Re: 156 in latest Road & Track (and Paul Frere, etc.

["David R Johnson" <johnsnd@domain.elided>]

On Apr 16,  8:31am, John Hertzman wrote:

> On the first point, the European vantage point, the total number of GTV-6s
> and V-6 engined 75s produced for both the USA and the rest of the world is
> just under 32,000, while the total number of Arnas, which were the body of
> one of the cheapest and shoddiest Nissans enhanced with an Alfa grill, Alfa
> badges, and an Alfasud engine, was over 46,000. Add over a million Alfasuds
> and another million and a quarter 33s. It is true that the Alfasuds were
> introduced several years before Frere's two-decade cutoff, but all of the
> Arnas and 33s and a good share of the Alfasuds were within that period.
> People who loved them, loved them, but in many markets they were seen as
> somewhat flawed. The Alfetta derivatives of this period also were not all as
> sparkling as the Verde seems to the USA market; the 1.6 liter four which left
> our market in 1967 soldiered on in 417,000 Alfettas, Giulietta Nuovas, and
> 75s, which is a fairly large number compared to the 9,000 or so Milanos. Even
> without mentioning the 145, 146, and 155 one should be able to admit that a
> European observer might legitimately see more "indifferent and low-quality
> models" than we Alfa partisans see in this country.

What Mr. Hertzman is saying makes sense, that Paul Frere is looking at Alfa
from the European perspective.  However, Mr. Frere should be aware that he is
writing for an American magazine, and perhaps should have clarified which
recent models he found so dissappointing (I certainly hope he did not have my
GTV6 in mind!).  Mr. Hertzman should also recall from an earlier exchange that
I was a UK resident for much of the life of the Alfasud, and it was this model
which inspired my love of these cars.

It was my impression that the Sud was not viewed with an particular disdain by
Alfa afficionados, although of course some were heard to say that the driving
wheels were at the wrong end.  The 33 could be viewed as a step backwards for
AR, and I do not recall the Giulietta Nuovas getting rave reviews.  In general,
the main problems with Alfa's image in the UK were associated with the serious
rust problems which plauged them in the late 70s particularly.  It takes a long
time to rebuild an image so tarnished (just ask Lancia).  As for the Arna, I
never considered it to be a real Alfa, and despite the production numbers I
never saw a single one in the UK.  Perhaps the Brits knew a fake when they saw
one!

> The second point, roughly "Who the hell is Paul Frere and where does he get
> off dissing Alfas?" is worth a note.

<snip extensive and impressive biography of Paul Frere related to cars>

It was not my intention to slam Paul Frere in any way.  I read his writings
regularly and enjoy them greatly.  In fact, it is because of his achievements
and experience that I took exception to his remark.  If I read such an opinion
from a writer unknown in the respected auto journals, I would dismiss him (or
her) as a schmuck and not give it a second thought.  However, his experience
with classic racing Alfas does clue me in on his perspective.  I can see his
comments as coming from a man with a great love of the marque, happy to see
them producing once again what he judges to be great cars.

Dave J.
1982 GTV6 (not indifferent at all)

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