humpty Dumpty back together again in months rather than years! I’ll be calling for help – that’s what we in AROO do!
See you soon, at either of our last two events, or at one of our great events in ’26… stay safe and joyous out there!