Whoever started the roll call take a bow! This has been the most amazing trip down memory lane for quite a while. I too miss the beautifully constructed, historically accurate contributions from the late, much-respected John Hertzman and the well-informed instructions from Fred di Matteo who was not beyond being more than a bit abrasive, a quality that I found added to the stature of the man. I am grateful to digesters many of whom have helped me in the past: Brian Shorey, Steve Luftman the first digester I met in person who showed me around some of LA on my visit there, Pat Braden (RIP) who stored the John Lennon 2600 coupe plus another for me on his lawn and many others. It's great to read the names of all the others who have been around since the early days especially the pre-split era (hey, I'm a geologist!).
In October it was my pleasure to meet and to be hosted by New York Alfisti at a breakfast on Long Island. The invitation came via Stuart Light (Giulietta Spider, GTV6) and I was picked up from my Manhattan hotel by Griff de Noyelle (GTV6 maggiorata - 3 L, Team Shoestring Racing) who transported me in style with engine and exhaust providing perfect background "music". That was one of the highlights of my last visit to the US, a country I have become very fond of over the years. Many US Alfisti bemoan the lack of modern Alfas but hopefully they will return soon. The 156 was the breakthrough for Alfa (IMHO) into the modern age. Admittedly it is riddled with electronics and fixing one requires plugging it into a diagnostics unit. They aren't without the Alfa penchant for idiot lights malfunction either: at the moment our daily driver 156 1.8 Twinspark manual, has an airbag light showing because it believes that there is passenger airbag malfunction despite the fact that there isn't a passenger airbag! Computers are stupid. However the mechanicals can't be faulted - a silky smooth engine, gearbox with no 2nd gear crunch and everything else working just beautifully. Until 2 days ago we had a 156 2.0 Selespeed as well but alas that has gone in a round of rationalizing - too many cars, not enough space. My daughter and son-in-law bought it. I let him drive it back from a motor race and that was it, he had to have it! Unlike the 1.8 the 2L is not quite as smooth and the engine has to have a balance shaft but the power difference is palpable, and how! At 4 grand it takes off like my friend's cat when I fired a .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk near it :-). Yes, I was sorry to see it go, the car not the cat :-) :-). So right now the stable comprises 1964 Giulia Sprint GT modificato molto with tin worm 1969 GTA 1300 Jr the ex Dave Ammen/Bruce Perry racer - needing engine rebuild 1972 2000 GT Veloce running but not used much 1972 2000 Spider Veloce, going to Christmas party in it this afternoon! 1974 2000 GT Veloce body under restoration by very slow bodyshop guy 1998 156 1.8 L Manual Ciao tutti Les in Wellington, NZ on a beautiful Summer's morning -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
