Re: More what's in a name

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@domain.elided>]

Hi Willem:

You'll probably get the definitive reply from our resident Alfa historian, 
John H., but here's my meager contribution.  The Giulia name, I believe, is 
a play on words to go with the 'Romeo' in Alfa Romeo, referring to Romeo 
and Juliet, but with Italian spelling.  Giulietta simply means 'Little 
Giulia', just as Berlinetta means 'Little Berlina' or 'Little Sedan', and 
Barchetta means 'Little Boat' in Ferrari lingo.  I beleive you're correct 
in your guesses about GTV and GTV6.  As for CSL, as in the 3.0 BMW coupe, I 
believe that refers to 'Coupe Sport Lightweight', while GTi, as in the VW 
Golf, may mean 'GT injected'.

Now, who can tell me where Pontiac gets off calling their mid-60's 
warmed-over version of the Tempest a GTO?  Surely it can't mean 'Gran 
Turismo Omologato'.  GM is famous for using Italian names for its 
dogs.  Remember the Firenza, Monza, Berretta, Corsica and Fiero?  Not 
Italian, but my two favorites from Pontiac are the Grand Prix and Le Mans.

Pontiac struck again with its Firebird GTA, and wasn't there also a 
Firebird GTAm?  I think there was even a Camaro Berlinetta, too.  No wonder 
that GM is in bed with Fiat.  They didn't want the cars, they just ran out 
of names to steal, and maybe soon we'll see Corvette Modena's and Malibu 
F355's at the local Chevrolet dealer.  Can any car enthusiast take such a 
company seriously?

Not that I feel any more respect for Alfa's calling their 156 a GTA 
(wrong-wheel drive, four doors and a wagon, too).  I yield the floor to John H.

At 08:51 AM 10/2/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 09:39:22 +0200
>From: Willem Roos <willem@domain.elided>
>Subject: More what's in a name
>
>All,
>
>Does anyone know the meaning of the meanings/origins of the names
>"Guilietta", "Guilia", etc. Also, where does the acronym GTV come from (Gran
>Turismo Veloce, Gran Turismo V6?). I'm also interested to know the
>origin/meaning of other model acronyms that most car makers use (GTI, GL,
>CSL etc).
>
>Does anyone know of a reference site for this sort of info.
>
>Greatly appreciated
>
>Willem Roos - (+27) 21 980 4941
>'84 Guilietta (116)


Regards,

Dean W. Cains
dwc@domain.elided

'74 2000 Spider Veloce
Lutz, FL

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