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The Australian
owned Alfa Romeo G1 that is last surviving example of the
very first Alfa Romeo ever made and which has spent much of
its life holding a up a barn roof and pumping water on an
outback Australian farm before being restored in
Christchurch, has collected a top prize in the world's most
glamorous classic car event, the Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance.
Owned by New Zealand Alfa Romeo importer, Neville Crichton,
the G1 took third in class award, beating off competition
from more than 60 classic Alfa Romeos from around the world,
including seven cars from Alfa Romeo's own museum.
"This is a remarkable result because normally cars lose
points for a lack of original body work," says Neville
Crichton. "Our G1 went to Australia as a chassis, so
although it looks identical to a car of its period, the body
is not original. The judges gave it credit for the
mechanical condition of the drivetrain, its historical
significance, its performance on the drive test and its
presence. Everywhere the G1 has gone in the USA, it's been
cheered by crowds of spectators!"
Members of the show-going public were not the only people
which were drawn to the Alfa G1, as legendary US television
talk show host and car fanatic, Jay Leno, took his time to
examine the G1 and Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, the worldwide head
of the Alfa Romeo marque also described it as being
"awesome".
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