Back in year 92... or was it 93? I was a regular person who had a valid driver license, and drove his car like an appliance, or in plain English, a tool that moves people from point A to B. Until one day....

87' Alfa Romeo 4dr sedan for sale...

I was reading the classified section of news paper, an unfamiliar line came into my eyes: 87' Alfa Romeo 4dr Sedan for sale. "Alfa Romeo makes 4 doors?" - I asked myself. At the time, I didn't even know much about Alfa Romeo except for their cute little 2-seater convertible. Out of curiosity, I went ahead and arranged a test drive.

Upon arrival to previous owners' place, I was immediately attracted to an out-of-ordinary object at the parking lot in front of the house. Yes, it was the Alfa Romeo Milano. Seeing it at first, you would agree the styling being boxy to the extreme with all the straight lines, angles, and sharp cuts. But taking a 2nd look, all the straight lines are curved to the other dimension. It obviously has a wedge like shape, with sloped engine hood line, rising window line, and a unique kick up trunk. (which became a trend in the late 90s) Another look at front reveals a shape that starts small, expands, wraps around like a boat, then ends small at the tail.

Boxy? I call it a boxy interpretation of roundness

That was only the beginning

It was a sunny March day in Iowa, when melting snow are still on the road side. I reached behind the steering wheel with the key, and turned the ignition. She started without hesitation, and her slightly booming exhaust note suggested something different from the regulars. I spent some time getting familiar with the controls and interior gadgets while waited a few minutes for the engine to warm up a little. I was amazed already by the distinguishing design of interior: The driver-centric dash, loosely marked display gauges, the U-shaped parking brake handle... They were all just wonderfully blended together in such an unordinary way.

It is mine! I gotta have it!

Slowly moving the car out of parking lot, I noticed the effort required to work clutch, gear box, and the steering wheel. Everything felt weird at first, but somehow I felt more at home than ever in this car!. The owner directed me toward a curvy urban road heading toward a small town near by, while giving me a brief history of the car. I wasn't really paying attention to him, because ever since I was seated into the driver seat, the car would just urged me to drive... I knew by then that it was mine, and I gotta have it.

Ever since, I learned why there are car enthusiasts out there, they must have felt something similar with their car. In my case, it was my Alfa Romeo Milano Gold, its soul still urges me to drive every time I sit down at the driver seat.