Jean-Marc Finot: “I never considered anything other than automobiles”

Thank you for welcoming us with this magnificent Alfa Romeo Julia. What can you tell us about her?

This is a car I bought two years ago. Following the merger between FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobile) and PSA in January 2021, we visited the Arese museum (Alfa Romeo museum in Italy. Editor's note) with Jean-Pierre Ploué (chief Design Officer of Stellantis) and Jean-Philippe Imparato (general manager of Alfa Romeo). Once back in France, a few weeks later, I started looking for a car to participate in the Rally Historic Monte-Carlo. Several options were available to me, including Alfa Romeos. While I had rather gone for an Alfetta with a more accessible budget, I had an opportunity on a barn find and I found this Bertone coupe 25 kilometers from here! It must be said that I have some historical connections with Alfa Romeo. During my engineering studies, my two uncles worked for the brand in France and I had no less than half a dozen Quadrifoglio cars. They found me unused vehicles in garages in the Paris region which I fixed up before selling them, which allowed me to finance part of my education. There is a little Proust madeleine side to this car.

Is mechanics a field that has always fascinated you?

I fell into it when I was little. It's family-run and I've always had old cars and things to tinker with. It has always been a passion.

What is the history of this car?

The previous owner had done the Rallye Neige et Glace and his wife had participated in the Rallye des Princesses in the early 2000s. The car was stored in 2009 and had not been driven since. It was very dry in a shed, we brought it back as is on a tray. It arrived on a Sunday morning, and by Sunday evening the engine was running.

It is therefore symbolic of fa