Ferrari: Fiat buys Maserati

So this may mean the 8c may see the light of day after all?

In article <8B1Rd.16778$news.blueyonder.co.uk>,
"Tony Rickard" <co.uk> wrote:
 

NO, it does not. In fact, not until yesterday's news did the
announcement of the shelving of the 8C project make any sense. Now it
makes perfect sense. Apparently Fiat KNEW that they were going to group
Maserati and Alfa together in a new business unit, and that the 8C and
Maserati Sports Coupe would then be direct competitors within their own
profit center.

What it hopefully does mean is a fairly quick return to the North
American Market for Alfa Romeo now, since Maseratis are already here.

--
George Graves
------------------
"Windows sucks. There's no doubt about it."
Bill Gates - CES-2005, Las Vegas, Nevada

"George Graves" wrote:
 

A view expressed on http://www.italiaspeed.com/

"Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione concept to get the green light?

While discussing any impending tie-up between Alfa Romeo and Maserati,
mention must be made of the gorgeous Alfa 8c Competizione concept. This
sports car, which has received widespread public and press acclaim, is based
around the Maserati Coupe and Spyder's 4.2-litre V8 engine and rear
transaxle. As such it is a prime example of the superb synergy between the
two brands, available by combining Alfa Romeo heritage and design, with
modern day Maserati engineering, and is the perfect example, in the metal,
of how collaboration between the two companies could become a reality.

For the near future, the severing of the agreement with GM makes it ever
more likely that the 8c Competizione will, after all, receive the green
light for a limited series production."

On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:10:12 GMT, "Tony Rickard"
<co.uk>, wrote:
 
No it wont. Anyway, I am past caring now Tony. After all the joy of the
news that it would be built, and the planning to buy.... Then the final
news that it had been definitely scrapped, I have spent a chunk of the
money. So Alfa wont be selling me one now any how. I am utterly fed up.
I, like the rest here in the UK, live with the abysmal lack of dealer
support, but if the owner cant even be bothered to make the cars.
I will just spend the rest on keeping old Alfas instead and have the added
joy of knowing the money will be going into indie workshops and not FIAT.

I wish I had been born more recently. Then maybe I would have grown up
loving Evo rally cars or some over such Jap crap. That way I would not have
developed a soul in the first place.

Pete
--
<com>
156 2.0 TS (2001) - Proteo Rosso (his)
147 2.0 TS (2002) - Gem Green (her's)

On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 19:36:41 GMT, "Tony Rickard"
<co.uk> wrote: 

The next Maserati coupe will be based on the 4-porte platform, to
compete with the LARGE M-B coupe and cab offerings, the 4200 based 8c
would then slot in as a BMW competitor?

In article <dn6Rd.17038$news.blueyonder.co.uk>,
"Tony Rickard" <co.uk> wrote:
 

I'd like to see it happen but it would be horribly expensive (according
to an article Britain's "Car" magazine last fall) at US$150K (80K Quid).
Compare the 8C with, say, a new Ford GT (US$135K or 72K Quid).
Mid-engined, more power, better handling (ostensibly) and iconic good
looks. Which would you choose? Don't get me wrong, I love Alfas and have
owned many. But IMHO in this case, the Ford is probably the better car.
Now, if they could sell the 8C for LESS than the Maserati upon which it
is based (instead of more), then we'd have something there.

--
George Graves
------------------
"Windows sucks. There's no doubt about it."
Bill Gates - CES-2005, Las Vegas, Nevada

In article <com>,
Pete<com> wrote:
 

I hear you there. In my humble opinion, the Japanese have built only one
car with the character (or "soul" if you prefer) which defined British
Sports cars of yore, and Italian Sports cars from any time, and that's
the gorgeous Toyota 2000 from late '60's (check out the latest "Octane"
for a nice article about it). As pretty as any coachbuilt Italian car,
and lots of fun to drive (a bit underpowered with a 2-liter 150 HP
straight-six though), it just looks RIGHT.

--
George Graves
------------------
"Windows sucks. There's no doubt about it."
Bill Gates - CES-2005, Las Vegas, Nevada

"George Graves" <net> wrote in message
 


Funny how, having such soul it still has a
Japanese look to it. It's like looking at an
old Honda GP bike. It's Japanese but it
has that certain something about it.

As you said, it just looks RIGHT.



-Matt- "..."