DFW CHAPTER - FIAT CLUB AMERICA APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER
It’s April already! We are back to multiple car shows around the metroplex every weekend, with great driving weather in between short, intense periods where Mother Nature is trying to kill us. Texas wildflowers grace our roadways for the next 4-6 weeks. It’s a fantastic time of the year to own an Italian vehicle and we have lots of great activities lined up around Texas this month to help you enjoy your beautiful cars.
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY:
18th: Annual Bluebonnet Tour (Ennis)
We scout the Ennis area multiple times in the month preceding the tour and create a route designed to get you to some of the best fields of bluebonnets in Ennis. We will start off with lunch and then hit the trails!
Some fields will be view-from-the-sidelines only. Others will allow you to get out into the bluebonnets and get some great pictures in the midst of the flowers.
This is always one of our best attended events of the year, so besides the flowers, expect to also enjoy food, fun, family, friends - and FIATS! While I say FIATS, all Italian vehicles are welcome and encouraged to join us. I have extended invitations to both the DFW Alfa Romeo Owners Club and Italian Car Club of Noth Texas.
10:30AM - Meet up at Don Jose's Restaurant, 2301 W Ennis Ave, Ennis, TX
11:00AM - Move inside for lunch
12:00PM - A short driver's meeting in the parking lot
12:10PM - Leave on this year's route.
The tour will end at the Buc-ees in Ennis so people can fill their tank, empty their bladder, and obtain snacks for their rides home.
I still have 3 spots/roads left to scout. We will post the exact route once it is established. Expect 3-4 stops along the ~35 mile route. Adding in the stops, expect the tour itself to take between 2-3 hours.
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
Mar 14: Mission 313 Rock Run Car Show, Mabank, TX
Class Award – Import 2000 and Newer, Matt Noel Fisher, 2018 124 Spider Lusso
Mar 19: Doe Belly’s Monthly Car Show, Forney, TX
Top 20 – Tazilon and Jennifer Brenner, 2018 124 Spider Classica
Mar 28: Italian Motor Gathering, Boerne, TX
Outstanding in Class – Fiat and Alfa Romeo, Michael Gallagher, 2019 Abarth 124 Spider
Mar 28: Jim Bowie Car Show, Bowie, TX
1st Place, Import – Modded, Tazilon and Jennifer Brenner, 2018 124 Spider Classica
If you place in a car show, autocross, track event, etc, (or get put on a calendar!) email me at dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com and let me know so we can include you in The Winner’s Circle!
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STELLANTIS NEWS:
1. In March, Stellantis issued ~$5 billion in hybrid bonds, maturing between 2031-2034 with annual coupons ranging from 6.25%-8.24%. Stellantis stated the hybrid bond issue “will strengthen their capital structure and liquidity position.”
2. Palantir Technologies and Stellantis recently announced the renewal and extension of their partnership which began in 2016. In addition to using Palantir Foundry, Stellantis will add use of the Palantir Artificial Intelligence Platform. Palantir’s products will help Stellantis improve performance on the production and management sides of the house
3. Early Q1 2026 results indicate Stellantis sales in the US rose ~4.1% over 2025. The improved performance was led by Jeep, RAM, and Dodge.
4. Stellantis just announced a recall affecting over 700,000 vehicles worldwide. The recall affects vehicles using the 1.2L hybrid setup. Due to a design issue, high humidity can lead to water getting into part of the electric system and cause an arc, which can lead to a engine compartment fire. Until owners fix the issue, they are advised not to use high pressure engine washers. The free solution at Stellantis dealerships is a simple 30 minute install of an upgrade to the alternator-starter’s protective cap. Among the numerous vehicles affected are the Tonale, Pande Grande, and Lancia Ypsilon.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
1. Alfisti are eagerly looking forward to May 21. CEO Antonio Filosa will present Stellantis new industrial plan on that date. It is widely expected the industrial plan will reveal the future of the Giulia and Giulia QV, including whether the car will move forward with a V-6 performance hybrid. The same questions about the nex-gen Stelvio are also expected to be answered on May 21st.
2. ItalPassion recently posted spy shots of a disguised Giulia being tested in Italy. They claim the new Giulia will abandon the STLA platform, instead favoring the Giorgio Evo platform currently used by the Maserati GranTurismo and Grecale. The Giorgio platform is better suited to accept both EV and hybrid power systems, further increasing speculation a V-6 hybrid Giulia is on the way. Unlike previous Giulias, the spy shots indicate the Giulia may reappear as a shooting brake design.
Fiat:
1. FIAT has launched a fully gas version of the 600. It comes with a manual transmission and a special launch edition called the 600 Street. 2,000 copies of the 600 Street launch edition will be made. The gasoline engine option will be available on all versions of the 600.
2. The Grande Panda just won the 2026 AUTOBEST CONQUEST award for design, allowing it to claim the title of Best European Auto Design for 2026. Voting came from a jury of 32 European countries and from direct public voting in the AUTOBEST system.
Lancia:
Lancia continues to excel in their return to rally. Lancia Ypsilon Rally 2 HF Integrales won the overall victory in Italian Rally Championship at Rally II Ciocco, as well as the opening round of the French Rally Championship at Rallye le Touquet Pas-des-Calais. One can only hope the rally successes translate into showroom sales for Lancia as it struggles to remain a viable manufacturer.
Maserati:
1. In celebration of their 15 year in the country, Maserati Philippines gas released a single copy of the Grecale GT Serie Italia. This extremely limited edition features special badging and exclusive ownership: only 1 was made.
2. Refreshed versions of the GranTurismo and Gran Cabrio are expected in 2027. The Drive reports recent spy shots of both vehicles caught undergoing testing in Sweden suggest only small changes to their exteriors.
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
1. Registration is OPEN for FIAT Freakout. Hosted by the Wyndham Hotel and Convention Center in Gettysburg, PA from August 18-23rd, Freakout 2026 offers all the traditional dinners and events you expect from Freakouts. To view all the planned activities and register, go here:
https://fiatclubamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=152684&item_id=2888293
NOTE: You must be a dues current member of FCA to register and attend Freakout. A link to join FCA is included on the registration page.
2. Louis Triolo has reactivated our Atlanta Chapter with his North Georgia Italian Car Group. Beginning last year, Louis and Atlanta are giving north Georgia Italian car lovers a steady diet of car events in which to participate. Evan Katon has stepped up to take the VP position.
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DFW CHAPTER NEWS:
1. Remember, if you want to participate in our Agnelli Cup go-kart series this year, you need to pay me $15 in person or send $15 via Venmo to:
@Michael-Brenner-70
All money received will go towards our awards for the series.
The series begins in May.
2. I would like to start doing a Car of the Month feature for our owner’s vehicles. I will start off selecting a car from people who attend that month’s events. So, brush up a bit on the details about your car in case your car gets chosen!
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There are FIAT/Italian car events going on almost every weekend in April here in Texas, so you will have plenty of opportunities this month to shake off the winter rust, enjoy your Italian automobiles, and
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
Fiat Club America – DFW Chapter
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APRIL
9th-12th: Spring Thing 2026
Hosted by Dan Book and Gulf Coast Fiats.
Spring Thing returns to Kerrville!
Thur. April 9th – Sun. April 12th , 2026 at the Inn of the Hills Resort.
Queens & Kings will be $119 per night + taxes
Queen & King Cabanas will be $129 per night + taxes
For reservations call 800-292-5690 and request to book under the Fiat Car Club block.
Friday we drive the Twisted Sisters. Lunch at Bent Rim in Leaky.
Saturday drive around Inks Lake. Lunch at River City in Marble Falls.
It is not too late to join us in Kerrville for the Spring Thing 2026! There are still a few rooms left at the Inn of the Hills, but if it fills up, you can reserve a room in a different hotel and meet us at Inn of the Hills by 8AM Friday and/or Saturday morning for the driver’s meetings.
The Spring Thing is always a fun event full of Italian cars from around Texas and surrounding states.
Here is a link to the event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/762466840204438
18th: Annual Bluebonnet Tour (Ennis)
We scout the Ennis area multiple times in the month preceding the tour and create a route designed to get you to some of the best fields of bluebonnets in Ennis. We will start off with lunch and then hit the trails!
Some fields will be view-from-the-sidelines only. Others will allow you to get out into the bluebonnets and get some great pictures in the midst of the flowers.
This is always one of our best attended events of the year, so besides the flowers, expect to also enjoy food, fun, family, friends - and FIATS!
10:30AM - Meet up at Don Jose's Restaurant, 2301 W Ennis Ave, Ennis, TX
11:00AM - Move inside for lunch
12:00PM - A short driver's meeting in the parking lot
12:10PM - Leave on this year's route.
We can't plan the route until late March, early April, but our routes usually include 3-4 photo stops and last 2-3 hours. We will post the exact route once it is established.
As always, we will provide a route map to every car, complete with the best places to watch for flowers along the drive noted on the map.
25th: Vick Autosports Open House 2026
601 Chamber St, Cleburne, TX
10:00AM-5:00PM
Hosted by Vick Autosport. The Open house includes free food, free beverage and free door prizes/awards!
This Open House is always a fun time. It pulls in cars from all over Texas, so come enjoy the fun and festivities!
MAY
3rd: All British and European Car Day
Bathhouse Cultural Center, White Rock Lake, Dallas (car show)
We will have reserved parking for DFW Chapter-FCA again so we can all park together. FIATs have their own class again in 2026. As long as we maintain 10+ registrations, we will keep our own class. If we can get Alfas up to 10 registrants, they will get their own class next year.
Be sure to list “DFW Chapter – FCA” as your club affiliation/business when registering so they reserve the correct number of spots for us.
COST: $35/car, $15/motorcycle/scooter
Food trucks will be at the show.
NOTE: The ABCDE+ Car Show benefits the Shoes for Orphan Souls charity. Please bring a pair of new closed toe shoes to donate. Boys size 8-12 are most needed.
23rd: Luigi’s Italian Café
2002 S Goliad, Rockwall (lunch)
Agnelli Cup Day 1
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
JUNE
13th: Ol’ South Pancake House and Log Cabin Village
1509 S University Dr, Ft Worth (breakfast)
Log Cabin Village
2100 Log Cabin Village Ln, Ft Worth (mid-1800s reenactment village)
JULY
11th: Portillos
4560 Destination Dr, The Colony (lunch)
AUGUST
1st: Norma’s
17721 Dallas Parkway, Dallas (breakfast)
18-23rd: Fiat Freakout 2026
Wyndham Hotel and Convention Center, Gettysburg, PA
To register: https://fiatclubamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=152684&item_id=2888293
29: Agnelli Cup Day 2
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
SEPTEMBER
12th: Italian CarFest
626 Ball St, Grapevine (car show)
26th: Coppell Deli and Winery
449 W Bethel Rd, Coppell (lunch)
(vineyard TBD)
OCTOBER
3rd: Red River Triumph Club European Car Show
Tarrant County College (car show)
17th: Cavalli Pizza and TUPPS Brewery
6851 Virginia Parkway, McKinney (lunch)
TUPPS Brewery
402 EW Louisiana St, McKinney
(come early and explore Adriatica Village before lunch)
NOVEMBER
7th: Agnelli Cup Day 3
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
21: Event TBD (I’m thinking maybe Sickies Garage)
DECEMBER
12?: Ferrari Dallas Toy Run (some kind of car rally/drive plus lunch)
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Tazilon Brenner
DFW Chapter Leader
FCA Board of Directors