AO Member Interview – Let the secrets flow
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Your Forum name
fife164
Real name
Steve Brown
Age
32
Occupation
Operations Manager(IT)
Lives
Kirkcaldy, Fife
Marital Status
Bliss
which cars do you drive and why?
1991 Alfa Romeo Spider S4 – beautiful car, always wanted one, now got one, my life is complete. Bought from Lombarda in London because every other one I looked at was a dog!! This ones a keeper
1995 Fiat Tipo 16v 3-Dr – hooligan of a hot hatch, better than a Golf, great noise, handy on track days, still only done 60k. Another keeper, too attached to sell. Owned from 6 months old.
1998 Volvo V70 2.5SE Estate – bought for transporting the kids and my dog – I need at least one practical car!!
1990 BMW M5 E34 3.6 – Had this for 8 years now – suffering from overheating problems at the moment, think I’ll sell it. Too German for my liking!!
2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 – Beloved’s car. Great wee thing, fantastic off road and really high-geared. Don’t believe the blurb about them being slow – they’re a hoot.
Are you a real passionate for Alfa Romeo?
Yes, without doubt. Have owned more than 15 Alfas now. Only one of them gave me any trouble and that was my first one. Didn’t put me off though.
What or how started your passion for Alfa Romeo and…
….do you think it’s fundamental to own one to have the passion?
Always had a thing for Italian metal. Actually started with fast Fiats. I’ve had six Strada Abarths over the years and progressed onto Alfas and the odd Lancia after that. I think you do need to own one to appreciate their qualities. I’ve given up trying to justify why I like them. Its not the easiest thing to put into words! They’re stylish, different, great to drive, always raise a smile when you’re in them and no matter what they throw at you by way of trouble, you always forgive them!
Would you ever consider joining an Alfa Club or are you already a member of one?
I’m a member of the AROC Scottish Section.
What do you like most about Alfas?
I like the way they look. Curves of the earliest GP cars, straight lines of the 60’s saloons and the set-square designed Alfettas of the 70’s and 80’s – you always know its an Alfa. It’s a car that has identity and individuality and says something about you(although I’m not sure what!).
What do you like least about Alfas?
I don’t really dislike anything about them. In some ways I wish my Spider was better built so I could use it all year but then again, if it was, it wouldn’t have the personality that makes it what it is.
What would be your dream cars?
Ferrari F40, Ferrari Daytona, Ferrari 246 Dino, Maserati Quattroporte, Lancia Integrale Evo2, Alfa Romeo 8C, Lancia Fulvia HF, Ferrari F355, Lamborghini Muira SV, Fiat 131 Abarth……I could continue!!
What car would you least like to drive?
Any Vauxhall(with the exception of the Chevette HSR and the Lotus Carlton) – for some reason I’ve always hated them.
For you, what’s the most popular thread on AO?
Don’t have a particular favourite. Always like to keep my eye on the Scotland Thread to see whats happening locally.
What would be your ideal drive in an Alfa (destination, passenger, driving music, etc)?
My Spider, the A701 that runs from Edinburgh to Moffat(great road, long sweeping bends, fast straights, challenging dips and yumps, no speed cameras and well-maintained surfaces), Beloved would be the passenger, Steely Dan on the CD player and 20 Marlboro reds on the dash. Lovely jubbly.
Any humorous Alfa or car-related stories you wish to share with us?
I once had an 82 Alfetta GTV which was ropey to say the least. At MOT time, the tester refused to test the brakes on the rolling road as he was convinced the rear axle would collapse. Needless to say, the car was swiftly sold.
What interests do you have outside of Alfas?
I have two kids who occupy a lot of my time, a dog which seems to occupy even more, I’m into music in a big way and am a fanatical CD/Record collector, also into photography but most of my time is spent with the cars doing little jobs and keeping out from under Beloved’s feet!!
Tell us something nobody knows about you. (E.g. special skill, ever been on TV, etc)
I once met Prince Charles whilst he was opening a youth center in Edinburgh. My friend and I had been in the pub all afternoon and stumbled upon a crowd of people waiting on someone emerging from within the building and decided to hang around to see what was happening. Out walks Charles, makes his way along the line of people and stops to shake my hand and ask what I do there. 10 pints in, I reply with a slurred ‘bugger all’ and he said ‘well, all the best to you’ and moved on. How to make friends and influence people….
Do you have a party trick? If so what is it?
Yes, but I really can’t print the details here!!
What do you like most about the Alfaowner forum? Any favourite threads, episodes or people?
Friendly, like-minded people who are always up for a good banter.
If you had £50,000 you had to spend in 72 hours, how would you choose to spend it?
I’d buy a second hand Ferrari F355 in the first hour. I’d then spend the next 71 hours trying to explain to Beloved why I didn’t pay off the mortgage.
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Very good!
