Fiat Club America brought the 33rd annual gathering of owners together at the Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan on Friday, July 29th.
Fiat FreakOut
Back in 1982, Fiat aficionados Bobb Rayner and Dwight Varnes got together and came up with the idea of having like-minded owners gather to share their enthusiasm for the Fiat and Lancia brands. This turned out to be rather ironic, as both brands exited the U.S. later that year.
Undaunted, the new club, christened Fiat Lancia Underground or "FLU," held its inaugural summer event – dubbed a "FreakOut" - at Pocono Raceway in 1983. Since that time, FreakOuts have been held at over a dozen places throughout the eastern United States.
Following the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, the 2010 FreakOut marked the first time a manufacturer-owned Fiat 500 appeared when the event was held in Ashville, North Carolina (in 2008 a member from Ireland shipped a new one to the club's 25th anniversary show). Not only did it mark the first year that Fiat North America became a title sponsor, the highlight of the event was the announcement that FLU members would be given the first chance to reserve one of the first 500 Prima Edizione Fiat 500s.
Fiat FreakOut 2016
The 2016 edition of the FreakOut took place in southeastern Michigan over five days (July 27-July 31) with events that included a Fiat North America brand team-sponsored Welcome Reception on Friday, July 29 at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum adjacent to FCA North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Needless to say, a good time was had by all, with vehicles on display that included:
• The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider
• Vintage Fiat 124 Spider models brought in by various club owners
• Fiat 500X Mobe Concept Vehicle
• Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio
Since FCA's HQ is just down the road from us, we stopped by for a look (and to capture a few images). Those with a sharp eye might also spot at least one vintage 1960's-era Fiat 1200/1500 Spider parked among the more contemporary vehicles on display.