Alfa Romeo and Marshall Amplification, one of the most recognizable names in guitar amps, have collaborated on a one-off concept car fitted with a bespoke Marshall JVM 50 Watt amp head running two 12-inch 75 Watt speakers, custom built into the boot.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo by Marshall draws inspiration from the style of Marshall’s amplifier range and integrates real Marshall amp materials. The amplifier and speaker array installed in the boot are powered by a dedicated battery system, which means that guitar lovers can simply open the boot, plug in a guitar and start playing.
Design-wise, the Alfa Romeo MiTo By Marshall features the iconic gold panel finish of Marshall’s equipment on the grille, front and rear headlight surrounds, door mirror covers, door handles, side door trim and lower bumper trim. It also has Marshall badges on each rear pillar, Jim Marshall OBE’s signature above the side indicators and a #LIVEFORMUSIC graphic – Marshall’s strapline – on the rear windscreen.
Inside, the MiTo by Marshall features Marshall tread plates on the door sills, distinctive white piping around the dashboard’s center console and the iconic gold panel finish on the Alfa D.N.A. Selector surround, as well as switch-gear for the air-conditioning and climate control.
The gear knob has been replaced by a classic Shure SH55 microphone, with the gear layout engraved into the top of the head. The seats are upholstered with the same materials used on Marshall’s amplifiers, including grille cloth on the seat centers and white piping around the inner seat contours.
The one-off car will debut at a special invitation-only screening of Dave Grohl’s Sound City documentary at Olympic Studios in London on 24 June featuring a live performance by Tim Burgess and Mark Collins of The Charlatans. It will then be exhibited at a series of automotive and music events through the rest of 2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
