It was as a Junior in college, a classmate stopped by the apartment off campus and asked me if I wanted to go for a ride. It was a nice day and I took Dave up on his offer. I went out the back door and sitting there was a car I didn’t recognize, a white 1750 GTV Alfa Romeo.
Dave headed down the 2 lane road by the river and then made a sharp left onto an access road to show me how much fun an Alfa could be. It made an impression.
Two years later as luck would have it, my 2L, 5 speed Pinto was rear-ended xmas eve right in front of Grand Central Station. The car survived (the crash didn’t puncture the gas tank) but I was in need of a replacement. Friends from college were home for the holidays and as word spread, I got a call from one, his father’s partner had some kind of Alfa for sale!
Well that was 1978 and George Pezold’s 1972 GTV 2000 became my second car, a daily driver. With a new head gasket, clutch and some TLC, she ran like a champ until 1986 when she took the winter off for a fairly complete restoration. By late spring I was putting her back together getting ready for our co-hosting of the National Convention in the Poconos. I took her to the track for some parade laps on Saturday and rinsed her off for the Concourso on Sunday where to my great surprise took first place in class!
For the next 10 + years my “ALFETISH” only took to the road going to events and an occasional trip out of town. It was only till the paint took some hits and the fine detailing started to fade did I really start to drive her again. I missed out on many years of pushing her through the corners and running hard, the way they like to run. Tip of the day: Don’t over restore your car if you want to “drive" it any time soon!
Being a part of AROC and a founding member of LIROC / NYAROC, I have thoroughly enjoyed the comradely of all the Alfisti who’s paths I have crossed for the last 40 years. They have been there to help and support in ways only another Alfa owner would understand. I look forward to actively contributing to our club and promoting the Marque.
Update:
As Alfa luck would have it, I found myself in need of replacing my work SUV at the end of 2018. Stelvios were sitting on the dealer’s lot and were calling out for someone to liberate one. I did my wish list and put together all the incentives, discounts and programs I could qualify for and went to work on finding the best fit. Available cars were being scooped up and finally I pulled the trigger on a Stromboli Gray Stelvio Sport. No sooner than I put the deposit down Wednesday, I got a call that the Montecarlo Blue version was found elsewhere! As that dealer swap was negotiated I held my breath. Saturday I got the cal that they met my price and I put that sale into motion. I now was on the hook for two Stelvios. I called the first dealer and made him cry. Not happy but what could he do? I knew the credit card would stand with me if they balked. So I now bought the car from a dealer in Ohio and took delivery in Portland Maine. A 6:30 a.m. $60 flight from JFK to Portland and a spirited drive back to Long Island arriving at 2 in the afternoon completed the transaction.
It has been a great year driving the Stelvio. After sorting through some early issues that were handled professionally through Alfa Care and the dealer it has been a blast to drive. And yes, I padded the cargo trunk and put roof bars on, and use it for work! Who wouldn’t like to see their contractor pull up in an Alfa! ( or go for a Paddle )