Reader Submissions: Experience A Drive in Hungary with Four Classic Alfa Romeos

Experience A Drive in Hungary with Four Classic Alfa Romeos

By Petrolicious
November 13, 2013

Written by Máté Boér

Photography by Máté Boér

Who could say no to an invitiation to take part in a drive with four classic Alfas?

Owners of local Alfa Romeo restoration shop Alfarium in Budapest, Hungary, and two of their friends grabbed their beloved cars (and I grabbed my camera) to head out of the city without any particular destination. We simply wanted to enjoy what might be the last warm and sunny Sunday afternoon of this year. The four participants were a Montreal, two Alfettas from the first series, and an Alfa 6, also from the first generation: all different characters but each one easy to love. It was nice to experience all four of these Alfas, but would be very hard to choose the best.

The Montreal has a phenomenal Italian V8 and the beautiful lines from Marcello Gandini. The Alfa 6 is the behemoth with its 2.5 V6 and six carburetors. The two big Alfettas glided through the countryside, but on the twisting roads outside of Budapest these two showed their true, playful colors: the silver one pictured is from the early first series and fully restored, while the black one is an athlete in a grandfather’s coat—over the past 15 years, it was slowly transformed into a street legal track car with 2.0 Twin Spark engine and some other modifications.

The setting sun, the fall colors at their peaks, the vineyards, the golf course, and the sycamore trees were perfect elements and backgrounds for our drive. These are the moments we’ll remember during the coming cold days while the classics have their winter sleep.

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Martin La Grange
Martin La Grange
10 years ago

Drool…I lurrve Alfettas and Montreals !

Ib Erik Soderblom
Ib Erik Soderblom
10 years ago

So beautiful…, so wonderful…, so perfect…

Ever since the Alfetta showed up, I’ve loved them.
Want one, some day.
Only had an Alfasud, 146(x2), 155 and 156(x2) 🙂

Rik
Rik
10 years ago

The Alfetta platform will go down in Alfa’s history as one their most underrated. It amazes me that a very good one can be had for the same price as a 105 series “project” car, and often less. Rust and build quality were the enemy, but those that are left, the survivors, are becoming incredibly desirable. Especially the early Berlinas, the two featured here are stunning. And the 6, when was the last time one of those was seen running? Very nice! Any pictures of the engine and it’s half dozen carburetors?

Darcy Guerin Hanlon
Darcy Guerin Hanlon
10 years ago

I need an Alfa. I love my C210.

BiTurbo228
BiTurbo228
10 years ago

These are, without a doubt 3 of my most favourite cars.

I’ve searched high and low for a series 1 Alfetta in RHD that won’t break the bank, but whenever one of the handful left has cropped up I haven’t had the money.

Ideally, I’d want one that’s in need of restoration. Then, I wouldn’t feel so bad swapping in the 3.0l from a 75. If only for the noise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcdkOA0TdA

I’ve also had it in my head to get a 6 and bore/stroke it to 3.5l. Maybe run it with ITBs, or just the gorgeous plenum chamber the injected versions had, and make something to rival the E28 M5 of the roughly same era.

Peter Olasz
Peter Olasz
10 years ago

3

Peter Olasz
Peter Olasz
10 years ago
Reply to  Peter Olasz

sorry … wanted to write “

Peter Olasz
Peter Olasz
10 years ago
Reply to  Peter Olasz

okay, seems like I’ll never get to commenting a heart showing my passion for all the 4 of them 😀

Leucea Alexandru
Leucea Alexandru
10 years ago

Wonderful..

Glenn Gaudin
Glenn Gaudin
10 years ago

Beautiful photos. It will help motivate me to get my Montreal on the road. A brown one as well!
Thank you Petrolicious!

Andreas Lavesson
Andreas Lavesson
10 years ago

While there certainly is nothing wrong with an Alfetta or an Alfa 6, I wouldn’t find selecting one of these difficult at all. The Montreal is a no-brainer to me. Stunning pictures and a nice write-up, as always.

JB21
JB21
10 years ago

What’s in a name? that which we call Alfa Romeo,
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Alfa Romeo would, were they not Alfa Romeo call’d,
Retain that dearest, heart pounding perfection which they owe
Without that title.

Pawel Skrzypczynski
Pawel Skrzypczynski
10 years ago

I like these photos a lot. It would be great to see a feature on Montreal.

Stephan P
Stephan P
10 years ago

Great cars, roads and photography. A great way to start the day, thanks.
Any chance of a feature on the Alfa 6? A car we have little exposure to in the U.S.

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