[alfa] Graduate Duetto Race Car

[alfacybersite <acs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ya know, I could have simply said, "It's nice one of the Graduate cars 
was saved, just not how I would have done it."

But then you all wouldn't have had near as much fun lighting up your 
oxyacetylene torches and having a good go.

Not surprised by Peter Krause's comments as an addendum to a comment 
regarding George Graves wonderful day. I've been to Peter's website, and 
there are more than a few race cars in the photos. Not saying Peter is 
like this, but there are those who view anything from a Trabant to a '59 
Cadalliac El Dorado and see it as a potential race car.

I especially appreciated Anthony's sincere reply fully agreeing I'm no 
Mr. and (paraphrasing) it was unfortunate Alfa did not have the benefit 
of my marketing skills.

What an insight Anthony Licalzi has. As you all know, I'm terribly shy 
about touting my skills and abilities, but in the mid 60's after two 
years in marketing at the University of Nebraska (yes, they do more than 
play football) and taking numerous design and advertising night school 
classes after moving to L.A., I ended up as an Apprentice art director 
at an ad agency in Orange County, CA. Eight months later I was put in 
charge of design / visual marketing concepts for the agency to pitch the 
then new Mission Viejo (CA) account. A fairly large L.A. agency had the 
account but produced only one visually stunning ad, but marketing wise a 
big zero, so the MV account people were considering other agencies. We 
did about a dozen concepts, and (all modesty aside) one of my personal 
concepts was the selling point for our agency to get the account. I 
worked on the MV account for three years as the town grew from a few 
model homes and buildings to a thriving community before moving to a 
larger agency in L.A.

So could I have come up with better marketing plans / visual concepts 
for Alfa Romeo in the 60's? I believe so given at least a halfway decent 
advertising / marketing budget.

I did like James Tyson's subject heading of "so...the Graduate's future 
is Plastics instead of racing?" However, and admitting I've gotten more 
than my share of facts wrong, do believe my views are as valid as most 
any others on this Digest. Doesn't mean some / many / anybody agrees 
with them, just feel I have a right to view them. Quite amusing you are 
quoting the Smother's Brothers: "...the trouble with not knowing what 
you're talking about is that you don't have a clue when to shut 
up......." They obviously wouldn't have had a show had they actually 
subscribed to that statement. Oh yeah, ellipsis have only three dots.

I'm primarily a preservationists, which obviously puts me at odds with 
the racing fraternity.

Reply to bs: Didn't say the early British cars were state-of-the-art, 
just they were often more bare boned than Alfas and in spite of their 
having agricultural type engines, they often did quite well, especially 
on difficult Rallies.

While admittedly a very small tight race course, saw a Bug-Eye Sprite 
eat up just about everything on the Streets of Willow (Springs), 
including a well driven M5 BMW. It was one of AROSC track day events, so 
there were also a lot of stock and modified Alfas there.

Funny how those who disagree with me, post on-Digest. Those who don't, 
send off-Digest.

You guys are great at intimidation. As you can see, it sure causes me to 
keep my opinions to myself.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

Since Anthony Licalzi (apparently speaking for many of you) felt 
strongly: "As far as I'm concerned all Alfas are race cars converted to 
street cars." That being the case, isn't it time the Graduate SCCA 
Duetto be converted to a street car and placed where All can enjoy it 
(like the Peterson Museum - with Dustin allowed visiting and driving 
rights whenever he cares to stop by)? All in favor, reply ON-Digest.
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