EVEN ON DAYS LIKE THESE
Classic & Sports Car|July 2022
The Alfa Romeo Spider and Fiat Barchetta were masterpieces of design that proved irresistible to the roadster-loving British buying public
AARON MCKAY
EVEN ON DAYS LIKE THESE

There is rarely a brighter moment for an engineer or designer than when tasked with making a new sports car, but for those at Fiat and Alfa Romeo in the 1980s there had been a remarkably long period of bleak automotive utility. Production of the Fiat X1/9 had moved to Bertone in 1982, and while the venerable 105-series Alfa Romeo Spider remained, its origins dated as far back as the X1/9's predecessor, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider of 1966.

Through the drudgery of hatchbacks and saloons, there had been some accomplishments. The Fiat Panda and Alfa Romeo 164 were two such successes, elegant yet appropriately cost-effective cars reflective of an Italy in economic and political turmoil. Through the mire of fading Communism and political corruption, Italy's establishment was being overhauled so dramatically, with events such as the mani pulite (clean hands) investigation, that a so-called 'Second Republic' began in 1994. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo seemed to have lost its mojo in the acquisition by Fiat SpA, and the Turin giant was itself facing difficulties. The idea of two stylish open-top sports cars entering this chaos and making it through to production appeared to be an almost impossible ambition.

Yet the Fiat Barchetta and Alfa Romeo 916 Spider embraced both the realities of platform-sharing (like the 164 with its other Type Four siblings) and the progressive ideas of Turin's design talent (like the Panda with Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign). As a result, after decades of quiet news days for those on the lookout for little Italian sports cars, the restless boot of Europe kicked these two beautiful roadsters into 1995. Those with eyes for the Barchetta and Spider in the UK, however, had to navigate low production volumes and left-hand drive, at least at first with the Alfa.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2022-Ausgabe von Classic & Sports Car.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2022-Ausgabe von Classic & Sports Car.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS CLASSIC & SPORTS CARAlle anzeigen
RAY HILLIER
Classic & Sports Car

RAY HILLIER

Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 2024
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Classic & Sports Car

SHORT BACK & GLIDES

Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
December 2024
People's choice
Classic & Sports Car

People's choice

The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint

time-read
10 Minuten  |
December 2024
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Classic & Sports Car

PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM

Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 2024
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
Classic & Sports Car

A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR

The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 2024
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
Classic & Sports Car

"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"

From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career

time-read
8 Minuten  |
December 2024
Still going strong
Classic & Sports Car

Still going strong

Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 2024
One for the kids
Classic & Sports Car

One for the kids

General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement

time-read
8 Minuten  |
December 2024
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Classic & Sports Car

A NEW BREED OF HERO

Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.

time-read
10 Minuten  |
December 2024
Brits with SIX appeal
Classic & Sports Car

Brits with SIX appeal

The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
December 2024