Member Spotlight May 2026 – David Massey
David Massey from Monmouthshire shares his memories, spanning seven decades of motoring enthusiasm (Leigh Davis – AROC South Wales Secretary)
When speaking to David, you get the impression he is somebody whom driving is less a necessity and more a lifelong thread running through everything he’s done. David firmly belongs in the latter camp. What follows is a recollection of a motoring journey shaped by his passion and a long-standing affection for Alfa Romeo, particularly the coupés that have defined his garage.
Today, David’s pride and joy is a 1973 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Junior, a car he has owned since 2000 and restored in 2015 by Redcastle Classics in Caerphilly. It is the fourth Alfa Romeo he has owned, all of them Bertone coupés, and by his own admission, the most complete all-round package of the lot. We have the pleasure of seeing the beautiful PHS20L at our Chepstow monthly evening meets.
Used regularly and covering around 2,000 miles a year, the GT Junior is no static classic in David’s garage. It serves faithfully for club events, and the occasional track day, continuing a tradition of enthusiastic, hands-on motoring that began long before this Alfa Romeo entered the picture.
Early Influences and a Lifetime of Variety
David’s first car, acquired in 1963, was a 1948 MG TC, setting the tone for a diverse and spirited early driving life. From there, his path through performance and enthusiast cars reads as a varied collection spanning brands.
A Fiat 600 followed, lightly enhanced with Abarth components, before stepping into a brand-new Morgan 4/4 in 1966. That car was actively hillclimbed and raced, an early indication of David’s appetite for driving cars as they were meant to be driven. A full-race-modified MG Midget followed, then a 1968 Lotus Elan, a car he still regards as one of the most outstanding he has ever owned. An MG MGB also earned high praise as a thoroughly capable all-rounder, while a Ginetta G15 added to the eclectic mix of lightweight performance cars.
Not every car left fond memories for David, though. The Triumph Spitfire 1500 is, in David’s words, “a really terrible car,” though even less favourable experiences tend to be remembered fondly in hindsight as part of the broader journey. Maybe this is what cemented David’s passion for Alfa Romeo?
The Alfa Romeo Chapter Begins
The turning point came in 1967, sparked by a Mangoletsi test day, a moment that would ultimately shape decades of enthusiasm for Alfa Romeo engineering, particularly its twin-cam philosophy and engaging road behaviour.
From there, the progression into Alfa ownership grew. David’s list of coupés included a 2000 GT, a very tired 1600 GT, and an Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti, each reinforcing his appreciation for the marque’s combination of balance, disc brakes all-round and power delivery with strong torque characteristics. During a period between 1980 and 2004, company cars came and went without much emotional attachment, but the Alfa 1600 GT remained in storage on SORN, patiently waiting for its return to the road.
The Best Yet?
Looking back across a remarkably broad range of machinery, David is clear in his conclusion: the current Giulia GT Junior represents the most complete car he has owned in terms of overall setup and enjoyment. However, he reserves special praise for both the Lotus Elan and the Alfasud, which he considers standout cars in their own right. An interesting discussion point, from someone who has experienced everything from lightweight British roadsters to finely tuned Italian classics, and used them in the way they were intended.
The Alfa Owners Club Connection
David’s involvement with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club spans more than 30 years, introduced originally through a friend already within the club. Since then, he has taken part in numerous events and gatherings, all of which have added to the enjoyment of ownership and the sense of shared enthusiasm that defines the community. David’s presence at our local South Wales meets really captures everybody’s interest in attendance, not just not what he brings to the car park!
For those interested in joining or exploring the club further, details can be found at AROC UK.