nomen-culture, Italian SUV

[verena ragazza <verenaragazza@domain.elided>]

Recently I've posted a few comments and questions,
signing off with my name, location, Alfa modle, and
its name. With the excellent responses, both direct an
via the AD, a few have asked about the origin and
meaning of my '81 Spider's name, Verena Ragazza.
Alfabob mailed me re: the same, noting his Giulietta
Spider's name is Sabrina

I've come to know regular posters by name or car and
car's name, but I've been more a lurker/looker than a
poster. Now that Verena's rebuild regaining momentum
and I've appeared some, I thought I'd answer the
Verena question for all, list the history of names and
vehicles if gotten personal with, and invite you to do
the same.

The '81 Spider Veloce came my way in trade for some
work I'd done, and as I have a long history of naming
my vehicles, I began to think about this...but not too
hard, it just had to come. I was leafing through a
baby name book and remembered a college (Marquette U.,
1st attempt) friend, Verena (known as "Vee). I found
faithful and trustworthy in the meaning. Later,
looking through an Italian-English dictionary, I found
ragazza = young girl, lass. Liking alliteration too, I
found the paired three syllables nice, and Verena
Ragazza, my trustworthy lass was born. 

Now for a stroll down memory lane...
(in chronoligical order)

Jenny - '68 Triumph GT6 MK1. My first car. Still know
the VIN by heart...KC13183L, Standard Triumph Motor
Company, Coventry, England. Jenny was a favorite
girl's name. Today, conversation in our family
referencing Jenny sounds like we're talking about a
relative.

Keila An - '79 SAAB 99GL. The nicest/newest car I've
owned when purchased. Named for a woman warrior in the
Frank Herbert novel, "Dosadi Experiment." We 'flew'
together everywhere-imagining I was strafing the roads
from the cockpit of a SAAB Viggen.

Rosie - '81 Dastun 501 wagon. First car from the land
of the rising sun and Tokyo Rose, hence, Rosie.

Cross Country - early 70's English Falcon touring
bicycle. We rode thousands of miles together,
including a 2,600 mile jaunt, Illinois - Colorado
-Illinois in the Summer of 1988.

Full Race - '82 Rossin Record handbuilt Italian
roadracing bicycle. My first Italian speedster, and
still a sweet ride. Columbus Sl tubing throughout,
eclectic group of Italian pro components: Campy,
Regina, Ambrosio, Modolo, Ofmega. Pound for pound Full
Race cost more in '82 than a Ferrari 308!

Cross Country II - '88 Bianchi Volpe cyclocross
bicycle. Set-up with racks and bags  this on-off road
bike is a real Italian SUV!!!!

Rhonda - '75 Honda CB500T. My first moto, and the
epitomy of the "Universal Japanese Motorcycle"
Rrrrhhhuummmmm, Rrrrhhhuuummmm, Rhonda the Honda. How
could it be anything else?

Ulla - '75 Volvo 245. A stout Nordic sweetheart and a
Seattle icon. I lived in her one Summer, windsurfing
the Gorge, Hood River, OR, 1992.

Donna Van - '79 Dodge B200 Tradesman van. My first
Detroit iron. Extrrrrra long 12' box. Great for
winsurfing and bicycling gear. 10 mpg, city, highway,
uphill, downhill, headwind, tailwind, light, loaded...

Karuna - '82 Kawasaki KZ650e. Sprite ride named for
the early '90s NHK Tokyo English language TV
anchorwoman, Karuna Noshinsho. 

Blue Bird - '84 Toyota 2WD Xtracab PU. A happy, blue
little truck. 

Lil Fredrik - '85 BMW K100RS. My bestest, most
favorite vehicle, lost in 08/30/01 crash. Norwegian
slang for the "male member." Nice to have "one" with
90hp from 1 litre, timeless Hans Muth styling, 800
mi/day riding comfort, a head turner in town and on
the highway, triple digits in 10 seconds... 
Lil Fredrik, R.I.P.

Verena Ragazza - '81 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. See
above. She's passionate and demanding. I'm in love and
she isn't even moving yet. Mamma mia...those lovely
Sophia Loren instrument hoods on the dash. Ah,
swoon...

Charolette - '82 Chev G20 Van. American box on wheels,
redux. Cost $800. Looks ugly, runs lovely.

Now, your turn Alfisti!

P.J. Wise & Verena Ragazza
South Bend, Washington
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