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ME & MY CAR


Jamie Wheatley, APW Property. “Where for art thou Alfa Romeo?”


I


am a diagnosed Alfaholic. It is a generic condition which was passed down


from my father. The symptons of this rare addiction are that you become the source of many jokes but receive tremendous rewards. As a young child in the early 70s, I can vividly remember the sight and sound of my father’s first step-front Alfa Romeo Guilia Sprint. After two Alfa GTs, my father proceeded into Citroens and Range Rovers – but Alfas still held a special place for me.


42 l June 2012 l TheNegotiator So when 10 years ago I was


struggling to get the Porsche I wanted, I went to see a classic Alfa Romeo Spider and became trapped in its web. It is effortlessly cool with a timeless design. It became my daily drive for many years, braving all the elements as it ferried me stylishly to and from viewings and valuations. It has had its jitters but on the whole it has disproved the myth that Alfas are unreliable rot-boxes. The prices have been stable


and are now rising; so the money you spend each year keeping it


ticking over nicely is minimal compared to what you would lose in depreciation on a dull modern Euro-box. Shortly after my first child was


born, the Spider was written off in an accident. Within minutes I was plotting my replacement purchase. As I now needed four seats, the Alfa Romeo 105 Bertone coupe was the only one for me! This is a 1972 GT Junior in


pino-verde with a biscuit trim. It also has heritage, having been owned by the editor of a classic car magazine and then involved


in a large garage fire. It has been fully rebuilt and whilst the body is a little scruffy following a poor paint job the rest of it is very solid – for now anyway. It is not a trailer princess, I use it whenever possible. I also have an Alfa Brera


which is my daily drive. Both Alfas are beautiful cars but I have to say my old Junior is proving to be more reliable and infinitely more fun! l


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