zagatoes30
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- 20,984
After years of looking I have finally got my chequebook out and bought one.
I am not new to Italian cars over the last 20 years or so I have probably had 30 plus Alfa Romeos, various models have come and gone and three seem to have stuck around.
Alfa Romeo SZ - From launch I wanted one and in 2003 I picked up a 9,000 mile original UK car. I beleive in cars being used so she has now covered 54,000 miles and can often be seen on track days both here and in Europe
Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 - This is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Externally a relatively sedate 155 4 door saloon but this one has a trick or two. The Q4 used Lancia's Delta Integrale engine & running gear so underneath this 155 is the familiar 2.0 litre turbo and 4WD system that won so many international rallies. That's not all we have added a few more tweaks, bigger turbo, custom exhaust, custom map, coilovers etc, etc so this little saloon packs close to 300BHP which makes things interesting.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - This is the stragne one, not to everyones taste but I love the classic designed with a ruler look. With a wonderfully balanced rear wheel drive chassis and lovely revvy 1.8 4 pot this is driving in the old style. Handling, balance and poise rather than brute force, when you get it right you smile from ear to ear.
Quattroporte IV - Originally I was looking for a 3200 GT but little business adventure I have planned needed a performance 4 door saloon, it was then that my love of ruler design and turbo powerplants pointed me down the QP route. Hence the latest addition a QP IV 3.2 Evo with 6 speed manual.
So I guess a steep learning curve is in order, there are a few issues mainly electrics but I love the performance, the handling has surprised me and the noise - oh the noise.
I am not new to Italian cars over the last 20 years or so I have probably had 30 plus Alfa Romeos, various models have come and gone and three seem to have stuck around.
Alfa Romeo SZ - From launch I wanted one and in 2003 I picked up a 9,000 mile original UK car. I beleive in cars being used so she has now covered 54,000 miles and can often be seen on track days both here and in Europe
Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 - This is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Externally a relatively sedate 155 4 door saloon but this one has a trick or two. The Q4 used Lancia's Delta Integrale engine & running gear so underneath this 155 is the familiar 2.0 litre turbo and 4WD system that won so many international rallies. That's not all we have added a few more tweaks, bigger turbo, custom exhaust, custom map, coilovers etc, etc so this little saloon packs close to 300BHP which makes things interesting.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - This is the stragne one, not to everyones taste but I love the classic designed with a ruler look. With a wonderfully balanced rear wheel drive chassis and lovely revvy 1.8 4 pot this is driving in the old style. Handling, balance and poise rather than brute force, when you get it right you smile from ear to ear.
Quattroporte IV - Originally I was looking for a 3200 GT but little business adventure I have planned needed a performance 4 door saloon, it was then that my love of ruler design and turbo powerplants pointed me down the QP route. Hence the latest addition a QP IV 3.2 Evo with 6 speed manual.
So I guess a steep learning curve is in order, there are a few issues mainly electrics but I love the performance, the handling has surprised me and the noise - oh the noise.
