131mirafiori forum

I wish all of you my best in preparations for 3ma12.  I only wish my car had wings so I could join all of you.  I hoping to hear of all the fun in the forum.  Maybe I can join you in 2014 for the 40th anniversary,  my car is being driven again in preparation for a Fiat gathering in the states.  I hope to post new photos soon to show the progress on my new/old Brava.  Its been a great ride.  Mike

Maybe 3MA14 could be in the States Mike!!!  ;D Are you volunteering?

We don't even have a plan for 3MA13 yet - I'm hoping someone suggests Normandy in France although I've been shot down on that one before!!  ;)

Hoping? someone?  You should know better than that by now Kevin! Stop hoping for someone and start volunteering!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I've no problem volunteering Normandy Theo.

Now who will volunteer to organise it...?  ;D ;D ;D

You're not getting away with it that easy! You've volunteered so it's settled. Normandy for 3ma13 organised by Kevin. All we need now is the dates and I'll update the website....  ;D ;D

Greeks are rightly famous for lots of things...but maybe not so much for their grasp of English!  ;)

Can you point out where I explicitly volunteered to organise 3MA13 Theo...or are you guilty of a little grasping interpretation...? ;D

Now - If 2013 is the year when we start the cycle again and have it in Ireland, count me in...! :) Then Torino again for the 40th anniversary in 2014.  :)

Kev, can I second your suggestion of having 3ma in Ireland ;D ;D

My 131 needs to see the Emerald Isles :D :D

We've already done Ireland on the 3MA 'World Tour' Phil and besides, it's the sort of place we are likely to run a forum trip to without using the 3MA as a reason, perhaps for Durrow or something similar next year. There are lots more Countries to visit for the first time yet  ;) although I'm not at all keen on France (Normandy) myself.

What about Spain, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Finland, Norway, Austria, Macedonia, Sweden, Russia  :o, etc. Greece even - or why not go to Turkey to see Yagmur and all those Tofas 131s.  8)

As an adventure I'd like to drive the Road of Bones (M56 Kolyma Highway) in a 131, through remote parts of the Russian Steppes and on to Mongolia like Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor have on motorcycles. Some 1,250 miles of mostly unpaved road, through wild country - what an adventure! :o ;D 8)

Wow, remember seeing The Long Way Round some time ago. That would really be a big adventure  8)

And about Norway, I would like to see this country in summer, as I have been there several winters  ;)

Macedonia IS in Greece  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  Or did you mean the Former Yugoslav Republic of  ??? ;D
Here I go again stirring up trouble ......  ;D ;D ;D

Yeah me English not too well  ;D



Guilty as charged! I never said "explicitly" but Normandy is not yours to volunteer Kevin so I took it that you volunteered yourself to organise  ;D

We certainly must go back to Ireland but as Simon said, there are many other events for which we can go to Ireland. My vote is for France or Belgium next year......

Good that we're identifying the various views before the inevitable evening discussions over dinner.

My own humble view is that the biggest challenge is finding an organiser and that the location, while important, is secondary. The key appeal is getting together... somewhere... with the 131s.

Some of the exotic destinations sound very appealing but are we likely to get an organiser for something more complicated than our current model....?  :)

Having read the exchange of views and wishing to participate in 3MA 2013  ;D, most probably in my own 131  ;) ;D 8), I would like to endorse Normandy.

Although I have passed through Normandy many times on my way south, I have never spent any more then 1 night there and would like to explore the place further. It would be convenient for those coming from Ireland and the UK, and not too far for those coming from Belgium, Holland and Germany. Apologies to those members form other countries where it is quite a distance.

As an alternative, could I suggest Brittany, where I have been many times, and it has many good driving roads and places of interest. Again accessible from Ireland and the UK with the excellent Brittany Ferries, but more of a problem for others.

Has anyone ever thought about Austria/Switzerland/Italy, the famous mountain roads like Passo di Stelvio, Passo di Gavia, Furka, Grimsel, Susten, Pordoi, Gotthard, Tremola and and and... This would really be a great outing with a 131 fleet  :)

Does that mean you are volunteering to organise it Robert?  ;) ;D
Switzerland sounds good to me as I haven't been there and would like to  ;) :D

See - I'm right about securing a volunteer first!!  :P ;D

I'd like Switz too and having driven the Stelvio Pass last year I can really reccommend it. Those with power steering will certainly appreciate that luxury!!

Now we just need to do a Mr T with Simon...!! ;)

For the record, my vote is still Normandy first and Ireland second.  :)

Blimey Simon, I didn't realise your world tour had to be completed in one 3ma trip  :) we will need back up crews and all sorts ;)

And back up 131's for the trip also  :D :D :D

Phil,

You cheeky man! I wasn't proposing driving to ALL of the Counties I stated in a single 3MA  :o - although I'm sure it would be huge fun! 8)

Guys,

For me neither France nor Ireland are on my list of 'Must revisit soon' I'm afraid - so looks like Mr T (and I don't mean Theo! :D) will have to have a hand in convincing me.  :o

Robert's suggestion of the mountains of Austria, Switzerland, Italy and surrounds sound superb and would certainly get my vote. 8) I drove this area a few years ago when I was driving my Abarth home and it certainly gets my automotive juices flowing! :D ;D 8) We'll just have to steer away from the Swiss motorway network otherwise we'll be 'stung' for several Euros in having to buy a pass! :-\

It's good to get some ideas on the table before we hit the bar one evening at 3MA12. At least we can have a structured 'argument' now ;D :D ;)

Did i see someone mention Spain? ;D

osrav sport suspension kit....sold..! i have money for gasoline
i will see you soon....  :)

Ok being serious for a minute, Normandy / Britanny is certainly convenient but it sadly it doesn't get the heart racing. Tansy & I were chatting last night (before we saw your post Simon) about how fantastic the Switzerland / Austria / Italy triangle is and how great the scenery is with fantastic roads and don't forget those brilliant tunnels ;D ;D As Simon has already seconded Robert's idea I would like to third it 8) 8)

hey shopper, that is some good news  :)

Apologies in advance for those that live closer to Switzerland, Italy and Austria, so really this concerns those coming from Ireland and the UK. Isn't this just too far to travel to in a 131 ;D.

I have been planning (late as usual and not booked anything  ::) ::) my holiday this year in Susten (Switzerland) and Tuscany. Susten being the most Northerly is in excess of 800 Miles from Chester  :o :o. A fair distance in a modern car  ::) ::)

Comments please.

 

Rob, you want comments; here's mine, but I'm afraid you will not like it. Sorry for saying that, but if you are not prepared to go long distances in a 131 you'd better stick to the modern cars.

Some years ago (still being older than you are now) the wife and me went to Greece for rallying in my 131, doing 1800 km in this event in 3 days, altogether around 6000 kms during the whole trip. Hans M?ller, a friend of mine who was 60 years then, also participated in this event, going all the way from D?sseldorf to Greece (via Italy) alone in his Alfa Giulia, picking up his Greek codriver in Athens, doing the rallye and returning to D?sseldorf - all within 9 days. This is commitment to classic cars, not going to car meetings in your neighborhood.

Robert

Please don't apologise for stating your opinions on a certain subject, on the contrary I apprciate it.

Whilst I would be more adventurous then attending local shows, due to my circumstances (and I suspect many others on the forum) regarding work and family pressures I would not be prepared to do a trip as you have described or more specifically the proposed Switzerland / Austria / Italy. With more time (hopefully) when I am older undertaking the larger trips is something that would appeal.

What attracts me to Northern France is that it would be approximatly 1,000 miles over 5 or 6 days which is much more palatable.

Our 2009 3ma to Turin in Italy was the best 3ma so far for me  ;)  :D
My drive to Italy for the Lancia Centenary celebrations in 2006 (http://www.gammaconsortium.com/LTIM/) was the best car event I have ever attended so it would seem that for some of us the distance traveled is not a problem and in fact for me it adds to the attractiveness and enjoyment of the event. So sorry Rob but I have to agree with Robert here; for those of us who are truly committed to classic cars driving a long distance to attend an event is never a problem  ;)

Theo

The outline plans for this year are Chester to (via Dover-Calais) Southern Tuscany (12 days) 1,150 Miles.

From there going to Susten in Switzerland (9 days) and then taking a few days possibly in Germany or Holland before returning to Chester. With day trips out I estimate a total of around 3,000 Miles  :o :o. So I am not frightened to do the miles. Still haven't bought a car yet to do all this in  ??? :-\ And it wasn't for the lack of trying  :-\ :-\ :'(

Could be some 131 viewings (purchase) whilst on this trip  :-X :-X

What this clearly shows is that I haven't got Theo and Robert's appetite (yet) for long haul classic car events  ;D :D