Miscellaneous: 50 years without a ticket

I realized recently that I've been a licensed driver now for 50 years, as I got my driver's license on my 16th Birthday or thereabouts. 50 years and never a ticket. I learned to drive a stick shift. This was the car I learned to drive on, a FIAT 128 3P Coupe.

Miscellaneous 2023 Alameda All-Italian Car and Motorcycle Show

Yesterday I attended The Alameda All-Italian Car and Motorcycle Show, in Alameda, for the first time in six or seven years. I was able to go this year because for the first time in that many years it didn't coincide with Art Trails (this coming weekend and the following weekend). 

 It's always fun to see what shows up – tiny Fiats and luxury Fiats, sporty Lancias, all kinds of Alfas, Ferraris, and some obscure vehicles I'd never even heard of this time around. I washed, waxed, and spruced up my 1978 Alfa Spider and she got more attention than in the past. Several people stopped to admire the car. A few people were interested enough to take pictures. Perfect weather. A nice way to spend a Sunday morning.

Cars: The Alameda All-Italian Car and Motorcycle Show (2010)

I just got back from the Alameda All-Italian Car and Motorcycle show, held around this time every year at Lincoln Middle School, in Alameda. There were more than 150 cars on display this year, including my 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider--more than I've ever seen before. There were cars from Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat, Ferrari, Maserati, De Tomaso, Bertone, and Abarth Fiat. A big crowd turned out to see the cars as well. Proceeds from the event go to the Alameda Special Olympics.

As usual, the cars ran the gamut from Fiat clunkers to pristine concourse-ready restorations along with some beautiful unrestored cars. The oldest car this year was a 1925 Lancia. There were two "Jollies" (customizations, usually of the Fiat 600, done by the Ghia people, with wicker seats and frilly sunscreens; they were originally designed for use on the yachts of the very wealthy. Each one is unique. Only about 100 are said to exist).

Someone even brought a Yugo, presumably because it's essentially a Fiat. One year someone showed their Karman Ghia, because the body design is Italian. What I like about the Alameda show is just this laid-back attitude. Even the Ferrari owners that come are comparatively friendly. There were also about 40 motorcycles including an interesting 1946 Motto Guzzi. This show is always well worth the time--if you love Italian cars, or just love to look at art on wheels.