Although the New Jersey and Delaware Valley (PA) AROC Chapters are geographically adjacent, it’s rare that cars and owners from both chapters converge at the same event. One recent exception has been the New Hope Auto Show, an eastern Pennsylvania mainstay for collector car buffs since 1957. It is a two-day show, with American brands displayed on Saturday, and imports on Sunday. This year, the Sunday show fell on August 10, and among the BMWs, Benzes, Morgans, MGs, VWs, and Volvos were seventeen Alfa Romeos, one of the largest classes that day. New Hope, with few exceptions, strictly limits show cars to those twenty-five years and older, but Alfa is one of the exceptions. We requested, and were granted, allowance to include cars up to model year 2025. As a result, there were two 4Cs, a Stelvio, and a Tonale scattered among the classic Alfa coupes, Spiders, and Berlinas.

A team of four judges, led by NJ Chapter president Enrico Ciabattoni and including Mike Gomolinski, Paul Mitchell, and Richard Reina, took on the unenviable task of deciding which six cars (three in the Closed Class and three in the Open Class) were worthy of ribbons. After spending three hours in the blazing summer sun inspecting paint, upholstery, glass, wheels, and all the greasy bits, the team made its decisions:

Open Class:

1^st Place: Greg Shpungin, 2016 4C Spider

2^nd Place: Steve Buchanan, 1985 Spider

3^rd Place: Tim O’Riordan, 1967 Duetto

Closed Class:

1st Place: Maurice Arcangeli, 1989 Milano

2^nd Place: Bill Conway, 1982 GTV-6

3^rd Place: John Coyle, 1974 GTV

Somewhat new this year was the drive-by conducted for all 1^st place winners. Greg in his yellow 4C and Maurice in his black Milano made for a most attractive combination as they motored up to receive their ribbons.

Winning an award at the New Hope Auto Show is considered a great honor. All judging is held to a very high standard, and the show’s reputation is highly regarded among those in the hobby. Congratulations to the winners!

 

Special thanks to fellow NJ-AROC club member Bob Cooley for his kind permission to use many of his photos from the New Hope Car Show.

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