Alfa City Motors: Where Italian Icons Are Reborn
The Thrill Behind the Lens
One of the best things about photography, especially automotive photography, is the doors it opens. Every shoot tells a story, but this one at Alfa City Motors is something special.
This isn’t just another garage. It’s a place where old, tired Alfa Romeos are brought back to life, often better than when they first left the factory. For any self-respecting petrolhead, Alfa Romeo holds a sacred place in the heart. So the moment I parked my car, grabbed my camera, and stepped into the workshop, the excitement hit me like a V6 on full song.
How I Got the Opportunity
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I took a break from the car scene after my YouTube venture hit a wall… literally. A broken camera and no funds to replace it left me sidelined for a while.
But as every car enthusiast knows, you can’t stay away from the smell of petrol forever. With my Nikon D750 and a few trusty lenses, I got back in the game.
I revisited some old shots, gave them a fresh edit, and shared them online. Soon after, a message landed in my inbox from Soo, the owner of Alfa City Motors. He’d seen some photos and videos I’d captured of his cars at an event and simply asked if I could send them over. We got chatting and it turns out Soo is one of the most genuine, down-to-earth car guys you could ever meet.
Naturally, the topic of his garage came up. Then came the offer:
“Why don’t you come down one day and shoot the cars properly?”
The answer? A quick, resounding yes. We set a date, and I couldn’t wait to make it happen.
What Makes Alfa City Motors So Special?
Put simply, Alfa City Motors produces some of the finest Alfa Romeo restorations in Southeast Asia, possibly the best. Every project reflects precision, passion, and craftsmanship at the highest level.
The cars are stripped to bare metal, every panel reshaped, every nut and bolt reconditioned or replaced. Paint is applied in factory-correct colours, the interiors are rebuilt to original spec, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking.
This isn’t a place for shortcuts. If you want cheap or “good enough,” look elsewhere. But if you want the best of the best, this is where you go.
While Alfa Romeo is the heart of the workshop, Soo and his team also work their magic on Fiats and Lancias, giving them the same obsessive attention to detail.
During my visit, Soo showed me a lineup of cars destined for Malaysia and Chiang Mai, each at different stages of completion. I couldn’t resist asking:
“Would you say you’re the leading Alfa Romeo restoration garage in Southeast Asia?”
He smiled, humble as ever, and deflected the question. But I’ll say it for him, when it comes to craftsmanship and authenticity, no one does it better than Alfa City Motors.
Falling Back in Love with the Classics
Let’s be honest. Classic cars have something modern cars never will. It starts with how they look. Every curve, every chrome detail, every imperfection tells a story. They weren’t shaped by computers or wind tunnels but by passion and intuition. The proportions are right, the stance purposeful, and the lines, they’re pure sculpture. Even sitting still, a well-restored Alfa commands attention like a piece of living art.
Then there’s how they smell. That intoxicating blend of aged leather, petrol, and time-worn metal. It’s not sterile or artificial, it’s authentic. One deep breath and you’re transported to another era, when driving was something to be savoured.
And the sound, that unmistakable growl of an Alfa twin-cam, the rasp of twin carburettors, the click of a gear engaging. It’s a mechanical symphony, raw and unfiltered, that makes your pulse race before you even touch the throttle.
But above all, it’s about how they feel to be in, to be around, to be part of. Sitting in a restored Alfa is like shaking hands with history. The steering feels alive, the clutch heavy but rewarding, and every movement connects you directly to the machine. There’s no filter, no software, just man and machine in perfect harmony.
Being surrounded by these cars at Alfa City stirred something deep inside me. Nostalgia, awe, and admiration all at once. You don’t just see or hear them; you feel them. They remind you why you fell in love with cars in the first place.
That day at Alfa City Motors didn’t just reignite my passion for photography, it reignited my love for the classics. The kind of love that never truly fades; it just waits for the right engine note to bring it roaring back to life.
Thank You For Reading
Below you'll find the selection of images I took for Alfa City Motors. I wanted to capture the whole experience from the mechanics working to the memorabilia in the office. You can see the car shells in the phase of their restoration waiting for paint, you can see cars being rewired, cars with engines that need to finished and obviously, you can see the cars that are complete. Sitting in their full glory waiting their owners to come and revel in all their delight.
Thank you for reading and see you in the next article. Spoiler alert, more classic European greatness is coming!
