Although Alfa Romeo has
to date created more than 70 models in its hundred year
history, it all came down to a battle between just two
cars in a UK poll of fans’ favourites, initiated
to celebrate the Italian marque’s centenary year. And it was the Giulia
GTAm racer that came top of the poll, narrowly beating the 8C
Competizione sports car to the chequered flag with less
than one percent more of the vote.The Alfa Giulia GTAm,
which gained 20.4 percent of the overall tally, derived
from the standard 1750 GT Veloce production model, and
secured its place in the Alfa Romeo elite by winning the
European Touring Car Championship in 1970 in the hands
of Dutchman Toine Hezemans. The votes for this poll were
collected from enthusiasts and owners – Alfisti -
who submitted photos of their Alfas to the special
alfacentenary.co.uk website which aimed to create a
unique piece of mosaic artwork.
The GTAm and Alfa
Romeo’s most recent "halo" sports car, the 8C
Competizione, led the way against a shortlist of
classics including the 2900 B Le Mans, Alfasud and the
156 GTA. A worthy runner-up with 19.8 per cent, the 8C
Competizione - worth more than £123,000 - debuted as a
concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003 and went
on to be produced in 2008 as a limited edition model of
just 500 examples, selling out almost immediately. The
car’s name derives from Alfa Romeo’s world famous 8
cylinder engine and the marque’s racing pedigree. The Spider/Duetto,
widely regarded as a design classic, finished in third
place with 16.01 per cent of the vote. This car was
first launched in 1966 and famously starred in the film
The Graduate in 1967, alongside Dustin Hoffman
and Anne Bancroft.
Alfa Romeo UK Brand
Communications manager, Damien Dally, says: “The Giulia
GTAm was a great Alfa and a deserved winner. It’s really
interesting to see how people voted in the poll. We all
have our favourites which is testament to the fantastic
cars Alfa Romeo has produced over the past century.”
Poll Results:
Giulia GTAm 20.4%; 8C Competizione
19.8%; Spider/Duetto 16.1%; Giulietta 13.1%; Alfasud
11%; 156 GTA 7.5%; Alfa 159 Alfetta 7.3%; 8C 2900 B Le
Mans 3.4%; Giulia 1600 Sprint Speciale 1.4%.
