Alfa Romeo experiences

Sir,

The rather rude and ill-tempered letter written by Mr. Tongue, Chairman of Thomson & Taylor (Brooklands) Ltd., and published by you under the heading of “A Tale of Two Alfas,” prompts me to relate on experience I had about nine months ago, of his Company.

At that time, I was interested in the possibility of buying an Alfa Giulia Spyder, and being on my way by road from London to Guildford and having time to spare, I stopped at T. & T.s, parked my car and had a look at a Giulia Spyder. Eventually a salesman approached me and asked me if he could help. Having told him the position, he said if would not be possible to give me a demonstration in the Spyder as it was not run in, but he could let me drive a Giulia saloon.

To this I agreed; we started off, but after about half a mile or so, I eventually said that the handling seemed very odd, and not what I’d expected from an Alfa. The salesman didn’t seem very interested in my comments, but when we returned to the garage, we found that the near-side rear tyre was half flat. Now to the point:

1. The salesman did not apologise.

2. He did not have the tyre pumped up.

3. He did not suggest another ride.

4. He did not ask for my name and address.

I was so flabbergasted, I left and wrote to Alfas in Milan. After about three weeks I got a letter of apology from their office in Sloane Street. I have heard nothing further from Thomson & Taylor.

In case it may be thought that there was some extraneous reason for the salesman’s utter disinterest. I should explain that I was wearing a formal business suit and was driving a car worth rather more than a Giulia.

Wisborough Green.
Brian Kemp.