Clarkeson in a good mood

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Steve Haigh - 26 Apr 2004 22:34 GMT

Jeremy Clarkson* wrote an article in last Sunday's Times. Of interest
(a) because he was actually quite nice about a car and (b) the car was
an Alfa.

OK, to be precise the car was a 328bhp Autodelta 147 GTA. He quite liked
it - quoting his article: "Mad amount of power and astounding grip make
this the hottest hatch ever", 4 stars out of 5.

He also seemed mildly keen on the 166: "It had a soul, that car ... a
real, genuine character that somehow managed to turn every mile of the
journey into a heart-warming event".

I admit Clarkson is not everyone's cup of tea (me included), but it's
worth checking the article anyway. It's certainly more interesting to
Alfa fans than his normal hyperbole and metaphor homework exercise.

Web site: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2105-1085010,00.html

Steve

* Apologies to non-UK readers who have never heard of him. He's a bit of
a character in the UK motoring media, to say the least.

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Alfistagj - 26 Apr 2004 23:09 GMT

> * Apologies to non-UK readers who have never heard of him. He's a bit of
> a character in the UK motoring media, to say the least.

Well at least in Holland Jeremy is considered one of few independent car
journalists (or "entertainer"???)
Where most "real" journalists never burn a car down to the ground because
they will be ignored by the car manufacturer the next time, Jeremy is always
very clear in what he says/writes.
I suppose he was the only one to really trash the 350Z!!
And, to be honest, what's nicer than looking at a multi car test on TV
between an Golf VR6, (If I recall correctly) Clio Turbo and the 147GTA
having the reporter (Jeremy) praise both Golf and Clio about their quality
etc. complaining about the GTA's depreciation, brake pad and tyre wear and
conluding that the only one of the 3 he would buy is the ............ GTA!!!
Why:
Because it's the only "car" of the 3!
I love him!

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Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000)
Golden Montreal (1973/4)

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Info - 27 Apr 2004 08:39 GMT

I agree totally.

He once made an entire item about cars being bad for the environment,
proving a 2CV pollutes more than a F355, and that a Saab turbo puts out less
CO2 than six joggers.

For that episode alone, Clarkson should get a statue. A big one.

He also said 'I have a theory about Alfas; every car nut should have at
least owned one in his life'

Info

> > * Apologies to non-UK readers who have never heard of him. He's a bit of
> > a character in the UK motoring media, to say the least.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Because it's the only "car" of the 3!
> I love him!

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Tom Boltwood - 27 Apr 2004 10:10 GMT

> From: Steve Haigh <steve_a_haigh@hotmail.com>
> Newsgroups: alt.autos.alfa-romeo
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> * Apologies to non-UK readers who have never heard of him. He's a bit of
> a character in the UK motoring media, to say the least.

I'm a very big fan of his. I think he's an excellent writer, and also very
honest about the cars he tests. I can see why people wouldn't like him. He
loves Alfas by the way.

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Jacopo - 27 Apr 2004 12:27 GMT

I find that UK Guys are really nice. Not only they dislike german cars, but
they like italian cars. Mr. Clarkson, about the 166 3.0 V6: '...there are
better saloon cars: but not many.'
I finally like J. Clarkson very much.

Signature

Jacopo
Bolzano, Italia
--
Sportwagon 2.5 V6 24V Distinctive

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Pete - 27 Apr 2004 15:45 GMT

SNIP

>I admit Clarkson is not everyone's cup of tea (me included), but it's
>worth checking the article anyway. It's certainly more interesting to
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>* Apologies to non-UK readers who have never heard of him. He's a bit of
>a character in the UK motoring media, to say the least.

Mr C is a European - he even made a TV series to prove it <ROF>
Driving around France, Spain, Italy, Germany in an E type and
meeting and greeting the people. Brilliant series.

Pete
======remove the rust to reply======
<iowna156@rustclubalfa.com>
156 2.0 TS (2001) - Proteo Rosso (his)
147 2.0 TS (2002) - Gem Green (her's)

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Tom Boltwood - 27 Apr 2004 16:41 GMT

> From: Pete<iowna156@alfa.com>
> Organization: Zen Internet
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Driving around France, Spain, Italy, Germany in an E type and
> meeting and greeting the people. Brilliant series.

Was that the one where he ate an Ortolan?

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Alfistagj - 27 Apr 2004 17:17 GMT

> Was that the one where he ate an Ortolan?

Yes, and cockroaches, worms and Italian cars..........

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Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000)
Golden Montreal (1973/4)

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Halmyre - 28 Apr 2004 08:56 GMT

> Jeremy Clarkson* wrote an article in last Sunday's Times. Of interest
> (a) because he was actually quite nice about a car and (b) the car was
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> * Apologies to non-UK readers who have never heard of him. He's a bit of
> a character in the UK motoring media, to say the least.

I would like to remind everyone that Mr Clarkson once torched an Alfa
on TV - oh, wait that was an Arna...no harm done...

Halmyre

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Ross - 28 Apr 2004 10:51 GMT

> > He also seemed mildly keen on the 166: "It had a soul, that car ... a
> real, genuine character that somehow managed to turn every mile of the
> journey into a heart-warming event".

And I see his side-kick from Top Gear, Richard Hammond is tipping the 166 as
a future classic in an article in the Carole Nash Insurance magazine.

"The Alfa 166 is rare and whilst it may not be jaw-droppingly beautiful
today, it will be in the future."

Regards
Ross
147 1.6 Lusso

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Pete - 28 Apr 2004 17:24 GMT

>And I see his side-kick from Top Gear, Richard Hammond is tipping the 166 as
>a future classic in an article in the Carole Nash Insurance magazine.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Regards
>Ross

I assume that this is the little lad that is always teased about boy-bands
and uttering nonsense!!

Pete
======remove the rust to reply======
<iowna156@rustclubalfa.com>
156 2.0 TS (2001) - Proteo Rosso (his)
147 2.0 TS (2002) - Gem Green (her's)

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Ross - 29 Apr 2004 08:37 GMT

> >And I see his side-kick from Top Gear, Richard Hammond is tipping the 166 as
> >a future classic

> I assume that this is the little lad that is always teased about boy-bands
> and uttering nonsense!!

That's the one!

Regards
Ross

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MeatballTurbo - 18 May 2004 09:54 GMT

> I assume that this is the little lad that is always teased about boy-bands
> and uttering nonsense!!

And shirts

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The poster formerly known as Skodapilot.
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

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