SVX at Best of France and Italy

[PaulDexler]

I am currently in negotiation with the producers of the "Best of France & Italy" car show in Woodley Park, Van Nuys, CA in November. I have shown my Alfa 164 there for years, and I am trying to get them to put in an "Italian Design" class so that the SVX would be accepted.
They are nervous because they think that would also allow in all the VW models Ital Design did, the Sirocco, the Dasher/Passat, etc. etc., and even the Karmann Ghia. My comeback is that the SVX is not anonymous Ital Design, but signature Gugiaro. With contacts I have, I think I can get three or four cars, if other forum members can come, we can wow them with six or more.
By the way, the show was originally called "Under three liter cars," but that was just to keep the Ferraris and Lamborghinis out. Now, they have a separate section on the other side of the park, and they have no problem with our 3.2 liter engines.
Jay Leno usually shows up and brings a car. Last year, it was a Bugatti, the year before, it was a perfectly restored 1938 Fiat 500 Topolino. He doesn't just show up, he walks the entire show and looks at all the cars.
Last year we had more than 50 Alfas, plus dozens of Fiats and etceterinis, Renaults, Citroens and other French stuff.
Any takers?

[ensteele]

I wish I were closer. I would love to wow them with the SVX. Let us know how it goes.

[PaulDexler]

I just got shot down. Seems that while one of the producers of the show, the one I was talking with, likes anything of Italian design, the other three are against cars that are not "romantic." Their basic feeling is that if it didn't come from Italy or France in the first place, it is not romantic. They're also afraid that if they let in the Gugiaro-designed SVX, they will also have to admit all the various VWs and other cars that were done by Ital Design. So for this year, they're even kicking out the Volvo 1800s (Frua design) and will have nothing in the show that didn't come from France or Italy.
Bah!
Now I'm searching for a venue for a show that will accept just Italian design, and not wind up with a lot of rice rockets along with it.
Paul

[NikFu S.]

Well that's lame.

So are these VW guys a problem or something, clamoring at the doors begging to be let in the show? I don't see how they could possibly be an obstacle.

Did you show them the car?

[ridered777]

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

Did you show them the car?

Obviously not if they'd still rather stare at Fiat's, Renualt's and Citroen's...

[PaulDexler]

Hi.
Aside from the one organizer who has taught design at Art Center and who thinks the SVX is one of Gugiaro's masterpieces, the other three organizers have seen the car and just pass it off as a piece of "Jap junk." (!) Oh yeah, and no manual shift option, either.
I find the same thing in Alfa Romeo Club. The president of the So. Cal. group has driven my car and was suitably impressed, but the editor of the newsletter also passes it off as another soul-less Jap car.
Problem with the SVX is that if you're not immediately taken by the styling, and haven't driven it, there isn't the feeling you get from actually driving it.
More frustrations.
Paul
If I could get some response from local (Southern Calif.) owners, I can still put on a show at the Petersen Museum on relatively short notice.
P.

[s'ko]

I know of a couple of SVX's but they are far from show quality. most of these are daily drivers that show their age.

BW

[PaulDexler]

Hi,
Well, mine is on the cusp of daily driver or show, a lot of little issues to get cleaned up. But I still think that the effect of four, six, eight SVXi at the Petersen would be great. I might be able to get someone from the Motor Press Guild to come and do a little story. Let's work on it.
Paul

[stiguy]

hi i'm in sac and i got a 92 pearl i'm putting a wrx 5 in it as we speak and then gonna repaint it 3 stage!!. when its done i would love to put it in a show and don't mind driving awhile.

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by PaulDexler

...the show was originally called "Under three liter cars," but that was just to keep the Ferraris and Lamborghinis out.

That'll hold 'em back to 1988, anyway. <Ferrari F40>

Engine(s): 2.9 L twin-turbo V8

<...among others.>