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Name: Joel Stillone
What was your first motor vehicle?:
This is not going to go down well but my first car was a 1992 Toyota Camry Station wagon – I called it my ‘bush basher’ and had a string of white station wagons to follow, my last being a 1993 Commodore VL station wagon.
When did you buy your first Italian motor vehicle and what was it?:
Even though I grew up around a FIAT 500, 124 spyder, Alfa GTV 1300 Junior, Alfetta, Alfa 164 and an Alfa 156, I didn’t buy my first ‘Italian’ until March 2008 – my pride and joy is now a ’69 FIAT 124 AC.
I bought the car in Newcastle for a good price and over a 5 – 6 month period, with the help of my father Nat, cut out the rust, took it back to metal, gave it a respray, did minor interior work and got it on the road.
Do you still own this car?:
Yes. I now drive it everyday into and out of the city for work – touch wood I haven’t had a serious problem yet….
What type of Italian Car(s) do you own now?:
I just own the 124 – but in the family there is a FIAT 500, 124 spyder, Alfa GTV junior, Alfa 156 and Alfa 159.
What in particular attracted you to this motor vehicle?: (one at a time)
I had always grown up around them but only recently instilled a true interest in them. Cars, particularly Italian made, were really coming into there own in this period. The technological advances were such that some real sports models were being produced and the 124 AC is no exception. It has a cute charm with its small yet sporty body shape, but packs a little bit of muscle under the hood.
I say to mates , ‘you haven’t driven a car until you’ve driven pre-‘75’ to which I get the response ‘I can’t drive manual….’
That’s their problem…
Most memorable moment:
I have two. The first was when my dad brought the 124 into the workshop for us to start on it – I remember thinking ‘what have I done…’
The second was driving out of the workshop upon completion and taking it for the first test drive.
The time between those moments were perhaps the worst of my life…
If you could have one Italian Made car, which would you choose and why:
My mind says a Lamborghini Gallardo but my heart says a Ferrari Dino.
What appeals to you about your club, the IMSMC?
The places we go, the drives we take and the passion for not only the cars, but getting together to enjoy each others company. Oh, and you guys said ‘hello!.
