Captured: Alfa Romeo in a Nutshell

"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
04/25/2016 at 18:00 • Filed to: ALFA

The Alfa club of Victoria were dining around the corner from me the other day. I couldn’t resist stopping for a look and some pics.

The cars were, for the most part, beautiful. They had that charm of the car that is loved, but not worth so much money as to be kept in flawless condition (unlike so many cars from the America’s 50s/60s).

I took a few unsubstantial photos for my own means, but I feel that a couple really show what an Alfa Romeo is:

Disclaimer: I like Alfas, but more so I like the idea of Alfas. Contrast to what TG says about them, most of the Alfas built in my lifetime have been depressing, FWD and unsubstantial - if not downright ugly. I love the 4C and hopefully they’re heading toward a return to form.

Candidate one: the Brera. A beautiful coupe that’s...still a hatch. Aggressive, but not as quick or agile as it looks. A beautiful color, that’s got peeling clear coat (see the roof!) after just 9 years. It was the peeling that did it for me - it felt so wrong for a car that looks and feels so modern.

Candidate two: A Montreal. Rare and largely unloved. Strange features, strange proportions. Designed by an Italian Carrozzeria. And the pièce de résistance: tools in the boot, because these cars aren’t known for their reliability. I thought this was too perfect.

Candidate Three: I’m not sure what this is exactly, but something is just so Alfa about it. The garish 80s styling (flares, body-colored grill, the hood thing) screams weirdness like every Alfa screams weirdness. Call it character, but does an Alfa ever feel just right?

This one was very pretty, with another right behind it that looked to be a track car. This one isn’t a track car - so what’s with the exposed tow hook? Again, just in case. Also that shield where it doesn’t belong, that’s got Alfa written all over it in more ways than one.

Not pictured: there were a few 156s around. If I were on the ball I’d have taken a shot that contrasts the beautiful brushed aluminium of the interior with the (opinion warning) hideous depressing exterior. I hate those cars, but in a world where cars at every price point have plastic fake-aluminium that’s obvious the second you touch it, these are refreshing.

Bonus content: here are a few more shots of some of the cars. It was nice to see a few enthusiastic Giulietta owners amongst the classics.

I love this stuff. Another was adorned with Pininfarina badges.

Tried (and failed) to capture the beautiful paint on this one. Two Montreals in one spot, nice right!?

Couldn’t post two Montreals yet leave out the headlight grills.

Bonus bonus (bonus) content: saw a parked Carrera 4S leaking from the rear. Assumed it had gone through a puddle or something recently. Noticed the liquid was green. The poor thing was leaking coolant at a rate of knots.