The first major gathering of new Fiat 500s in the US will take place at the 2011 Fiat FreakOut (FFO) event in Nashville, TN this week beginning Thursday, July 21 and running through Sunday, July 24. The Fiat FreakOut is Fiat Lancia Unlimited (FLU) car club's national convention.
The show includes scenic driving tours, vintage car displays, festive meals and banquets, a drive-in movie and more. The highlight of the FFO is a formal Concours on Saturday and is open to the public.
This year marks the return of Fiat back into the US market and the show will be an extra special event. FIAT USA is this year’s FFO presenting sponsor, and will offer FLU members and their families a Fiat 500 and 500 Cabrio ride-and-drive opportunity, state-of-the-art eco:Drive™ simulator demonstration and complimentary Italian sweet treats at the ‘FIAT Mobile Experience’. Laura Soave, Head of the Fiat Brand in North America, is scheduled to attend the car show.
Other sponsors of the 2011 Fiat FreakOut will be well known to Fiat fans in the US. Both 500 MADNESS and Midwest-Bayless, friends and sponsors of this site, will have significant displays at FFO.
Boris and Rachel Tilim of 500 MADNESS are shipping two highly modified Fiat 500s from California to FFO. The first car is a 500 sedan, modified with a full range of interior and exterior accesories along with performance and suspension upgrades. Their second car is a radical wide bodied 500c Cabrio that must be seen. Here are some teaser photos of the cars as they were loaded on a transporter.
Midwest-Bayless will be displaying 4 special cars:
1978 Fiat X1/9 - A beautiful example of a stock 1978, owned by Connie Stitzlen of Ohio.
1984 Bertone X1/9 – This car was affected by last spring’s floods in downtown Nashville, and had a “high water mark” at the side scoops. It underwent a complete exterior, interior and mechanical restoration with performance brake, suspension and engine modifications. Owned by Dr. Michael Engle of Tennessee.
1987 Bertone X1/9 – This car has received a Midwest-Bayless “K20 conversion”, with the complete driveline from an Acura RSX-S installed, including the 6-speed cable-shifted transaxle. This car now has 200+ HP and a curb weight of 2050 lbs, with performance brake and suspension modifications. Owned by Pete Whitstone of Texas.
2012 Fiat 500 Prima Edizone #50 – Matt and Marnie Brannon’s around town go-kart.
Remember, Fiat FreakOut is open to spectators, so even if you are not registered or don't own a Fiat (yet), you can still come out and enjoy the festivities.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Links:
Fiat FreakOut main page and itinerary
Fiat FreakOut history
Main Hotel
Fiat FreakOut Facebook page
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