A COASTAL GETAWAY

There are many eras of success and failure in a 111 year history, for anything that has existed that long. Alfa Romeo is one of few automotive brands that has stood the test of time, but for many the late 60’s and early 70’s were when they were at the top of their game. Their zenith - the timeframe in which Alfa Romeo was most successful and powerful.

This was the period during which the world was in an economic boom, consumerism was reaching all corners of the world and Western culture had become globalized. Things were good, people often had ample disposable income and automotive brands were exploring niches for maximum market share and exposure. As a result, this was the generation where coupes and other exciting recreational vehicles dominated the roads, not the monotony of SUV’s we have now become accustomed to. Most importantly this was a time when Alfa Romeo was one of the global automotive leaders in innovation and performance, with equally impressive sales numbers. These crafted machines dominated on the race track as well as public roads around the world. Of this era, the 105/115 series Alfa Romeos have to be the standout models. Manifesting themselves for almost 15 years in different forms, the platform was host to some historic GTA legends and dramatic Zagato variations that revolutionized automotive design and styling. It is easy to see why the series was so popular for so long and why they are revered by enthusiasts and Alfisti alike. And what better way to appreciate this pinnacle than by experiencing a red 1974 GT Veloce 2000?

I never saw a day of the 70’s let alone the 80’s, so understanding the zenith of Alfa Romeo came in the form of narrated stories, photographs of my relatives and their Alfas and occasionally seeing one on the roads. Andre, the owner of the 1974 GT Veloce, was around during this time, and was fortunate to experience many of these cars when they were the revolutionary machines that they were intended to be. His first Alfa, a 1970 1600 GT Junior Stepnose was acquired in 1976 and was the catalyst to his impressive lineage of automotive taste - which extends to the present day. As with many Alfisti, owning one is never enough. Like an all-consuming drug, you need to satisfy the craving by experiencing as much of it as you can. During this time he also owned other 105/115 series Alfas but sold them in exchange for newer models. However, the allure of these Alfas attached themselves to Andre. He was fortunate enough to purchase the 2000 GT Veloce and its restoration began a few years ago, only coming to completion at the end of 2020. Being able to re-own one of the Alfas from your formative driving years is a special thing, even more so when you have put the car through an extensive restoration process to emulate something as close to what it was the day its fresh paintwork and sound mechanicals were ushered out of the factory floor and onto the road. I was behaving feverishly behind my camera, capturing aspects of the Veloce as Andre pointed out stories from the restoration process. No matter what angle it was framed in, every image would come out flawlessly - with no credit to my photography skills at all. In person and up close you can begin to appreciate the classic Bertone lines that extend the length of the car. It is a sleek minimalism that modern cars are devoid of in their pursuit for aerodynamic perfection and dramatized styling.

It was during this initial discussion when we were joined by an intrigued passerby, who also happened to be an Alfista. His name was Mixhali and he daily-drives a white MiTo QV. We all began sharing our experiences with these cars, both new and old until before we knew it, his brother, Vassili arrived in a red 1982 Spider, freshly restored to its original red with an equally exquisite interior upholstery. There were now two showroom-condition, classic-red Alfas in front of my lens - something I did not expect on my first classic Alfa shoot. We spent a good part of the next hour in discussion, comparing ownership and speaking about preferred models. This encounter cast my thoughts back to my journey of 750km to the coastal destination that we were all at. I had only seen three other Alfa Romeos during my travels, which reaffirmed something that very few automotive competitors are able to offer; the strength of community. Enjoying an Alfa Romeo as a car has a special place in most of our hearts, but being an Alfista is more than this. It can evince itself in many ways; simply gesturing to another Alfista on the road, or in our scenario, approaching a fellow owner, who could be a complete stranger, and striking up a conversation. It is a community that can catalyze friendships and foster new memories with people who all share the same passion. 

Another interesting fact was pointed out - we had 3 Generations of 2-door Alfa Romeos in our midst. The 2013 Mito QV, 1982 Spider Aerodinamica and 1974 GTV, each built with different functions, but each retaining the same vivacious DNA that is so characteristically part of every Alfa Romeo. The 40 year age gap from oldest to youngest provided a good insight into the paradigm shift that the brand had undergone to remain a relevant consumer choice. The recurring idea, on which we all agreed, is that hope still remains for us to see modern reinterpretations of the GTV and Spider. 

After some discussion time with our newly acquainted friends had passed, Andre and I continued on our journey together. Our fortune for tranquil roads allowed for the metaphorical floodgates on the newly rebuilt motor to be opened, while we put the car through its paces on some scenic coastal routes. The dense sea air seemed to create a more discernible intake sound than I am used to at altitude in Johannesburg. The bright red GTV darted around the grey tarmac, demonstrating the same grace and elegance as a figure skater on ice. Thousands of kilometers from where it was designed and made, it still looked at home gliding through the lush Kwa-Zulu Natal landscape, a region abundantly filled with the same green as the Quadrifoglio badge on the GTV’s boot. A true African Alfa.

“That 2 litre is damn impressive” I cheekily muttered to the driver of our chase car, hinting for him to close the gap between us and Andre. “My foot is flat” he responded as we struggled to keep up. It was still relatively early and there were only a handful of other cars making use of the vacant roads. It was quite impossible not to find enjoyment in the moment. The GTV was coming alive around the undulating terrain and sweeping bends of the subtropical surrounds. I felt teleported into that era; chasing down a nimble GTV and reliving the pinnacle of these cars. There is joy in driving a classic and being reunited with memories from so long ago, and nostalgia drives us to keep these memories alive, by attempting to teleport ourselves to the time and place we first encountered that excitement. Out of his impressive Alfa Romeo collection, both past and present, including a 1977 2000 Spider, 2000 156 V6 and two unrestored 116 GTV’6, this is the one that evokes the most joy for Andre - and it is easy to understand why. From the allure of its front grille, with the scudetto embossed on the horizontal chrome slats, to its impressive handling around bends and roundabouts, this car is the embodiment of Alfa Romeo at that time - sleek, agile and exciting.  

As we reapproached the suburban areas, the roads became more littered with the monotony of white and grey SUVs, towing trailers and caravans. I was harshly reminded that the zenith of Alfa Romeo in the 60’s and 70’s may be long gone, but the legacy lives on with people like Andre, who keep the strong nostalgia alive. The GT Veloce certainly stood out like a sore thumb, warranting some twisting heads and curious onlookers... the perfect coastal getaway.