It’s high time another Alfetta appeared here. Fortunately, the online gods favored us, and provided a nicely faded, red Alfetta GTV. This looks awfully similar to the RustyButTrusty Alfetta GT before paint, almost eerily so. However, it does have some interesting details that will make it pop when hell freezes over and Alfettas get their due among collectors. Chief among those are the two chrome bars in the grill (known as baffi among Alfettisti) that replicate the two grill bars on the 1969 GTV and Berlina, the fuel filler door, and GTV vent covers. You can find your long-distant-future collectible in this 1977 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV for sale for $3500 in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.
Familiar Sight – 1977 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
May 1, 2014Grande Break – 1967 Peugeot 403 Wagon
April 30, 2014The 1950s Peugeot 403 survived well into the 1960s, in spite of being succeeded by the more modern 404 in 1960. It was demoted to being Peugeot’s budget model, but the break enjoyed some level of popularity in France, particularly with the gendarmes. And it’s no wonder, since in addition to being capacious and economical, these cars were just about unkillable. These cars had the build quality and solidity to rival contemporary Mercedes, so it’s interesting to think about how Mercedes became a builder of exclusive luxury cars, where Peugeot became a builder of occasionally sporting economy and entry-level luxury cars. If you’re interested in a ponton Peugeot, check out this 1967 Peugeot 403 wagon, for sale for €1000 ($1387 today) in Arrou, France.
Influential – 1967 Autobianchi Primula
April 29, 2014Pop quiz! If someone asked you to name a car that influenced most compact front-wheel drive cars on the road today, what would you say? First-generation VW Golf? Guess again. Citroen Traction Avant (heck, any postwar Citroen)? Not quite. Austin Mini? Almost, but no cigar. It was the Autobianchi Primula. Fiat used their Autobianchi brand to test out new technologies, and in this case, they tested the transverse-engine, front-wheel drive with the transmission above the differential instead of in the oil sump, as seen on Minis. It also featured unequal-length driveshafts, rack and pinion steering, and disc brakes on all four wheels. The Primula only got second place in the European Car of the Year competition, but Fiat went back with a similar powertrain layout in their 128 and got the top prize. For your own automotive unsung hero, check out this 1967 Autobianchi Primula, for sale for €500 ($690 today) in Lucbardez-et-Bargues, southwestern France.


