1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider California Car on 2040-cars

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Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Giulia Quadrifoglio NRING editions celebrate lap records

Alfa Romeo will bring no less than six star cars to its Geneva Motor Show booth. Since records are not only meant to be broken, but celebrated, the Giulia Quadrifoglio NRING and Stelvio Quadrifoglio NRING limited editions were created to address the latter task. In September 2016, the Giulia Quadrifoglio broke the Nurburgring lap record for standard production four-door sedans with a time of 7:32 — a feat since bettered by the Jaguar XE SV Project 8. Last September, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio set a lap record of 7:32, displacing the Range Rover Sport SVR from the top of the timesheets. The two NRING specials come drenched in exclusive Circuito Grey paint, accented with carbon mirror caps and a CF front badge, on top of carbon ceramic brakes. The cabin's so dark you'll need to let your eyes adjust before picking out the Sparco racing seats with carbon shells, carbon accents on the steering wheel and shift knob, and the red stitching. Both sedan and SUV come optioned with Alfa Connect with 3D Nav infotainment, Harman Kardon premium audio, active cruise control, and tinted windows. The Giulia gets a naked carbon roof. The Italian carmaker's only making 108 of each NRING model, in honor of how long the company's been in business. Throughout that time, Alfa Romeo has stamped its mark on The Green Hell, such as when Tazio Nuvolari won the 1932 German Grand Prix in an 8C 2300 Tipo Monza ahead of his German competition, or in 1966 when a Giulia Sprint GTA was the first GT road car to make it round the 'Ring in under 10 minutes. These Geneva-bound special editions will be reserved "for collectors and the most loyal Alfa Romeo customers." A numbered badge in a carbon fiber dashboard insert will identify the owner's place in line. Two more special editions, also held to 108 examples, come in the guises of a 4C Competizione and a 4C Spider Italia. The 4C Competizione comes in matte Vesuvio Grey with a carbon roof, plus extra carbon splashed around on the headlight molding, mirror caps, side air vents, and rear spoiler. Microfiber covers the steering wheel and seats, red stitching makes it pop, dark-finish wheels provide the stance. The 4C Spider Italia wears Misano Blue paint adorned with the Italian Tricolore, yellow brake calipers, yellow stitching in the cabin to match. If that isn't loud enough, the premium Alpine audio with subwoofer can get you turned up further.

Alfa Sprint Speciale racer looks fantastic, sounds even better

Nothing quite sounds like a vintage Alfa Romeo four-cylinder engine at full gallop, especially in motorsport trim. With a combination of low-frequency burbling played over a high-pitch scream, they really know how to sing. This week Petrolicious takes a look at a truly unique Alfa Sprint Speciale that's just as adept at competing in the wide-open La Carrera Panamericana vintage race in Mexico as it is snaking through some undulating, tree-lined back roads. Ostensibly, this is a 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale, although it's really much more the creation of Alfa-restorer Conrad Stevenson. The roof section, including the holes for the windshield and rear glass, is original to one of these fantastic-looking coupes. But everything below that is Stevenson's handiwork. To shape the styling, he combined the original Bertone design with his own ideas to purpose build the car for the challenges of the Mexican race. As usual, Petrolicious nails every aspect of the production, especially the handheld camera work inside the cabin as the car negotiates the curves. It really communicates the connection between this swoopy Alfa and its builder. Plus, the sound mix lets the engine play its glorious tune. News Source: Petrolicious via YouTube Design/Style Alfa Romeo Coupe Racing Vehicles Performance Classics Videos petrolicious alfa romeo giulia vintage racing

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