Carter H., Steve S., Mike P.

[borrani]

Hey All,

I'm taking leave of work this month and touring the midwest usa for Volkswagen, doing in-dealership training for the new 2006 GTI. I have that car now, and it's among the coolest cars I've driven. Their DSG (dual-shift gearbox) must be driven to fully experience how this is the most fascinating split personality gearbox ever introduced. It's the smoothest auto in the world when you want it, or an expertly matching revs tiger as well. The 2.0 turbo has NO lag, it just up and scoots, anywhere, anytime.

Nonetheless, when Alfa is re-introduced, I surely would hope to find a similar job touting that.

The point of all this, is that I'm in St. Louis now, and naturally hooked up with Carter Hendricks and Mike Pranka. They've been treating me to a wonderful time in this really historic, beautiful city. If you ever visit St. Louis, check out the CWE, Central West End, for magnificent turn of the century mansions.

Here's a pic of myself, Carter, and Mike P. taken earlier today.

[Alfa Romeo]

I must say with each view/report of the latest VW Golf GTi I am ever more impressed with it. I am glad to see from the bit in the pic that the design is not much different from the European version.

Seems like a nice town your in - I was never in the USA but must go there soon just to see what its like.

[borrani]

Yes, you must visit. There are plenty of welcoming alfisti in the USA that would be more than happy to show you their cities.

The only difference between the euro and us spec GTI is 15mm higher ride height for federal bumper height regulations, and daytime running lights. We'll even get the 4 door GTI come summertime.

Steve S.

[alfa75 88]

PM me if you're in Salt Lake City sometime.

[series1gtv]

borrani,

How's Carter doing? I'm in the STL club but I live 21/2 hours from Stl so I don't get to many events. I heard about his accident but haven't heard anything about how he's recovering. Thanks for the kind words about St. louis it is an interesting city.
Jeff

[borrani]

I visited Carter on his one month anniversary from the fire. He was doing very very well. He is nursing himself properly. He knows his body is healing, so after 4 or so hours, he is out of energy, and takes a rest.

They are working hard on rebuilding the shop. The upper loft portion suffered the most. I even saw the notorious Giulia Super parked in a parking lot, the one that the fire caught on in.

He did have a lot of grafts, and is constantly working and stretching his new skin, or else! He seems to be in great spirits, and looked like he would recover very well. He'll always have temperature issues with the damage to the skin on his arm. You won't see him banging his knuckles or working on exhaust stuff anymore, me thinks.

Did you see the BMW 2002 pic in my thread 'The Spear' in the pics section?

Steve S.

[series1gtv]

borrani,
Good to know he's bouncing back. It sounded pretty severe when I first heard about it. We were really worried since we hadn't heard anything since it happened. Yeah too bad about that 2002. An interesting piece to be sure! I really like that new VW! What route did you take around the country? Thats a pretty long drive from Seattle! I lived in Bend Oregon for about a year in 97-8 it seems like the NW has a really active Alfa scene with a lot of nice and rare cars. I just wish I had been into Alfas when I lived out there.
Thanks for the pics
Jeff

[CarterHendricks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by borrani I visited Carter on his one month anniversary from the fire. He was doing very very well. He is nursing himself properly. He knows his body is healing, so after 4 or so hours, he is out of energy, and takes a rest. They are working hard on rebuilding the shop. The upper loft portion suffered the most. I even saw the notorious Giulia Super parked in a parking lot, the one that the fire caught on in. He did have a lot of grafts, and is constantly working and stretching his new skin, or else! He seems to be in great spirits, and looked like he would recover very well. He'll always have temperature issues with the damage to the skin on his arm. You won't see him banging his knuckles or working on exhaust stuff anymore, me thinks. Did you see the BMW 2002 pic in my thread 'The Spear' in the pics section? Steve S.