I THOUGHT IT WAS LOVE…
I thought it was love, instead it was an Alfetta.
I bought this Alfetta GTV in April of 2019,
Soon we’ll have our anniversary - 3 years of Alfetta!
I was looking for something else… but it was love at first sight!
Why did I buy it?
Because I had the scale model of a similar one as a child,
Because I believe Alfa Romeo together with Giugiaro were very brave to launch this design in 1974,
And I am courageous myself!
Because it was produced in 1976 and registered in 1977 (meaning I can compete in the local historical motorsport events)
And had 77.000 km.
Because it is an Alfa Romeo!
It’s a GT, has rear wheel drive, and I really like to go sideways!
Because its plate reads MO,
And I was born in Modena!
Because my first time on the track, when I first quailified for my first race, I did it in a 147 GTA.
Rigorously red!
Because it may very well be used as a robbery getaway car,
And it doing that it would still look well next to my 2 stroke ‘73 Kawasaki 500.
She wasn't as beautiful as she is now,
But I imagined it will be the minute I first saw her.
Naturally with my own touch, especially under the hood.
This machine, completely original,
Had been dozing in a garage with a flat tire for years,
In fact it had even taken a hit on one side ...
But she was perfectly preserved, complete and above all healthy!
I was only looking for a vintage, sporty, rear-wheel drive car,
To be regularly used. From Monday to Friday.
To drive my daughter at school, go shopping, and on the weekends for a run…
For the record, as to my children, judging by their initial expressions, I don’t believe for them it was love at first sight!
But in three years,
After many jobs done
After 40,000 km traveled,
Seas and mountains,
After so much care for its fine mechanics, after having mounted a sports exhaust,
After a memorable 2022 Winter Marathon -13 Dolomites passes - with an icy night drive on the Tonale pass…
Now They Love Her!
My 18 years old daughter Emma loves to drive it.
She learned to drive with the Alfetta. In a deserted industrial zone…
And can't wait to get her driver's license to use it more!
My son Alberto 22 years old - he wants to do the 2023 Winter Marathon with a friend of his!
These are great satisfactions for me, as a father,
Because it means that I have succeeded in my humble intent
Of passing on to new generations,
The soul and personality and meaning of these cars ...
And the charm of letting them live a second youth, and while it happens I know I’ll live moments of Absolute Happiness!
And by absolute happiness I mean that whatever you want to do to her while driving…
It only depends on you!
She will take care of you in everything, she allows you to do it all.
If you exaggerate, she’ll warn you.
She’ll give you the time to let go of the wheel and just straighten by herself,
Which certainly does not happen with other cars!
I come from racing and I’ll keep running.
By car and motorbike.
Would I still like to add a classic Porsche to my garage?
Obviously yes. Who wouldn’t?
But I'm Italian,
And I'm proud to drive a real Alfa Romeo
Few others in this world can tell about their 112 years of history.
When I'm out and about in the Motor Valley and I’m driving by in the roaring Alfetta #77
I see the children, the small boys, the gentleman with more than just a few strands of white hair.
They’re smiling. They stop and they turn around with the biggest smiles!
Inside of me I’m thinking:
This must be a natural antidepressant.
And I know I’m on the the right track…
Because I’m smiling too!
I hit the honk twice and I’m storming off with a wheel spin…
But what am I telling you here?
If you’re already driving an Alfa… you’ll understand!
