Ferrari owner and FCA-Mar member Dennis Gilligan wins lifetime achievement award

Ferrari owner and exotic automobile collector Dennis Gilligan might be best known in the car show circuit for his work with the Ferrari Club of the Mid-Atlantic Region and for hosting the annual “Gilligan’s Island Exotic Car Show” special event and fundraiser in Maryland for the benefit of Hospice of the Chesapeake, but in the real world he’s known as a land developer.

Dennis Gilligan is the host of the annual "Gilligans Island Exotic Car Show" -- a Ferrari Club sanctioned event

This year, Gilligan was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Home Builders Association of Maryland for his consistently excellent work on land development projects along the Eastern Seaboard region. Not only has Dennis spent his life devoted to a passion for cars (and all things Ferrari), he’s been pioneering in his industry and spearheading green community projects.

Congratulations to Dennis Gilligan (photo right) and family from Ferrari – Maserati and Lamborghini fans nationally and internationally for winning this prestigious award in the Mid-Atlantic region!

With the ultimate design goal of creating “Sustainable Communities” in mind, the company’s land development projects attempt to maximize the use of porous surfaces and limit disturbed areas. As such, their unique professional team works for the betterment of the overall atmosphere, a lifestyle plus for modern humans that keeps local wildlife protected and plant species flourishing.

For more information about Craftsmen Developers:

Craftsmen Developers, LLC
7524 WB&A Road, Suite 101 Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061
phone (410) 766-6565
www.craftsmendevelopers.com

SEE VIDEO EXCERPTS OF THE GILLIGANS ISLAND EVENT

Columbus Day Parade Behind the Scenes October 12, 2008 with Maserati of Baltimore and MOB EXOTICS

Columbus Day Parade Behind the Scenes October 12, 2008 with Maserati of Baltimore and MOB EXOTICS

Originally uploaded by Jack & Kae Davis

Happy Columbus Day, everyone!

Although MOB EXOTICS is no more, the friendships made there have continued to grow.

Now expanded nationwide, the social networking group for exotic car lovers is still active and part of the exotic car community in Baltimore, Maryland and beyond. Join us by visiting www.italianizzato.com and feel free to keep a bookmark here at www.ferrarimaseratinews.com.

You can also follow more news from our group by subscribing to or adding us as friends at the following links:

Play in traffic with Jack H. Davis

www.autopopmedia.com by Kae Davis

@cafecars on Twitter

Cafe Cars on YouTube

Italianizzato Club on Facebook

Exotic Car Show in Baltimore Sunday September 27, 2009 ‘Viva Italia’ to benefit Childrens Guild

2009 VIVA ITALIA

CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

BALTIMORE CAR SHOW

SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION

FOR ITALIANIZZATO CLUB MEMBERS AND EXOTIC CAR FANS

When: Sunday September 27, 2009

Where: Harbor East section of Downtown Baltimore (between the Inner Harbor and Whole Foods)

COST: The event is free to the public; VIP passes are limited.

TIME: Show hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm rain or shine.

CAUSE: Viva Italia 2009 is an annual charity benefit car show raising money for the Childrens Guild, a non-profit organization that works with the most challenged and underprivileged of Baltimore, Maryland’s youth.

PHOTOS: Click HERE to see photos after the show.

VISITOR AND SPECIAL GUEST INFORMATION: Families with children are welcome. Pets are allowed on city streets with proper supervision for waste disposal and if on a leash.

DISPLAY: Expect to see a dazzling variety of the finest Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini cars in the Mid-Atlantic region.

ACTIVITY: There will be an auction, so plan to bring your checkbook and bid accordingly!

SPECIAL COMMUNITY NOTES:

Drew Davis, Jack Davis,  and Kae Davis will be on hand with friends from the Italianizzato Club, taking pictures and having fun talking with everybody.

You’ll find them situated somewhere between a cherry vintage Ferrari Testarossa in Scuderia Red Tan traditional colors and a new white Maserati Granturismo or strolling the show talking with other club members, exotic car friends, and family.

If you haven’t found the group, simply ask for Ms. Jeanette Scott of Scotty’s Garage (photo left). She’ll be the cute gal running the registration booth and tent — and is the volunteer auto diva event coordinator for the car show portion of the day’s fund raising activity. Jeanette, owner of the famous Baltimore Lamborghini named “Oro Toro” will know where to find more Italianizzato friends… as we’ll probably be hanging out someplace near her husband, the infamous car show gent “T.W.”, the man, the myth, the legend.

Hope to see you at the car show!

Kae Davis FBO Italianizzato!

2009 Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival and Car Show happening in Sunny Florida October 16, 17, 18

Lake Mirror Classic poster for 2009 event in Lakeland, Florida, October 16-18, 2009

The Mercedes-Benz Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival in downtown Lakeland, Florida is one of the most scenic and popular classic car events in the southeastern United States. Presented at beautiful Lake Mirror Park and throughout downtown Lakeland, FL, the 10th annual event is expected to attract over 500 show vehicles and 30,000 spectators.  The event is presented FREE to the public.

Legendary endurance racer, Hurley Haywood, is the Honorary Chairman, My Classic Car will be filming a segment with host Dennis Gage, and Bobby and Judy Allison will be attending as honored guests.

From the Lake Mirror Classic website:

Hurley Haywood has been described as a pioneer, a legend, and a one-of-a-kind driver. He has appeared in ads for upscale products such as Rolex and television productions for Porsche. Currently, he is the Vice President of Brumos Motor Cars, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida and remains active as a professional race driver, despite stepping down from a full-time driving role in 2008.

Hurley will continue to drive for Brumos in selected endurance races this season, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  For all of the other races in 2009 he will continue working on race strategy and planning for the team. He also serves as Chief Driving Instructor for the Porsche Driving Experience as well as for Brumos U, the company sponsored driver familiarization school.

Winning the 24 Hours of Daytona five times, the 24 Hours of LeMans three times, and the 12 Hours of Sebring twice has made Haywood one of the world’s most-accomplished drivers. He was the first to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona in the same year. In fact, with a total of ten wins, he has won more endurance classics than anyone else in racing history. Hurley Haywood’s ability to consistently be smooth and fast, coupled with his knowledge of the racecars, has put him in the winners circle time after time. The 2009 season opener Rolex 24 at Daytona found Haywood back in a familiar place on the podium, as he co-drove the Brumos #59 car to a 3rd place finish.  His level of experience and contributions to motorsports makes him a highly valued member of the Brumos team on all levels.

Classes for 2009 Concours d’Elegance

The Lake Mirror Classic Concours d’Elegance will feature a select group of the highest quality automobiles which will be judged by a team of CCCA and AACA judges.  The Concours Committee will pre-select 100 vehicles from the 500 plus applicants expected for the Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival.  These prestigious vehicles will be presented along the promenade of Lake Mirror Park where they will be judged and on display for the public to enjoy.  The preliminary categories for the 2009 Concours d’Elegance are:

• Brass Era Vehicles
• Pre-War Classics 1925-1942
• Pre-War Production Cars 1900 – 1942
• Post-War Production Cars 1945-1962
• Commercial Vehicles thru 1959
• Muscle Cars 1964-1972
• Domestic Sports Cars Thru 1972
• Foreign Sports Cars Thru 1972
• Cars of Particular Interest

To request an event registration application   (Click Here…)

To download the (PDF) Supplemental Application for the Concours d’Elegance  (Click Here…)

Budweiser Hot Rod Rendezvous

The opening event of the Lake Mirror Classic is a Free outdoor concert and party held at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater on Friday evening. Over 10,000 people attend the Hot Rod Rendezvous enjoying rock & roll music, food and wild cars. When the band takes a break all the hot rods crank up their engines for the Hot Rod Rumble and make some music of their own. The Hot Rod Rendezvous benefits Junior Achievement of Polk County.  Registration for the Hot Rod Rendezvous is separate from the Saturday car show.  Vehicles must be pre-registered and the fee is $15 per vehicle .

Downtown Car Show – Open to all types of Classic Cars

Hundreds of classic and collectible vehicles including Street Rods & Custom cars will be displayed on the streets of downtown Lakeland on Saturday. The cars are assembled in groups of similar makes and models in a 16-block area of downtown. Although the event is not judged, ribbons and prizes are presented to vehicles selected as sponsor favorites.  Participants receive a Goody Bag from area merchants and event sponsors, a custom display sign for the vehicle, breakfast and lunch for two and event souvenir.  Vehicle Pre-Registration fee is $40 ($50 after Oct. 1, 2009).

Mustang “Show within a show”

The Lake Mirror Classic will include a “show within a show”. The Mustangs registered for the Lake Mirror Classic, which has historically been a display only area with opportunities to win sponsor choice ribbons, will be a separately judged class with trophies to the top cars.  Two special trophies will be awarded to Best of Show Early Model and Best of Show Late Model.  These two winners will be invited to join the Concours awards presentation at the Lake Mirror Park Amphitheater at the culmination of the show.

The judged Mustang class is open to all years of Mustangs from ‘64 1/2 to current. Stock, modified, race car, or anywhere in between, it doesn’t matter. So register your Mustang now and join fellow Mustang owners for a great day around Lake Mirror, Lake Mirror Park, and downtown Lakeland.

Sunday Road Rally and Brunch

The Lake Mirror Classic will conclude on Sunday morning with a fun road rally over the back roads of central Florida.  Brunch will be served and prizes distributed at the rally’s conclusion.  The driving route will cover approx. 50 miles. Registration is $30 per person.

Classic Wooden Boats & Amphicars

A popular feature at the Lake Mirror Classic is the distinguished group of classic wooden boats moored along the ornate 1920’s-era seawall of Lake Mirror. The classic boats present a stunning display adjacent to hundreds of classic automobiles.  Participants receive a Goody Bag from area merchants and event sponsors, a custom display sign for the vehicle, breakfast and lunch for two and event souvenir.  Vehicle Pre-Registration fee is $40 ($50 after Oct. 1, 2009).

Antique Motorcycles

The Lake Mirror Classic also includes a category for antique motorcycles. Selected models are showcased on the terraced steps of the Lake Mirror Amphitheater adding a two-wheeled dimension to this classic event.  Participants receive a Goody Bag from area merchants and event sponsors, a custom display sign for the vehicle, breakfast and lunch for two and event souvenir.  Motorcycle Pre-Registration fee is $40 ($50 after Oct. 1, 2009).

Special Thanks to the Volunteers and Sponsors of the 2009 La Dolce Vita Automobili Exotic Car Show at Black Horse Country Club in Monterey, CA Friday August 14

La Dolce Vita Automobili 2009 was a smashing success during Monterey Car Week! The Italianizzato Club and Kae Davis of AutoPopMedia.com by Connections Prep wants to thanks all the great exotic car show sponsors, volunteers, and vendors who also participated in  making the festival such a success for the kids of the Shriners Hospital for Children. If you are reading here, cheers! Please show your support for the following businesses and professional organiations, and we’ll see you again in CA next year!

		Specializing in Exotic Vehicle Sales. www.catsexotics.com
		The only exclusively Lamborghini Service facility in the US. www.drivenexotics.com
		Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories. www.griotsgarage.com
		Alfa Romeo Bulletin Board and Forums www.alfabb.com
		The finest selection of automotive and aeronautic books available anywhere. www.autobooks-aerobooks.com
		The motoring scene guide to automotive events and adventures. www.autoevents.org
		Automotive Traveler Magazine and AutomotiveTraveler.com allow you to indulge your passion for great cars, challenging roads, interesting people, and fantastic destinations. www.automotivetraveler.com
		www.autopopmedia.com
		Find the car of your dreams. www.bringatrailer.com
		For over 31 years Car Collector magazine has been the leading authority in the collector car industry, supplying factual automotive articles to avid collectors and enthusiasts. www.carcollector.com
		CarProperty.com is here for Car Collectors, Car Enthusiasts, Race Fans, Race Track Administrators, Specialty Parking Facility Operators, Car Condo Operators, People in Large Metropolitan Cities and Automotive Business Professionals. www.CarProperty.com
		Celebrating the Automobile… Past and Present From American Muscle to German GTs to Italian Supercars to Japanese Sports cars and just about anything that catches our fancy. www.carsinpedia.com
		Modified, Luxury and Exotic Car News, Photos and Videos www.carzi.com
		ClassicDriver.com – the exclusive webzine with more than 5,000 luxury and classic cars like Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce. Daily updated articles.
		The Drivers Network by Car and Garage Aston Martin Life · Bentley Life · Ferrari Life · Maserati Life · Aston Martin Life · Panoz Life www.thedriversnetwork.com
		Etceterini.com is dedicated to the history, documentation, and preservation of etceterini cars. By definition etceterinis are hand made small displacement Italian racing cars which were produced from the late 1940’s to the early 1960’s. Most of these beautiful cars used Fiat running gear and had their own chassis, hand hammered aluminum bodies, and engines. They raced throughout Europe in races such as the legendary Mille Miglia and also competed heavily in American SCCA racing.
		Whether you enjoy the do-it-yourself lifestyle, museum style, eclectic collector style, or something in between, Garage Style Magazine is all about your style! www.garagestylemagazine.com
		The Hub Garage Where car people connect www.hubgarage.com
		www.luxvelocity.com
		Store, organize and showcase your car photos. www.madwhips.com
		Monterey Car Week. August 10-16, 2009. Monterey, California. The one and only source for all event information during the internationally famed Monterey Car Week. Here you will find schedules for all your favorite events, local hotels and restaurants. www.montereycarweek.com
		Classic car news & events diary with features and video clips and thousands of classic and performance cars for sale, buying advice and car specs. www.classicandperformancecar.com
		All about the antique car – The daily magazine & marketplace dedicated to the pre-1940 car. www.prewarcar.com
		The premiere automotive High-Definition (HD) video and photography site on the Internet. From vintage vehicles to muscle cars to modern imports and exotic sports cars. Also; videos of motorcycles, boats and speedboats, aircraft and pretty much…anything that involves speed and motion! www.speedandmotion.com
		Sports Car Digest – The Sports, Racing and Vintage Car Journal www.sportscardigest.com
		It’s simple. Sub5Zero is dedicated to cars that go fast. The unique breed of autos that can reach 60 mph from a stop in under 5 seconds. The true test of an exceptional vehicle. www.sub5zero.com
		The online magazine for French and Italian Classic Car Enthusiasts. www.velocetoday.com
		Velocity Magazine is dedicated to the car enthusiasts of Orange County. Our mission is to create a community for these car enthusiasts by providing them profiles on distinctive cars and their unique owners. Velocity offers a perspective on Orange County and its car culture that can’t be found in any other publication. www.velocitymag.com
		Vintage Motorsport — The Journal of Motor Racing History www.vintagemotorsport.com
		The world’s largest online community for people that love vintage cars. www.myvrl.com
		TheWeeklyDriver.com features the new car reviews of syndicated automotive journalist James Raia as well as other automotive content — industry news to TheWeeklyDriver.com blog. www.theweeklydriver.com

For more information on future sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 year and beyond,
contact Cindy Meitle via email (Cindy@carprusa.com) or at (480) 277-1864.

Festivals of Speed Announces Inaugural Miami Event with Multi-million Dollar Collection of Exotic Cars, Yachts, Motorcycles and Luxury Lifestyle Products

Just a quick reminder… click the link below for more information on the show.

Festivals of Speed Announces Inaugural Miami Event with Multi-million Dollar Collection of Exotic Cars, Yachts, Motorcycles and Luxury Lifestyle Products

Posted using ShareThis

Are you ready for your cross country road trip or local California day trip to La Dolce Vita Automobili 2009?

An Invitation from Bayonet and Black Horse and La Dolce Vita Automobili

We invite you to come enjoy the return of an annual tradition. Beautiful Italian Sports Cars, Exotic Cars and Vintage Race Cars plus additional European examples will be displayed as art for public admiration on the lush greens of Black Horse Golf Course on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 9:30am to 5:00pm during Monterey Car Week, the most significant week on the global collector car calendar. Monterey Car Week attracts up to 100,000 additional visitors to the peninsula each August who come from all over California, across the United States and around the world to attend more than one dozen events including Vintage Races, Classic Car Auctions, Rallies and Car Shows.

For years, Black Horse was the popular site of an event that attracted thousands of spectators who came to admire chrome, paint, wheels and the amazing design of Italian cars plus wonderful vendors boasting art, Automobilia and more. La Dolce Vita was established to deliver a beautiful event back to the Black Horse Golf Course where exceptional examples of cars with names like < /font>Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat, DeTomaso and Ferrari can be showcased against a backdrop of lush greenery near the Pacific Ocean.

Special Car Features

There will be many exciting features at this year’s event. A very special display of Lancia cars will showcase models as early as the 1916 Lancia Theta driven by Jan Vorboril in the Peking to Paris Rally. Jan will be on hand to autograph a new book written about the rally entitled Peking to Paris 2007 which chronicles adventures driving across Mongolia, Europe and more.

Alfa Romeo Spiders through the Ages offers a wide variety of beautiful Alfa Romeos. Current entries span early models such as a 1931 6C 1750 to the recent 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Alfa Romeo’s newest design masterpiece that marks Alfa Romeo’s re-entry into the North American automotive market after more than a decade.

The annual Maserati Days Celebration will be held during La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse. Visitors can expect to see dozens of unique and incredible Maserati cars including both Vintage Race Cars and luxury car designs.

Lamborghinis have always been a popular sight and are always a crowd pleaser. La Dolce Vita has several dozen Lamborghinis on board in every color of the rainbow plus many additional unique configurations you won’t want to miss. The Lamborghini owners are exceptional folk who love to share stories about the cars and don’t mind camera-happy fans who love to snap photos from all around. After all, these cars look spectacular from every angle! A great surprise for both spectators and the media,La Dolce Vita will have a new 2010 Lamborghini LP 670 SV on display for all to admire! This car does 0-60 in 3.2 seconds!!!!

While La Dolce Vita Automobili is an Italian car-centric event, there is also a European display showcasing other cars as art. Featured Marques of the Peninsula invites cars being showcased at other Monterey Car Week events to display on Friday such as Bugatti which is featured at Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Porsche, the featured marque at the weekend’s Historic Races.

A unique celebration is attracting additional French cars, that of the 75th Anniversary of the Citroen Traction Avant. These cars were state-of-the-art at the time of their offering and truly ground-breaking vehicles. Traction Avant cars do not number many in the United States, but the display is building quite nicely. Additional Citroens include Jerry Hathaway’s land speed record breaking Citroen SM. Jerry won numerous records in this car but his wife came along and took the record for her own!

Entertainment and Special Features

Visitors will enjoy live music sponsored by Blue Fin on Cannery Row, a wine pavilion, great food, beautiful cars and wonderful people in the region Steinbeck spoke of in his novels for years. La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse will deliver a special treat mid morning as the Grapes of Wrath vehicle made famous in the movie The Grapes of Wrath pulls in to amaze visitors. This is a masterpiece reworked to perfection by car aficionado and eclectic automotive creator Gary Wales. The car will be on offer at the famous Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in early 2010.

An Automotive Design Pavilion will offer visitors a look into the future of cars. Featured students and graduates of the Academy of Art University School of Industrial Design in San Francisco, California will showcase a myriad of work. Digital renderings of cars will be on display via computer kiosks. Easels will display 3’ x 4’ drawings and large, beautiful painted clay mod els will showcase projects aimed at car design decades from now. These are the future designers of collector cars, cars that will be admired generations from today.

For a Great Cause

The underlying goal of La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse is the “preservation of admiration of collector cars among future generations”. In keeping with this theme, every adult ticket purchased also admits one guest age 17 and under free and visitors are encouraged to bring the whole family, particularly sons and daughters or nieces and nephews who can see these beautiful cars up close and personal and hopefully develop a strong interest that will carry forward for years to come.

The La Dolce Vita Automobili Scholarship Fund has been established and will benefit from funds generated from a silent auction during the event. The auction, presented by Grand Stand Sports & Memorabilia offers sports, movie and music memorabilia ranging from autographed musical instruments and photographs to Super Bowl helmets. Collectors Foundation has been chosen to facilitate the funds which will be distributed to young career-minded individuals pursuing a career in automotive design.

La Dolce Vita Automobili believes in helping the children of America. A portion of all tickets purchased will be donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children. This organization assists children born with missing limbs, children who are burn victims and more. Recently, Shriners Hospitals for Children transported tiny burn victims by airplane from a preschool fire to the Sacramento, California facility. Assistance is not based on financial or social status. If a child needs specialized services that Shriners offers, they will help the child. Learning about Shriners Hospitals for Children is important to La Dolce Vita and hopefully, event spectators and participants will better understand the services offered and share with family, neighbors and friends who may have a child in need of assistance that can be helped by the organization.

Come join us on the lush greens of Black Horse Gold Course Friday, August 14, 2009 from 9:30am to 5:00pm. In the tradition of the greatest concours event in the world (Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance), air conditioned luxury buses will deliver spectators from spectator parking to within yards of the first exhibit. We’d love for you to join us for a day of automotive nirvana on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula in Northern California.

La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse is sponsored by Cats Exotics, Driven Exotics and Griots Garage.

Please use code LDVBH (all upper case) to obtain discounted tickets online at http://www.montereybayconcours.com/SPECTATORS/spectator.php
or call 253 334-1078.

We hope to see you next week!

Bayonet and Black Horse and the La Dolce Vita Automobili Team

Sneak Peak at Ferrari 458 Italia: Lust at first sight

Yes, it’s the word of words. Ferrari may be ready to make the 458 Italia.

Sneak peak photos reveal an Enzo – esque flair, a striking roof line, and a $225,000 – $265,000 price range that is sure to make the car a competative seller. Our initial impression is that this car will appeal to all the Ferrari buyers — old school classic and vintage owners, guys driving the F430, 612, and 599, and gals and young (younger) first time buyers who are looking at Ferrari for the first real time thanks to the addition of the new Ferrari California line from the Cavallino Rampante house of Fiat Group.

Here’s the sneak peak pic of the Ferrari 458 Italia concept car that has everyone’s  engine revving:

OMG -- I <3 U FRR ARI: Ferrari 458 Italia looks faster than FIOS

La Dolce Vita at Monterey Car Week 2009 invites Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini Italianizzato Club friends from the Mid-Atlantic region and from East Coast to West Coast

AN OPEN INVITATION TO ALL EXOTIC CAR FANS ACROSS THE NATION TO VISIT 2009 ‘LA DOLCE VITA’

Greetings Exotic Car Examiner friends and Italianizzato Club members from across the nation!

We, the event hosts from a very special charity benefit car show called La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse, would like to extend a friendly welcome and invitation to all car lovers and auto enthusiasts across the United States. The incredible Concours D’Elegance style event showcases beautiful Italian Sports Cars, Exotic Cars and Vintage Race Cars and also offers specialty displays with more beautiful European and Italian model girls just ready to pose for perfect pics.

The La Dolce Vita Automobili event takes place on Friday, August 14, 2009 during Monterey Car Week, the most significant week on the global collector car calendar. For decades, more than 100,000 car enthusiasts have descended on the Monterey Peninsula each August to attend what have become more than one dozen public events over a 7-day period…

Click HERE to read more

Fiat Group seeking to buy Italian Carmaker Bertone: Industry rumor confirmed

Fiat Group has finally confirmed it’s intention to put a formal offer in to buy the Italian auto maker design house Bertone. Want to know more? Here’s a bevy of links to help you get in the know.

Fiat Group and Bertone as influencing Italian stock market trade factors: Exotic car business news Wednesday, July 15th, 2009: Exotic car discussions among investors abound. International stock market investors looking at trading shares related to the Italian markets have been… Keep Reading »

Exotic Cars 101: What is the Bertone BAT 11 and how it is related to the Alfa Romeo? BAT is an acronym for “Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica” — a classic concept design car that’s been around in the exotic car world as an… Keep Reading »

Rumor confirmed: Fiat Group to make offer to buy Italian car design house and auto maker Bertone RUMOR CONFIRMED: FIAT GROUP TO MAKE OFFER TO BUY ITALIAN CAR MAKER BERTONE   Early this morning (July 15, 2009), Fiat Group appears to have… Keep Reading »

Fiat Group rumor about bid on Bertone confirmed:

Click HERE for more FYI Details on the design house

The Bertone car… Keep Reading »

Italianizzato Club Meetup at Sotto Sopra for Summer Pasta Party Aug. 27, 2009 — Make your reservations EARLY and bring friends… Valet Parking available!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sotto Sopra’s Italian Celebration

SUMMER PASTA PARTY August 27, 2009 [date change]

The Italianizzato Club visiting Sotto Sopra

The party starts at 8 p.m. and carries on through to midnight.  Kick up your heels and let down your hair, come via Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Maserati, Lamborghini, Fiat, or Ferrari, and don’t forget to bring your inner Italian spirit.

Summer Pasta Party ticket price of $60 includes food, wine, beer, entertainment, gratuity, tax and can be purchased at Sotto Sopra’s website: www.sottosopra.us.

All other alcoholic beverages will be half price for this event.

Sotto Sopra Restaurant is located at 405 N. Charles Street.

For further information call Sotto Sopra Restaurant at 410.625.0534

ABOUT

Visit http://www.italianizzato.com for more information.

Sotto Sopra Restaurant is located four blocks north of the Inner Harbor at 405 N. Charles Street at the gateway to Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon cultural district. Winner of the people’s choice award for Favorite Baltimore Italian Restaurant from Baltimore Magazine, Sotto Sopra has been offering contemporary Italian cuisine for 14 years.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies: Gluten free 4th of July dessert treats for exotic car owners to pack and take along for drives to see fireworks

Folks looking for gluten free dessert options that appeal to everybody this 4th of July should look no further than this recipe compliments of the Exotic Car Examiner Kae Davis. Featuring the one of the best chocolate chip recipes we’ve eaten in a long time, it comes as a surprise that these cookie treats are absolutely friendly to all tummies and taste buds equally — and can be eaten by those with Celiac disease related stomach sensitivities or wheat allergies.

Kae Davis is the Exotic Car Examiner shown here with her favorite red Maserati Quattorporte

Gluten Free Cookies Fuel the Exotic Car Examiner

Hello, Baltimore Washington DC Metro and Dulles Technology corridor  chefs and cooks! My name is Kae Davis, and I am the National “Exotic Car Examiner“. Dear friend Dara Bunjon, my favorite food writer here in the Mid-Atlantic region (a.k.a. the Baltimore Dining Examiner) and I got to talking the other day about the holiday ans what kind of goodies we’d be serving to friends and family at various picnics and potluck barbecues we’ll be attending. When she asked me what kind of treats and items I like to make and eat for Summertime fun or special events like the 4th of July weekend, the first thing I though of was my favorite cookie recipe.

Chocolate chip cookies have been a favorite food of mine since I was a little girl, and when delicious they never have ceased to put a smile on my face every time I eat them. Having found out this past few years that we have food sensitivities in our family that create problems for allergy sufferers, we’ve be put into the challenging cooking situation of learning to prepare as many recipes as we can that at “Gluten Free”.

Obviously, when you realize that you are supposed to avoid cooking with or eating anything that you would normally prepare with white flour, the immediate reaction is one of mourning. I thought my cookie fetish was going to suffer terribly — and I would lose my most portable car-friendly treat that I can take with me for snacking to any road rally and my most comforting “late night with an ice cold glass of milk at home for dipping (not drinking and driving)” treat.

That’s when the clever culinary skills of my son Drew and his avid foodie researching, what he calls “scientific investigation”, came into play. Searching out all of the gluten free pre-made products in stores proved expensive and frustrating, as so many cookie products tasted, for lack of a better or more expressive word, sandy.  That is, until we finally found a product we could work with and doctor up a bit in the kitchen witch process; by adding and subtracting, we finally came up with these delicious treats — well, more he than me. My job in the process is sidewalk supervisor and sampling bites of things exponentially when good or making faces and saying, “That’s not me” when, again, for lack of a better food critic word, icky.

Bottom line, when someone asks me what fuels my writing about exotic cars and all the pop culture in the auto news industry, my typical response is, “Cookies”. As such, I hope you’l enjoy preparing these to take with you in the car to any fireworks show and eating them lovingly with friends and family at any dining gathering. Don’t forget, when it’s late at night to sneak into the kitchen, pour yourself that little glass of icy milk (or soymilk), and have one for me. I recommend you eat them while reading auto news articles from my column the Exotic Car Examiner, which you can find easily by visiting http://www.autopopnews.com.

If you are looking to prepare a delicious home baked cookie recipe for friends and family over the 4th of July holiday weekend, here’s the list of ingredients and the recipe you’ll need to be “Gluten Free” while celebrating Independence day with red, white, and blue cookies.

INGREDIENTS to prepare 18-20 small chocolate chip cookies

1 — 13.6 oz bag of Pamela’s Products all-natural wheat-free and gluten-free “Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix”8 tbsp butter, margarine, or baking substitute

1 large egg or prepare egg replacer equivalent

1-2 tsp all natural vanilla bean extract

1 tsp rum or rum extract (for flavoring)

OPTIONAL (favorite addition) — 1/2 cup pecans (walnuts are okay to substitute but not quite as good)

OPTIONAL HOLIDAY DESSERT DECORATION — red, white, and blue M&M candies found at holiday party and decoration locations like Party City or crafts stores with baking and cake decoration sections OR dried cranberries and blueberries assortment with white coconut flake

Easy Hand-Mixing Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Melt butter mixture and let cool.
3. Add Pamela’s Mix and egg and mix well with butter solution, followed by extracts of vanilla and rum.
4. Dough will appear dark and slightly crumble — don’t worry… this is A+!
5. Press together TBSP size scoops or dollops of cookie batter and place on GREASED cookie tin or baking sheet.
6. Take a spoon slightly flatten cookie into rough intended shape; if decorating for a holiday dessert option, slightly make a rounded indention into the raw cookie top with the bottom of the spoon to create a nest.
7. Fill dent with embed of hard shell chocolate candies or dried fruit option; if using coconut as decoration, use fork tines to gently secure flakes into the batter. Play with color or use red white and blue to decorate each cookie like you would a Christmas cookie; match or vary your decorations at your discretion.
8. Bake for 16 – 18 minutes, checking often until you are comfortable withe the recipe. Golden to light golden brown is a good rule of thumb.
9. Bake longer for firmer cookies, less for soft or chewey varieties.
10. Cool cookies THOROUGHLY. If served too warm they will fall apart before they even get to the milk. Cookies “set” during cooling process. [If you are a dunker, you'll thank me.]

Best gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe uses baking mix from Pamela’s products says Exotic Car Examiner

As the year goes on, you can enjoy these gluten free treats during any season. Add oatmeal and raisins for a chocolate chip oatmeal raisin treat. Add chopped dates and extra pecans for a more savory cookie. Add cocoa powder and white chocolate chunks for a black and white “racing flag” cookie variety. Use icing, colored sugar, and rainbow sprinkles to let kids decorate the cookie for a birthday party activity. If you are hosting a party with an Italian car theme, change the candy decoration colors to red, white, and green! Make cookies a bit larger and make an ice cream sandwich using your favorite home-made or gourmet ice cream.

At the Finish Line

One final word of advice from a car girl: if you are planning to cook for a group or have a big family, you might want to plan to prepare a second of third batch separately. These cookies tend to go faster off the plate at any holiday gathering or out of the cookie jar in your home kitchen than the Ferrari F1 racing team — and they are great to dunk in all types of milk (skim, 1%, 2%, whole, soy) or coffee as an after dinner treat.

For more information about Pamela’s Products, visit http://www.pamelasproducts.com.

Baltimore area residents can find Pamela’s Products for sale at many Weis grocery stores. Check your local area stores in DC and Northern Virginia; if you can’t find the product line, order online. Harris Teeter in Brambleton Town Center is always open to ordering products on request, as well. Simply make your request to the grocery store manager.

Hospice of Chesapeake Bay area is beneficiary of Ferrari Club Exotic Car Show ‘Gilligans Island’

BREAKING AUTO NEWS: Photos are starting to come in from the 2009 Gilligan’s Island festival held Saturday June 6, 2009 in Pasedena, Maryland. Sponsored by Craftsmen Developers Dennis Gilligan (www.craftsmendevelopers.com), the event was sanctioned by the Ferrari Club of America and overseen by Mid-Atlantic region club president Bill Ebert. Several thousand dollars were raised for the local charity Hospice of Chesapeake Bay (www.hospicechesapeake.org). More information about the event, pictures, and additional follow up articles will be published shortly.

FCA-MAR with Host Dennis Gilligan on Microphone

2009 Gilligans Island Car Show in Maryland

As a first annual FCA-MAR sanctioned event to be held for the local Hospice center in nearby Chesapeake Bay region, the intimate function “Gilligan’s Island Ferrari Club Exotic Car Show to benefit the Hospice of Chesapeake” boasted quite a few spectacular Ferrari cars in addition to a fine assortment of high end luxury vehicles and other state of the art exotics. Show cars of note included a vintage Ferrari Dino, a Ford GT, and a Ferrari Super America.

Festival features included lively Cajun music, catered barbecue from local upscale restaurant Adam’s Ribs, live and silent auction components, and an award ceremony. Trophies were awarded based on fun Gilligan’s Island television show themes like “Professors Choice”, “the Mary Ann Award”, and the “Ginger Grant”.

The event, staged with Concours D’Elegance style green grass fields and cars parked showcase-style along winding blacktop areas under a heavy canopy of well manicured but predominantly indigenous Maryland trees, allowed guests to wander and roam the property freely.

Drew Davis at FCA-MAR 2009 Gilligans Island Ferrari Club Exotic Car Show in the Concours D'Elegance Ferrari Field

Attendance numbers neared 200 guests, with 100% of the $45 per person ticket proceeds going to the Hospice Center to help fund their programming. Car show attendants were also treated to imported beer, bubbling champagne, and Cohiba cigars (all compliments of the gracious hosts), with visitors able to browse through cars and on site vendor art.

Gilligan Estate Ferrari Car Show in Pasedena, Maryland June 2009

Craftsmen Developers and the Venue History: Going Green

Craftsmen Developers is a green land development firm based in Glen Burnie, Maryland. A community minded company, owner and company president Dennis Gilligan believes “Going Green” begins with, “a green attitude…. simple things, like recycling paper or more complex matters like reshaping communities to minimize runoff and maximize green space.”

Craftsmen Developers leadership instills a “Going Green” culture throughout the company.  Heading forward into the 21st century, son Coner Gilligan, Vice President, is often seen working closely with father Dennis and placed in charge of many of the forward thinking land development projects.  “The culture of caring for the environment is not just a family business approach; we’re committed to thinking multi-generational when it comes to  building in such a way that is environmentally friendly, elevates employee and contractor sensitivity towards the environment, and fosters sustainable development designs in its projects…” says the young up and coming and very professional prodigy.

Craftsmen Developers was the key sponsor for the 2009 Gilligan's Island Ferrari and Exotic Car Show

According to the Gilligans, “The Company’s land designs attempt to maximize porous surfaces and limit disturbed areas. They direct civil engineers and consult with local jurisdictions to allow for more flexible “Green Designs”… Craftsmen Developers believes strongly that it can and will improve the environment by creating “Green Neighborhoods”.

As a visitor to their Maryland home and private property for any exotic car show, it becomes immediately apparent that this is a family in which all the business partners practice what they preach. Click HERE to see a map of current land development projects with Craftsmen Developers in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

Pool at Gilligans Island by Craftsmen Developers

All the elements of the main house, guest houses, garages, and outlying buildings on the Gilligan estate are laid out in harmony with the coastal wildlife and plants that spare the space with the Gilligan family. Combining modern features with reclaimed wood and stone left over from local restoration projects, the site boasts many of the elemental architectural design features of a Frank Lloyd Wright home while adding curved window lines and built in interior artistic elements that blend seamlessly with the rounded swells of the property’s Chesapeake Bay coast. As a result, the effect is one that claims not only function but superlative form balanced with the natural elements surrounding — making the 5 acre residence a great place to host a fund raiser or private party.

Future Gilligans Island Events and Ferrari Car Shows

As the event was such a resounding success with guests, get your 2010 daybooks and pens ready. The Gilligans’ expect to set the date for next years and make a public announcement about their intention to again support the Hospice charity some time before the 2009 4th of July celebrations.

The early word from the FCA-MAR board is that they fully expect to support asking the Ferrari Club of American to again lend it’s supporting sanction blessing to the future annual events that will undoubtedly help the guests of the Hospice rest easier thanks to the gracious hospitality provided by the Gilligans and diverse group of 2009 festival attendants.

Until that time, the FCA-MAR group plans to be very busy, with many car shows, special group outings, and road galleries planned throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The Ferrari Club is an organization that prides itself on being a social organization committed to the promotion of the Ferrari brand and working to help all members of each local community meet their needs. As such, the organization often sponsors worthwhile charities that actively affect their own members residential communities like the Hospice Center of the Chesapeake and the upcoming Children’s Guild “Viva Italia 2009: Concours D’Elegance” scheduled to happen in September of 2009 at the Inner Harbor of Downtown Baltimore’s Harbor East.

2009 Gilligans Island Car Show was a pleasure with show co-hosts FCA-MAR President Bill Ebert and Maserati of Baltimore GM/Ferrari of Washington Sales Rep Jack H. Davis

Pictures of the 2009 Gilligans Island Event, Etc.

The club members and host officials expect to release more photos and press announcements in the coming week(s), including setting a date for a second annual hospice benefit on the Gilligan’s waterfront estate property.

To register for updates and information about exotic car functions happening across the United States and to post photographs or special events information for Italian exotic car lovers, visit www.italianizzato.com. There, you will be able to join other exotic car owners and car club members actively posting on Facebook to network socially and professionally; membership in the club is FREE.

To see more photos of the 2009 Gilligans Island event and other Ferrari, Maserati, or Lamborghini club events in the Maryland region, visit www.flickr.com/mobexotics/collections.

More “Gilligan, Lil’ Buddy” Contact Information

For more information about hiring Craftsmen Developers for your next building, consulting, or land development project, visit www.craftsmendevelopers.com.

To make a donation to the Hospice Center of the Chesapeake Bay region in the Gilligans Island event name, please visit www.hospicechesapeake.org.

More information about the Ferrari Club of America’s Mid-Atlantic Region can be found at their main website www.fca-mar.com.

To submit stories or photos about the Gilligan’s Island Ferrari Car Club Exotic Car Shows, please email the Exotic Car Examiner Kae Davis at cafecars@gmail.com.

To inquire about the purchase of a new or pre-owned Ferrari, Maserati, or Lamborghini, other exotic car, or high end luxury model, contact Jack Davis at 828-713-8030 (24 hours).

Ferrari lovers head out for Gilligan’s Island 2009 Special Event Charity Fund Raiser and Car Show

Gilligan’s Island

Charity Event benefiting the Chesapeake Bay Hospice Center

www.hospicechesapeake.org

Saturday, June 6 (11:00 – 5:00pm)

[Rain Date: Sunday, June 7]

Members and friends of the Ferrari Club of the Mid-Atlantic region will be gathering this Saturday June 6, 2009 [or Sunday June 7, 2009 if rain sets in] for a very special special afternoon car show event.

Ferrari Dino will be on display at the Gilligan's Island 2009 Event

Rallying at the Maryland waterfront estate of Dennis and Peggy Gilligan, car owners from all over the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region will be showcasing more than 50 privileged Ferraris, all pristine and displayed Concours D’Elegance style at this second annual summer kick-off party event. There’s more news however, as the Italianizzato Club muscle has been hard at work again. Just this week, host Dennis Gilligan has expressly agreed to extend the invitation for other brands of exotic cars to plan a day trip down to visit the estate and showcase their vehicles. That’s big news for owners of other marquees like Maserati, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and custom American muscle classics and exotics like the Ford GT. You see, originally, the rumor spread that Ferrari club guys were not going to allow non-owners to visit or other car models on the private acres if we tried to attend.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione will be on display

What did Dennis Gilligan say when he heard that other exotic car club members were not being included in the Ferrari event invitation? “Are you kidding? My place is huge. Everyone I know in the Ferrari club is friendly and loves all kinds of cars. Everybody is welcome.” The Gilligan family says, “Bring your Exotic Car (or boat for that matter as dock slips/anchorage are available) and share our home and pool overlooking Rock Creek.  Reservations [on the main field] will be limited to the first 75 Exotic Cars and there is room to display 75 more [for a total of 150 cars on display next year].” Dennis also indicated that there is ample parking for all methods of transportation on his land. All he’s asked is that the Ferrari field, as a Ferrari club sanctioned event, exotic or show cars, and daily driver commuter parking be kept separate for the purpose of photography and creating ambiance. See how easy it is to attend an FCA-MAR event? [Tisk, tisk to those non-affiliated folks spreading silly exclusionary gossip in the chat rooms and by private messages on forums.] Included in the cost of admission is a catered lunch by Annapolis favorite barbecue restaurant Adam’s Ribs. Cost of entry includes beverages, “All the sodas and beer your can drink” says Dennis (sorry kids — 21 and up on the alcoholic beverages and yes, ID will be checked). The cost, just $45.00 per person, is fully tax deductible with 100% of the proceeds provided to the Hospice of the Chesapeake. You do not need to own or be showing an exotic car to participate in this event. All guests over the age of 16 are welcome; please contact the event host to make special arrangements for wheelchair or handicapped participants.

Ferrari F430 Challenge Car

Early registrants planing to display cars sent check by postal mail to the event location address:  Dennis Gilligan, 1316 Water Oak Drive, Pasadena, MD 21122. Late car show entries should immediately email the EXOTIC CAR EXAMINER at cafecars@gmail.com to express interest in joining the show this weekend (and include .jpg photos of their car along with make, model, year, and other pertinent contact details for the Gilligans to help be prepared for post-event coverage).

Please email Dennis Gilligan (dennisgilligan@comcast.net) or call 410-320-5878 for more information about the Gilligan’s Island Event, including for assistance with directions.

Expect Dennis Gilligan and son Conor of Craftsmen Developers to help host an awards ceremony featuring People’s Choice and various door prizes.

DON’T FORGET TO THANK THE FOLLOWING EVENT SPONSORS:

www.craftsmendevelopers.com

Adams Ribs – www.adamsribs.com (catering) Ferrari Club of America – Mid Atlantic Region – www.fca-mar.com Maserati of Baltimore – www.maseratiofbaltimore.com Ferrari of Washington – www.ferrariofwashington.com (Jack Davis, sales)

Compitzione & Sports Car – www.competizionecars.com Radcliffe Motorcar Company – www.rmccar.com Porsche of Annapolis – www.porscheofannapolis.com (Mike Mauer, sales) Artist – Randy Owens – www.randyowens.com (festival art) Exotic Car Examiner by Connections Prep – www.autopopnews.com

HOT ROD AUCTION (Special Event Notice): RM Auctions announces American hot rod collection for sale, one one owner Vintage race cars, will be held at Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles California September 26, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALL-AMERICAN ‘ICONS OF SPEED & STYLE’

GEAR UP FOR AUCTION AT PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

RM Auctions announces a private, single-owner collection

of iconic American hot rods,

vintage racers and one-off custom show cars to be held at the famed

Petersen Automotive Museum

in Los Angeles, California, September 26, 2009

BLENHEIM, Ontario (June 2, 2009) – The sale of an unprecedented private collection of historic American racing cars, vintage hot rods and custom show cars will be presented by RM Auctions, the world’s leading collector car auction house. This one-day auction event, billed as Icons of Speed & Style is set for September 26, 2009, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.

Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini collectors who are members of the Italianizzato Club and love the history of speed should also take note. The event will be one car enthusiasts will not want to miss; whether buying or not, the rare and mint condition collection will be sure to impress all who love racing technology, pure street muscle, and exotic collectible autos.

Approximately 80 vehicles and several lots of period hot rod and ‘kustom kulture’ memorabilia will be offered “without reserve”. The eclectic collection represents the owner’s enthusiasm for and life long love of cars and its offering will be a once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity for collectors.

“Each of these cars on offer are cultural icons of the roads and race tracks of America because they encompass every aspect of American engineering, racing ingenuity and cutting edge customization”, said Ian Kelleher, President and COO of RM Auctions.

Legendary cars such as the famous Dodge “Little Red Wagon” Drag Truck, the dominating Ray Allen LS6 Chevelle Convertible, “Big John” Mazmanian’s Corvette gasser, the original “Road Agent” show car by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth as well as famous customs from the Ayala Brothers, Sonny Mazza, the Alexander Brothers, George Barris, Daryl Starbird and Boyd Coddington will be on offer.

As specialists for estate and private collection sales, RM has attained considerable recognition in the collector car market by providing an unsurpassed level of marketing and cataloging services for such diverse clients as Formula One racing CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Orange County motoring legend Joe McPherson, broadcasting entrepreneur Art Astor, Michigan businessman John McMullen, actor Nicolas Cage and kustom kulture collectors, the Brucker Brothers. The Icons of Speed & Style collection has been extensively photographed in detail for the full-color collector’s catalog and is available for $80 U.S. (plus shipping) by calling 519-352-4575 and admits two to the auction. Event times, bidding options and directions can be found at www.rmauctions.com

About RM Auctions

Celebrating 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world’s rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM’s restoration division has achieved unprecedented accolades earning “Best of Show” honors at the world’s top Concours events. For further information, visit www.rmauctions.com

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