Formerly Central & East Midlands - AROC UK

Alfisti is edited and produced by

John Griffiths AROC East Midlands Section Secretary

Tel: 0774 8881317

e-mail: [email protected]

See our website for latest news and more:

www.AROC-UK.com/EastMids

Alfisti’s production sponsored by

Our curry night last year at Out of India

near Shepshed proved very popular. This February though we’re in for an eastern treat at our newly refurbished regular monthly meeting place, the ‘G&D’. Star chef Josh will be putting on a special Indian platter for us at just £10 a head. Now you can’t say fairer than that! If Indian is not your thing, you’ll be able to chose from the G&D’s normal extensive menu.

We will need to know if you plan to attend of course so do let John know as soon as possible please.

The George & Dragon’s new owner, Danny

Gallacher, is delighted that we still meet at the G&D and looks forward to welcoming us every month in 2015. Josh is also eager to put on a barbecue night for us in the summer - our August meeting probably looking favourite for that. We can readily tie that in with some other out door car-related entertainment, like Drag racing on the A512 perhaps… (Maybe not!) Anyway the paddock area is grassing over nicely and will be ideal for our meetings on the lighter nights. Our Fun Concours in June this year should be a cracker!

Alfa Romeo Owners Club UK

East Midlands

Section

Formerly Central & East Midlands

■ Alfisti Issue 171 ■ January 2015

Inside:

2014 Review

2015 Events

December meeting night

New Alfa Berlina out in June

Our Cars

. . . and more

ALFISTI / EASTMIDS

Free to Club members

We’re gearing up for another year packed with tons of different activities for Alfa fanatics. Inside you’ll see a review of our bigger events from 2014 – everything from track driving, karting and navigational rallying to museum tours, ‘show and shines’ and even a curry night! Surely something for everyone?

We are lucky in being in the centre of the country of course so the main Italian car events are all readily ‘doable’ in a day. At time of writing National Alfa Day is still being finalised for June, but I’m delighted that Spring Alfa Day on 26 April is returning to The Imperial War Museum at Duxford. That’s a dazzling venue for those into planes and general wartime stuff. AROC’s been able to get discount admission rates too, certainly advantageous if you buy in advance, and though the Club’s been there several times - the last time being in 2011 - it should feel fresher again this time as the American Hangar is being refurbished and all of the aircraft are going to be parked up outside. (Can’t wait to see the B-52). Anyway, it all points to a cracking day, and being before the Auto Italia spring event at Brooklands should help it pull in even more Alfas. There were 600 along there in 2011, real proof of its popularity! We will plan to travel there in convoy again after meeting up at a Service station for breakfast and will be extremely wary of speed camera vans this time after two of us got ‘nicked last time – me included!

Back to things on a slightly smaller scale, coming up in January after the New Year Meal on the 9th, on Wednesday 14th we’re back at the George & Dragon where I’m going to treat you to a ‘What’s it Worth’ quiz. Basically that’s applied guesswork on the asking price of various classic and more modern Italian cars from Fiat to Ferrari. It’s all multiple choice and we’ll have some nice prizes too, including a lucky dip.

In February, the new manager/chef at the G&D, Josh, will be putting on a special Curry Night for us. His food at the pub is of a really high standard so this promises to be very good and a bit of a bargain too. See the panel on the right.

Into March and we definitely want to repeat the Fox Run which was so enjoyable last year. Date is still a tad fluid but Sunday 29 March is looking favourable as BST begins and it misses Mothering Sunday too. Anyway, an early rendition of our 2015 events calendar is inside on page 7 giving a view of things through to the summer. At time of writing several things are still coming together but if you have a look at our 2014 events review in the middle pages it will give you a good idea of what’s to come. Basically, lots!

As I put here quite often, I’m always keen to hear what you’re up to with your Alfa so do please keep pinging me things on email, photos too please so we can get them in here.

Here’s to a superb 2015. Cheers! John

@AROCeastmids

December 2014 Meeting Night The George & Dragon, Thringstone

We were delighted that vehicle dynamics expert, Peter Cambridge could come along

and give an informal talk at out December meeting night. For those who don’t know,

Peter worked at Prodrive for many years, including on the many Subaru ‘specials’, the

Aston Vantage V8 and Mazda RX-8 Prodrive editions, and most famously the Alfa

Romeo Brera S. More recently Peter has gone independent, working for companies as

diverse as Jaguar, Mountune and currently MG, which has involved him visiting China

and Thailand.

Peter was able to draw upon all of this to give us over 90 minutes of entertainment

covering host of topics. He kicked off with some insight into premium car

manufacturers’ latest thinking on suspension, notably the double front wishbone set up

and integral link rear - exactly what equipped the Alfa Romeo 166 back in 1998!

His recent visit to China was particularly interesting too with stories from the SAIC

test facility (owners of MG) and its hundreds of employees and gigantic test track. His

tales of bizarre cuisine and extreme road rage were also rather eye-opening!

We were interested to hear about all the effort that goes into suspension settings

nowadays to not only maximise grip, handling and ride, but to also lower drag and

reduce CO2 emissions - that are nowadays so vital for manufacturers!

Tyres is always an interesting subject too. Leigh Nethercot (relaxing in foreground of

lower picture) was particularly excited to learn about the MAXXIS brand which has

developed tyres that give off red smoke in a burn out, or when drifting. Ideal for his M3

of course. (Ha ha!). I should also explain that owing to the pub’s big demand for

Christmas meals we couldn't use our familiar room, but managed to fit all 30 of us in

the Snug area. (It was!)

We finished off with Richard Shaw handing his ‘Hunter’ wheel alignment print our to

Peter to diagnose. Peter pointed out that though ‘acceptable’ the car’s thrust angle

was out a tad, effectively pointing the car to the right. Now, all that can be corrected

and real expert input given by Peter—learned from years of experience of course,

including on a host of Alfas. The mechanism is to book a time and date directly with

Peter (contact me for his number.) The set up then takes place using high-tech camera

gear at ProTyre in Warwick. The cost is around £130, but take it from me, the

transformation can be genuinely astounding. As Peter explains, many Alfas are set up

with ‘toe out’ on the front wheels, which gives great ‘feel’ mid-corner, but it leads to

drag and premature inner-edge tyre wear. Peter generally counters that, still pre-

loading the tyres but giving a sharper turn in and a longer life too. The alignment also

counters what’s sometimes described as ‘Alfa Wander’ too.

Anyway, a fascinating evening - thanks to everyone who came along and of course to

Peter, who’d raced back from some MG testing in Anglesey specially to see us! We

hope you enjoy the bottle of vino Peter as a token of our gratitude. John

ALFISTI - January 2015 - Issue 171 AROC East Midlands Section Newsletter

IntaServices has moved!

Long-time Section supporters, Italian Car Specialists Inta-

Services, owned by master engineer Dave Knott, have relocated

to a new premises in Leicester, specifically 32 Southampton

Street LE1 1SJ, not far from the main Leicester Mercury offices.

Dave’s friendly service remains and rest assured you’ll always

get a great deal as an AROC member—make sure you let him

know you are! The Phone number stays the same, 0116 251

0899.

Dave French (Engine Services), another of a our big

supporters, has relocated alongside Dave in the same premises

If you ever need engine work - head skimming, gaskets, pistons

and internals, he’s your man.

The new building—in fact a former nightclub(!) has a shared

entrance with ‘Big John’s Motors’ (absolutely nothing to do with

me!), but inside on the left you’ll see an impressive area with no

less than 6 lifts and the team all ready to help.

After moving so much stuff it’s going to take a while for Dave

and the guys to get 100% straight of course, but the upstairs

office area promises to be really good, including a waiting ‘rest

area’ for us punters!

Leicester town centre is now just a short walk (The Curve is

about 100m away), and the very smart Phoenix café is just

around the back. Ditto St George’s Retail Park. Oh, and the AROC

Banger Rally veteran 164’s bonnet is still proudly displayed on

the wall inside!

Martin Lindus was one of the first customers to have his GTV

serviced by Dave Knott in the new premises, taking it in on the

first Saturday in December. As Martin reports: “The good news

is that not everything is new – the tradition of Bacon butties on a

Saturday has been carried over!!”

John

Peter holding court by the screen

Christmas comes to the G&D!

New Alfas on the horizon New Giulia to launch on 24 June 2015

The new rear wheel drive Alfa Romeo ’Berlina’, which may or may not be called Giulia, will

be formally announced on Alfa Romeo’s birthday, 24 June, according to FCA chief Sergio

Marchionne. The Maserati-bodied ’Mules’ (see below) have been out for some months

now, but the photo top right caused quite a stir in December when, right in the back left

corner, there appeared to be a rather gorgeous, low-slung Alfa Romeo complete with super

-stylish headlamps. Sadly, hopes were dashed when evidence came out that this was

actually a German ’Photoshop’ special. Well, we can hope the real thing will look that

good!

Now, other reports are out that virtually undisguised Alfa test cars are out in Alaska

doing cold-climate testing and in Nevada doing extreme heat tests. Of course to you

average American they could be anything! (Well, they are not a Pick Up are they?).

What is becoming clear is that a

Sportwagon version will appear

at the same time, and a coupe

hot on its heels too.

FCA are also apparently

modifying the Pomigliano d’Arco

factory near Naples, (birthplace

of the Alfasud and current home

of the Panda) to build Alfa

Romeos again, as well as at the

huge plant at Cassino. Not too

long to go now anyway!

Alfa Return to Racing with Nicola Larini!

Fantastic news as the 1993 DTM Champion for Alfa Romeo, 50 year old

Tuscan Nicola Larini, will be entered in the VLN Endurance Race Series at

Nurburgring from March next year competing in what’s being called a

Giulietta GTA. These are 4 hour races in cars close to production standard.

The team will be run by ex Alfa Corse hero, Larini’s former colleague,

Gianni Giudici, whose son Claudio will also compete in the championship.

Claudio’s a major talent, like his father was, and not even twenty years old

yet.

The team will celebrate Larini’s comeback in early March by setting off with

two Giulietta GTA’s from the Castello Sforzesco in the centre of Milan towards

the Nürburgring. All this in the year that Alfa is to turn 105 years old and will

be launching one of the most important models in its history. Could this finally

be the first sign of Alfa’s definite return to racing? Exciting stuff!!

DOOMWATCH ALFA We’ve had a few features on scarily dwindling numbers of Alfas

over the past couple of year, but it’s about time for an update….

This features Berlina models, traditionally least likely to appeal

to enthusiast collectors who tend to go for coupes and Spiders.

This is the number of cars registered and on the road. There are

roughly the same number on SORN, but the danger is those will

never return to the highway.

(Model, years on sale, number ln UK.)

Alfa 155 —1992 to 1997: 173

Alfa 164 —1987 to 1996: 155

Alfa 75 —1985 to 1992: 119

Alfa 33 —1983 to 1994: 55

Alfasud —1972 to 1983: 84

The Alfa 155 has been in decline for the past 5 years, but that

seems to be levelling off now as the cars are beginning to be

seen as a collectors machine at last. The same is true of the

164, where registered numbers appear pretty static in past 3

years. That’s a similar picture to the last rear-drive Alfa, the 75.

The boxer-engined cars are quite a surprise. 4 years ago there

were more 33s registered than Alfasuds, but now the picture is

reversed. (The Alfasud figure includes Sprint variants

incidentally.) Perhaps as time passes more 33s will be

refurbished and road registered as they attain more of a Classic

status, but its a difficult one to predict. Parts are a problem, as is

scarcity of suitable donor vehicles. John

The place to see rare Alfas? An AROC event!

75s 155s

164s 33

Alfasud

Alfasud Sprints

A Giulia ‘Mule’ - shortened Maserati Ghibli.


2014 EVENT REVIEW This item features the key activities we organised or played a part in last year.

It will give someone new to the Club a good idea of the variety of things we do,

and we’re planning another great load of stuff in 2015...

The year kicked off with our traditional Italian

New Year Meal at La Torre in Coalville. We had a

tremendous attendance of 40 people, and our

charity raffle raised over £250! We followed that

in February with another well attended Curry

Night at ‘Out of India’ near Shepshed.

A new one for us

in 2014 was the

Dyno Night at

FutureMotorsports

in Syston.

Organised by

mechanical

engineer Mark

Wood, 14 of us ran

cars on the rolling

road recording

some impressive

power figures. A lot

of fun, something

we may repeat at

the end of 2015.

We had 2 visits to the superb

Curborough Sprint Circuit this year

in April and September, courtesy of

George Cole who very sadly pranged

his 145 on the first occasion (see

above left). Happily after a spell in

hospital he was soon driving again

and plans some level of competition

in 2015. We will be returning for

this great value circuit driving

experience in April. Can’t wait!

We returned to

Beedles Lake Golf

Centre in May as guests

of the Jaguar

Enthusiasts Club for

their Classic Car Night.

Another enjoyable

evening with a nice

variety of cars along

again.

The World Superbikes meeting at Donington

Park saw discount admission and dedicated

outfield parking for our Alfas, some superb bike

racing (of course), plus Alfa Romeo 4C, Giulietta

and MiTo QV course cars. A terrific event.

Our tour of the Rolls Royce Heritage Centre in Derby, organised via Brian Smith and Bob Human, was a simply

terrific day out in March. The morning saw a tour of the extensive collection of predominantly aero-engine

related materials, including us witnessing a mighty Merlin engine being run up on a ‘dolly’. (See above.) The

afternoon saw a unique tour of the modern jet engine maintenance facilities. Terrific stuff.

The Fox Run made a return in 2014, a navigational

rally across south Leicestershire. Starting from Wistow,

our cars made their way at intervals on a winding route

across to Rutland, arriving back for lunch and ice

creams at Alfista Matt Yousuff’s excellent Ice Bar Café

in Market Harborough.

We enjoyed two official trips to Chris Variava this year - firstly to see

the stunning new 4C up close in April, and then to drive the new

Giulietta and MiTo QV models in September. Great fun!

National Alfa Weekend in May saw some terrific Alfas all parked up by model at Boughton House near Kettering

on Saturday, followed by an evening meal in the large marquee. On the Sunday it was the big Track Action Day at

Bruntingthorpe Proving Grounds in Leicestershire. Who’ll forget the lunchtime track parade for all? Great stuff.


The AutoKarna show at

Wollaton Park in June was

interesting as ever. Chris

Variava’s 4C LE had another

opportunity to star...

Our Fun Concours event in June saw a great attendance again of 35 Alfas and

around 50 people, and wide-spread voting. David Griffiths rather ‘cleaned up’ on

several of the categories with his sparkling 147 that’s since been sold. (Top right

receiving his award from Dad John). Car of the night went to Viv Stephens

delightful red 4C LE, runner up Steve Bestwick with his stunning 147 GTA.

Auto Italia’s

‘Summertime

Classics’ at

Stanford Hall near

Lutterworth was an

enjoyable day again

dominated by

Italian marques as

expected. Next

year’s event will

have a bigger focus

on Concours plus

revised pricing.

Our July meeting at the George &

Dragon featured a ‘Summertime

Spin’ convoy run around the local

lanes, courtesy of Brian Smith who

made up the route on the fly in his

Spider! Good fun...

MITCAR moved to Rockingham Castle this

year and by common consent was seen as one

the very best in its 14 year history. With 350

varied Italian cars present there was something

for everyone, and the parkland and castle itself

were just glorious. A great venue.

The Leicester Aero

Club Open Day in

September is a firm

favourite in our

calendar and this

year’s was an

absolute cracker. A

record attendance of

Alfas enjoyed a

runway parade,

people had the

chance of free

pleasure flights and

we were treated to

several superb air

displays from stunt

planes, gliders and

WW2 War Birds.

Terrific stuff, and all

for FREE!! Thanks

again to Dave Atkins

for organising.

Our Karting Night in October was great fun

again with 10 teams in wheel to wheel battles.

We’ll be back at the excellent outdoor Sutton

Circuit again later in 2015.

Spider Night at the G&D in August brought along

some fabulous examples of Alfas ‘drop top’. We also

enjoyed a ‘Blag-a-Ride’, seeing the new Giulietta QV

up close too thanks to Paul from Chris Variava.

The Classic Motor Show at the NEC was a great way

to round up the year again, this time featuring 3 cars

belonging to local members on the AROC stand.

Thanks again to all of our members who helped out. Our Twilight Drive at the G&D in September.


Shifting the grime

In a past Detailing Corners you may have read recommendations about

applying a good coat of protective sealant before winter. Now with that

layer on, you can safely use products to shift the winter grime with less

fear of damaging your clear coat. I’d been using various ‘Snow Foam’

products for several years to help shift grime before shampooing by

hand. I had been getting less impressed by its power in shifting salt

marks in winter however, so have now switched to a ‘Traffic Film Remover’ (TFR). After various

searches on Detailing World, I chose ValetPro Citrus Pre-Wash. This is a very cost-effective product,

at around £9 for a litre or £22 for 5 Litres, and with a pressure washer or pump sprayer you can

dilute it at 10:1!! Given son’s

fastidious approach with his GT, I

still went for a 5L however!

The product seems to really

grab hold of the dirt, loosening it

even better than the ValetPro

Snowfoam I’d been using, making

the follow-up shampoo with a mitt

a breeze. As it promises on the

pack, it does appear to be safe on

wax coats too.

Other grime-shifting products

you would use before the pre-

wash if you’ve got a got a problem

build up of dirt are; Valet Pro

Dragon’s Breath Iron fall-out

remover (great on wheels

and lower body sides) -

and AutoGlym Intensive

Tar Remover. I;m now

trying ValetPro Citrus Tar

& Glue Remover that’s

slightly better value that

the Autoglym product

and seems to work as

well. All are available on

eBay where you can get

free postage too. All

certainly help to give a

great finish. John

George Cole’s Update A message from El Presidenté

George wished to pass on a few messages to all

of our members in a recent email to John. Here’s

the key bits:

“Thanks for your recent phone call John, and

here’s a bit of a further update. Both Janet and I

are a tad poorly at present, but hope to have

picked up for Christmas. Also, the optician

informed me last week that I have cataracts to both

eyes requiring an operation for removal. Should

happen some time next year. The suggestion is that

it could be the reason for my deteriorating night

driving ability, the eyes being unable to reduce

dazzle. Apparently not unusual, but old people

won’t admit it.

Fortunately the spinal injury has cleared

although Ankylosing Spondylitis which I have had

for many a year has been exacerbated due to that

fracture. This is a fine picture, but in fact I am in the

process of building a new shed in the garden, so I

am still able to “do things” albeit slowly and

contrary to advice. (He never changes! John)

From all this John I have to comment as to my

next attendance at meetings, certainly not for some

time. As yet I have not given up the possibility of

competition next season, my MSA licence

application forms are on the table awaiting sending

off. Will it be another year of non participation?

Car-wise the 147 2.0 TS Lusso is quite pleasing.

(See back page.) Will I ever have a SUD again?

Who knows, or will Janet prevail and convince me

to get a decent newer car... how does a 2015

Bentley Continental in red sound?

Also, I’ve booked Curborough Sprint circuit for us

to use on 29 April. That’s something really good to

look forward too.

Most sincere best wishes to you and the family,

and thank you to all Club members who kindly ask

after me. George”


Used Alfa Romeo Spotlight For the best AROC Member deals,

call Alfa Sales on 0115 855 3060

£9,995

Touch screen Sat Nav!

£10,995 £17,995

BOSE Hi-Fi! Red Leather!

£13,995

Touch screen Sat Nav!

431-461 Nottingham Rd, Basford, Nottingham, NG6 0FB - Dozens of used Alfas in stock, here are a few highlights chosen by John G...

200bhp! Low mileage!

Date Event

This is just a list of events on the near horizon and some of the big ones to come. There will be more in the next edition. Watch our website too!

Weds 14 Jan ‘15

Regular Meeting Night at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - starting at 7.30pm. Will feature a ‘What’s it Worth’ quiz - so more guesswork required! (Nice prizes, and it’s all multiple choice!)

Weds 10 February ‘15

Curry Night at The George & Dragon in Thringstone - see cover

Weds 11 March

Regular Meeting Night at The George & Dragon in Thringstone. Will feature a special guest speaker. More soon! From 7.30pm.

Sunday 29 March

The Fox Run - A morning navigational run around a special part of our region, finishing at a venue to be revealed for lunch, and more! More details later in 2015.

Wednesday 8 April from 7pm

Regular Meeting night at the George & Dragon, Thringstone. With the clocks going forward it’s our first meeting where we can start outside near our cars. Our local AutoGlym franchise will be invited too with bargains galore!! Starts from 7pm

Sunday 26 April

AROC Spring Alfa Day - Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Will include a special convoy drive to the event from a breakfast time meeting point.

Wednesday 29 April - 9.30-5

Curborough Sprint Experience - we’re going back! El Presidenté, George Cole, has booked this fabulous circuit for us alone to enjoy again. You can reserve your slot NOW with John. (Cost @£60, spectators free.) A full days action 9.30am to 5pm. Limit 10 cars!

Saturday 3 May

Auto Italia Brooklands. The excellent multi-marque event close to the capital. Special Alfa Romeo parking area. Plan to get there early to guarantee a good parking spot.

Weds 10 June Fun Concours Night at the George & Dragon, Thringstone. Our ever-popular event where all Alfas present are automatically entered and everyone gets to vote!

Sun 21 June (TBC)

AROC National Alfa Day - Date and Venue to be confirmed.

Sunday 29 June

Summertime Classics. Auto Italia event at Stanford Hall near Lutterworth. This year ’s event promises an extra special Concours contest too with some terrific cars.

AUGUST (TBC)

MITCAR (Midlands Italian Car Day). Our Section ’s BIG event will return for its 15th edition! Date and venue to be confirmed.

AND THAT’S JUST THE FIRST PART OF THE YEAR!

Lots more to be added during the coming months… Keep an eye on our website!

AROC East Midlands Section Events 2015

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, Twitter account or other broadcasts 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.

Gazetta News Snippets

DIRECT DEBIT DISCOUNT

AROC’s annual subscription has had to

increase by £2.50 in 2015, however, don’t

forget you can avoid that by signing up via

Direct Debit. The instructions are available

via the club’s main website, www.aroc-

uk.com and you will also receive a form

when your reminder arrives in the post.

Of course we don’t charge a separate fee

for being part of our Section, we just

require that you’re a paid-up member of

the main Club.

DENT REMOVAL RECOMMENDATION

A little plug here. If you have any parking

dings or dents, I can’t recommend Paul

Phillips at DentTechnique highly enough.

He does a mobile operation, but also has a

well equipped unit in Enderby, Leicester-

shire, handy if any interior or under bonnet

trim has to come off to gain access to the

back of the dent. He really is a miracle

worker and very well priced too. He’s

recently worked miracles on Dave Griffiths’

GT, including levelling some dents under

paint chips that are notoriously tricky to do.

Contact Paul on 07967647138.

LATE LATE CHRISTMAS PRESENT IDEA

Top Gear DVD, ‘Perfect Road Trip 2’

features several classic Alfa Romeos

(Giulietta and 2600 Spider included) AND

the wonderful 4C. Throw in a stack of

Supercars and you’re away….

Recommended!

Best Business Name Ever

Here you go - Detailers Spandau Valet. “I don’t need this Pressure Wash…” Cracking!!

One we didn’t get… 156 Crosswagon Back in 2004 Alfa Romeo was in a bit of a strange

state. OK, when isn’t it I hear you say! Well, though the

159 was under 2 years away, it launched this extra

special version of the 156 Sportwagon, complete with 4

wheel drive! As you can see here the car had raised

suspen-sion, special wheels, skirts and alloy trim on the

front spoiler and rear valance. Not unlike the Volvo

XC70 and Audi AllRoads of course. Powered by the

torquey 1.9 JTDm engine, the model sold quite well in

parts of Europe, but RHD versions were never built. A

shame, as I think many people would see its appeal.

F1 Alfas Galore! Here’s a great grid shot from 1979. In the

foreground it’s Italian racing legend Bruno

Giacomelli in the Alfa Romeo 177 with a flat 12

engine, and alongside it’s ace Nicki Lauda in the

Brabham Alfa Romeo BT48 with a 60 degree

V12! Neither cars proved to be race winners,

(the Brabham got 2 4ths) but with their 12

cylinder engines they sounded superb. The Alfa

177 was replaced by the 179 in 1980 using the

newer 60 degree unit, which proved a lot more

effective.


Alfisti no.172 will be out in February

- SCOOP! - Unusual news from the world of motoring

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

147 2.0 Twin Spark Lusso - George Cole El Presidenté has had to get rid of his recently-acquired 145 Cloverleaf

owing to terminal rot in that car’s floor. (It had a biscuit tin lid welded in! He

has now got

this little

cracker

however - a

150bhp 147

2.0 3-door.

Resplendent

in dark blue

metallic with

black leather

trim. BLS in

Lincoln have

sorted a few

maladies and

its going great.

GT Q2 - Graeme Chessum After his 147 1.6 developed some rather worrying rust on its underside, Graeme

has sourced this delightful black GT Q2. Powered by the lusty 150 bhp JTD

engine, it will

be an

interesting

comparison to

his partner

Shona’s GT 2.0

JTS Cloverleaf,

also pictured

here. Graeme

also runs a 3.2

V6 Spider. He’ll

be putting less

gas in this one

anyway!

Alfetta GT - Mark Gunston From an email

to John: IA new

Alfa in the garage! s an early

Alfetta GT (1975) with its original

engine and in pretty good shape

all round. It needs some bits but

has been fettled with by Alex Jupe

which is a good start. 1750 Twin

Cam, has spent time in Spain.

(More next time!) Mark

Giulietta Multiair Sportiva TCT - Viv Stephens After becoming besotted by his 4C LE’s TCT transmission, Viv decided to go

for similar in his

‘daily driver’, this

lovely Giulietta

purchased via Chris

Variava. It’s a very

nicely specified car

in Nero Etna,

complete with rather

eye-catching number

plate as you see

here! The 170bhp

car may not be quite

as rapid as hi 4C but

he says it is plenty

brisk enough...

Gary Lineker re-signs for Leicester City Coming in to help the mighty Leicester City stay in the Premier League, Gary Lineker has quit his job at the BBC and re-signed as centre forward. His salary is undisclosed, however his new company car may be a reflection.

Alfasud Sprint Veloce - Peter Vaughan Peter bought this stunning car from James Wheeler at Black & White Garage

(Newbury) in November. It’s never had paintwork, and is in truly stupendous

condition. The

1.5 twin-carb

engine gives

95bhp, and

given it’s so light

that’s plenty.

The sound track

from the Boxer

engine is

tremendous too

of course. The

Sprint joins his

2000 GTV and

new Giulietta

Sportiva.

Fiat Seicento Sporting - Mark Gunston Extremely fitting that after having discussed the merits of Chinese tyres at our

December meeting, the very next Saturday Mark went to collect his Seicento

Michael Schumacher Edition and what did he find on the wheels? The

magnificent LingLongs!! Apparently it took a while for him to stop laughing!

Also—for some reason it’s fitted with a tow bar? What on earth would you tow

with that? He’s having a lot of fun with it anyway, Ditchfinders and all, and it

will help keep the miles of his

delightful 8C Red Giulietta Cloverleaf

of course.

Giulietta MultiAir QV Line TCT - Bob Human From an email to John: Thought I would pine for my 159, though I shall miss

her, I love my new Giulietta QV Line. The technology, drive [in Dynamic] and the

power, all from a 1.4

petrol engine. Can't wait

for the light evenings at

the G&D to show the

shine on the anthracite

grey paintwork.

Cheers Bob.

(Bob’s had a special grey

finish added to the 5-

hole QV-style alloys

courtesy of the Chris

Variava. It certainly looks

the part.)

Right— the magnificent Chinese LIngLong tyres. No grip, but they will never wear out!

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Formerly Central & East Midlands - AROC UK