The guy who came up with the saying "You can't be an automobile enthusiast if you've never owned an Alfa" was DEFINITELY an Alfa mechanic. He'd like to thank you for the kids' braces, the pool, and the boat.
My uncle is an Alfa mechanic (also other Italian cars (Lancia, Fiat, etc)). He is making a killing since he started the business, and has a yard full of beautiful Alfas at all times.
"Charm" is such a great adjective for Alfa's (along with aura, presence, etc.) I've spent most of my adult life around BMW's and Porsche's and haven't yet owned an Alfa. But it's their charm that will someday force to me to get one. BTW...love your channel Casey!
Mitch and his team at Premier Financial Services are huge assets to the car community and we appreciate their continued support of VINwiki. It is truly a special thing when you find a car that you can't live without.
I enjoyed this. Nice storytelling and I resonated with the taking of old cars owning a 71 and 73 Opel GT and growing up in a 70 GT. There's something about the personality and soul of these older cars that makes them feel better than the newer "predictable" cars.
I'm pretty sure you can't forbid the Missus from using the word Forbidden, especially if she's telling you that you are FORBIDDEN from getting rid of a car you love.
@@kevinhibbard320 I picked it, I loved that car ever since it launched about 4 years before I was able to get my drivers license. I owned it in 2002 (car was from 99). It was burgundy with a tan interior, it was absolutely beautiful, and very fast for its time.
I own one from 2002, although it's the smaller 1.6 ts engine it is still an amazing car as a 20 yo, it's amazing interior and simple outer design, although I cry every time I have to buy original parts for maintenance
I think the real question is, "Are you a real car enthusiast if you don't drive your car?" This guy definitely gets it. It doesn't matter what badge your car has on the grille, if you like to turn a wrench or turn the steering wheel, you're a car enthusiast.
Hey Ed, please get Mitch to submit more stories!! He is truly a real "car guy"; today's youths need to hear stories like this or, like manual transmissions, the concept of "driving" will slowly fade into oblivion ☹.
Loved the story, sums up owning a classic Italian car very well, esp when he says everything is fine, go into the store and come out and turn the key.... Nothing... Classic Alfa romeos
Having had a 1969 GTV for 20 years, I can say it only let me down twice. 50 year-old coil recently failed and the gas tank developed rust internally and clogged the fuel pump. Other than that it runs and sounds superbly. My daughter once commented that it didn't need a radio with an engine that sounds that good. I agree!
I’m not an Alfa owner but I can still appreciate the value of enjoying an old car. I’ve also done my share of replacing and rebuilding every part on the vehicle only to have some sort of problem every other time I get behind the wheel. It irks you for a little while and as soon as you fix the issue, it becomes your favorite car again.
I went through a succession of British cars as a young guy, because they were all that I could afford, and thought that unreliability and quirkiness were just an unavoidable facet of car ownership. My first Alfa - an early Alfasud - spoiled me forever. I had discovered proper European cars and was in constant bliss on the road. After that one was wrecked there was a miserable period of boring vehicles including nine years of driving a 924 Turbo that was probably the most unreliable and expensive car ever, but good taste drew me back eventually. I had three more Italian lovers, a '79 2.0 Alfetta GT (which I had drooled over when they first came out) and eventually a 1965 Alfa 2600 and and Alfa 75 V6 (Milano in USA). Unlike this guy I never made money on any of them, but it didn't matter. They were all bought as beaters, fixed and had the heck driven out of them. Yes indeed. Real car guys drive Alfa Romeos. It's a pity they make bland such crap these days, and I would kill for a 1900 from the 1950s or a Montreal.
No, and that's why I'm not a real car guy, yet. My friends family had a bunch of old Alfas and I drove them and know how amazing they feel to drive. I will have one some day.
I waited the entire story at the end to hear him say “had the engine out, starter rewired, everything done, starts and runs better than ever, stopped off at the store and came back out ......wouldn’t start” 😂😂😂
In regards to your *'turn the key and nothing happens and you've replaced "everything" situation':* That's an easy enough fix because it's electrical, but did you actually replace the ignition switch along with the "everything" else? Most people won't and/or don't, that's why I'm asking.
Last time I was this early, the hopes and dreams of kids wanting to start exotic car rental companies hadn't been crushed yet. Who are we kidding? They'll try anyway.
GTV6 owner here. Cars with lots of character are so much fun to own. Yes we need the appliance daily drivers, but there is no passion in those. And Alfa Romeo? Very high fun factor in driving those .
great story. agree so much. its not for everyone but I daily drive a Chevy SSR. Its so fun, has its quirks but gets more attention and comments than anything I've driven. Normal people stop and comment. I might be destined for an Alfa....sounds like a similar experience. For the enjoyment.
Alfasud Ti, 1979 1.5. $200, 5 speed with the flat 4.... Rust, rust and more rust but I persevered and got the body and engine sorted and drove it for a while. Glorious to drive on a nice sunny day but rain or night time the electrics made it interesting. First and last Alfa followed by a Lancia Beta coupe which was another story lol
First car was a alfa romeo mito at 17, definitely not a true alfa (works too well) but it has hooked me on them probably for the rest of my life, even in one like the mito, it still has a little special something
The coupe version of this car is one of the prettiest things there is. Had a '79 coupe and w/the lighter 4cyl. and rear trans. it had about perfect 50/50 weight distribution. It had fuel injection and never hadda do a damn thing to it. Never once let me down. Not the prettiest car but certainly about the most enjoyable to drive....and that Alfa sound!!!
what's even better than having an old car that provides you with the assurance of not knowing what's going to happen to it from day to day, is that you have half a chance of actually fixing it when something inevitably does wrong.
LOL my miata. all though it's not a "collector" by any stretch of the imagination, it runs great. Every time it rains the brand new roof leaks from the rain guards. It has a slight stench of oil, or something. I love every shift in it, every turn, every nice day. I have horrible lower back pain and the miata is horrible for that. It has wind noise and a few other thousands were of things i'd love to do with it. I need another car, a boring, auto, maybe 4x4 for a DD, but i'm in college and enjoying this car to the fullest.
The 'ghost' inside your Alfa is a standard production item. Every single Alfa I've ever known would randomly fail to fire up the starter, for absolutely no discernible reason. And then start perfectly the next time you turned the key. If you front up to an Alfa owner with this observation you're inevitably told it's all part of the 'charm' of having one...
Idk about old alfas, but with the 90s and upper moddels you will have only 2 happy moments with the car. 1st when you buy it, and 2nd when you finally got it sold..
Did he just say, i sold my Alpha because i live in the northeast and 2 seater convertibles are not always good or easy to drive with the weather there. So i sold it and went out and bought a "Boxster S"??!!! Wtf dude?? A Boxster S, is another 2 seater convertible sports car!
@@patrickwoodring1884 Acting like it's not true isn't going to convince anyone that someone pissed in an observers Cheerios. Ask all those flashy car guys to show you the title to their new toy. You almost always have to come back in 11-1/2 years. The banking industry is laughing at all these retards who finance themselves to death in the name of "But, I am a real car enthusiast!"
Enjoyable story teller and likable guy.
Thomas Michael totally agree. Very soothing tone, good description and concise details.
Mitch is an awesome guy and a go-to resource in the exotic car world. Glad to have him around.
Agreed, please have him back.
Gotta say, I like this guy, right attitude, nice demeanor, bet he has more stories to tell.
The guy who came up with the saying "You can't be an automobile enthusiast if you've never owned an Alfa" was DEFINITELY an Alfa mechanic. He'd like to thank you for the kids' braces, the pool, and the boat.
My uncle is an Alfa mechanic (also other Italian cars (Lancia, Fiat, etc)). He is making a killing since he started the business, and has a yard full of beautiful Alfas at all times.
No, he was a Fiat mechanic. Fix It Again, Tony.
@@PetarJovanovic993 Neka predje na VW grupaciju, duplirace posao. :)
Alfa’s are delightful sports cars with big charm. Some things (my Viper) you just dont get rid of.
"Charm" is such a great adjective for Alfa's (along with aura, presence, etc.) I've spent most of my adult life around BMW's and Porsche's and haven't yet owned an Alfa. But it's their charm that will someday force to me to get one.
BTW...love your channel Casey!
Used to be! Before FIAT get control over them in 80's
Wait.. Casey’s got a channel?? Subscribed!! 👍🏻
mrgbeck1 well... yeah!! :)
Mitch and his team at Premier Financial Services are huge assets to the car community and we appreciate their continued support of VINwiki. It is truly a special thing when you find a car that you can't live without.
Love you ed!
This dude is a car guy through and through. No trailer queen shit, just good old gasoline and motoroil will do for him.
The last time I was this early Rabbit was smuggling his phone into jury duty.
Loved this one. Thanks VinWiki!
Our pleasure. Thanks for watching.
I enjoyed this. Nice storytelling and I resonated with the taking of old cars owning a 71 and 73 Opel GT and growing up in a 70 GT. There's something about the personality and soul of these older cars that makes them feel better than the newer "predictable" cars.
Clarkson wisdom here.
VinWiki certainly needs more humble people like Mitch. Thanks for sharing!
The speaker really captures the essence of vintage cars.
He certainly does. I was inspired to go find something old to keep running.
@@EdBolian A Miura maybe? I'm hunting for a 550 Spyder or a Jaguar E-Type, but it's rare to find screwed negotiater selling those.
Last time I was this early American Express was still doubting Ed could travel so quickly
Mark of Excellence the time you were early before that, the pump worked because the algorithm didn't exist yet!
Forbidden should never be a word used with cars. Nothing is off limits for car guys!
V8 swapping 911s is a sin
@@ZephyrCorsa no its common sense
So RUF is bad?
Forbid the forbiden bitches, take another dab
I'm pretty sure you can't forbid the Missus from using the word Forbidden, especially if she's telling you that you are FORBIDDEN from getting rid of a car you love.
My first car was an Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6. Awesome car!
Those sound amazing !!
Hand me down, or did you pick that? And first car as in 16-18 years old? Ps so badass.
@@kevinhibbard320 I picked it, I loved that car ever since it launched about 4 years before I was able to get my drivers license. I owned it in 2002 (car was from 99). It was burgundy with a tan interior, it was absolutely beautiful, and very fast for its time.
Don’t know many other cars I’d rather have as a first than an Italian beauty with a V6
I own one from 2002, although it's the smaller 1.6 ts engine it is still an amazing car as a 20 yo, it's amazing interior and simple outer design, although I cry every time I have to buy original parts for maintenance
Been in love with Alfas since the 70's. My Spider Veloce is part of my family and loved more than any other cars we have ever owned.
An owner who actually drives his classic and doesn’t make it a museum piece. Refreshing. Thank you.
Such a humble guy, a great story teller also!!
Talking about how undependable his car is and how much he likes it reminds me of a Lotus owner 🤣
Or the way Ed describes the relationship Land Rover owners have with their vehicles.
i was told Italian cars are unreliable is because the Italian men can spend more time in the garage than hang out with their wives.
Love to hear more from Mitch. Fantastic storyteller
I think the real question is, "Are you a real car enthusiast if you don't drive your car?" This guy definitely gets it. It doesn't matter what badge your car has on the grille, if you like to turn a wrench or turn the steering wheel, you're a car enthusiast.
Gorgeous car
I love these real people stories. Makes the love of car pure and true
Hey Ed, please get Mitch to submit more stories!! He is truly a real "car guy"; today's youths need to hear stories like this or, like manual transmissions, the concept of "driving" will slowly fade into oblivion ☹.
Italian cars, when you get so used to things breaking down that you actually come to miss it!
Beautiful car ! Looks great!
Low-key, engaging story. Lotsa heart, lotsa soul, altogether wonderful. Thanks, Mitch; thanks, Ed!
Such a great story teller with a great outlook and message
Loved the story, sums up owning a classic Italian car very well, esp when he says everything is fine, go into the store and come out and turn the key.... Nothing... Classic Alfa romeos
Great story, and nice to see a new face. Thanks guys.
Keep up the perfect work!
Having had a 1969 GTV for 20 years, I can say it only let me down twice. 50 year-old coil recently failed and the gas tank developed rust internally and clogged the fuel pump. Other than that it runs and sounds superbly. My daughter once commented that it didn't need a radio with an engine that sounds that good. I agree!
This little Alfa is the equivalent of Oliver to Hammond.
OOOOlllIIIvvvvEEErrrrrr!!!!!
Probably the best Top Gear special.
I’m not an Alfa owner but I can still appreciate the value of enjoying an old car. I’ve also done my share of replacing and rebuilding every part on the vehicle only to have some sort of problem every other time I get behind the wheel. It irks you for a little while and as soon as you fix the issue, it becomes your favorite car again.
Man, this guy looks just like the actor michael keaton.
True car guys know what they love and drive that love every day.
I went through a succession of British cars as a young guy, because they were all that I could afford, and thought that unreliability and quirkiness were just an unavoidable facet of car ownership. My first Alfa - an early Alfasud - spoiled me forever. I had discovered proper European cars and was in constant bliss on the road. After that one was wrecked there was a miserable period of boring vehicles including nine years of driving a 924 Turbo that was probably the most unreliable and expensive car ever, but good taste drew me back eventually. I had three more Italian lovers, a '79 2.0 Alfetta GT (which I had drooled over when they first came out) and eventually a 1965 Alfa 2600 and and Alfa 75 V6 (Milano in USA). Unlike this guy I never made money on any of them, but it didn't matter. They were all bought as beaters, fixed and had the heck driven out of them.
Yes indeed. Real car guys drive Alfa Romeos. It's a pity they make bland such crap these days, and I would kill for a 1900 from the 1950s or a Montreal.
No, and that's why I'm not a real car guy, yet. My friends family had a bunch of old Alfas and I drove them and know how amazing they feel to drive. I will have one some day.
What a lovely story! Exactly how I think of my hobby car. I have to be able to use it like I want.
Great story . Love my lunchtime vinwiki stories
Great story....they do say your not a car guy if you have never had a Alfa Romeo
Excellent story and the presenter made it sound enjoyable as the car presents itself...
Alfas are beautiful. My dad owns his 5th one so far.
I waited the entire story at the end to hear him say “had the engine out, starter rewired, everything done, starts and runs better than ever, stopped off at the store and came back out ......wouldn’t start” 😂😂😂
I was sure it was coming....
In regards to your *'turn the key and nothing happens and you've replaced "everything" situation':* That's an easy enough fix because it's electrical, but did you actually replace the ignition switch along with the "everything" else? Most people won't and/or don't, that's why I'm asking.
Last time I was this early, the hopes and dreams of kids wanting to start exotic car rental companies hadn't been crushed yet. Who are we kidding? They'll try anyway.
GTV6 owner here. Cars with lots of character are so much fun to own. Yes we need the appliance daily drivers, but there is no passion in those.
And Alfa Romeo? Very high fun factor in driving those .
I'm in my third Alfa now, a 94 1.7 33 (don't judge me, I'm a married man, can only afford that)
Still an alfa so take it as a dub and run with it.
33s are great..
Where is the lemonade stand?
This is how i feel with my 94 chevy camaro Z28. 171,000 miles. I haven't had any problem with it yet knock on wood lol
Got a '98 146, it's old but for me gold
great story. agree so much. its not for everyone but I daily drive a Chevy SSR. Its so fun, has its quirks but gets more attention and comments than anything I've driven. Normal people stop and comment. I might be destined for an Alfa....sounds like a similar experience. For the enjoyment.
My first car was an Alfa 147 FL Black Edition. Still have it today
I own a YUGO! Who's the real enthusiast now?
Alfasud Ti, 1979 1.5. $200, 5 speed with the flat 4.... Rust, rust and more rust but I persevered and got the body and engine sorted and drove it for a while.
Glorious to drive on a nice sunny day but rain or night time the electrics made it interesting. First and last Alfa followed by a Lancia Beta coupe which was another story lol
That's who you should try and get is Wayne carrini
Alfa Romeo its like a friendly, charming thief.
So the Italian equivalent of a Jaaaaaaaag. ;)
Certainly steals all the money from my bank account 😁
Well put
But they steal so little! They are the chapest real car on the secondhand markets.
More like a woman who throws tantrums every now and then but you're way too much into how she makes love to you that you can't really leave her.
Awesome! This is what it’s all about, right here!
You guys should get Do it with Dan on here that would be awesome
First car was a alfa romeo mito at 17, definitely not a true alfa (works too well) but it has hooked me on them probably for the rest of my life, even in one like the mito, it still has a little special something
I have driven a bunch of old alfas, I desperately want to drive a new quadrifoglio.
Great story. This guy knows the secret of life.
Thank you for the story Mitch.
perfect story, that love for car can understand just people like us
I’m 19 and I’ve already fixed and sold a 74’ 105 spider
AWESOME SAUCE
LOVE your car & DRIVE IT
It’s not a picture to hang on the wall,ENJOY IT🤓👍
Fantastic story!
I really like this guy he has attachment to his cars like I do and it’s hard to be attached to a car that everyone can just go out and buy
The coupe version of this car is one of the prettiest things there is.
Had a '79 coupe and w/the lighter 4cyl. and rear trans. it had about perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
It had fuel injection and never hadda do a damn thing to it. Never once let me down. Not the prettiest car but certainly about the most enjoyable to drive....and that Alfa sound!!!
Could be a ground i had problems like that on my 280zx
Wow, y’all invited Michael Keaton onto VINwiki! 😉👍🏻
Jeremy Clarkson
I’m saving my first time for the upcoming 6 or 8C
what's even better than having an old car that provides you with the assurance of not knowing what's going to happen to it from day to day, is that you have half a chance of actually fixing it when something inevitably does wrong.
That's y I love my 73 super beetle not a sports car but a classic cult car
That is one nice Alpha.
Good story too.
Alfa*
Gorgeous car awesome story thanks for sharing!. My wife has told me I am never allowed to sell my 911.
Darren It749 what year 911
@@communismman1471 1998 the ugly 🦆 but I love it. It's awesome to drive just happy to have a 911.
Darren It749 I have a 1947 studebaker commander also a ugly duckling but really fun
Good story. Very amicable man.
He certainly is.
Real car love
yer.
Second time I hear Wayne Carini's name. When will he be on??? :-)
Alfa Romeo: Ya just don't know what's gonna happen!
Really nice story
Gorgeous cars!
Beautiful cars but I prefer my car to work
LOL my miata. all though it's not a "collector" by any stretch of the imagination, it runs great. Every time it rains the brand new roof leaks from the rain guards. It has a slight stench of oil, or something. I love every shift in it, every turn, every nice day. I have horrible lower back pain and the miata is horrible for that. It has wind noise and a few other thousands were of things i'd love to do with it. I need another car, a boring, auto, maybe 4x4 for a DD, but i'm in college and enjoying this car to the fullest.
I wish alfa didnt have that V shape in the front on the grill
Good morning, have a great Thursday!
Old cars have soul and these new cars lack that entirely.
The 'ghost' inside your Alfa is a standard production item. Every single Alfa I've ever known would randomly fail to fire up the starter, for absolutely no discernible reason. And then start perfectly the next time you turned the key. If you front up to an Alfa owner with this observation you're inevitably told it's all part of the 'charm' of having one...
Idk about old alfas, but with the 90s and upper moddels you will have only 2 happy moments with the car. 1st when you buy it, and 2nd when you finally got it sold..
"Just don't know whats gonna happen" Maybe that's what why ppl like Range Rovers so much
really liked this guy..
Thanks! We do too.
Great video. Wonder where in Connecticut
I want the SZ. It's my favorite Alfa
Never watched one of these this new before lol
Thanks for being early!
Did he just say, i sold my Alpha because i live in the northeast and 2 seater convertibles are not always good or easy to drive with the weather there. So i sold it and went out and bought a "Boxster S"??!!! Wtf dude?? A Boxster S, is another 2 seater convertible sports car!
This guy looks like Bruce Willis and sounds like Rob Spaghetti.
Not everyone wants to go in debt for 12 years of car loans from "Premier Financial Services", etc, to impress the local 11 year olds at Cars & Coffee.
danger450 Who pissed in your cheerios this morning?
@@patrickwoodring1884 Acting like it's not true isn't going to convince anyone that someone pissed in an observers Cheerios. Ask all those flashy car guys to show you the title to their new toy. You almost always have to come back in 11-1/2 years. The banking industry is laughing at all these retards who finance themselves to death in the name of "But, I am a real car enthusiast!"
@@danger450 My banking wife laughs at these sponsors. 😆
You ain't lying.... 😅
Small town, NW CT... not far from Lime Rock me thinks...;-) If so, it makes sense that the Alfa was up there.
U know u live a good life aka #1stworldproblems , when u want ur car to surprise you. Most people can't stand that. Great to see an Alfa running well.