Belgian Alfa Romeo dealer group Pagnotta NV presented its Alfa Romeo 8C to a select group of subdealers and PR representatives in Belgium during a prestigious event held at the De Barrier restaurant in Houthalen.

Pagnotta NV is one of Europe’s oldest Alfa Romeo garages, being founded over 40 years ago by Nello and Vetulia Pagnotta. Since then, their children and grand-children have taken over the company, which is now a thriving business with two showrooms in Maasmechelen and Genk.

The Alfa 8C Competizione in question is number 11 of only 500 examples to be built, and represents the second 8C to be registered in Belgium and the first to be officially delivered. The first Belgian 8C, an identical car, was driven directly by the client from the factory.

Finished in stunning Rosso Competizione three-layer pearlescent paint with a red interior, this example is identical to the first production prototype unveiled at the Paris Mondiale de l’Automobile in 2006. Rosso Competizione, which is a 2,920 euro option excluding taxes, also represents the most popular choice amongst 8C customers, with 80 percent of all orders having being placed with this colour.

“At first we ordered a natural leather interior, however changed the order afterwards for red leather. We’re very pleased with the way the car looks,” reports Paolo Pagnotta. Paolo, grandson of the garage’s founders. Other options on this particular example include navigation, a fire extinguisher and car cover.

“So far we have only driven 40km with this car on the open road. The attention it gets from other motorists is unparalleled. It is also a real joy to drive, very fast and very light. It feels much more nimble than an equivalent Maserati or Ferrari,” says Paolo.

The car was delivered to the Pagnotta garage by enclosed transporter from the Maserati factory, fully wrapped in protective white cellophane. After being unloaded it was secretly stored in the garage under a dust cover prior to the unveiling last week.

The stunning limited-edition sports car will represent a crowd-puller and will be used as an image-booster for garage presentations. “It will be a fantastic opportunity for us to present this car at various functions, including at the local golf club. We hope to acquire a lot of attention and business from this model,” continues Paolo.

Nello Pagnotta concluded. “It is really amazing how cars have evolved. The 8C is so much more advanced compared to the Alfa Romeo models I sold back in the 1960s.” The 8C presentation coincided with a celebration for a highly successful month during the Brussels Auto Salon, with over 1,000 Alfa Romeos being sold in Belgium. For Pagnotta NV and their subdealers it represented the most successful month ever in their 40 year history.

By James Granger