Pistons & Paws 2019
Tenterden Pistons & Paws 15th Sept 2019.
I don’t know what it is but September seems to bring every Spitfire that can fly out to the late summer sky and today’s foray out into the best of the Kent countryside was no exception. It’s the sort of weather that you wish would last forever but all too soon melts into October long before you feel that you are really ready to hibernate your classic or prized Alfa. That said, the Tenterden show was rammed with more than double the vehicles that you would usually see – along with one of the best attended AROCKES section meets next to the Eastbourne Magnificent Motors show at the beginning of the year. Hats off to everyone that made it and hopefully next year for those of you that didn’t.
Show days usually start off early for me as the gazebo needs to be erected and nothing beats an early morning sun-soaked drive. I really felt like a bit of breakfast so myself and Sue met Craig Archer at Headcorn Aerodrome for a bacon roll, cup of tea and a catch up. Two Spiders from opposite ends of the production time-span parked alongside each other in the empty car park made for an eye-catching view as the obligatory look back was made walking away to the cafe.
The resident Spitfire was being prepped for its day of flight and the bacon rolls were given a nine out of ten, although red or brown sauce and the respective merits of each was the subject of debate prior to a pleasant drive into the Tenterden showground.
Attending members this year were Dan Kent in his very patriotic 147 (more of that later); Phil Davis in his 916 3.2 litre V6 spider; Mike White in his Silver Brera; Craig Archer in the S1 Duetto Spider; myself & Sue in the S4; Jeff Kaby in the rare 159 petrol; Dave and Amanda Norman in the 916 T-spark Zoe yellow spider; Steve Jackson in the S4 Spider; and Giovanni & Jacky in the 105 GTV 2 litre Bertone. We were joined on the Alfa stand by two non-members, namely Nick Walace and his partner with their daughter Amelia in the Giulia Super, as well as Keith Masters in the silver GT 1600 junior (more of his engine later). Both of whom I would love to join AROC and the section, both were provided with application forms and I really look forward to seeing them in the future. You must also never forget Graham Duplock who was displaying his Porsche 911 L, one of the three classics he owns.
The only real photo of a 3.2 litre V6 916 spider has got to be the engine bay especially if everything is all shiny and Phil Davis left his bonnet up to appreciate it.
There was also the engine bay of the fully restored 1968 Series 1 1750 Duetto Spider from Craig Archer that looks like it had just rolled off the production line.
Another remarkable vehicle came in the form of Keith Masters’ silver GT 1600 Junior 105 Bertone fitted with a two-litre twin spark engine and up-rated Koni Red suspension. It’s always a mystery to me how you drop different engines into different cars but I’m hoping that Keith will fill in his AROC application form and tell us how this was achieved at future section nights.
If memory serves me right, the last time I saw this sort of conversion was with AROCKES member Christian Brewer, who I last saw tearing it up at the Crystal Palace Sprint Circuit earlier in 2019 with the GTV and the two vehicles can be quite easily compared. Either way, both vehicles obviously pack quite a good punch at around the 180 BHP level.
Giovanni and Jacky, as always, attend when the forecast is favourable and it never fails to amaze me how much of a five star Italian restaurant the couple manage to pack in to the boot of a 105 Bertone.
Dave and Amanda Norman, who can be seen on the left of the picture, are the proud owners of the Zoe yellow spider and we are awaiting an article of their recent Italian road trip in the AROC magazine.
Next on the line up we had another non-member, Nick Wallace, with a stunning Giulia Super of the same type the Italian police used. Again, I’d love to hear more about this fantastic Super at future club meets and hope that Nick will fill out his application form and enjoy the member benefits that we all enjoy.
Now Dan Kent has been really daring with his 147 and has come up with something special wheel- wise and it did not occur to me until I had a look back over the pictures that it was a re-creation of the Italian flag. Like the design or not…. brilliant is all I have to say!
Next we have Steve Jackson in his series four spider and I have to admit that he again escaped before I could grab a picture but, suffice to say, I’m well intrigued as, although our Spiders are only a year apart, there are so many differences. For instance, his bonnet release and glove box are so different to mine. Steve’s bonnet release is part of the facia on the left and mine being under the right of the RHD steering column.
Food wise I usually just stick with a bacon roll at shows but on this occasion I have to recommend the Italian BBQ van and if you are fortunate enough to have it attend at a similar event I highly recommend that you dive right in as there is only one word that describe their Italian food – delicious!
There is one show left at Headcorn airfield on the 29th September and weather permitting it will be well worth going and many of you have voiced an interest in attending. Just keep your eyes on our Facebook page as any announcements on this will appear there as well as our secretary’s emails, so best you check the in tray. Hopefully see and speak to you all soon.
Epilogue:
You can’t beat a Tonibell on a hot Summer’s day.
