Out of Africa

["Tony Sims" <simstony@domain.elided>]

Hello Alfisti!

Well, I'm back from my trip to South Africa, and mostly recovered -- it's
quite a bit of seat time, flying from the west coast of the US.  I had the
privilege of being hosted on Good Friday by the chairman of the Alfa Romeo
Club of South Africa, Ed Hatton, and his charming wife Lal.

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank them in this public forum.  Ed and
Lal generously took care of me all day, collecting me at the airport,
welcoming me in their Johannesburg home, and providing quite a memorable day
of Alfa experiences.

I plan to document my day in a story for the AROO club newsletter AlfaBits,
but I have to share a little of the fun with y'all.  I got to ride in 2 of the
Hatton's 3 Alfas, the '77 Spider and the 155, and Ed shared pictures to
accompany the remarkable story of the restoration (or perhaps more accurately,
resurrection) of their beautiful GTV/6.

I was treated to a visit to the local independent Alfa dealership, Alfissimo,
that is owned by true Alfa fanatics.  There I got to see, touch, sit in, and
drool over many of the new Alfa models of which we are deprived here in the US
-- the 147, the 156 sedan and sportwagon, the 166 and the 3.0 GTV -- as well
as a some other vintage and late model cars that were on hand.  All I can say
is pictures do not do justice to the new models.

I was also blessed with a ride in Alfissimo's "test mule" 156.  Can you say Q
ship?  I'm still trying to wipe the dumb grin off my mug.

Ed is a walking archive of Alfa history in South Africa, and he also shared
with me his extensive knowledge of the colorful, tragic and inspirational
history of their country.

Ed and Lal, thank you again for a great Alfa day!  I hope other Alfa people
take the opportunity to make contact with club and digest members when you
travel, it's a great way to make friends that share your love of Alfas and see
other parts of the world with the eyes of a local.
Cheers,

Tony
Portland, OR
74 GTV

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