nota_troll

...is returning to the U.S.?

I had a GTV6 in college and loved (and hated) it.

David in Chicago

Follow this link to a widely-circulated story from Automotive News, suggesting that they'll be back in '97:

http://www.overheardcams.org/wwForum...asp?TID=5&PN=1


Regards to all.

Surj-993C2S

A new car to drool over:

http://www.carenthusiast.com/frankfu...ml?article=143

Alfa makes a return to 'real' sportscars at last...

Rezal

I can relate. During college, I owned:
'87 Milano (Platinum) - totaled it by oversteering off an on-ramp (Page Mill and 280N). Forgot to dial out the oversteer after a track event + damp onramp + immaturity
'88 Milano (Verde) - sold to fund Esprit restoration project
'86 GTV-6 - beater car until said Esprit was running

However, despite the usual ownership niggles, none of my Alfas has ever left me stranded. I've had to limp the Milano from Palo Alto to Santa Cruz, where my mechanic was, due to a broken clutch lever but made it never the less. In contrast, my 300ZX TT left me stranded twice due to a faulty wiring harness that was later fixed as part of a factory recall (not done by the previous owner, obviously)

The return of Alfa has been as on-again-off-again as J.Lo's wedding (must be that temperamental latin thing!)

I would love to own a 156 as a daily driver. Supposedly, there's an outfit here in NJ that can personnaly import you a 166. I saw one at Mike Tilson's in the flesh. The new 168 replacement though is much better looking.

As for the return to "real", call me a traditionalist but no FWD car can be a "real" sportscar! Let's hope that the speculated production Competizione and Brera are at least AWD, if not pure RWD.

Damian in NJ

I had Alfa's pre marriage-1)1976 Alfetta GTV (Mario Andretti Ltd Edition), then 2) 1974 Bertone GTV, then 3)1966 Duetto, then 4)1983 GTV-6. The last was the only one to strand me, and I'd love to own #2 or #3 again. Great cars with styling and soul. After 7 years of marriage I told wifey I had the itch-I needed either a girlfriend, or another sports car. She could pick. I'm now on my third Porsche!

Wouldn't it be great to get one of the 90's RZ or SZ cars? 3 liter V6's, quirky but fun styling, short wheel base chassis, that's a car that would open eyes here in the States.

nota_troll

Thanx everyone. Alfas are a love/hate relationship. At 17yrs old, I remember riding in a friend Milano and remarked how gorgeous the motor sounded.

My best friend's father bought one later. I promised myself I'd own a GTV6 and bought one in college. Stupid me I sold my 75 914 2.0 for it but I loved that Italian coupe. The girlies loved it too.

laurence '97 C4S

First car I ever owned was a 1967 Alfa 1600 GT Veloce, british racing green with tan interior. I do miss it on a regular basis. C'est la vie...

Rezal

The most interesting conversation I've had went something like this:
"What car is that?"
"It's an Alfa Romeo"
"Who makes it?"

The most annoying question I get (when I owned the Milano):
"Is that a new Jetta?"

Finally, the most presumptious answer:
"So, I hear you own an Alfa. How do you like the Spider?"

nota_troll

HA! So true.

My favorite reply was always, "It's the same car Bond used in Octopussy!"

DrZ

Sadly, had to sell my 1962 Giulietta Spyder to make room in the garage for the Cab. Was always amazed by the design achievement of simplistic sophistication particularly when compared to other cars of the era. Arguable had one of the nicest looking front ends of all time. Yeah it had it mechanical issues, but considering it's age held up pretty well. It was CA black plate car with 82K miles bought from an older lady in San Diego. Came with the original Pirelli Cinturada spare rotting behind the seat.

Can relate to the stares and dumb questions at red lights. Most common was " Is that a Karman Gia?" to which I would sometimes reply "No it's actually a Ferrari."

Say what you will about Alfas but it is the only car that I ever owned that I was able to sell in the Auto Trader for a profit. (Not including the the money I spent at Alfa Performance Center of course). If the opportunity ever arose would consider a restored Veloce of that series.

Rezal

Nota_troll,

I remember the scene well. A (gorgeous) woman was using a pay phone when Bond steals the car to go after the nuke and she gasps, "My Alfa..."

I have a 3 Bond movie pack in which he drives a car I've owned:
Spy Who Loved Me - The famous submarine S1 Esprit
Octopussy - GTV-6
For Your Eyes Only - Turbo Esprit (ok, so I had an S2 but close enough!)

Of course I could own a Citreon CV and still say it's a Bond car...

Mike in Chi

First sports car I ever drove was my father's '67 GTV.

First sports car I owned was a '63 Guilia Spyder five years later.

Coolest guy I ever talked to on a regular basis was Horst Kweck.
(If you are saing who? -- He used to regularly kick 911 butt with a GTA when a 911 was classified as a sedan in an American professional series)

JimB

What a small car world. The 83 GTV6 I owned in the 80s is at the top of my "cars I wish I still owned" list. What a sound. If I could find a nice one I would buy it in a minute. Black, brown leather, no sunroof, no syncros! If you're out there, call me.

Mike in Chi

JimB

There were reports going around Putnam that you held a wake, and an Irish one at that, for your dear departed race car. Is that true?

(Sorry to go OT, but this is serious BS)

ca993twin

Ah. Alfas. One of my early cars was a 1959 Alfa Sprint Veloce. The trunk could carry EITHER the case of oil needed for a trip, or the tools required to make roadside repairs, but not both. I loved that car. I traded it for a car that would start every time... where's the fun in that?