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Sports car lovers and Alfa Romeo aficionados are to be given one more chance to get their hands on an Alfa 8C – except this year, it’s the even more beautiful 8C Spider that’s on offer.
The Alfa 8C Spider, pictured in our gallery, will debut at the Geneva motor show next month. Powered by the same 450bhp, 4.7-litre V8 that sees service in the 8C Competizione coupe, it also runs the same six-speed paddleshift gearbox. Its advantage is the folding cloth top hood, which is likely to operate and ...Read the full article

Blah blah 450bhp blah, gorgeous, blah blah blah

What's the point? 

I hate these (and concept) cars, there is no way of buying one, as they've probably sold them all to people who will stick them in an air conditioned garage for 364 days of the year. 

So Alfa - offer more than 500 of these and let us celebrate your "Sports Car" revival, instead of just offering the obese and slow Brera to the passionate masses.

Here we go again, lovely car with the roof on, pointless to UK owners as a drop top!

Not that I'd ever be able to get one, but I don't see it as pointless. I love driving with the roof down, even when cold - assuming its not raining. Last summer was pretty awful, but previous two summers have been really dry (I live in the South East) with plenty of opportunity for roof down motoring in the sun. Agree with the first post though, the only sunlight most of these cars will probably see is the halogen bulbs in the eight car garage.

Aren't all supercars pointless?

Isn't that part of the appeal?

I agree with Julian Philips about driving with the roof down being great - and I live in the West of Scotland! Sometimes you even get the 'soft-top wave' when another open car driver spots you, although older cars and Morgans get the most waves in my experience.

Poinless? Maybe.

Too impractical? Probably.

Too expensive? Definitely.

Too limited a production? That too.

 

But................it's good to dream.

And the Alfa 8C, coupe or drop top, is the stuff the dreams are made of. I love it and I'm glad it exists.

here here, without dreams there is nothing to live for, and the car itself is without a shadow of a doubt is the most beautiful car that has ever been made. Its a bold claim, but an accurate claim i think. There is an open challenge there for anyone to post their opinion of what think is a more beautiful car. 

I agree with all the above, I am an Alfisti, own a 159 and love the brand more than any other. It is probably the most beautiful car ever built (although the rear looks like the rear of a TVR Tuscan, Race series, not road car) but I still love it.

However open topped motoring in the UK in general is for people who love themselves, and pointless.

If you want to get waved at, buy a beetle (original, not current effort), it is the original happy car. I have run two of them and they always raise a smile.

Jon Hardcastle:

However open topped motoring in the UK in general is for people who love themselves, and pointless.

I agree with most of your post (I used to have a GTV and a similarly characterful Fiat Coupe, and being half Italian I'm biased towards Italian cars in general!) but TOTALLY disagree with your views on open top motoring! I just like driving with the roof down, exposed to the elements and a great view. Its something I used to love when I had a rust-ridden lime green Talbot Samba convertible as a student in the late 80's; believe me the Samba was NOT a car for posers or people who love themselves, my ex girlfriend even refused to ride in it when I initially bought it! But I loved it because I love driving roof down, warm or cold, day or night. Dunno why, it just feels good.

julianphillips:

Jon Hardcastle:

However open topped motoring in the UK in general is for people who love themselves, and pointless.

I agree with most of your post (I used to have a GTV and a similarly characterful Fiat Coupe, and being half Italian I'm biased towards Italian cars in general!) but TOTALLY disagree with your views on open top motoring! I just like driving with the roof down, exposed to the elements and a great view. Its something I used to love when I had a rust-ridden lime green Talbot Samba convertible as a student in the late 80's; believe me the Samba was NOT a car for posers or people who love themselves, my ex girlfriend even refused to ride in it when I initially bought it! But I loved it because I love driving roof down, warm or cold, day or night. Dunno why, it just feels good.

Ok, I will accept you are the exception rather than the rule.

Good strong Italian name "Phillips". I jest.

 I was expecting pelters for my previous comments.

Jon Hardcastle:

Good strong Italian name "Phillips". I jest.

Jest accepted! However, for info, Julian is an ancient Latin name, although I'd like to hope I am a descendant of the patron saint of 24hr motor racing, St Julian of Le Mans...

Ah, sod it, a smart arse as well.

Well, Jonathan is Hebrew, for a male tea bag, so their!!!!