American Lancia Club Walt Spak Fall Reunion
Although the Fall Reunion is a traditional event of the East Coast Club, this year was of a very different format. We usually do an eat/drive/eat/sleep/drive but this year we dropped the drive components. We focused the event at the Simeone Foundation Museum near the Philadelphia Airport. Many members had never been to the museum is spite of its being honored by Motorsport Magazine as being the best motorsport museum in the world. Fred Simeone and his catering staff hosted us to a very luxurious Saturday evening, including tours of the incomparable car collection, wine and hor d’oeures and a very, very high quality dinner in front of the gorgeous Lancia Lambda Torpedo. During the salad course Fred spoke to us about the collection and his philosophy of correct stewardship of important vintage automobiles. His philosophy is comprehensively described in his new book: “The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles”.
During the desert course, Mike Tillson, Director of The Hundred Cars of Radnor, spoke of his adventure at Sebring driving a works Lancia Fulvia HF with Innes Ireland – a great Lancia story not known by many.
We had a wonderful group of about thirty-nine ALC members and several guests. The club awarded Michael Kristick a gift of appreciation for his constant support of the club and Lancia owners everywhere. Member Greg Moore (Flaminia) brought cases of a variety of nice red and white wines. We consider him to be a particularly fine gentleman member! The elaborate table centerpieces were conceived and fabricated by Garnet Hadley, each including many car maintenance goodies and were given at random to eight lucky attendees.
What an interesting bunch – these attendees. All are certifiable boffins that really enjoy each other’s company and discourse.
Of particular interest at the event was the amazing new book “Lancia and DeVirgilio – at the Center” written by ALC member Geoffrey Goldburg. It was generally agreed that this book is as good as any other motorsport book out there. You need a copy!
The Reunion was as always, a lot of fun. Many thanks to Fred, Alan, Milanee Gary, Greg, Garnet and Mike!
Thanks also to all who attended!!
Harlan W Hadley