The 5 Alfas I'd love most to own

I admit I have a (very) soft spot for Alfa Romeos.

So much so that I've written books about obscure Alfa models few really care about. However, there are some Alfas I'd rather own over others, and these are the top five Alfa models I'd love to own... Either individually or as a collection.

GT Junior Zagato

In my view, the Junior Zagato still is an underrated design. It was based on the Spider floorpan and running gear, but it might as well be made from Kryptonite, given how far ahead of its time Ercole Spada's design was. Gone was the GT Junior or the Spider's grace and elegance, substituted by almost brutal functionality.

The Zagato's sharp wedge profile, from the concealed wiper mounts to the abruptly cut-off rear end, it's a tribute to the gods of aerodynamics and speed.

Last but not least, I love the exquisitely minimalistic way the traditional Alfa "scudetto" gets resolved: it simply is a cut-out in the plexiglass that covers the four headlights. Its presence is merely suggested, coherently with the no-frills ethos of the whole design.

Two different series were built, the original 1.3 liters model (1969-72) and an updated 1.6 liters model (1972-75). I very much prefer the original model, because it has better proportions. The updated 1.6 liters model had a longer rear overhang due to cost issues, as the short rear overhang of the 1.3 liters model imposed alterations to the donor Spider floorpan and dictated the use of a different fuel tank, taken from the Montreal.

GTV6 2.5

The long-lived and much-loved Alfa Romeo V6, known among enthusiasts as the "Busso," from its creator's name, was first installed in Alfa's flagship saloon, the Alfa 6. I love that car, but I'd rather have the V6 in a more compact and stylish package. I'd have mine in Grigio Nube Metallizzato, a shade that, in my opinion, makes the rather heavy plastic trims less unsightly while giving the GTV6 a badass, purposeful look.

I don't know how angels singing in heaven sound like, but I guess it's a lot like that engine...

8C Spider

Given this publication's name, it shouldn't come as a surprise to you that I quite like ragtops, especially when they look this good.

As most of you will undoubtedly know, the 8C was basically a Maserati underneath, but that's no bad thing, as the package included the Ferrari F136 4.7 liters V8 (code F136 YC). I don't know how angels singing in heaven sound like, but I guess it's a lot like that engine...

Giulia Quadrifoglio

The legacy of FCA's outspoken CEO, Sergio Marchionne, is a complicated one. Still, if there's one thing we shall all be grateful to him, it must be the Giulia Quadrifoglio super saloon.

I've only ever got one drive in this thoroughbred, but it's one I still look back fondly to. If I had the means, I'd buy one right way, as we're simply not gonna get anything like it anymore.

The future of the automobile is electric, and Alfa Romeo will be no exception, so the exhilarating Giulia Quadrifoglio can be considered the last of its kind, Alfa's poignant farewell to 110 years of internal combustion engines.

Spider 2.0 "Series 4"

Honestly, any of the around 124.000 Spiders made between 1966 and 1993 will do, as I love them all. But I've had the pleasure of putting a lot of miles on a 1992 Spider 2.0 last year, and I ended up liking it even more than I already did.

The late "series 4" model charmingly and successfully paired 1960s cool with 1980s all-around usability. It gets the top spot as this actually is my dream car, the one I swore to buy myself the day I'll do well enough to allow such indulgence.