First Ride, 1968 (Post # 10)

More backstory:
My first ride in the Alfatross was as a passenger.  It was not something to write home about.  To open the door I had to scrutinize the aluminum plate that was where a door handle would normal be, but this thing was flush with the door panel.  Pressing a recessed button at one end raised a lever handle at the other end that you had to pull to unlatch the door.  A mouldy smell wafted out to greet me.The slat-backed faux suede seats were rudimentary and uncomfortable looking.  In between the seats was a tall transmission tunnel topped with a very business-like short chrome gearshift lever.  There was some kind of thick, stained, wool carpeting on the floor, obviously not original equipment.  The aluminum doors closed with an un-reassuring tinny clap.  The crazed Plexiglas windows were practically opaque and the hand crank to wind them down felt unequal to the task.  You didn't need a sales brochure to tell you that the primary directive for the builders of this car was "Keep the weight down." 

The Bueg "Dynometer," some type of accelerometer. 

But the dashboard was gloriously studded with instruments, switches, and cloisonne badges for the Automobile Club Milano, Alfa Romeo Owners Club, and the Rally di Sanremo.  In the center of the dash was a Jaeger chronometer and a "dynometer" was slung under the dash in a special gimble.

The San Remo rally badge mounted on the dash:
evidence of a race history?

The Jaeger Chronometer.  Further evidence of
race history?

The exhaust system was shot, so normal conversation was impossible.  We bombed around on a twisting two-lane country road for an hour or so.   Surprisingly, the deep, but skimpy bucket seat became more comfortable.  I don't remember much about that first ride except that it was exhilarating  and disappointing at the same time.