Local Alfa Romeo agents UCIM Co Ltd introduced  the new Alfa Spider in Malta during a lavish event at the Radisson Golden Sands Resort & Spa on Saturday 12 May, to the accompaniment of  live music, fire jugglers and Flamenco dancers.

The ceremony was held in the ballroom of the luxury complex. The introductory speech was made by UCIM Managing Director Francesca Mamo. The numerous guests  included VIPs, many UCIM clients and Alfa Romeo owners'. Julian Fittipaldi, responsible for Alfa Romeo’s  Malta market, followed with a brief speech, after which the curtains were drawn to reveal the new Spider for the first time, to the general applause of those present.

The launch Spider was a Diamante Grey, 2.2JTS example with red leather seats and red/beige trim. The car is the first example of the new model imported into Malta, and first appeared at the local Motor Fair at the end of March, where it was placed under a black translucent veil  that revealed just a hint of its beautiful shape.

Other models in the Alfa Romeo range, the 147, 159, GT and Brera, were also on display in the beautiful surroundings of the Radisson Golden Sands. The Alfa Romeo Owners Club Malta contributed several classic Alfas for the event. These comprised an impeccable 1958 Giulietta Spider, a 1969 GT 1300 Junior, a 1974 Giulia Super, a 1989  Spider 2000 S3, a 1991 Spider 2000 S4 and a 1980  Alfasud 1.5TI. The Giulietta Spider, representative of the first Alfa to carry the now famous Spider name, took pride of place in a special room inside the hotel. This particular example, restored to very high standards and newly imported into Malta from the UK only last March, is the property of local businessman and AROC Malta member Ernest Sullivan.
 

The guests could therefore observe how car design has changed over 40 years,  from the classical lines of the Giulietta, through the “modern” lines of the next generation Spider in its S3 and S4 forms, to the present day interpretation of Alfa’s roadster theme.

Local Alfa Romeo owners started meeting in an informal way in September 2002. A club was eventually formed and officially launched in June 2003 to coincide with the launch of the diesel Alfa 147 in Malta, immediately finding support from sole local Alfa Romeo representative, UCIM Co Ltd. The club’s primary mission  is to promote and enhance the profile of the Alfa Romeo marque in Malta through its various activities. AROC brings together Maltese Alfa owners with the aim of sharing information, holding activities for members and their families and providing assistance with technical problems, obtaining discounts on parts, services, merchandise, etc. During its first four years AROC Malta has organised drives, car exhibitions, visits to places of interest, film shows and even visited the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo at Arese, the Galleria Ferrari at Maranello and the Lamborghini Museum and factory at Sant’ Agata Bolognese. For more information visit www.aroc-malta.org

by John Visanich, General Secretary, Alfa Romeo Owners Club Malta