Well both Alfas are getting ready for their makeovers, with Slot Rally GB numbers and Italian-themed sponsors.

For both Alfas I'm attempting to defy all those who say that front-engined Fly models with their wibbly-wobbly front axles are hopeless for competition and so the 147 in the Modified class is being joined by the Giulia GTV in the Classic class. I've bought a dirt-cheap Playboy edition as the base car which I was intending to keep in red but the blue on my 'decal model' does look good.

Here's the planned livery for the GTV:







With Campari as the main sponsor on both cars, I took the liberty of adding the gorgeous Salma Hayek as my 'bonnet babe' from her appearance on the Campari calendar a few years back. If I do the car blue the ed Campari bottle will stand out but if I keep the car red it will be very subtle. Not sure...

Other sponsors are Agip oil and Marchal headlights, and all will be on white backgrounds in proper period style.

Unfortunately, unpacking my dirt cheap model revealed a crushed roof, fractured windscreen, messed-up interior and knackeredstub axles, so I've asked if it can be replaced...





The 147 by contrast is themed by the BBC drama 'Zen'. It also has Campari sponsorship but with the fabulous actress Caterina Murino, star of Zen, as the 'bonnet babe' and Brioni suits as another sponsor. The little 'stack' of supplier sponsors for the door has Iveco, Ferodo, Momo ad Eibach in black, silver and red while Marchal headlights will go on the front bumper, Segafredo coffee on the rear pillars and Selenia oil on the quarter panels. I've also got some Alfa Romeo badges to put on the front and rear bumpers, Brioni for the front wings and some numberplates from a Turin-registered 147 in black for an extra dose of realism!



So far so good. I'm letting the inkjet-printed decals dry for 24 hours before lacquering them. I'm sure Graymalkin would approve - I just hope the finished products meet his standards!

UPDATE - 26 FEB 2011

Still no word from the retailer after sending the pictures of my battered GTV as requested, so have to chase up. Never had a problem with them before...

Also I've decided that blue is the way forward. I saw a real GTV in Godalming today in Waitrose car park - and Sandi Toksvig in the shop itself! - and it was red. Very pretty but a bit obvious. I've found a can of Vauxhall 'Pastel Blue' that was meant for some other build back in the dim and distant - should work a treat.

The only question is whether or not I have to use a knackered shell to start with!