RE: Alfa Romeo SZ | Spotted
Discussion
Harry Flashman said:
No you don't. I now have small children, no time, and my wife is making us buy a 7 seat SUV.
I mean, I wouldn't go back, as I love my family, but I look at pics like the above and wish I could take the odd day-long time travel holiday, for sure! That day at Goodwood, a few days at the 'Ring, etc...
I shall dream of such days whilst at the helm of my 7 seat boat, on some joyless motorway, carrying screaming toddlers in the back.
*cries*
I know the pain. Before my first was born left work in the city one Friday in the scooby drove with two mates to the 'ring spent a weekend there hooning about. Got home sold the scooby got a mpv....never done a track day since. Car gone bike gone and I am 3 stone heavier lolI mean, I wouldn't go back, as I love my family, but I look at pics like the above and wish I could take the odd day-long time travel holiday, for sure! That day at Goodwood, a few days at the 'Ring, etc...
I shall dream of such days whilst at the helm of my 7 seat boat, on some joyless motorway, carrying screaming toddlers in the back.
*cries*
cidered77 said:
Wadeski said:
Arent there zero body panels, and, importantly, zero headlights available for these?
Reproduction parts are becoming available; Adrian Jardine at Alfa Aid is an expert on these - he’d know what’s available.Not sure about headlights but they were also used by Aston Martin so perhaps there are some lurking in a stores cupboard somewhere.
They are great cars and useable every day; I did the school run, trips to the supermarket, popping to the office and never had cause for concern. My only nemesis were car park ticket machines.
More than once you’d return to it to see people standing by it taking photos - it was a nice feeling seeing it get a positive reaction from strangers. The two most common phrases I’d hear were ‘I’ve never seen one in real life before’ or ‘What is it?’
Always loved these and I remember when they were £25k for a very long time.
Based on the Alfa 75 but with a road friendly 75 Touring car suspension set up with the chassis developed by the legendary, late Giorgio Pianta. I think it was the first production car which hit over 1G of lateral force.
I'd love one especially after watching the SZ being reviewed on both Harry's Garage and The Late Brake Show.
Based on the Alfa 75 but with a road friendly 75 Touring car suspension set up with the chassis developed by the legendary, late Giorgio Pianta. I think it was the first production car which hit over 1G of lateral force.
I'd love one especially after watching the SZ being reviewed on both Harry's Garage and The Late Brake Show.
bloomen said:
viggyp said:
Always loved these and I remember when they were £25k for a very long time.
The seller may soon discover that they still are. 
yes quite possibly but saying that, when I see what prices old Fords go for, especially those with that awful CVH engine then £75k for this is a bargain in comparison. I remember these when launched and just had a deep want for one for the looks alone, although being a teenager with only a paper round for income made that tricky. Speculators driving values made that even more difficult. Years go by, only 1000 made, and maybe 50 get to the UK so they become just a Top Trump memory with no real world relevance.
Then, you get older, discover the classified (and of course Pistonheads) and realise, miraculously, that these are in fact financially obtainable - average asking price of 23k the same as most hot hatches of the time. But you dither. What about the running costs, and the rare bodywork? When would I ever use it and wouldn't just about anything with a Porsche badge blow it into the weeds?
Then, the market suddenly shifts, collectors emerge (including from the US) and the inmate rarity of the car takes hold in pricing terms. Oh damn. I've missed the boat. But what if they go higher still? Why not drive one to see if the want is still there, can't hurt, just need to convince the vendor I'm not another tyre kicker.
And then, wow, yeah baby, this thing is the nuts. The looks are why you are here of course, but it just drives so wonderfully. Why did contemporary reports, or even latter day classic roadtesters completely miss the point? Its the way the car makes you feel - the interior, the steering, handling and most of all the ride - best car I've ever owned for managing crappy road surfaces, the rally DNA coming through and feeling so relevant today. And the sound. God the sound. Your passengers love it too. And pedestrians you pass, and even other road users. Nothing sounds like it or (IMHO) sounds better. Its loud of course, but somehow musical, and never rude.
Ok, so there are drawbacks. Its certainly not fast in modern terms, but it feels fast, and better still is joyful to drive at all speeds which is helpful for today's crowded roads and keeping your licence. Its rare so some parts are tricky to source, but those that are available don't usually attract the Porsche or Ferrari premium. And it attracts a lot of attention, which is a drawback to the shy retiring types, but then most people have never seen one in the flesh because, once again, its so rare. Its coach built rare, not a special edition M3.
Finally, consider this, how many 30 year old bona fide classic cars can handle a European road trip for two with all your luggage and confidently tackle all the roads that offers up? And of those, how many had lifting suspension to help navigate the worst surfaces, cambers and unexpected debris? Its a rare car in other ways too...
Then, you get older, discover the classified (and of course Pistonheads) and realise, miraculously, that these are in fact financially obtainable - average asking price of 23k the same as most hot hatches of the time. But you dither. What about the running costs, and the rare bodywork? When would I ever use it and wouldn't just about anything with a Porsche badge blow it into the weeds?
Then, the market suddenly shifts, collectors emerge (including from the US) and the inmate rarity of the car takes hold in pricing terms. Oh damn. I've missed the boat. But what if they go higher still? Why not drive one to see if the want is still there, can't hurt, just need to convince the vendor I'm not another tyre kicker.
And then, wow, yeah baby, this thing is the nuts. The looks are why you are here of course, but it just drives so wonderfully. Why did contemporary reports, or even latter day classic roadtesters completely miss the point? Its the way the car makes you feel - the interior, the steering, handling and most of all the ride - best car I've ever owned for managing crappy road surfaces, the rally DNA coming through and feeling so relevant today. And the sound. God the sound. Your passengers love it too. And pedestrians you pass, and even other road users. Nothing sounds like it or (IMHO) sounds better. Its loud of course, but somehow musical, and never rude.
Ok, so there are drawbacks. Its certainly not fast in modern terms, but it feels fast, and better still is joyful to drive at all speeds which is helpful for today's crowded roads and keeping your licence. Its rare so some parts are tricky to source, but those that are available don't usually attract the Porsche or Ferrari premium. And it attracts a lot of attention, which is a drawback to the shy retiring types, but then most people have never seen one in the flesh because, once again, its so rare. Its coach built rare, not a special edition M3.
Finally, consider this, how many 30 year old bona fide classic cars can handle a European road trip for two with all your luggage and confidently tackle all the roads that offers up? And of those, how many had lifting suspension to help navigate the worst surfaces, cambers and unexpected debris? Its a rare car in other ways too...
bill-opewy said:
I remember these when launched and just had a deep want for one for the looks alone, although being a teenager with only a paper round for income made that tricky. Speculators driving values made that even more difficult. Years go by, only 1000 made, and maybe 50 get to the UK so they become just a Top Trump memory with no real world relevance.
Then, you get older, discover the classified (and of course Pistonheads) and realise, miraculously, that these are in fact financially obtainable - average asking price of 23k the same as most hot hatches of the time. But you dither. What about the running costs, and the rare bodywork? When would I ever use it and wouldn't just about anything with a Porsche badge blow it into the weeds?
Then, the market suddenly shifts, collectors emerge (including from the US) and the inmate rarity of the car takes hold in pricing terms. Oh damn. I've missed the boat. But what if they go higher still? Why not drive one to see if the want is still there, can't hurt, just need to convince the vendor I'm not another tyre kicker.
And then, wow, yeah baby, this thing is the nuts. The looks are why you are here of course, but it just drives so wonderfully. Why did contemporary reports, or even latter day classic roadtesters completely miss the point? Its the way the car makes you feel - the interior, the steering, handling and most of all the ride - best car I've ever owned for managing crappy road surfaces, the rally DNA coming through and feeling so relevant today. And the sound. God the sound. Your passengers love it too. And pedestrians you pass, and even other road users. Nothing sounds like it or (IMHO) sounds better. It’s loud of course, but somehow musical, and never rude.
Ok, so there are drawbacks. Its certainly not fast in modern terms, but it feels fast, and better still is joyful to drive at all speeds which is helpful for today's crowded roads and keeping your licence. Its rare so some parts are tricky to source, but those that are available don't usually attract the Porsche or Ferrari premium. And it attracts a lot of attention, which is a drawback to the shy retiring types, but then most people have never seen one in the flesh because, once again, its so rare. Its coach built rare, not a special edition M3.
Finally, consider this, how many 30 year old bona fide classic cars can handle a European road trip for two with all your luggage and confidently tackle all the roads that offers up? And of those, how many had lifting suspension to help navigate the worst surfaces, cambers and unexpected debris? Its a rare car in other ways too...
What point did they miss in your opinion? Then, you get older, discover the classified (and of course Pistonheads) and realise, miraculously, that these are in fact financially obtainable - average asking price of 23k the same as most hot hatches of the time. But you dither. What about the running costs, and the rare bodywork? When would I ever use it and wouldn't just about anything with a Porsche badge blow it into the weeds?
Then, the market suddenly shifts, collectors emerge (including from the US) and the inmate rarity of the car takes hold in pricing terms. Oh damn. I've missed the boat. But what if they go higher still? Why not drive one to see if the want is still there, can't hurt, just need to convince the vendor I'm not another tyre kicker.
And then, wow, yeah baby, this thing is the nuts. The looks are why you are here of course, but it just drives so wonderfully. Why did contemporary reports, or even latter day classic roadtesters completely miss the point? Its the way the car makes you feel - the interior, the steering, handling and most of all the ride - best car I've ever owned for managing crappy road surfaces, the rally DNA coming through and feeling so relevant today. And the sound. God the sound. Your passengers love it too. And pedestrians you pass, and even other road users. Nothing sounds like it or (IMHO) sounds better. It’s loud of course, but somehow musical, and never rude.
Ok, so there are drawbacks. Its certainly not fast in modern terms, but it feels fast, and better still is joyful to drive at all speeds which is helpful for today's crowded roads and keeping your licence. Its rare so some parts are tricky to source, but those that are available don't usually attract the Porsche or Ferrari premium. And it attracts a lot of attention, which is a drawback to the shy retiring types, but then most people have never seen one in the flesh because, once again, its so rare. Its coach built rare, not a special edition M3.
Finally, consider this, how many 30 year old bona fide classic cars can handle a European road trip for two with all your luggage and confidently tackle all the roads that offers up? And of those, how many had lifting suspension to help navigate the worst surfaces, cambers and unexpected debris? Its a rare car in other ways too...
Which contemporary report(s) are you thinking of in particular?
Leins said:
PurpleTurtle said:
What I specifically remember is every road test at the time going down the route of "not as fast as you think it might be but makes up for that with sublime ride and handling"
Also seem to remember a number of journos being surprised by the grip levelsI remember it coming second at ECOTY….. or Performance Car of the Year as it was then …. and making the M3 Sport Evo look average on track. Integrale was left behind too
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