Alfa Romeo's MiTo subcompact. Image: Alfa Romeo

Blame a European economic situation that’s rapidly approaching critical mass, or blame Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne’s obsession with details. Whatever the case, Alfa Romeo has announced that the U.S. introduction of the Giulia midsize sedan and the Giulietta compact hatchback will be delayed another year, and won’t make their U.S. debut before 2014. That leaves Fiat dealers with nothing to sell except the Fiat 500 for the next two or three years.

The only Alfa that remains on schedule for a U.S. launch is the MiTo subcompact hatchback, shown above. The MiTo will offer Italian car fans an alternative to the Fiat 500, when it hits the U.S. market in 2013. Assuming, of course, that the global economy doesn’t worsen further, and assuming that Alfa Romeo’s launch timeline isn’t further extended. The 4C sports car is still on track for a late 2013 launch, but it will be built in limited quantities at a price north of $60,000. It’s sexy, but it’s not enough to carry off the relaunch of a brand in a major market.

Alfa Romeo has also binned plans to build an SUV on the Jeep Liberty platform in Toledo, Ohio. Instead, the Italian automaker will introduce a full size sedan built on the Maserati Quattroporte platform sometime in 2014.

Unless, of course, its plans change again.

Source: Automotive News

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

Lancia Scorpion

Matte black Volvo V70R

Opel GT and Opel Kadett Coupe

Volvo P1800S

Saab 9-3 Viggens

Ferrari 360 Modena and 328GTS

Citroën 2CV and Smart Roadster Coupe

Gorgeous Audi Quattro

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Twin-charged Audi A1

Volvo S60Rs

Saab 99 Turbo

Badass Volvos: PV544 and 142

DKW Junior de Luxe - DKW/Dampf-Kraft-Wagen became one of the four companies that comprised the "Audi NSU Auto Union AG" (now known as Audi AG).

Triumph TR8 and TR6s

Saab 96 V4 convertible - must have been a custom job.

Bimmer Beauties

Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition

Citroën H Van and DS

Audi A7

Honda Z600 / 600 Coupe

Saab Sonetts

Datsun SPL311 Roadster

Opel GT

If you want to get a bid in on this car, I’d suggest you hurry since the eBay auction is set to expire on Sunday morning. Up for grabs (and spotted on Bring A Trailer) is a 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider that’s been Frankensteinized: gone is the original 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replaced by a 5.0-liter V-8 from Ford. The owner doesn’t list horsepower, but given the engine’s 9.0:1 compression and stock cams, it can’t be too excessive. Of course it does rock a 4-bbl carb, Edelbrock intake, Edelbrock heads and a custom exhaust system, so let’s just call horsepower “more than adequate”. Ensuring that the rearend isn’t turned into a pile of metal shavings, the owner has thoughtfully replaced the stock rear with one from a Chevy S-10, and a Borg Warner T-5 five speed handles the gear changes.

I’ve got to say I’m not a fan of the Lexan hood, which would be the first thing to go. Scratch that: the first things to go would be the uber-cheesy “5.0” and “GT” badges stuck to the back of the car, which add as much class as putting zebra-skin-patterned seat covers on a Ferrari 458 Italia. The owner claims the car weighs 49 pounds less than stock , but he doesn’t tell you that the balance has now shifted to the front. Put another way, the car would be a handful to drive in the rain, or around a corner under anything but constant throttle. As for me, I’ll pass on the Frankenspider, but if it speaks to you seek therapy you’ll find the car on eBay Motors.

Source: Bring A Trailer

A few months ago the sheer beauty of the Alfa Romeo TZ3 by Zagato put you in a coma. Well, prepare your hospital bed, because Zagato says they’re building it. The company plans to put the car into limited production, using Dodge Viper running gear.

The original TZ3 was built for the devilishly wealthy collector Martin Kapp of Germany to celebrate 100 years of racing from Scuderia Ferrari, Alfa Corse, Autodelta, and Scuderia Zagato. It was built as a show piece,  the exquisitely gorgeous descendant of the stunning Alfa Romeo TZ1 and TZ2.

Allegedly the car was built on the already beguiling Alfa Romeo 8C and has a roaring 4.7-liter V8 good for about 450 horsepower.

The production TZ3 will use Dodge Viper running gear. Rumor is the car will be a re-bodied and heavily modified Viper, complete with the snake’s thunderous 600-plush horsepower 8.4-liter V10. The production car will undoubtedly be bigger and heavier than the design study, which is unfortunate. The monstrous pushrod V10 also seems ill matched to the gorgeous Italian bodywork. But, hey, it worked for the super-hot Devon GTX, so it could work with the TZ3. A ravishing Italian beauty with the savage heart of a snake.

Source: Autoblog

Winter totally blows – there I said it. So far this year in the Northeast we’ve received record snowfalls and temperatures so cold that it feels as though my nipples are going to pop off and roll away. For car enthusiasts weather like this leads us to do stupid things like scour the internet in search of cars and or parts that we simply don’t need. For example, I was searching eBay this morning when I came across this little diddy – a 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV. I love these little cars and from a styling perspective think that they are some of the most attractive machines that Alfa Romeo ever built. This one is located a mere 3,000 miles away in sunny Los Angeles, CA. It’s got dark eggplant paint, a refurbished interior and some minor suspension work. It would also be an absolute hoot to tool around NYC in.

I started doing some calculations to see if I could come up with around 15k to possibly purchase it. Then I added on the shipping cost and attorney fees that would arise from the divorce I would have to endure if I actually pulled the trigger on this. Unfortunately for me, the price is simply too high. But you see, this is what cabin fever does to us on cold winter days when we’re snowed in. It makes us look at things we totally don’t need, have no room for and will only cost us time and money. Like I said, this little Alfa is a bit too steep for me, but who knows, maybe there’s something hiding in the VW section…

Sometimes you develop this strange and unholy attraction to things that aren’t good for you. For some people that’s drugs, for others it’s livestock or midget transvestites. For me, it’s mid-80s Alfa Romeo GTV6s. I’m really not sure why; a neighbor in college owned one, and I remember thinking that it was a cool car. Still, they were overpriced, underpowered and not at all known for their reliability, so the GTV never made my “must own” list back then.

As I get older, they somehow appeal to me more. Maybe it’s the car’s unique lines, or maybe it’s the whole Alfa Romeo mystique. One of these days, if the stars align, I’ll be in the right place at the right time to snap one up. If I did something exceptionally benevolent in a past life, perhaps it will even be a Callaway GTV6, like this Craigslist example found by Bring A Trailer.

By the mid 1980s, sales of the GTV6 in the United States had fallen to disappointing levels. To make the car more appealing, Alfa Romeo USA contacted Reeves Callaway about adding a turbocharger system to boost horsepower. Callaway designed an extremely elegant twin turbo system that boosted the stock GTV6 output from 154 horsepower to 230 horsepower, and increased torque from 157 ft lb to 245 ft lb. A grand total of 35 Callaway GTV6s were sold between 1984 and 1986, so even the addition of significantly more horsepower wasn’t enough to boost sales.

The Bring A Trailer find is for sale at a used car dealership in Lodi, New Jersey, so I’d already say “buyer beware”. There are a few other red flags with this particular GTV6, starting with the mileage. The seller claims the odometer reads 18,045 miles, which is bad news no matter how you slice it. If that’s actual mileage, the car hasn’t been driven much, which means it’s been sitting for extended periods of time. If the actual mileage is 118,045, chances are good it’s going to need a considerable amount of work, up to and including new turbos. The second problem (and help me out with this, Alfistas) is the wheels: they look like stock, TRX sized wheels to me, which aren’t correct for a Callaway GTV6. Callaways featured suspension mods, and dumped the stock TRX wheels and tires for BBS, OZ or Speedline wheels fitted with conventionally sized tires. If the wheels are original to the car, it could be a dealer built Callaway GTV6 and not a “genuine” Callaway GTV6.

I’d feel a lot better about the $16,500 asking price if it were from an owner, and not just a used car lot. If the car is in as good a condition as it looks, that may be a fair price if you can get some background on it. Without a documented history, that $16,500 is likely to be the opening salvo in a long and expensive battle with repairs and maintenance costs, destined to end in heartbreak for the new owner.

The Alfa Romea TZ2 was a legendary GT racer, a tube-framed marvel with a screaming twin-plug, twin-cam four and gorgeous curves courtesy of design house Zagato. Only 100 or so were made, most of them to race. Two, however, were handed over to legendary design firms Pininfarina and Bertone. The resulting cars are perhaps the most beautiful automotive creations ever made.

Bertone’s star designer Giorgetto Giugiaro took on the TZ2 for Alfa. His car was dubbed “Canguro,” Italian for “Kangaroo.” The beauty is a far cry from the bounding Australian marsupial. It’s a full six inches lower than Zagato’s TZ2 and has more curves than a Vargas girl. Its body is crafted entirely of aluminum and its seats are cast in ultra-thin fiberglass and mounted below the floorpan to accommodate taller drivers. It is one of the most voluptuous automobiles ever created.

In contrast, Pininfarina’s TZ2 is a sleek space-age arrow with a fighter jet’s wrap-around cockpit. It is, on the whole, fit to trade paint with the Mach V in an animated battle for the finish line. It’s an inspiring design that sucks your breath away like the cold, hard vacuum of space.

Which one would I take? Pininfarina’s masterpiece is hard to pass by, but I have a special place in my heart for Giugiaro and all things curvaceous, so the Canguro gets a spot in my garage.

If you’re like me then one of your favorite pass times is chewing up miles on the road to nowhere. What I mean by that is, you love going out for a drive just because you enjoy the actual emotions that driving brings. For some it’s the action of rowing through the gears, for others it’s the feeling of the wind in their hair, and yet for others it’s simply a great departure from the rigors of everyday life. Owning a classic car is luxury that most people think is way out of their reach. Auctions such as Barrett-Jackson and Mecum have skewed the public’s perception that all classic cars are out of reach and that everything that was built before 1980 is worth in the triple digits. Well ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to tell you that that is simply not so, in fact there are loads of hot little sports cars and roadsters that you can pick up in excellent condition right now for the price of a new Ford Fiesta. Sounds crazy right… well it’s not. Below is a list of 10 amazing automobiles that can be had for below 20K. So, with that being said go take a look at the list and clean out your garage, because I have a feeling there may be a new little fun mobile in your future.

• 1969–1976 Porsche 914

A lot of Porsche enthusiasts don’t consider this car to be a real Porsche – I say bullshit. The 914 is a hot little mid-engine sports car that is an absolute hoot to drive. It’s quick, well balanced and with some light performance modifications can be made to run with some much more high dollar machines. You can pick these up starting at around $7,000.

• 1967–1970 Datsun 2000 Roadster

It was lightweight, had 150 hp thanks to its 2.0 L U20 inline-4 mill, and was destined to become a future classic. Good ones can be had for around 15-20k, the key is doing your homework and the 311s.org forum is a great place to start.

• 1959-2000 Mini Cooper Classic

You know them, you love them, but I bet you didn’t think you could afford them. Websites like MiniMania.com can guide you in the right direction. Since these cupcakes were made for almost half a century it’s important to get some guidance before making a purchase. Oh yea… you can get these for under 10k.

• 1968–1976 BMW 2002

What you are looking at is the great grandfather to the BMW 3-Series. The 2002 is an enthusiasts car if there ever was one. Small, sporty, great handling and a blast to drive, the BMW 2002 has a true cult following. They’re deceptively roomy inside, have great handling manners and visibility and are accepted in just about every automotive circle. This one is high on my list!

• 1961–1973 Volvo P1800

The first time I saw this car I was shocked to find out that it was a Volvo. I mean just look at it, the thing is gorgeous and so far out of the boxy realm that Volvo’s styling is known for. These beauties are known to have some rust issues, so make sure to have them checked out thoroughly before you purchase one.

• 1958-1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Just read this – it’ll fill you in on why I dig these little guys.

• 1969–1976 Triumph TR6

Sure the Lucas electrics in these thing stunk, but that was part of their charm right? The Triumph TR6 is simply a great looking little roadster that will take you 100′s of happy Sunday morning rides. Plus there are Triumph clubs all over the place so finding parts and great mechanics should be no problem whatsoever.

• 1971-1974 Alfa Romeo GTV

The Alfa Romeo GTV is probably one of the best looking classic Italian sport coupes out there. Its little 2-liter inline-4 mill cranked out about 130 hp and with front and rear disc brakes, the little Alfa had performance levels of cars that cost twice as much. Price range from around 15-20k for clean models.

• 1962–1980 MG MGB Roadster

It’s British, small and looked like a million bucks. Here in the United States MG Roadsters are pretty common as their cheap to purchase and to maintain. Like anything British though, check the electronics and make sure you have an honest mechanic handy.

• 1966-1982 Fiat Spider

The Fiat Spider is the Italian version of the car that sits above and because of it, all the same rules apply, except of course for the mechanics name. In fact if it doesn’t end in a vowel I’d suggest running in the other direction.

We’ve all seen pictures of celebrities and their high-end automobiles. We’ve seen Bentley’s, Aston Martin’s, Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s as well as all manner of Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade carting them around. Their cars are treated to only the best mechanics and service that money can buy and are used as little more than props to further fuel their celebrity status. There are however, a very select few who, before fame and fortune, were true gear heads in the dirtiest sense of the word. These are celebs who are not afraid to get a little grease under their finger nails, to lie on their backs and wrench off an oil filter or flog the crap out of a high-end machine on the racecourse. These are the Top 10 Celebrity Gear Heads and we love em’ for bringing a little grit to the celebrity world.

• Jerry Seinfeld

You’d probably never think it, but funnyman Jerry Seinfeld is a pretty hopped up gear head. Now that he’s semi-retired with millions of greenbacks in the bank, the New York native finally has time to indulge in his favorite pastime – Porsche’s. Seinfeld has no less than 60 cars in his collection, most of which are Porsche’s. Hell, he’s even got the first air-cooled Porsche 911 ever built… not too shabby.

• Bill Goldberg

Former WWE superstar, NFL player and TV host Bill Goldberg is a car guy in the truest sense of the word. With an inclination towards muscle cars the big man has no fewer than 20 in his collection, with his pride and joy being that of the supercharged 1970 Boss 429 known as the “Lawman”. This is the car that toured Vietnam as part of the Vietnam-era U.S. Performance Team driving program.

• Adam Carolla

By looking at him you’d never guess that this Former Man Show host is a nut ball about vintage automobiles. From Lamborghini’s to vintage Datsun’s, Carolla’s taste truly span the automotive gamut. His automotive web cast show, CarCast with Adam Carolla takes us inside some of the coolest automobiles that roll on pavement.

• Eric Bana

You might know Australian actor Eric Bana from such movies as Black Hawk Down, The Incredible Hulk and Star Trek. Before he hit it big though, he was and still is, into cars. His main ride, first car, and the subject of his recent movie Love the Beast (a movie every car guy should see), is a 1973 Ford GT Falcon Coupe that Bana recently raced in the Targa Tasmania.

• Billy Gibbons

If you grew up in the 1980′s then you’re no doubt familiar with the 1933 Ford Coupe that graced the cover of the ZZ Top album Eliminator in 1983 and then Afterburner in 1985. Front man Billy Gibbons has had a lifelong love affair with vintage hot rods and Cadillac’s and when he’s not playing music, then it’s a pretty good bet he’s playing with cars.

• Jay Leno

Jay Leno is probably the biggest celebrity gear head of them all. The Tonight Show host and owner of the Big Dog Garage has a collection of over 80 cars and 70 motorcycles. He’s also a certified steam car mechanic, regular host at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the host of his own internet car show found at, Lay Leno’s Garage.

• Patrick Demsey

Dempsey has been acting since the early 1980′s with great success on both the big and small screen. His real love however is automobile racing. He’s raced in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 and is currently the co-owner of the Indy Car Series teams, Vision Racing and Dempsey Racing.

• Ralph Lauren

When you’re known as the most famous designer on the planet Earth the sky becomes the limit in terms of what you can afford. Ralph Lauren is known to own some of the most beautiful automobiles ever created. From vintage Ferrari’s and Alfa Romeo’s to super cars like the Mclaren F1, his collection is as vast as his clothing line.

• Billy Joel

Yep, it’s true. The piano man is also a total gear head with an inclination towards more of the two-wheeled variety. Classics from Moto Guzzi, Triumph and Ducati, as well as countless others adorn his collection. When he’s not playing or writing music, he’s usually out riding and tinkering on some very beautiful two-wheeled machines.

• Paul Walker

You may think that Paul Walker is only a car guy in the Fast and the Furious movie series, but truth be told his love for cars goes much much deeper. Walker is very much into what he preaches on screen, as his love for imports is very strong. He also races a track prepped time attack BMW M3 when he’s not actoring during his day job.

There are a number of Cars and Coffee-type meets that take place throughout the country (Kurt recently covered a Cars and Coffee meet in Jacksonville), and the DC-area one certainly does the concept justice.

One recent Saturday morning, I caravaned down with my buddy Paul (he was driving his monster Grand Cherokee SRT-8) and a pack of Vipers and Corvettes.  It was still dark when we left for the event, but by the time we arrived, the sun was gleaming like a halo on a heavenly field of precious metal.

There was a stunning array of Ferraris, Lambos (two Countachs and a Murcielago), Bimmers, Porsches, Corvettes, Alfas, Mercedes, Minis, Lotuses, Triumphs, Scouts, Maseratis, Jags, and even a Kaiser Darrin.  The cars also varied widely by model year.  Keep in mind that these are vehicles owned by the locals and driven there – these aren’t all investments that spend their days appreciating in a hermetically sealed garage.   Below are a few examples from that Saturday.

Dodge Vipers and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 from the morning’s caravan.

A rare gem – 1954 Kaiser Darrin (only 435 were built)

CLK63 AMG Black Series Mercedes

M&Ms – E24 M6 (!) and E30 M3

1965 or 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350

Mini Cooper and BMW 2002

Another uncommon sight – a BMW Z8, with Dodge Charger R/T in the background.

A gorgeous Jaguar E-type V12

Vettes – Stingray and Z51

I suggest that if you’re visiting to scope out the cars and you’re not driving anything that fits the bill, park around back and allow the eye candy to take the limited number of spots out front.  Then grab yourself a cup of hot coffee, take out your camera, and get to work salivating.  I can’t think of a better way to start the weekend.

Cars and Coffee is located at Katie’s Coffee House (760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA, 22066) and takes place every Saturday from April through October between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.