Martin Buckley on the Alfa 90...

**italiansedanman** · #1 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 02:06 PM

If anyone can get hold of Classic and Sportscar January edition, you'll find Martin Buckley's 'backfire' column dedicated exclusively to the Alfa 90.

In typical Buckley fashion ofcourse, love or hate him he sings the praises of the often un-loved Alfa 90.

I tried to scan it here but I couldn't do it under the allowable file-size. Perhaps someone else might have it?

1969read · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 02:36 AM

I love to see it Jason

**italiansedanman** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 09:16 PM

This thread disappeared into AlfaBB oblivion as I expected but, in the couple of months since I posted it, the magazine has had a host of follow-up letters and interest in the Alfa 90.

Sadly, many of the letters regard the cars as hopeless, unreliable and unworthy of the badge - some even commented that the 90 put them off Alfas forever, even after the ownership of 105 and 116 series cars. Sad, as I think the 90 deserved more. Quirky by design, if it had been a slightly better-built car it might have gone down as one of the greatest rather than one of the most forgettable.

Clearly not many of you are C&SC readers, but it is a wonderful publication for those that are not totally single minded in their motoring interests.

**Gubi** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 09:35 PM

I read it - it was a clever article.

Unfortunately, in the last one that came out, old Martin gave up on the 90 and sold it. IIRC he just got frustrated by too many mechanical issues.

**italiansedanman** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 09:46 PM

Look, knowing Martin he'll probably be off to find something even more obscure and troublesome!

Oelholm · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 02:08 PM

Well, he went out and bought a MK II Golf GTi... Obscure and troublesome? More like boring

**Il Vecchio** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oelholm

Well, he went out and bought a MK II Golf GTi... Obscure and troublesome? More like boring

**italiansedanman** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Vecchio

Martin also bought a Lagonda Rapide- England's 1960's version of our Edsel

gtv27 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 04:19 AM

The 90 needs to be judged against other early 80s cars, where it stacks up pretty well. I think the Super was better (conventional gauges and sensible gearing for a start), but by the time it came along the world had moved on. Also, it really should have had an auto trans to suit its more relaxed demeanor. Having the 75 come along and make it look 'dumpy' didn't help either - typical Alfa!

**italiansedanman** · #10 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:34 PM

I think you're right Jason, it is usually judged out of context. Unfortunately, it arrived in a motoring world where the BMW 3 series shadowed almost everything that was remotely similar.

**Il Vecchio** · #11 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italiansedanman

You really think so?!?!