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Even as a kid during the 1980s, I always knew that Alfa Romeo automobiles were special. There was something about how their cars represented something sporty blended with luxury, almost like Maserati, but not expensive. I personally felt like Alfa Romeos were stylish, especially during the early to mid 80s. I loved that you could see that it was an Italian automobile, it just felt different compared to say, something from Germany or the UK, Alfas felt more emotional and original.
While the mid-1980s "jellybean" era of design started, the Italians and French kept their cars more in the line of "architecture" (so to say with a blockier/stacking design philosophy) . Normally, that would have been called "dated" but Alfa Romeo knew how to finesse modern, but geometric like bodies into an attractive form during this time period.
One car really caught my attention in 1987, The Alfa Romeo 164. I felt like it was a pretty car, but it also looked powerful, something that a top executive would drive. I loved the broad high band rear taillight bar, the massive and racked back front lights and the iconic Alfa Romeo triangle "V" on the nose of the hood/bonnet. For me, the car had a handsome and chunky profile, like a big boss or someone doing well in life would drive to show that they aren't a boring person by adding some Italian "zest" to their lives.
Yeah, that was my thinking as an adolescence. As I got older, I found out that a lot of my favorite cars where headaches for their owners, being it Jaguar/Alfa/Maserati/Peugeot. I'd hear the grown ups complaining about how bad quality or reliability they were, along with huge loses in value. So, the same people would eventually buy a Benz, BMW, Volvo, Saab or Toyota Cressida, which eventually turned into them buying Lexus Automobiles (Mainly for reliability). That said, most of those mentioned brands ultimately ended up leaving the both of the North American markets in the late 80s/early 90s unfortunately(US & Canada).
The Alfa Romeo 164 & Milano (75 to the rest of the world) held on for a little bit into the 90s. New car wise, I was devastated as Alfa Romeo ended up leaving the US before the then new Alfa Romeo GTV Coupe/Cabriolet debuted. Alfa stayed gone until the mid-2010s ultimately coming back to North America!
I am so glad that Triple9 stoked my childhood memories in fully diecast metal 1/18th scale miniatures with working steering. Again, Triple9 have done a really good job nailing the overall shape of the 1/1 facelifted 1994 Alfa 164 Q4 spec'd cars. Actually, Triple9 have done such a good job, that I couldn't decide between "Alfa Red" or "Proteo Red Metallic", so both colors found their way into my collection. I feel like each color give both models a different attitude. Clearly the "Proteo Red Met." shows that it is the Phase II facelifted car, with body colored lower cladding and bumpers....whereas; the "Alfa Red" 164 plays up the original 1987's two-toned debut color combinations in feeling. I love'em! I'm so glad that Triple9 gave us a plethora of color choices from the get-go! Additionally, the Proteo Red Met. 164 version have a high contrast light colored beige/black interior combination, whereas the Alfa Red 164 has a standard black interior. Both interiors appearing adequately detailed. However, both of these model are sealed, so unfortunately I am only pepping through it's windows to get a glace at what's inside. I'd like to see Triple9 "pull a Solido" and at least give us an opening doors. However, as with my Triple9 Volvo 960, turn either Alfa over and WHOA!...they both have very detailed chassis! Just imagine what their models would be like if they had opening body shells detail wise!
My only complaints about these two Alfa 164 miniatures are, that the part or panel lines needs to be deeper. The paint over-fills those gaps on mine, so they can be a bit faint in places (Especially the hood/bonnet part lines). I also planned on adding "Tamiya Panel Line" gap paint, but, these lines were too shallow to apply any paint. Second, Triple9 needs to work on their QC. Some of the lower black painted areas on both models didn't always stay within their borders.
That's it! If you have an opportunity check these out, they aren't expensive and if you like or love old Alfas, such as myself, you will be thrilled looking at these on your shelves!
I look with great anticipation for Triple9's next releases, especially as one will be my very first 1/1 car, in Euro specification via Audi 100! Totally can't wait to add that one.
1/18 1994 Alfa Romeo 164 Q4 Alfa Red/Proteo Red Metallic.....by Triple9
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While the mid-1980s "jellybean" era of design started, the Italians and French kept their cars more in the line of "architecture" (so to say with a blockier/stacking design philosophy) . Normally, that would have been called "dated" but Alfa Romeo knew how to finesse modern, but geometric like bodies into an attractive form during this time period.
One car really caught my attention in 1987, The Alfa Romeo 164. I felt like it was a pretty car, but it also looked powerful, something that a top executive would drive. I loved the broad high band rear taillight bar, the massive and racked back front lights and the iconic Alfa Romeo triangle "V" on the nose of the hood/bonnet. For me, the car had a handsome and chunky profile, like a big boss or someone doing well in life would drive to show that they aren't a boring person by adding some Italian "zest" to their lives.
Yeah, that was my thinking as an adolescence. As I got older, I found out that a lot of my favorite cars where headaches for their owners, being it Jaguar/Alfa/Maserati/Peugeot. I'd hear the grown ups complaining about how bad quality or reliability they were, along with huge loses in value. So, the same people would eventually buy a Benz, BMW, Volvo, Saab or Toyota Cressida, which eventually turned into them buying Lexus Automobiles (Mainly for reliability). That said, most of those mentioned brands ultimately ended up leaving the both of the North American markets in the late 80s/early 90s unfortunately(US & Canada).
The Alfa Romeo 164 & Milano (75 to the rest of the world) held on for a little bit into the 90s. New car wise, I was devastated as Alfa Romeo ended up leaving the US before the then new Alfa Romeo GTV Coupe/Cabriolet debuted. Alfa stayed gone until the mid-2010s ultimately coming back to North America!
I am so glad that Triple9 stoked my childhood memories in fully diecast metal 1/18th scale miniatures with working steering. Again, Triple9 have done a really good job nailing the overall shape of the 1/1 facelifted 1994 Alfa 164 Q4 spec'd cars. Actually, Triple9 have done such a good job, that I couldn't decide between "Alfa Red" or "Proteo Red Metallic", so both colors found their way into my collection. I feel like each color give both models a different attitude. Clearly the "Proteo Red Met." shows that it is the Phase II facelifted car, with body colored lower cladding and bumpers....whereas; the "Alfa Red" 164 plays up the original 1987's two-toned debut color combinations in feeling. I love'em! I'm so glad that Triple9 gave us a plethora of color choices from the get-go! Additionally, the Proteo Red Met. 164 version have a high contrast light colored beige/black interior combination, whereas the Alfa Red 164 has a standard black interior. Both interiors appearing adequately detailed. However, both of these model are sealed, so unfortunately I am only pepping through it's windows to get a glace at what's inside. I'd like to see Triple9 "pull a Solido" and at least give us an opening doors. However, as with my Triple9 Volvo 960, turn either Alfa over and WHOA!...they both have very detailed chassis! Just imagine what their models would be like if they had opening body shells detail wise!
My only complaints about these two Alfa 164 miniatures are, that the part or panel lines needs to be deeper. The paint over-fills those gaps on mine, so they can be a bit faint in places (Especially the hood/bonnet part lines). I also planned on adding "Tamiya Panel Line" gap paint, but, these lines were too shallow to apply any paint. Second, Triple9 needs to work on their QC. Some of the lower black painted areas on both models didn't always stay within their borders.
That's it! If you have an opportunity check these out, they aren't expensive and if you like or love old Alfas, such as myself, you will be thrilled looking at these on your shelves!
I look with great anticipation for Triple9's next releases, especially as one will be my very first 1/1 car, in Euro specification via Audi 100! Totally can't wait to add that one.
1/18 1994 Alfa Romeo 164 Q4 Alfa Red/Proteo Red Metallic.....by Triple9
