The three qualities of an alfista

Alfa Romeo Spider 1.6 Junior

Year: 1974 | Motorization: 1570 cc | Color: Avorio

This is the story of my Spider Coda Tronca purchased in 1984 after a Fulvia 1300 coupe. At home there was already the Alfetta bought by Mario, a Jaguar XJ6 4.2, a green Dyane 4 and a Fiat 850. Passion transmitted by father Roberto (born in Maranello … toh, how strange).

In the auto showroom with this Duetto there was a Coda Lunga Rosso Alfa and a splendid and regal Lancia B24 America green English and leather saddlery. The B24 is the Spider of the film “Il sorpasso” by Dino Risi with Gassman and Trintignant. Dad’s passion faltered.

“Dad do you like it? It’s that Ivory…”
“Yes… yes… I like it”.

To her I still reserve all the care of the case and the respect that is owed to an object referable to a Mark belonging to the myth of the car…

But it was clear that he was very hesitant.
I had fallen in love with what on paper was “worth” less. The closer I came to concluding, the more he nudged me: “Take the Lancia, take the Lance …”. There was an abysmal difference in price. “Dad I could never make it, neither to buy it nor above all to maintain it”.

At the end a peremptory: “I finance you …”

But nothing. It ended as it ended. And I have no regrets or remorse. In these years he has gone through beautiful moments with me but also shots (even economic ones) to make anyone wobble and give up. I managed with great effort and sacrifice to keep her in her garage-covered red cloth. There would be no figures that could convince me to give it up. Never done since the purchase, a question of economic value.

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I don’t remember pulling it out once it rained or threatened rain. If it rained it was because we were already walking. Now for me it is no longer even contemplated as a car. He’s a family member by now. To her I still reserve all the care of the case and the respect that is owed to an object referable to a Mark belonging to the myth of the car.

It is called Passion, which together with knowing how to behave (Style) and Respect (for her, but also for others and for the things that have made history), are the three qualities of the Alfista: Passion, Style and Respect. Stuff to share, spread and possibly pass on.

Silvio Lucchi