July 2006

During the year I have been looking for a car big enough to carry around two sets of golf clubs and to be used for carrying junk of one sort or another. I certainly didn’t want a flash car which would only become battered and dirty. I had almost settled on a Mazda 626 hatch when my son Toby put me in my place: “You can’t drive a hatchback, Dad. You might as well start wearing slippers and take up knitting!” That did it.

 I then decided to look at models made by that greatest of all manufacturers, the one that built Grand Prix cars that won hundreds of races, won the first two world championships, built fabulous sports car that won the World Sports Car Championship, touring cars that won Championships all around the world and gave birth to that other great marque, Ferrari. Yep – Alfa Romeo.

The 164 looked to be the ticket but when I thought about the electronic nightmare that can come with the package, I thought again.

I’m sure that the 164 is great if you have an electronics degree but I prefer simple machines that one can work on and understand.

 That’s how I came to look at an Alfa 90. I had always thought that they looked a bit like a Volvo (say no more) and were intended for a business man to commute to and from home to the factory in Milano or Bologna along some boring autostrada.

Peter Axford had one for sale at Eurosport so I had a grudging look at it when I had taken the Ricciardi there for some attention.

I was quite surprised, when I looked closely, at what a nice car it was. It had an interior that was a bit worn and sad looking and some of the paintwork was decidedly second hand but those things could be repaired without too much effort. Peter then opened the bonnet and I was lost… Sitting there, snug as a bug in a rug, was the most gorgeous 2.5 litre V6 with bright red cam covers. I’ve always had a thing about redheads. A spiffy K & N filter had replaced the stodgy standard airbox and there were so many new parts gleaming in there that it looked to be in great condition. Then when I started the engine for a drive around the block, a low growling, throbbing revealed a sports stainless steel exhaust. Even the gearchange worked well which had caused me grief on my old Alfetta GTV. This old 90 was in excellent mechanical condition. Pete then showed me receipts for work done on the car over the last few years which made me realize what a bargain it was. Pete was keen to sell the car as he was about to move premises so I swooped without hesitation.

 I’ve been driving it for about two months now and I love it. She handles the roads in the hills like a dream and the fabulous exhaust note sends shivers up my spine every time I take her out. A few little things still need attention but they aren’t important really. A couple of weird features are amusing – a built in briefcase for the aforementioned Italian businessman and a front air dam that descends the faster you go!  I’ve found a few other 90 enthusiasts in the club too. Steve Weedon, Richard Dopheide and Liz Camilleri all love their 90s. Steve even has two.

 It makes me think about other Alfa models that have been by-passed over the years, ones that just haven’t become popular or those that never were popular. The later Giulietta, the 164, the four wheel drive 33.

I wonder if they were as good as the 90 deep down? Then what about the Sud? A great little car in its day but you hardly ever see them on the roads any more, except for the Mullers’ restored example. Gone to recyclers every one. And that wonderful other model, a contemporary of the Sud – the Alfetta Sedan. That had a great engine and great road-holding but it suffered from the same fatal flaw as the Sud…rust.

When the Italians made that pact with the devil to build cars with Russian steel, they condemned many a fine Alfa, Fiat and indeed Ferrari model to an early demise.

 It also makes me wonder how current models will be seen in the future. Once the sheen fades and a few niggling problems raise their ugly heads, will they seem to be so desirable? And which of the unpopular ones will come into their own later in life? Only time will tell.