Congratulations Alfesta 2016

[Doug Gould]

Subtitled the friendship & support Alfa owners get from other Alfa owners & strangers.

Our first Alfesta was eventful. Finishing a client report meant that I didn't get as much progress on the Montreal before I left. For Alfesta the Montreal got new clutch master & slave cylinders. During this process the seats went to Cel Pizzementi to get new foam (the original seat upholstery is good, but the foam was disintegrating). We also decided at one point that the clutch master cylinder change would be easier if we removed the brake master cylinder. Naturally, the brake master cylinder was pitted, so I ordered the unique Montreal master cylinder from Gergio Pennatti in Italy.

With a few dramas in between (one of which Hugh Harrison gave last minute help), in the end all of this finished going back on the car at 6am on the Thursday we were departing for Alfesta.

We met Gary Pearce at the ferry only to discover a puddle of fuel under the Montreal. For those who don't know, the Montreal has 2 electric fuel pumps each with pressure relief valves. There are 9 lengths of fuel hose and 16 fuel hose clamps in the fuel pump tray area.

We waved goodbye to Gary at Queenscliff and went in search of a mechanic & hoist to replace what we hoped was a single piece of tubing. We had the good fortune to call at Queenscliff junction motors. On the day before Easter, these guys took a car off a hoist and worked on the Montreal for 3.5 hours replacing 5 hoses. In the end they wanted to charge us such an embarrassingly small amount that we gave then an extra $100 cash.

The Limestone coast Alfesta attracted (I think) 38 Alfa's and something like 90 people. The SA team organised it with military precision. Have 3 meals and activities for 90 people over 4 days that all runs on time is no mean feat. They are to be congratulated.

A highlight for me was a cruise on the Glenelg river. You think you know Victoria? I had no idea that we had a river as beautiful as this.

I've often said that if you own an Alfa you have a friend anywhere you go in the world. I've met some great people in a number of countries with this philosophy. But, you forget that its true in Australia too.

Roll on Alfesta 2017. Sally & I will be there. But I think it might be the GTV6 that we take.

I almost forgot. Congratulations to Gary Pearce for taking best car in the show & shine with his 105 GT.

[four90s]

Hi Doug,

Glad you had a good time despite the problems with the Montreal.

They can be such niggly things.

Hope to see everybody at the next Alfesta as well.

Regards
Steve
Adelaide

[As the day goes]

and for the next edition:

[Victor Lee]

At Alfesta Mt Gambier this year, reporter Dave Carey from UNIQUE CARS magazine came along to the Eurosport Automotive Show n Shine event.  His SIX page article is in this month's edition.

It's a great promo for Alfesta and its event sponsors and for the Club as a whole.  Also includes a few member write ups including yours truly!