spring alfa dayimages clockwise from top left; massive rolls royce wraith was an amazing place to...

■ Alfisti Issue 152 ■ April 2013

Inside this edition:Inside this edition:Inside this edition:

Coventry Transport Coventry Transport Coventry Transport Museum Alfa Display Museum Alfa Display Museum Alfa Display

Sensational Alfa 4C up closeSensational Alfa 4C up closeSensational Alfa 4C up close

Geneva Motor Show highlightsGeneva Motor Show highlightsGeneva Motor Show highlights

March Meeting NightMarch Meeting NightMarch Meeting Night

A new big Alfa? . . . A new big Alfa? . . . A new big Alfa? . . . and moreand moreand more

Alfisti is the AROC East Midlands Section

newsletter, edited and produced by

John Griffiths AROC East Midlands Section Secretary

Tel: 0774 8881317

e-mail: [email protected]

Our website for the latest news and more:

www.AROC--UK.COM/EASTMIDS

Alfisti production sponsored by

SPRING ALFA DAYSPRING ALFA DAYSPRING ALFA DAY

ALFISTI / EASTMIDS Price? IT’S FREE!!

AROCAROC

EAST MIDLANDSEAST MIDLANDS

SECTIONSECTION

Formerly Central & East MidlandsFormerly Central & East Midlands

We can only hope for a nice, warm spring day I guess for this year’s event, just like the one we had for the event at Burleigh House in 2010, an event largely delivered by our Section of course.

This year the North West Section has stepped up to the plate to stage the event at Gawsworth Hall near Macclesfield.

Ticket price is just £10.50 per car for pre-booked entry by members. Entrance on the day for members and non-members arriving in Alfa Romeos will be just £15 per car. All tickets include entry to Gawsworth Hall itself too.

There will be an array of trade stands, the AROC Club shop, Alfas from local dealership Mangoletsi plus an Italian market and Italian food stalls all on site to keep you busy through the day.

Book tickets at www.arocuktickets.lpl-uk.com or by posting a cheque to Club Manager Nick Wright, 8 Ickworth Court, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 2XL. CONVOY RUN

Our Section will meet up at the Donington Park Services, M1 J23a, to depart at 8.30am prompt. Please arrive sooner if you would like breakfast / refreshments there.

SUNDAY 21 APRILSUNDAY 21 APRILSUNDAY 21 APRIL Section Convoy Run Too!Section Convoy Run Too!Section Convoy Run Too!

The editorial bit now. It looks like our section has bucked a trend of decline in car club’s generally with local membership increasing ever so slightly since the same time last year. This despite the new Alfa range being just two mainstream models and a noticeable decline in the number of older Alfas on the roads.

We’re still a relatively small bunch really, (perfectly formed of course!) - with about 170 members plus partners in the region. Of that we have a core of around 40 true ‘activists’. We have a great list of events and gatherings each year, a well established regular meeting date, a website updated constantly and this organ of course . As a proportionate ratio of activists in the country our Section actually does very well, but it’s never good to rest on laurels.

So what should we do to attract more people along? Do we need to do new things? Are some of the things we do a bit ‘tired’ now? Do we need a new regular meeting venue for ‘freshness’? Suggestions by email please - all ideas welcome.

We were sad to have to postpone the Curborough Sprint Experience in March, but delighted its back in May. The weather has been horrific, and not much better for the Coventry event reported on inside, so I’m really not surprised that we had so many no-shows on the day. Hopefully we’ll have more along for Spring Alfa Day. I do hope to see you there. Cheers!

John

BROOKLANDSBROOKLANDSBROOKLANDS SPRING ITALIAN SPRING ITALIAN SPRING ITALIAN CAR DAYCAR DAYCAR DAY Saturday 4 MaySaturday 4 MaySaturday 4 May People from our Section are supporting this big Italian gathering again this year at the magnificent Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey (KT13 0QN).

The club van will be central to the AROC display and parking area which always fills up incredibly quickly.

If you plan to go, do let John know so he can keep an eye out for you, and if you do want to park in the main Alfa Romeo area do plan to arrive by about 9.15 at the latest. Any time after that and you could end up in the mixed parking, often on the old 40-degree banking itself—photo below taken as it began to fill.

Brooklands has both a car museum and historic aircraft park and sections of the incredible old banked race track that have to be seen to be believed. Highlight of the day is the runs up the steep test hill - see photo below featuring a Ferrari 458 Italia. Also during the day, various special cars will be lapping the adjacent Mercedes Benz World track. The event famously attracts a host of Italian Supercars and fascinating classics too, as well as all the major Italian car clubs. The trade area is always well supported too.

Tickets are available at discounted rate in advance via www.brooklandsmuseum.com. Again, if you plan to go please get in touch with John, it maybe that a (very) early convoy run can be arranged.

Alfa Romeo 4C Alfa Romeo 4C Alfa Romeo 4C --- It’s official:It’s official:It’s official:

STAR OF THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW!STAR OF THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW!STAR OF THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW!

ALFISTI ALFISTI ALFISTI --- April 2013 April 2013 April 2013 --- No. 152 No. 152 No. 152 AROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section NewsletterAROC East Midlands Section Newsletter

After being first shown in Geneva as a concept in

2011, the 4C now enters production at Maserati’s

factory in Modena. It’s a lithe, 2 seat, mid-engined

coupe; I think of it as a 4/5ths scale Ferrari.

Perfectly proportioned, at 850kg dry (that’s half a

Nissan 370Z!!) its 1750cc, turbocharged, all

aluminium engine with twin-clutch ‘box will let it fly

to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed

of around 160mph. The special limited number

Launch Edition’s Interior is beautifully functional

with really superb seats, a digital tft instrument

panel, multi-function DAB entertainment unit, no-

nonsense switches from the Giulietta, swathes of

carbon fibre (carpeted, unlike a Lotus Elise ), with

leather and aluminium just where you need it - and

a gorgeous, tiny sports steering wheel. It’s a special

place to sit; not minimalist Lotus, not luxury cruiser

Alfisti have be praying that this one

would be right - the Alfa to truly

demonstrate the style, performance and

technology of the marque. Me, Leigh,

Martin and Simon just had to find out

and our trip to the Geneva Motor Show

was organised early in the year, with

stand hospitality including full access to

the 4C provided via Damian Dally, Alfa

Romeo UK’s Brand manager. The 3am

wake up to get to the airport proved to

be well worthwhile. . .

Above: “Standard” version of the 4C will appear

in early 2014. Expected to be priced from around

£42,000 and with a very long option list.

4C 4C 4C --- UP CLOSEUP CLOSEUP CLOSE

- it’s just right.

Before the full annual production of 3,500 units

commences, (approx 1,000 pa destined for

Europe) the Launch Edition features, complete

with carbon fibre mirrors, boot spoiler and

headlamp surrounds, plus additional air ducts in

the front wings. Two colours are available, Alfa

Rosso or a very special Carrara Bianco, a very

attractive semi-matt metallic white. Both look

superb, the white one is the most ‘show car’ for

sure, but it’s hard to beat red on an Alfa Romeo.

100 RHD Launch Editions are coming to the UK

from October priced at £52,000. If you want one,

it’s £16K deposit - quick!

Overall, the 4C is a fantastic way of showing off

the “essence of Alfa” - or as per the advertising

material, PURE ALFA ROMEO. John


MORE FROM GENEVA SHOW

Think of a new car and it was there. New cars from many manufacturers of course, but I’ve picked on half a dozen here.

Images clockwise from top left; Massive Rolls Royce Wraith was an amazing place to sit, suicide doors and twinkly star-effect headlining and world’s deepest carpets. New 500L is a very practical family motor. Lacks sportiness though. Aston Vanquish, one heck of a car. New Abarth 695 has huge spec and 180bhp. MiTo ‘SBK’ has plenty of kit. Jazzy red and black cloth interior in new Spec Giulietta to be called Collezione in the UK.

After the 4C there was still plenty to see. Clever work

from Martin Lindus firstly got us into the Maserati stand,

then, having befriended Natasha, our host, we got onto

the hallowed ground of the Ferrari stand. Martin had

also secured la very nice hot lunch on the Saturday

courtesy of Mercedes Benz (he’s bought a E-Class Coupe

for work). ‘Blag of the Weekend’ however came via

Simon who befriended the driver of our taxi who gave us

contacts with Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin. This got us

the other side of the barriers on the Saturday too. We

were massively impressed by the quality and features of

the Rolls Phantom Coupe and new Wraith in particular,

the Astons generally looked terrific too, though some

were in questionable colour combinations.

The Maserati coupes still look terrific 6 years on, but

the HUGE new Quattroporte is definitely aimed at rich

Chinese businessmen; the old one’s sporty mojo has

gone, hopefully to return in the new, smaller, Ghibli

saloon.

Ferrari. Where do you start? LaFerrari, the £1M+

950bhp Enzo successor is breath-taking. If it was a

boxing match, the McLaren P1, its prime competitor,

would be knocked spark-out at the first punch. An

awesome car. California, FF, 458, 458 Spider, all

beautiful, but we all fell for the magnificent new F12

Berlinetta, in subtle ‘Grigio Silverstone’ with fantastic

interior in sumptuous tan hide. Very special, and we can

only imagine its performance from the 730bhp 6.3L

V12. It’s only £239,000, before the long list of extras!

All the supercars were there of course; Pagani Huayra,

Lamborghini, the bonkers Gumpert Apollo (love it!); and

some very special Alfas of a sorts too. Touring

Superleggera had their Disco Volante based on an 8C

donor they strip to bits (I’d keep my 8C), and the IED

Gloria, a seriously big Berlina concept, looked very

attractive in the metal (and carbon etc.) I wasn’t a big fan

of it in photos, but it was mighty impressive up close.

On the Alfa stand we had two MiTos in SBK trim and

four Giuliettas; a Cloverleaf in 8C red with carbon add-

ons was to the fore and was one of my overall favourites,

especially with the optional rear ‘diffuser’ panel fitted.

We also enjoyed looking at the more prosaic stuff from

Mercedes, BMW and Audi to Kia, Opel and Dacia… well,

did the lot really. If you ever plan to go look for weekdays

as crowds double at the weekend. A great trip anyway

with a lot of laughs, but boy-oh-boy that 4C - what a

machine. John

LOTS more photos on our website.

From top - Hypercars, supercars and concepts… the more normal feature below. Top row: IED Gloria, stunning Alfa concept. Second row; Ferrari F12 hugely impressive. (Pics by Simon. That’s John grinning at the wheel!) Row 3: - Touring’s Disco Volante and bonkers Gumpert Apollo; Row 4: Sublime LaFerrari and Lamborghini Aventador. Bottom row; Simon, Martin and Leigh - gottta try ‘em out!

Elsewhere at the Elsewhere at the Elsewhere at the Geneva Motor ShowGeneva Motor ShowGeneva Motor Show

Easter Sunday 2013 dawned freezing cold, but

mercifully dry and bright. Temperatures were to

climb during the day to a dizzy 4 degrees in

Coventry (not taking into account the wind chill!), a

far cry from last year’s event in March that saw 22

degrees! This no doubt deterred a few on the day,

along with losing an hour’s sleep, but we were all

still pleased to see 35 Alfas along during the day.

Sadly however many of the Classic Alfas were left

indoors with the roads being simply caked in salt.

Still, there were plenty of interesting cars to see.

Redvers Arnold’s Bertone 2000 GTV looked

superb, parked fairly close to two classic saloons

in the shape of Mike Scarf’s 75 Twin Spark and

Dave Atkins’ Giulietta TurboDelta, the latter having

its first outing since October. Mike had driven

down all the way from near Grimsby, his car very

dusty with salt on arrival!

Viv Stephens’ immaculate GTV Cup was looking

stunning as always. It’s really hard to find any

fault at all on the car. He is looking to bring it as

close to standard as possible now, and is looking

into replacing its twin-exit stainless steel exhaust

with a standard rear box. I’d be very happy with it

as it stands!

Paul Jones from Chris Variava Alfa Romeo


ALFA ROMEO DISPLAY ALFA ROMEO DISPLAY ALFA ROMEO DISPLAY --- Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Transport Museum 31 March 2013

Nottingham brought along their 8C Competizione

last year of course which stole the show. Owing

to the road grit and salt and the car currently

being in the window of Graypaul Ferrari, Paul

took the opportunity to bring along his wife Liz

and the two kids in a brand new white Giulietta

Sportiva TCT which looked fantastic with its dark

grey wheels and red leather seats.

Getting there extra early to sort things out, me

in my red Giulietta, Alan in his white one and

Duncan in his Etna black one parked them

together in a line to later add Steve Sembay with

his white one and Paul’s. It made an interesting

line in its own right, all 5 being spotlessly turned

out. Well spotless ‘til they were bombed by some

pigeons! Autoglym wipes to the rescue there!

Bob Woodward brought along his 166 V6 in

place of his ‘mint’ 164 V6, Simon and Clare

Addison brought their V6 Brera and GT

respectively (the Spider S4 being in the body

repair shop). On the Spider front people could

enjoy seeing Brian Smith’s white S4, hood down

as always! Three 916 Spiders were along too

belonging to Paul Mayes, Stuart O’Donnell and

Phil Gotts who’d come all the way over from

Suffolk. Mandy Nethercot’s Brera Spider LE

looked great there too. Andrew McInerney drove

up from Silverstone in his SZ which we plonked

near the main entrance where it drew much

attention as these unusual machines do, with

Martin Bourne’s Silver Brera and Brian Austin’s

silver GTV close by, plus Bob and Gill Human’s

159 and Keith Millard’s similar black machine. All

in all a good selection of Alfas anyway.

I could list the classics we were missing, from

GTV6 to Junior Zagato, but hopefully they will all be

along at Spring Alfa Day instead.

I must mention Liz Jones’ cup cakes - she

brought a big pack of these all topped with an

edible Alfa badge - they looked (and tasted)

brilliant!

The museum proved as fascinating as ever,

though there was not a huge amount of change in

exhibits from last year though I was delighted to

spy a 6-wheel P34 Tyrrell this time, a personal

favourite of old. Oh, inside the warm coffee shop

was extremely welcome during the day too!

So, suffice to say it was a very enjoyable day.

Thanks to Simon for co-ordinating the passes and

hanks to everyone who came along. We’ll be

doing something similar in the spring next year.

John

The day started wonderfully bright… but freezing cold! Giulietta line-up Simon and Clare’s Brera and GT

Redvers Arnold’s delightful 2000 GTV Dave Akins’ Giulietta Turbodelta Mandy’s Spider LE looks terrific


More photos from CoventryMore photos from CoventryMore photos from Coventry

This is a bit of an unusual one as it is from the AutoGlym Trade Range only, but available through our Section. It is simply called Autoglym Car Shampoo which has been re-formulated - not the ‘trad green Shampoo and Conditioner, it’s a deep red colour. I bought 5 litres on recommendation from Carl from our local AG franchise and after a few washes, I’m really impressed with it. Quoting from the manufacturer blurb; ‘Car Shampoo is a concentrated, wild cherry fragranced detergent designed to remove traffic film and other contaminants from vehicle bodywork. It has a neutral, biodegradable formulation, is easy rinsing and is silicone free.’ Basically it works really well and smells terrific, and our local guys sell it at a bit less than the well known (and excellent) ‘green one’ too! We’ll see them a few times this summer if you fancy some. John

DetailingDetailingDetailing CornerCornerCorner

Brian Smith’s Spider S4 Viv Stephen’s GTV Cup Stuart O’Donnell’s 916 Spider

Bob Woodward got the Autoglym out!

Mike Scarf’s 75 next to Phil Gotts’ 916 Spider

Thrust SSC - mighty impressive

Triumph Stag - Italian designed of course

Talbot and Peugeot rally cars - Coventry links

Liam Jones liked Viv’s GTV... Liz Jones’ fantastic Alfa cakes!

Fantastic Tyrrell P34 six-wheeler

Barbie’s XJS!

Andrew MacInerney’s ES30 SZ drew attention... The day was a good advert for Giuliettas

New Maserati Ghibli New Maserati Ghibli New Maserati Ghibli --- basis for a new ‘big’ basis for a new ‘big’ basis for a new ‘big’ RWD Alfa saloon?RWD Alfa saloon?RWD Alfa saloon?

It’s no secret that Alfa Romeo is working more closely with Maserati and Ferrari, the new Alfa 4C being actually produced at Maserati’s plant in Modena.

FIAT Group boss, Sig. Marchionne, has openly stated that the co-operation will extend beyond the exciting coupé and that, where logical, various sharing between brands will take place. With the huge new Quattroporte aimed at the growing Limousine market, Maserati will very soon be launching the Ghibli, a true ‘drivers’ Berlina in the fold of the old ‘QP’. With some clever work on differentiation, (panel styling, interior) it would make a superb rear drive Alfa Romeo, particularly suitable to the huge market of America. For Europe a selection of turbodiesels will be essential of course. It looks very probable to be before the Giulia... John

March Meeting NightMarch Meeting NightMarch Meeting Night We had a really good attendance at our meeting at the George & Dragon in March despite it being sub-Arctic again. Our friends Carl and Fred from the local AutoGlym franchise brought their huge van along and many of us took

advantage of some really good deals.

MALLORY PARK AROC RACING DAY - Sunday 4 August Just one AROC race meeting this year, but back at one of the circuits in our region; Mallory Park near Earl Shilton in Leicestershire. This will be a very well promoted event (organised again by the Classic Touring Car Racing Club), just like the terrific day we had in 2011. Our Section is being called upon to organise special Alfa display parking again, but we do hope that this will be rewarded with the opportunity of a track parade or parades during the day. More later in the year...


Part of our Alfa display at Mallory Park in 2011

In fact their van struggled to get in the car park as there were so many people in at the pub - mainly our lot! Excuse Mark Sangster’s mega-reflective Alfa jacket, the shot on the left is supposed to show him colleting a whopping 25-litre pack of car wash. We think it’s being shared, or else he’s buying 5 years’ worth!

Inside, as usual, lots of friendly banter, some discussion around Coventry, Geneva Show, various Alfa projects underway, the Mallory Park saga, El Presidenté’s race car … I could go on. Good fun as ever. Do join us all next time, when it might even get above zero! John

3 of the 6 Giuliettas there!

Impression of a ‘Big’ Alfa Saloon

AROC East Midlands Section Events 2013

Gazetta News Snippets

The Small Print: ‘Alfisti’ is published primarily for the enjoyment of members of the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club East Midlands Section. Chris Variava Alfa Romeo Nottingham supports the cost of Alfisti’s printed production carried out at cost rate by a Section Member’s company. Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club UK ltd cannot endorse or recommend services or products advertised in its publications. Any opinions published in ‘Alfisti’ or its sister website are personal ones. Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club Ltd registered Number 01106134. Please contact John Griffiths if you have any queries about the club or our active local area Section. See cover for contact details.

APRIL MEETING AT THE GEORGE & DRAGON It’s the fist light evening of the year of course, so hopefully we can start off outside around our cars. An earlier start too - we meet from 7pm. NB, if you want to eat it is recommended to get your order in early. (Please remember that the G&D is a friendly, family run pub that do not charge us for using the place - it is not a Harvester/Beefeater ‘fast food’ type joint.)

JULY MEETING ‘SUMMERTIME SPIN’ We’re going to make the July meeting a bit diff-erent this year. Parking in the paddock area at the G&D, we will organise a 30 minute drive around the countryside as part of things. That will also be a good opportunity to ‘blag a ride’ in another person’s Alfa if

you fancy too. CURBOROUGH SPRINT EXPERIENCE Owing to the threat of more snow and freezing temperatures the planned event in March had to be post-poned. Organiser George Cole has now rearranged it for 29 May when hopefully we’ll have spring! 4C LAUNCH EDITION: THE ESSENTIAL EXTRAS

Rear Parking Sensors = £450

Cruise Control = £220

Hi-Fi = £305

Suitcase = £350

Interior bag = £175 (The front ‘boot’ doesn’t open incidentally.)

Battery Maintenance = £175

Vehicle cover = £260

Cigarette lighter = £0

(Hmm, might order a Cigarette Lighter.)

Date Event

10 April ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. (See Gazetta opposite)

21 April ‘13 Spring Alfa Day at Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire. Our Section CONVOY RUN meets at the Castle Donington Services, M1 J23A, ready to depart for 8.30am.

4 May ‘13 Auto Italia Spring Italian Car Day - Brooklands, Surrey. See cover.

8 May ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm

NEW DATE 29 May ‘13

Curborough Sprint Experience - Event now rearranged after postponement from March. People who had booked spots have first call, but please contact John G if interested. (Event will be mid week 9.45—5pm, cost for all drivers is @£60).

NEW 2 June AUTOKARNA at Wollaton Park, Nottingham. A very easy going Classic Car show; our Alfas park in mixed general parking, but Section meets at the Chris Variava hospitality area at 12noon. (Free drinks and nibbles!) Great day out in 2012 repeated again,

12 June ‘13 Fun Concours Night at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. All Alfa Romeos automatically entered and all present do the voting! Stacks of categories and terrific prizes from our Section’s supporters.

23 June ‘13 Cotswold Alfa Day - Including the Giro Panoramico run that will finish at Stanway House which has the highest gravity-fed fountain in the world. More details nearer the time.

7 July ‘13 Auto Italia Italian Car Concours and ’Summertime Classics’ - Stanford Hall near Lutterworth. Includes special Section parking area and picnic.

NEW 11 July ‘Summertime Spin’ at the George & Dragon in Thringstone. from 7pm.

4 Aug ‘13 AROC Racing at Mallory Park – Lots of Alfa racing as part of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s event. Special Alfa parking area and track parades!!

11 Aug ‘13 National Alfa Day – Chatham Historic Dockyard, Kent. We will again have a convoy run to the event. It’s a nice run down on a Sunday, especially after a good breakfast.

14 Aug ‘13 Spider Night – at our regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. (All Alfas welcome of course!)

18 Aug ‘13 MITCAR 2013 - Midlands Italian Car Day at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. The 13th edition of our Section's flagship event will be one not to miss. Incredibly, admission is still just £5 per Italian Car!!

8 Sep ‘13 Leicester Aeroclub Open Day - at Leicester Airport (aka Stoughton Aerodrome), including air displays, special Alfa display and potential free pleasure flights too! Starts at 10.30am.

11 Sep ‘13 Twilight Drive at our regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7pm. Drive at 7.45pm followed by optional pub meal.

TBC Sep ‘13 KARTING NIGHT at Sutton Circuit, Broughton Astley. Fantastic outdoor track, Endurance style mini-team event. Racing followed by drinks and supper.

9 Oct ‘13 AGM & Alfa Quiz at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm

13 Nov ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm.

15 -17 Nov ‘13 Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham, AROC display featuring historic Alfa Romeos

11 Dec ‘13 Regular Monthly Meeting at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm.

Please keep an eye on our website as things can change!!

MOST INAPPROPRIATE NAME

The KIA Provo. A deeply ugly ‘concept car’ presumably not aimed at the Irish market.

We are uncertain of reports that it will be followed by the KIA Black September, The KIA PLO and the KIA ‘L’ Qaeda.


AROC EAST MIDLANDS MERCHANDISE AROC EAST MIDLANDS MERCHANDISE AROC EAST MIDLANDS MERCHANDISE Polo shirts with full colour embroidered logo. All sizes - Just £15 each.

PLUS Fleeces from £25 and Soft-Shell waterproof jackets from £30

TO ORDER contact our man Brian Smith at [email protected]@[email protected]

■ Alfisti no.153 will be out in May

Our AlfasOur AlfasOur Alfas All the latest on our local members’ cars...All the latest on our local members’ cars...All the latest on our local members’ cars...

- SCOOP! - Unusual news from the world of motoring

Mark’s long term project continues, but Mark only has a certain amount of time for it. Turbocharger is installed - but the clutch packed up. Race-spec one now installed and it’s back to the rolling road for more tuning. We are talking 360bhp plus… Will be fantastic when complete!

■ Alfisti’s production is kindly sponsored by Chris Variava Alfa Romeo Nottingham

Giulietta Veloce 2.0 JTDm2 /170 - John Griffiths A February day trip emphasised the superb capabilities of this Giulietta. The journey was Leicester to London (O2); London to central Birmingham, then Brum back to Leicester. 300 miles, averaging 55mph overall including city crawls and M11 speed restrictions. It took a true no-holds-barred charge round M25/M1/M6 to get to the evening show in Brum, averaging a motorway speed of, er, a lot! After all that tanking along the overall MPG fell to 41.5, still using just half a tank. The ‘G’ was tremend-ously secure on icy roads, gave a really smooth ride and was ‘3-up’ too. 29K on the clock now, it’s better than ever. A fantastic all-rounder; hard to replace.

164 Twin Spark - To IntaServices! Andy Wallington has finally handed over his beloved 164 to Dave Knott at IntaServices in Leicester. Dave intends to remove certain parts and the remainder will be sent to Alfa Heaven. Many will recall that the car was originally purchased for £100 and, with some preparation work from IntaServices, it was entered in the 2009 ‘Home 2 Rome’ Banger Rally to raise funds for charity. Initial plans were to leave the car in Italy but it was driven back to the UK and Andy bought the car for his own use. The H2R 164 has made many Section and AROC event app-earances over the years and not so long ago I had the pleasure of taking it for a few laps of the 'Curburgring'. It is sad to see it gone for good but let us hope that the parts removed will assist other 164's to remain on the road. RIP. Brian Smith

Alfasud Sprint Trofeo - Bryan Alexander From an email to John: My Trofeo has been to Lincoln Hospital to undergo surgery under the care of Dr Shrubb. Symptoms were serious loss of hydraulic fluid and iffy clutch disengage-ment. Diagnosis: shot clutch slave cylinder and minor leak from brake hose. The former, relatively easy with the engine out but diabolical with it in situ. Skilled surgeon definitely required. So it was another hairy drive to Lincoln, this time nursing (and pumping) the clutch - it still needed several lay-bye stops on the A46 to top up the fluid. What fun! Clean bill of health - AKA - an MoT certificate, was happily soon received! Bryan

Giulietta MultiAir TCT Veloce - Duncan Langford You may remember Dunk’s car from last month’s back page . Here though you’ll see he’s done a swap to the 5-hole 18” alloys from his Turbines, a swap organised by Paul Jones from Chris Variava. Dunk really likes their style and how it displays the red Brembo brakes. Looking good...

GTV 2.0 JTS TURBO - Mark Wood

Spider Series 4 - Simon Addison Slippery, just-gritted road, cold tyres, traffic island, skid, crash barrier - prang! Simon was gutted. The repair is being trusted to Mike Spencely at MGS coachworks, the classic Alfa Romeo specialists in Surrey. Happily Simon was totally unharmed - it really could have been a great deal worse. Insurance hassle aside, Simon has decided to have the car fully re-sprayed whilst in, plus new door handles etc., so it should emerge looking great.

V6 Special - Andy Wallington Here’s a teaser photo of Andy’s V6 Busso-powered ‘special’ very soon to be transported from preparer to his new home ‘Darn’Sarf. It’s going to have areal ’50’s vibe to it, I mean, just look at the Borranis! Quoting from his email to John: “Now that the suspension geometry is resolved, and all welding complete, the chassis has been dismantled and sent for shot blasting before painting and reassembly. Hoping to source Bilsteins this week, and maybe the exhaust manifold (CSC now available in stainless from EB spares). He’ll keep us in the picture.

Martin Lindus is the New ‘Face of Panda’

Martin Lindus, fresh from his modelling success for the AROC SHOP, has now been signed by FIAT Group to promote the new Panda 4x4 across Europe.

Martin, himself a Panda 100 HP owner, says he will continue his career as a model unless the pressure of fame becomes too much.

spring alfa dayimages clockwise from top left; massive rolls royce wraith was an amazing place to...

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