Alfa 4C - "Without The Heart We Would Be Mere Machines"

nice!!!
You got about a 10 year head-start on me but in the 70s or 80s (or, arguably, even today) there wasn't anything that could touch the X1/9's combination of price, style and driving fun.
Here are some pics of mine. While we had the motor out for a new reverse gear we bored out the cylinders and installed bigger pistons for ~1.6L and dual-throat Weber carbs of screaming Italian power
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History shows that even underpowered beautifully designed and great handling cars can become classics. The Dino was originally considered to be underpowered compared to the 911's of the day, but it's sheer beauty and handling prowess ensured its reputation as one of the all time great classic sports cars (far more valuable now than it originally was when compared to the 911). I think that Alfa nailed it with the 4C, and the fact that it has a 4 cylinder turbo doesn't stop me from lusting after it one bit.


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Ah, you've shown me these pics before, Kurt. Those are much later cars than mine, which had the really small "bumperettes" and not the 5MPH ones. The in-between cars with the ladder-style bumpers were hosed. Very awkward looking.

Wow. 1600cc. A fire breather.

Cheers,

George

 

I hate to tell you this guys but I also had an X 1/9... and I really liked it.

You know you're crazy about Italian cars if you can say that.

 

+X1/9!

I took mine on an epic trip from San Antonio, to San Francisco, to Seattle and back the summer between my senior year in high school and my freshman year of college (The summer in the movie Rush). Got a flat, but that was the only problem I had.

They were magical little cars.

Cheers,

George

 

Sorry but I draw the line at X1/9. Just too hideous and if I had to guess a time vampire of maintenance and repair, given the general crap produced in the 1970s. I am hopeful the 4C will be usable on a daily basis due to 21st Century reliability, much like my 2005 Elise has been vastly more reliable than yesteryear's Brit sports cars. The nostalgia of an old car starts to fade when your primary desire is to simply get in in and drive regularly, not get under it and see what's wrong now.

 

I don't think Kurt or I were thinking about getting X1/9's again - I certainly wasn't - It's just a matter of recapturing that old feeling to a greater or lesser extent in something modern. I love my 456M, but it is epically enormous - over 3,800 pounds wet - and something small, light, zippy and Italian would be more fun in a lot of situations... like the 4c.

I've been looking at 360's for months and, honestly, I've decided I'd much rather have a 4c. The 360 is small for a modern Ferrari, but you see one parked next to a Dino, and it's huge.

Cheers,

George

 

I personally really like the look of the X1/9, but in terms of maintenance, I can vouch for the fact that you must be dedicated to keep them in proper working order. To some, this is part of the appeal of a classic Italian car. I have a friend who owns one from new, claims it to be the most unreliable, problematic car he's ever owned, but is too in love to part with it (it's obviously used only as a toy at this point).

I felt the same way about the Fiat 124 Spider I owned as a teenager; my friends were convinced I was insane for being so smitten with such a small, under-powered, problematic car, and they were probably right, but no other vehicle made me grin so ridiculously during a spirited drive.

Things have obviously changed today, but if they can still manage to capture that essence of joy I felt years ago, that "con brio", that "italianitá" of motoring while being more dependable, then it will be mission accomplished. New offerings such as the 500, the Abarth, the Maserati Ghibli, and the Alfa 4C, seem to get it right on this point.

 

I'm very interested to find out if your FM dealer will be selling them now. Checking back in the thread, it was a definite "no" a while ago.

I wonder if anything has changed, or if we're still just dealing with rampant speculation.

Same response I was given last December when I inquired. I'll be heading back in a couple weeks to see if they have any more concrete info.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142947682-post6.html

 

Wow Jim that sounds super cool. Congrats and best of luck!

 

No word yet from my dealer. Not sure if that's good news or bad news. Last time the "no" came the same day. This time.... who knows?

 

Yesterday the Penske maser guys in Arizona seemed certain that they were not getting it and are not keeping an interest list.

The fiat guys are keeping a list but have no idea if they are getting the car.

I'm pretty sure both are telling what they believe to be the truth.

It's simply stupid that Alfa doesn't have their distribution channel worked out by now...they have had years to figure this out. Lame. Fail.


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I does appear to be an epic cluster.

 

If the cars will be announced to be available the coming June, the details on the dealers should be being made public very soon


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The problem is it's total and complete BS.

 

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and 9 years ago this started hitting our shores
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Same concept, different cars?

 

I'd say same concept, very similar cars, more modern materials and execution on the 4C, and hopefully not too much more weight

 

Nice. The Spider seems the one to get.

Cheers,

Geo

 

Alfa confirmed today that the 4C coupe and Spider will be presented in New York next month.

Thank you again MacGeek for the info

 

As much as I wanted to like the Lotus, it didn't do it for me. The Alfa should out perform and outclass it too.

Cheers,

George

 

Let us pray that the headlights make it to production.