Straightline
Alfa Romeo
August 18, 2008
This was quite a weekend for car afficienados across the country. On the left coast there was the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, an automotive extravaganza of epic proportions for automotive scholars, historians and the wealthy--as in really, really wealthy. And in the heartland, there was the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise, an equally impressive event, but geared to those of more mainstream intellect and of more meager means. Regardless, it was a good weekend for gearheads, no matter what your place in life happens to be.
As for Pebble Beach winners, a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta took "Best in Show." Built by Touring, this 8C 2900 is one of which maybe five were made. It has a supercharged straight 8 that put out 180 hp. Roughly 30 8Cs were produced by Farina and Touring between 1937-1939.
Full story here.
Here's Karl on Car's take: 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Monterey Historics Wrap Up
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 18, 2008, 7:03 AM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Classic Cars
July 31, 2008
AutoObserver is reporting that Chrysler LLC is talking to both Tata and Fiat. Early indications suggest that "parnerships" are being discussed. Items being rumored are that Tata may help build and sell Jeeps; and that Fiat (and Alfa Romeo) are looking for a way to get back in the American market, and Chrysler may be of assistance here.
That does not, however, mean that other subjects are not also on the table, as in Cerberus looking for a way to get out of this Chrysler mess. As you might expect, nobody is talking, which of course helps feed the wild speculation.
Chrysler Shops Talks Partnerships with Fiat and Tata, Reports Say
Here's another story on this topic.
UPDATE: Might the next Sebring be a re-badged Altima, or perhaps a premium Fiat? Check out what Autoblog is posting here.
July 9, 2008
Well, it looks like Alfa Romeo and Mini are going to do the showroom tango, as a deal has been struck up between BMW (the parent of Mini) and Fiat (the parent of Alfa Romeo). so that Alfas can be sold via established Mini outlets.
My first response was surprise--but in a good way--as I see the two "nostalgic" brands being paired together as a natural union.
"We are currently examining with the Fiat Group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in Mini and Alfa Romeo vehicles in order to achieve economies of scale and thus cost reductions," BMW executive board member Friedrich Eichiner said in a statement.
"The proposed cooperation with BMW is a significant cornerstone of our strategy of alliances. We are delighted to work with such an esteemed and respected partner in the automotive industry with the clear objective of improving the competitive position of both parties," Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 9, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, BMW, Fiat, MINI, Sports Cars
March 31, 2008
Yes, Alfa Romeo is returning to these shores. That's great news for fans of this storied Italian brand. The question is—will it be met with success or failure?
Now that may seem like a silly question to all the gearheads here, but the fact of the matter is Alfa is struggling in Europe...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 31, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Sports Cars
January 14, 2008
For my money, this is the coolest car at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. It's a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Spyder Touring and I found it in the Louis Vuitton Classic Concours booth. According to the signage, the car is the 2007-2008 LVCC winner and it won best of show at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance in the Detroit area.
Bodied by Carlo Bianchi Anderloni from a design by Vittorio Jano, the Alfa is now owned by Ray Scherr of Westlake Village, California...
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- Posted by: January 14, 2008, 2:32 PM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Detroit Auto Show
January 7, 2008
Microsoft Auto showed up at CES with a tent full of cars including this sweet looking Alfa Spider. Microsoft Auto is the software responsible for Ford's Sync system. Right now, Ford has the exclusive use of that product in the US. It won't always be that way - other automakers will surely want in when Ford's exclusive agreement expires. Alfa already has such a system, only their system is branded Blue and Me...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody January 7, 2008, 4:28 PM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Car Tech, Fiat, Ford
October 26, 2007
Tokyo's Shinjuku district is not especially convenient for getting to the Makuhari Messe for the auto show, but it's still a good place to stay -- plenty of fine hotels, lots of neon lights, a varied selection of nightlife, and an Alfa Romeo dealership built under a Denny's. The last time I visited it was BMW of Tokyo, which was even funnier.
The menu at the Denny's is about half American favorites and half Japanese cuisine, meaning you can order a Grand Slam with a starter course of miso soup. --Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
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- Posted by: Erin Riches October 26, 2007, 8:12 AM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Tokyo Motor Show
August 1, 2007
Long rumored and now official: Alfa Romeo is returning to the American market after a long (too long!) absence. This was announced at a preview of the 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione at the Concours d'Elegance, which held at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills, MI. There will be 50 U.S.-based dealers, most if not all will current Maserati dealers.
Full story here at Jalopnik...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland August 1, 2007, 6:16 AM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Auto Industry, Coupes, Sports Cars
June 22, 2007
Remember the Spider of the 1960s. You know, the one Dustin Hoffman drove in The Graduate.
Well, there's new Alfa Romeo Spider Coming to America for 2010 and hoping to capture the hearts of a new generation.
What do you think?..
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- Posted by: Donna Derosa June 22, 2007, 11:10 AM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Convertibles
May 16, 2007
Rumors of Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. have been circulating for years now, and although various executives keep saying it's going to happen we're not holding our breath. One of the biggest reasons why we hope it happens is the 8C Competizione coupe. First shown as a concept several years ago, our latest spy shots prove this beautiful two-door is headed for production soon...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig May 16, 2007, 4:48 PM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Coupes, Future Vehicles, Spy Photos
September 28, 2006
During the taxi ride from Charles De Gaulle airport to our hotel, we concluded that the best-looking cars on French highways that we never see at home are made by Italy's Alfa Romeo - by a country kilometer. A lot has apparently changed in the 10-plus years the brand has been absent from our shores, and it's all good.
A fine example is the new Alfa Romeo flagship unveiled here in Paris today, the much-anticipated 8C Competizione. After finally seeing this two-seat sports car in the flesh, we can confirm that the production model is an Italian knockout dressed in red - red-painted carbon fiber, that is. And with a 90 degree 4.7-liter V8 engine cramming 450 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque through a paddle shifter-controlled six-speed transaxle to the rear wheels, Alfa's claim of a 0-100 kph (0 to 62 mph) acceleration time "under 4.2 seconds" is utterly believable.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds September 28, 2006, 7:10 PM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Paris Auto Show, Sports Cars
August 27, 2006
For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, Automotive News is the industry paper of record. If Bill Ford should come within 500 feet of Carlos Ghosn or Bob Lutz says anything at all, you can bet it will be in AN on Monday morning. Unfortunately, as many of you do know, most of AN's content requires a subscription -- and it's not cheap. Which is a shame since the Detroit paper's army of reporters is hard to beat when it comes to digging up information on future products. With that in mind, I've decided to do the reading for you each week. I'll comb AN's extra large pages in search of anything relevant to future product and give you the abbreviated version. Don't expect a bombshell every Monday, but rest assured that whenever AN reporters print new information it isn't some rumor they heard from their cousin's friend's sister who works at the plant. On to this week's report…
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July 15, 2006
The long-rumored return of Alfa Romeo to the USA is now official. Expect to see the dagger-like grilled cars here by the end of 2009, as 2010 models. The first wave of new Alfas will be facelifted versions of the Brera coupe, the 159 sedan and the Spider.
Snippet: Executives told Inside Line that at least two other future models are under consideration for North America, but not until after 2010...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 15, 2006, 12:00 AM
- Categories: Alfa Romeo, Convertibles, Coupes, Luxury Cars, Sports Cars
