It probably goes beyond actual car capabilities and virtues, it must be an age thing! I grew up around Mach-1's, Trans-ams, GTO's etc. Then I discovered Alfas and fell from grace!
For the record, the way to Alfa went through '65 289 Mustang, '66 Tri-power 289 Shelby-ized Mustang, '74 MGB-GT, '74 Jensen-Healey', '75 GTV 2000 (105/Spica), '71 GTV (1750), '76 Alfetta GT, '90 75 3liter, '87 1.8T.
In 1977 I came very close to buying a '66 GTA (I would trade my 1750 + CDN $2000) but the fact the GTA was un-streetable racecar aborted that (don't give me the old jive about hindsight now!)
Maybe famous Detroit iron doesn't like corners, but I'll still watch 'Bullit' over and over again!
Jim K.