The club began in 1958 as a Chicago group of enthusiasts. They submitted a classified ad to a sports car magazine, asking Alfa owners across the United States to join the Alfa Romeo Owners Club. AROC was soon joined by a handful other Alfa groups, such as the Detroit Alfa Romeo Club, which was the first Alfa club in the U.S, The primary need was sharing technical information, but soon gatherings became social activities and the annual business meeting developed into a convention. By the late 1980s AROC had grown 5,000 members.
Today AROC and its 45 chapters offer an array of activities, a national magazine, Facebook page, local newsletters, websites, and having fun with Alfas.
As enthusiasts of this Italian automobile marque, rich in racing heritage, history and tradition, the club organizes, promotes and celebrates driving and social activities at local, regional and national levels.
To foster, encourage, and promote learning about Alfa Romeo automobiles, and spread knowledge of the history and tradition of the marque amongst members and the general public.
To make available and to disseminate technical information useful in promoting knowledge and understanding for the efficient and safe operation of vintage, classic, historical and modern Alfa Romeo automobiles.
To organize educational and amateur driving sporting events that promote and encourage safe and skillful driving in competition events at a track as well as recreational events conducted on public highways.
To organize social member gatherings and activities which celebrate friendships enveloped by our common interest in this marque.
Every summer, at different cities in North America, the club holds its annual National Convention. It is typically a gathering from Wednesday through Sunday consisting of the following events and activities:
- Vendors and Sponsors Merchandise Display and Sales
- Board of Directors Meeting
- Welcome Reception
- Time Trials Driving Competition
- Recreational Driving Track Parade Laps
- Autocross Driving Competition
- Recreational Driving Gimmick Rally
- Classroom Education for Time-Speed-Distance Rally
- Recreational Time-Speed-Distance Driving Rally
- Alfa Parts Swap Meet
- Concourse d’Elegance and Car Show
- Annual Banquet
- Awards Brunch
- Club Town Hall Meeting
- Technical Presentations and Sessions
- Guided Tours of Local Areas
And for those with a little more time, there is a multi-day pre-convention driving tour that explores the region!
2015 National Convention: Alfamiglia Nordest, June 24-28 – Warwick, Rhode Island
2016 National Convention: Citta della Musica, June 15-19 – Nashville, Tennessee
2017 National Convention: Alfa-Expo ’17, July 12-16, Montreal, Canada