The Brazilian club, Alfa Romeo BR, has just held its latest meeting, its members ably keeping the spirit and passion of the brand alive and well in a country where it has a long and interesting history.

The Brazilian Alfa Club, Alfa Romeo BR, has just held its latest meeting, its members ably keeping the spirit and passion of the brand alive and well in a country where it has a long and interesting history.

Founded on July 30th, 2002, Alfa Romeo BR has 720 associate members dotted throughout Brazil; this diverse group is not only passionate about the "Cuore Sportivo" brand, but the enthusiasts each have a deep knowledge of Alfa Romeo models and history and have been producing high quality works that have already become a reference point about the brand in the country, and globally in relation to Brazilian Alfa Romeo models.

The main purpose of Alfa Romeo BR is to create a deep as possible knowledge chain about Alfa Romeo in Brazil; its associates generate an average of 1,300 monthly e-mails about topics such as maintenance, organisation of meetings and events, registration of the cars, and exchanging general information about the brand.

Alfa Romeo BR accomplishes since its creation an annual meeting, by the invitation of the FIA, which takes place during the Brazilian round of FIA WTCC (World Touring Car Championship). Besides this high profile event there is the "Alfa Day Brasil" a meeting that takes place every two years; the last one took place in São Paulo in 2006. The day gives an opportunity for the members of Alfa Romeo BR, who come from several states spread across the country, to display their models and to participate in a programme of activities such as "Alfa on Track" and the "Alfa Classic Tour".

Amongst the exhibited models that created the most attention of the public at the last event in São Paulo, were the historic lorries of FNM (National Factory of Motors) one of the first national manufacturers of heavy vehicles in Brazil; and the first one to use mechanicals drawn from Alfa Romeo. The oldest model present at the event was the Metro D 9.500 of 1951, the first model to be manufactured in Brazil by the brand.

Beyond that, several Alfa Spider models with production dates varying from 1967 to 1995 and the most recently imported 145, 155, 164 and 156, took part along with several examples of the famous Alfa 2300. This latter model was built only in Brazil between 1974 and 1986, and was considered by most to be the best national car available during that period. Alfa Romeo BR also promotes simultaneous and regular meetings every year in the main cities in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, Brasília and Porto Alegre, allowing new people to get to know and understand Alfa Romeo's cars for their great characteristics and the sheer pleasure of driving them. For more information visit www.alfaromeobr.com.br

By Claudio Perlini