It's a short contemporary history lesson for Shed this week, as we bring you one of the most controversial special editions of the 1990s.
Oddly enough, it wasn't the attributes of the Alfa Romeo 155 Silverstone that caused a stir - most people (public and pundits alike) agreed that the wedgy 155 was odd-looking and poorly finished, but blessed with heaps of Italian charm. No, what was controversial was the reason for the car's existence in the first place.
You see, in 1994 there was a bit of an Italian invasion in the British Touring Car Championship (which, I'm sure you don't need reminding, was one of the world's hardest-fought, most prestigious tin-top race series at the time).
Alfa Romeo wanted a piece of the action, so it drafted in F1 driver Gabriele Tarquini and Giampiero Simoni to pedal a pair of Alfa 155s and, despite squeaky brakes, a flame-throwing exhaust and the occasional hairy foray onto two wheels, the cars proceeded to wipe the floor with the BTCC opposition.
But it wasn't enough. Alfa wanted an even sharper performance edge. Enter the Alfa 155 Silverstone special edition, which had a lower front bumper and an adjustable rear wing. Alfa built this purely to get round BTCC homologation rules, which required 25,000 examples of a bodystyle to be built before it could be raced in the championship, and so that its racers would get a grip and traction advantage.
Naturally, the other BTCC teams strenuously objected, and the Scuderia Ferrari-esque cheekiness of the Italians was soon stopped. But by then one of the most interesting - and controversial - special editions ever was out there on the roads of Britain and Europe.
Objectively, the 155 really ought not to be an appealing car. Its predecessor - The Alfa Romeo 75 - was not only the last Alfa to be conceived before the Fiat takeover, it was also rear-wheel drive and therefore rather more of a 'proper' Alfa than the 155 could ever really hope to be. Worse still, the angular 155 was made to look like, well, a bit of a munter once the rather curvy Alfa Romeo 156 came on the scene to replace it.
And yet...somehow the gawky 155 still appeals. And the Silverstone version, with its cheeky aero addenda and a characterful 1.8-litre twin-spark motor that's lighter and more powerful than the standard car's, is even more of an appealing proposition.
So appealing, in fact, that SOTW is going to court its own spot of controversy and offer up a choice of two 155 Silverstones, one in red and one in black (the only two colours available). So the choice is yours - £950 on red or £900 on black. Just like playing Roulette really...
Adverts (both red and black) are reproduced below
1994 Alfa Romeo 155 1.8 Silverstone Edition (1994/M)
Sold by us in June 1997 to a local couple.
Only three owners in total.
Huge history file with many bills, handbook pack, and stamped service book.
Electric sunroof.
15" Alloy wheels.
Original Philips radio/cassette player.
Electric front windows.
Central door locking.
Front fog lights.
Rear boot lid spoiler.
Power steering.
Alfa Romeo 155 Silverstone Ltd edition. (1994)
My 155 Silverstone is up for sale. I've had it for 3 years but need a 4x4. Black, VGC, lots of new parts in the last year or so; wishbones, battery, exhaust, cat, SS rear box, copper brake lines, windscreen + more. rcl, ew, esr, Very clean except for small rip in driver's seat. Featured in Auto Italia magazine issue 150. MOT till Oct 2010. Mobile number is 07973 803545 or 02083867492. £900 ono.