NJ Alfa Club Breakfast Meet, Oct. 12, 2025

November 17, 2025 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events NJ-AROC, Spinning Wheel Diner

Last month, between my trip to Hershey in early October and jetting off to Italy in mid October, there was an Alfa Romeo Club breakfast that fell through the cracks! However, better late than never, so here is the post about the NJ-AROC monthly breakfast from Sunday, October 12, 2025.

We met at one of our regular haunts, the Spinning Wheel Diner on Route 22 in Lebanon, NJ. I didn’t even get a table shot, which always helps me obtain an accurate head count, but from the photos I have, it looks like we had seven Alfisti plus one guest, my friend Doug from the NJ-AACA. He had been expressing interest in Alfa Spiders to me, so I invited him to join us for the morning, which he gladly did.

After breakfast, we did our usual hanging around in the parking lot. Jeff’s Spider was the only one there, so with Doug, that’s the car that got our attention. I sat in it and marveled at the seats, much more supportive with their more aggressive side bolsters than in an earlier car like mine. This group of Jersey guys are always great to spend time with, which makes me doubly glad that as a club, we have been able to keep to our monthly breakfast meets.

Jeff’s Spider got all the love that morning:

And Bill kept pointing his finger at people:

NJ Alfa Club Breakfast Meet, Nov. 9, 2025

November 10, 2025 RichardReina Drives, Events Americana Diner, NJ-AROC

Members of the New Jersey Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club got together on Sunday November 9^th, 2025, for our monthly breakfast meetup. The Americana Diner in Shrewsbury, NJ again played host for the thirteen intrepid Alfisti who braved changeable skies and the ever-present threat of rain. But the promise of fresh griddle cakes, hot coffee, and conversation about Italian cars will get us up and out of the house, no matter the time or temperature.

We had a particularly nice variety of Milanese macchine this time around, with Lee’s GTV6 (a model we seem to rarely see), Dave’s new-to-him ’71 GTV, Alex’s always-impressive Duetto (on which he bravely kept the top down through breakfast) and several moderns, including three Stelvios and a Guilia Quadrifoglio. The thirteen of us were crammed around a table for ten, but we made it work. Our waitress did an exemplary job keeping us plied with food and drink, and as is the custom, after breakfast we spilled out into the parking lot where we continued the conversations.

Yes, there’s 12 here; Frank stepped away.

We finally bid ciao around 11 a.m. and headed home. Our Chapter has, in my humble opinion, done an outstanding job keeping the monthly breakfast tradition alive, and rotating the location among several diners throughout the state also helps bring out members who might not otherwise be able to make a longer drive. With the holiday season approaching, I’m certain that we’ll still find the time (and the room in our bellies) for a December breakfast.

Lee’s GTV6:

Dave’s GTV:

And the rest:

NJ-AROC Visits the Grounds for Sculpture

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events AROC NJ Chapter, Grounds for Sculptre

Sunday, September 21, 2025 was a busy day for participating members of AROC’s New Jersey Chapter as we found ourselves at three different locations throughout central NJ from early morning until mid-afternoon. Our optional start began at 8:30 a.m. at Colonial Park in Franklin Township in Somerset County. There, eight of us converged for a simple and quick breakfast of muffins, donuts, and coffee. Promptly at 9:15, the five Alfas (well, one was a Tonale which the Italian factory mislabeled as a Dodge Hornet), ably led by Bill DiPrima in his 164, caravanned to the Grounds for Sculpture.

There, we met up with many more of our fellow Alfisti (and one amico driving a Fiat 500 Abarth) who arrived at the museum separately. The Grounds for Sculpture staff had granted our request for secure private parking, and once we were all parked and locked, we had three hours to wander through the expansive grounds and buildings. (See the Sidebar for more about the Grounds for Sculpture.)

We reconvened at the cars at 1 p.m., and caravanned from there to Rossi’s Bar and Grill, where they were expecting us. Their extensive menu included pizza (“tomato pie”, actually), burgers, sandwiches, and more. The food and service were both wonderful, and our party split up around 3 p.m. for the rides home.

Besides Bill’s 164 and my Bertone coupe, other classic Alfas included two Spiders. Modern machinery in addition to the Italian Hornet and the Abarth included a Guilia sedan and a 4C. I will again comment how wonderful it is to be part of a club where both older and newer models of the same marque are equally welcome (and all kidding aside, we also open our arms to drivers of anything Italian).

A very big grazie goes to our Event Coordinator Bill DiPrima who oversaw today’s arrangements, and to Paul Mitchell who chose and scheduled our luncheon stop.

Enrico and Bill negotiate security details with guard

Bob shoots ducks (well, Bob shoots photos of ducks)

SIDEBAR: The Grounds for Sculpture

This was my third or fourth visit to this funky, offbeat, and diverse display of artwork. I won’t delve into the details which are better found here at this link anyway. But this most recent stop was the first time I spent most of my time outdoors, and with very cooperative weather overhead, there was lots to take in. The sampling of photos below give you some idea of what to expect. If you are ever in the area, or even if you are not, it’s worth the trip.

AACA NJ Region Luncheon, Sep. 9, 2025

September 13, 2025 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events Long Valley Brew Pub, NJ Region AACA

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, members of the NJ Region of the AACA gathered at the Long Valley (NJ) Brew Pub for lunch and conversation. These mid-week meetings started earlier this year and are chaired by Abe, one of our more active club members. While previous luncheons had started with a brief tour from a common meeting point to the destination, this one omitted the drive, which for me was a disappointment. However, the collection of special-interest automobiles, combined with the group’s camaraderie, made up for that deletion.

As many of you know, I love to drive my Alfa Romeo (15,000 miles and counting during twelve years of ownership), and I did get to enjoy a spirited run up and back on Route 517 between Oldwick and Long Valley. This was a road made for a lightweight sports coupe with a high-revving engine.

With the Alfa in third gear, at 40 to 50 mph the engine was turning between four and five grand. At this speed and in this gear, the motor responded instantly to the slightest touch of the accelerator pedal. Both hands stayed on the wheel with eyes glued forward, and I was “in the zone.” I could have driven back and forth on that winding asphalt all day long.

Where was I? Oh, lunch. We had over a dozen AACA members and significant others, arriving in a variety of mostly American cars of the ‘50s through ‘80s. The only other import besides my Italiana macchina was Doug’s immaculate 1991 Miata, a special-edition model in what Mazda called British Racing Green. Other cars included a ubiquitous ’57 Chevy, a Ford Granada, a downsized but still-large ‘80s Cadillac, a Mustang convertible, and an ‘80s Mercury Cougar.

The restaurant was not crowded, and the service and food were exemplary. I’ve been to this Brew Pub many times before, and have always enjoyed the experience. I know that Abe, the event’s chairperson, has two more luncheons on the calendar for this year. I will do my best to join one or both of them before storing my steed for the winter.

NJ Alfa Romeo Club Monthly Breakfast Meet, July 20, 2025

July 21, 2025 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events, Uncategorized All Seasons Diner Eatontown NJ, NJ-AROC

The New Jersey Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (NJ-AROC) has consistently been scheduling monthly breakfast meets for the last several years. One factor in our success in doing so has been selecting a variety of eateries across the Garden State. On Sunday, July 20, we tried a new place: the All Seasons Diner in Eatontown, NJ. I left my house at 7:45 a.m. for the one-hour ride, and had a delightful early morning drive with relatively little traffic (at least by Jersey standards). Once there, I was joined by nine fellow Alfisti, and after a brief parking lot chat, we made our way inside.

Thanks to our V.P. Vic, who arranged the reservation, the diner personnel were ready for us. Coffee was poured, breakfast foods were served, and we chatted about our favorite subject: our cars. We lingered for as long as possible, and our waitress, who ably kept our coffee cups full, was in no rush to chase us out, despite the growing crowd in the lobby. She expertly took the obligatory table shot, and out we went, continuing the verbal back-and-forth near our cars. By 11 a.m., the group departed into the warm and humid July day. We had several Chapter members joining us at breakfast for the first time, which was delightful, and I hope that we are able to continue that trend.

NJ Alfa Club Sunday Breakfast Picnic, June 8, 2025

June 8, 2025 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events Colonial Park Somerset NJ, NJ-AROC

Please don’t let me hear anyone from the NJ Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (NJ-AROC) complain that “the club doesn’t do a lot”; and yes, I still occasionally see such a comment crop up on some social media sites. For the second week in a row, after seeing each other at the Somerville, NJ, cruise night, our club conducted another highly successful gathering of Alfisti, this time in the form of an al fresco breakfast in Colonial Park in Somerset, NJ, billed as “Breakfast and Bocce.”

The turnout was great, and I was especially pleased to see many spouses join us. My wife accompanied me, and made some new friends among the ladies. Similar to last year, breakfast goodies included bagels, croissants, donuts, fresh fruit, and hot and cold beverages, courtesy of the club’s bank account. By my count, eleven Alfas were on hand, along with a delightful Lancia Fulvia Zagato (and a Porsche Cayman driven by a dedicated Alfista, so I’ll count it). Probably half the cars were Spiders, all with their tops down, as we caught a bit of a break with this crazy Jersey weekend weather.

Four Spiders sandwiched between a Lancia and a GT 1300 Junior

As we also did last year, we set up near the park’s bocce courts, but my wife and I departed just as the games were beginning. A huge thanks to Bill D., our Event Coordinator, who pulled all the details together to make our 2025 “Breakfast & Bocce” another ringing success.

Our club members enjoying the breakfast and each other’s company:

The Lancia Fulvia Zagato:

Lorenzo, the car’s owner, gave several of us a detailed walk-around which included some history of this car. As a Series I, it features an all-aluminum body, which we were told were manufactured in very limited numbers. The car was originally a medium blue, and someone prior to his ownership changed the color to yellow. Lorenzo delighted in pointing out numerous features which were lost on the Series II cars, including a separate door below the rear bumper for spare tire storage. He has started to strip some of the yellow paint, leaving the blue exposed and undamaged, as he would like to eventually return it to its original shade.

The 2025 Hillsborough, NJ Memorial Day Parade

May 27, 2025 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events Hillsborough NJ Memorial Day Parade

The town of Hillsborough, NJ, holds a Memorial Day parade every year, and the NJ Region of the AACA has actively participated in recent years. This year’s parade was held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, and for once we had the weather on our side. The car count was close to twenty (including some late-model Mustangs), and the parade concluded as it does every year at the town’s Municipal Building. Most vehicle owners elected to stay for the informal car show behind the Municipal Building, which gave us an excuse to hang out and chat.

Vehicles were as old as a 1930 Chrysler (Craig’s 1929 LaSalle made an appearance but had to bail due to a fuel leak), with a strong showing of 1950s-era automobiles. My Alfa Romeo was the only non-domestic vehicle in the parade, but drew favorable comments from some of the residents who lined the streets. (I’ve always strongly felt that “the American way” includes the freedom of choice to own and drive the car of your choice, no matter the country of origin.)

Hillsborough is a large town with a significant Indian and Asian population. I’ve made this observation in the past and I’ll make it again: there is something incredibly moving about seeing so many people who obviously immigrated here (or were born to immigrant parents) waving American flags and coming out to celebrate such an important American holiday. This is why I elect to take so many photos of the parade observers. They are the fabric of our nation.

DRIVERS (and puppies) GET THEIR INSTRUCTIONS

BOB EXPLAINS WHY “SEDAN” SOMETIMES MEANS “WAGON”

THE VIEW FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT

1962 CADILLAC ELDORADO CONVERTIBLE

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE MUSTANGS

1930 CHRYSLER

WAYNE’S 1952 HUDSON

EVEN THE BATMOBILE (WITH BATGIRL) SHOWED UP

AMERICANS:

NJ-AROC Monthly Breakfast, Bordentown, NJ, May 18, 2025

May 18, 2025 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events Jimmy's American Grill, NJ-AROC

Beautiful Sunday morning weather on May 18, 2025, brought out fifteen Alfisti driving nine different Alfa Romeos to our monthly breakfast at Jimmy’s American Grill in Bordentown, NJ. Four classic Spiders, a Giulia coupe, and a Giulia sedan covered the pre-1994 segment, while a Giulia Quadrifoglio, a Stelvio, and a 4C represented the modern Alfas. I must hand it to the members of the NJ Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (NJ-AROC): we own (and drive) a nice variety of Italian cars!

Jimmy’s doesn’t open until 9 a.m., so we hung out in the parking lot until about fifteen after the hour before entering. Once inside, we had plenty of choices from their brunch menu. The service was great, and as usual, we coerced our server into taking a few group shots of the table. After the bill was paid and we spilled back into the parking lot, conversations continued, as they tend to when car guys and gals are involved.

These monthly breakfasts are a great tradition that has been ongoing for well over a year, and personally, I would love to see greater participation from the club members. We purposely vary the diner location each month (we are presently rotating among four diners throughout the state) so no matter where a member might live, the opportunity to join us is there. It was also great to drive my ’67 GT 1300 Junior in nice weather. The car ran well, and I have at least three more events for this month alone, so I’m looking forward to more miles in that driver’s seat.

NJ-AROC Breakfast Meet, April 26, 2025

April 28, 2025 RichardReina Drives, Events Alfa Romeo Owners Club, NJ-AROC, Spinning Wheel Diner

The NJ Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (NJ-AROC) returned to the Spinning Wheel Diner in Lebanon, NJ on Saturday, April 26 for its monthly breakfast. A total of ten Alfisti happily gathered for chow, coffee, and conversation. The weather could have been better (we could say that about the entire month of April), but two brave souls still drove their classic Alfas, while several modern Milanese macchine rounded out the collection in the parking lot. (Yr hmbl svt failed to photograph any vehicles, mea culpa.)

Better weather is on tap as we head into May. Bill reminded the audience that Somerville has responded in the affirmative to our request for special parking for the May 30 cruise night. We will have additional opportunities to exercise our steeds throughout the spring and summer. Meanwhile, these monthly breakfasts continue to provide a wonderful way for a group of enthusiasts with a common interest to enjoy each other’s company.

NJ Alfa Romeo Club Breakfast Meet, Dec. 14, 2024

December 14, 2024 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Drives, Events AROC NJ Chapter, Jimmy's American Grill

Thirteen degrees Fahrenheit! That was the temperature in my driveway at 8 a.m. this morning as my wife and I headed to our car, about to drive to Jimmy’s American Grill in Bordentown, NJ. The occasion? The monthly breakfast get-together for the New Jersey Alfa club. We arrived at the restaurant just before 9 a.m. to find most of the crowd mulling about in the parking lot (and why not? The temperature had risen to a tolerable 25 F). We shared our quick “good mornings” and briskly strolled to the entrance. They were ready for all twelve of us, as the waitress efficiently passed around their extensive breakfast menu.

Food, coffee, and service were all great, and the table talk bounced from our Alfas, to holiday plans, to travel stories, and back to (what else) our Italian macchine. A personal highlight for me was meeting Pedro, his wife, and daughter, who arrived in their Alfa Romeo 155, a model never sold in this country. Pedro informed me that he imported the car from Japan, and that all the instrumentation was labeled in Japanese. His sedan is FWD, with a transversely-mounted Twin Spark 2.0L four-cylinder engine. I thought it was sharp. Those of us with “classic” Alfas left our steeds at home, so the only other Alfas in the parking lot were the modern Giulias.

A little less distinctive from the rear, but note the spoiler, lower valence, and exhaust tips

A congratulations of sorts is due to the NJ-AROC. In late 2023, we decided to “try” to hold monthly breakfast gatherings, with the first one in cold mid-January. After that, we also decided to vary the eatery location, so that we might increase the likelihood of additional members joining us. We did just that, and month after month, throughout the year, NJ Chapter members showed up. With this December 14 event, we have successfully held a breakfast meet every month for the year. I hope that we continue this into 2025, and I feel certain that we will. Thanks to all who have made the effort!

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