1986 Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Spider on 2040-cars

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Industrial designer seeking classic car, sketches his finds as he shops

The process of shopping for a vintage car can be both a joy and a nightmare. Wrapped up with the exciting opportunity of owning a classic is the anxiety of picking just the right one. Canadian industrial design professor Bruce Thomson and his wife are chronicling all of those ups and downs in a fascinating way. On their blog Kicking Vintage Tyres, Bruce exploits his talent as an expert draftsman to create detailed sketches of the vehicles they are considering, along with driving impressions of each one. The idea for the site started on a whim. After selling his 1971 Mercedes-Benz 220 a while back, it was time to own another classic. Bruce was looking at a Triumph TR6, and a friend asked for a description of the car. Bruce responded with a massive email detailing everything he saw, and the concept for the blog was born. "It dawned on me early that my search was not going to be as easy or as quick as I had expected," he said to Autoblog in an email. "I decided that the best thing I could do would be to make a sort of 'game' out of the search by sharing it with others." Thomson's sketches truly set the blog apart. He clearly has an exceptional eye for a car's lines and often mixes his drawings with inset depictions of key portions of the vehicle. Beyond just the fabulous diagrams, the site is a great read too. While the TR6 initially topped the list, Thomson's search has broadened over time, and a Series 2 Alfa Romeo Spider and BMW 3.0CS also received consideration. "I'd not commit myself to any preferences though, as my head is easily turned," he said. The criteria are that the car must have a manual gearbox, be made between 1959 and 1976, preferably European, hopefully a convertible and cost 15,000-25,000 Canadian dollars ($12,525-$20,870). No matter how long it takes, this is a wonderful hunt to follow along with. Featured Gallery Bruce Thomson Car Sketches News Source: Kicking Vintage Tyres via Core77 Auto News Design/Style Alfa Romeo Car Buying Convertible Classics auto design alfa romeo spider sketch blog

Alfa Romeo takes over naming of Sauber F1 team

HINWIL, Switzerland — Italian car brand Alfa Romeo will be the only name on its Formula One team partnership with Switzerland-based Sauber this season. The rebranding means 2007 F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will be driving for Alfa Romeo Racing in 2019. The team was called Alfa Romeo Sauber when it finished eighth in the constructors' standings last year. Sauber says the "long-term partnership ... has been further extended, with the ownership and management of Sauber remaining unchanged and independent." Alfa Romeo drivers won the first two F1 championships — Giuseppe "Nino" Farina in 1950 and Juan Manuel Fangio in 1951 — then left the series after 1985 until returning with Sauber. Related Video:

The Manhattan Classic Car Club | AutoblogVR

The Manhattan Classic Car Club is a haven for enthusiasts in America's biggest and busiest city. Traffic, taxis, and just people getting you down? Head to the former NYPD horse stables on the banks of the Hudson River for your car fix. Senior Editor Greg Migliore shows what life is like for members. Sure, they get to drive a fleet of expensive cars, but they also have access to perks like movie nights and other social events. Want to catch a classic film in a classic Bronco? The CCC is the place to be. Greg then hops behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo 4C Spider for some rush-hour fun. Across town, motorcycle fans have their own haven, Ryders Alley. Need a place to store or work on your bike? This is your sanctuary. Tucked away in a downtown alley that's nearly impossible to find, Ryders serves the cult of two-wheel enthusiasts in the Big Apple. Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski tours the workshop and storage area and takes a few laps around New York in an Indian Scout Sixty. Each week, new episodes will launch on the AutoblogVR App. We'll preview them here on Autoblog, but for the full immersive experience, head over to the app, which you can download for free from the App store and Google Play. Be sure to try it with a cardboard viewer, too! Alfa Romeo Driving Motorcycle Classics Videos VR Original Video alfa romeo 4c virtual reality 360video