Take this year Festa Bella Macchina, held on a Chamber of Commerce weather Sunday at TY Park in Hollywood. How often do you see a 1935 SS Tourer next to half a dozen Alfa Romeo Spyders, a very rare post war Rolls Royce Cabrio and a 700+hp AWD Biturbo handmade Ruf 911 ?

That's what was offered on display along with about 40 other interesting cars.

For years Festa Bella Macchina was the South Florida Alfa Romeo Owners Club annual, Alfa only Concours d'Elegance until they opened it to Italian and then any sports cars. Last year a few of us Jaguaristas (pardon the Italian influence) attended and had a good time. For 2007, after years of running the show, Alfisti Marc Mosko felt it was time to pass the reins of Festa so I convinced my girlfriend Naomi, Alfa club social directrix, that we should volunteer and make it a joint Alfa / Jaguar event. A little competition is always fun, including counting the number of Alfas vs Jaguar registrations... As we were preparing at the park, the score remained close as cars arrived, finally ending up in a tie with as many Jaguars as Alfas.

TY Park is conveniently located off I95 in Hollywood and central to most members. Just like 2006, lunch was catered at a pavilion next to the show field although this time around the food was Italian instead of BBQ. Awards were determined by participants vote which turned out some interesting results like how about a humble Fiat 500 taking first place in Italian cars ahead of a stunning 1964 Alfa SS Morreti. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against the Fiat, after all when I was a kid my mother used to drive me to school in her 500... Or a 1964 Chevy Corvair topping two Shelby Cobras ? I must say the cute little 500 seemed to bring a smile on everyone who looked at it. About the Corvair, is it possible that voters thought driving a car unfairly labeled unsafe deserved to win ? Possible.

In British cars, SFJC members Kaye Kaelsin and Jack Williams brought no less than four cars and received first and third place with their magnificent blue 1947 Roll Royce Cabrio and their 1935 SS Tourer; two cars only twelve years (and a world war) apart but which couldn't' be more different. Third place went to new SFJC member Guillermo Guttierez and his very nice 1951 XK120 Fixed Head Coupe.

Long time member Jaime Del Valle came with friend Luiz Rodriguez driving a 2006 Ruf RT12. A what ? Ruf ? While it may appear to be a tricked out Porsche 911 at first glance, it is in fact a hand built car. Ruf starts with basic 911 bodyshell and 3.8 litre flat 6 and builds it into a 700+ hp, 700+ lb/ft all wheel drive twin turbo monster... The car nuts on field obviously appreciated the effort and not only voted it best German Sports Car over a drop dead gorgeous Z8 but it received enough votes for Best of Show.

Missed it this year ? keep an eye on the club calendar for the next one in 2008... Scroll down the page for the picture gallery or see the South Florida Alfa Romeo Owners Club page for more...

- Results -

\