1980 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce on 2040-cars

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider rightfully fawned over by Petrolicious

Following the Top Gear adage "You can't be a true petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa Romeo," is rather difficult for those of us in North America. Faced with a distinct lack of new cars and an equally disturbing abundance of vintage basketcases, the road to Alfa ownership is a difficult one for residents of the new world. Where there's a will, there's a way, though, and the benefits certainly seem worthwhile, as we see with Casey Annis and his gorgeous 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Veloce 1600. Annis is the publisher and editor of Vintage Racecar Magazine, so he knows a thing or six about these classic Alfas. The video discusses his Alfa, which has been upgraded to Veloce specifications, as well as what the Alfa community is like as a whole. Petrolicious has the story on Annis and his Alfa in its latest video. Fans of classic Italians are not going to want to miss this one. News Source: Petrolicious via YouTube Alfa Romeo Convertible Performance Classics Videos petrolicious alfa romeo spider

Alfa Romeo 4C coupe will be gone for 2019, but the Spider lives on

This post has been updated with confirmation from Alfa Romeo. Not with an expensive bang, but a barely audible whimper: That's the way Alfa Romeo's 4C sports coupe goes out. The slow-selling mid-engined car has been cut from the lineup for next year. An Alfa Romeo spokesperson has confirmed to Autoblog that the 4C coupe will be gone from Alfa's U.S. portfolio after the 2018 model year. It will remain for sale in this country while supplies last, and will still be produced for other markets around the world. View 12 Photos The 4C never sold in enormous numbers during its 2014-on tenure, but monthly sales have slowed down to just a couple dozen cars in the past year. In January, 12 were sold, with October 2017 a particular high point with 45 units delivered. By contrast, the strongest month was January 2015 with 97 4Cs sold. Not a single month has seen three-figure U.S. sales. Those sales figures seem to cover both 4C models, so we can only assume the coupe was the weaker part of those numbers. However, if a 4C is what you want, you don't have to give up on the dream. The open-topped Spider version remains on sale, but Motor Authority reports that it gets a $1,000 price hike for next year, to $66,900; at $55,900 the coupe was $10,000 cheaper than the open version, so those wanting one should act on it quickly. In addition, the racing-oriented Track Package will be unavailable after 2018. That included handling improvements like sturdier sway bars and better shocks, along with sportier wheels and tires. Related Video: Related Gallery 2018 Alfa Romeo 4C Competizione: Geneva 2018 View 11 Photos News Source: Motor AuthorityImage Credit: FCA Alfa Romeo Car Buying Coupe Performance alfa romeo 4c alfa romeo 4c spider

High school design students sketch out FCA's 'ultimate status vehicle'

Each year since 2013, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) hosts a design contest for high school students called Drive for Design intended to educate and encourage automotive career hopefuls. For 2019, FCA prompted 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to imagine the "ultimate status vehicle." The top three choices include two Alfa Romeos and a Maserati. FCA named first, second, and third places in the contest. Maximillian Cooper (lead image) from Design and Architecture Senior High in Miami won first place. Mason Ross (first inline image) from Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Wash., took second. Vincent Piaskowski (Maserati image) from Ernest W. Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Mich., placed third. The three winners of the contest will be awarded with numerous valuable prizes. They will get behind-the-scenes tours at the FCA U.S. Product Design studios, as well as mentoring time with some of FCA's designers. They will also get scholarships to attend the Precollege Summer Experience Transportation Design program at the College for Creative Studies. Lastly, they'll have the honor of serving as junior judges at the EyesOn Design Car Show. Although each sketch has a unique look, all three take the same approach: cab-forward, bubble-top supercar coupes with dramatic lines and curves. Piaskowski's shows direct inspiration from a shark, but we wouldn't be surprised if all three students have special places in their hearts for the Pininfarina Maserati Birdcage Concept.