1998 Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf

Highlights

• Genuine Cloverleaf specification with 2.0-litre 16V Twin Spark producing 155bhp

• Bespoke green leather interior

• Recommissioned in 2022

• Recent cambelt, water pump and cam variator 

• Upgrades include Koni dampers, Eibach springs and uprated brakes

Overview

The Alfa Romeo 145 was always the car for people who wanted a bit more from their front-wheel-drive hatchback. Styled by the Centro Stile under the young Chris Bangle, it looked like nothing else on the road when it arrived in the mid-90s, all asymmetric rear glass and that characterful snout. In Cloverleaf guise, the 1,970cc Twin Spark four delivered 155bhp and a willingness to rev that made the car genuinely engaging on a B-road. Quick enough at 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, but the appeal was always about the way it went about the job rather than the headline numbers.

This particular car tells a different story to the usual "found in a field" or "low-mileage garage queen" narrative. It has been an Alfa enthusiast's companion for over two decades, and the history file reflects that commitment. A previous keeper invested heavily through Poweralfa in Daventry, fitting Koni dampers, Eibach springs, uprated brakes, a carbon airbox and a camshaft upgrade. The current owner continued that trajectory, commissioning a thorough body restoration in Estonia in 2022 that included sill replacement, full anti-corrosion treatment and a repaint in the original blue. Then came the interior: a completely bespoke green leather retrim with Quadrifoglio embossing on the seats, dashboard pad and door cards, set against blue-piped black carpets. It is, to put it plainly, unlike any other 145 we have come across.

The mechanical side has been kept honest too. The cambelt, water pump, cam cover gasket, spark plugs and cam variator were all addressed in October 2025 by Deens of Hampton Court. A Squadra front and mid exhaust with Regazzon twin tailpipes, blue silicone HT leads and a recent NAPA battery round out the specification. The car passed its most recent MOT in April 2026 with no advisories at 152,212 miles, and a vehicle health check by Alfa specialist Thorobred Cars followed in May 2026.

For anyone looking for a classic Alfa hatchback with real character, documented history and the kind of bespoke details that make you want to just stand and look at it, this one should top your shopping list.

History and Documentation

• First registered 24 February 1998; four former keepers, with the current owner since December 2021

• Poweralfa Ltd (Daventry) service records from 2003 to 2006: Feb 2003 at 60,000 miles, May 2003, Nov 2003, Jan 2004, Mar 2004, May 2004, Jun 2004 at 84,000 miles, May 2005, Aug 2005, Mar 2006

• NJS Alfa Specialists (Evesham) 12-month service in March 2008 at 125,728 miles

• Body recommissioning in Estonia (2022 to 2023) including metalwork preparation, paintwork, wheel alignment, cooling system service and valve cover gasket repair

• Krown anti-corrosion treatment certificate on file

• Cambelt kit, water pump, cam cover gasket, spark plugs and cam variator replaced by Deens of Hampton Court, October 2025

• Vehicle health check and service items completed by Thorobred Cars (Staines), May and September 2026

• MOT valid until 18 April 2027, most recent test passed with no advisories at 152,212 miles

• One Alfa key for the ignition, passenger side door and boot and another Alfa key key for the drivers door only; as a new key requires a new ECU, the simplest solution to a broken lock barrel was to substitute the barrel and key from another car

• HPI clear

Interior

• Stunning fully bespoke green leather upholstery covering seats, door cards and dashboard pad, each with embossed Quadrifoglio script

• Blue-piped black carpets throughout the cabin provide a distinctive contrast

• Driver's seat outer bolster shows leather cracking and dye loss from regular ingress and egress; this is the most notable interior wear item

• Dashboard is uncracked with no warping; headlining shows no sagging

• Rear bench leather is in very good condition with minimal wear and consistent colour

• Instrument cluster reads 152,964 miles with a clear 8,000rpm redline tachometer and no fogging

• Three-spoke Alfa Romeo steering wheel has a leather rim in good order with no cracks

• Aftermarket Pioneer head unit with USB input fitted in the single-DIN slot

• Boot houses warning triangle and wheel brace; carpet lining is in serviceable condition

• Also shown in the boot is one of the rare and sought after Speedline alloys originally fitted to the car; a full set of four will be included

Exterior

• Blue metallic paint presents well with consistent colour across all panels following the 2022 repaint

• Black bumper mouldings and side skirts have been re-textured and sit evenly

• Nearside wing mirror cap shows lacquer blistering on its painted surface

• Offside fog light lens appears dislodged from its housing

• Offside side skirt bonding has loosened at the trailing edge near the rear wheel arch, as disclosed by the vendor

• Minor stone chips and light scratches are present on lower panels, consistent with a car that has been used and enjoyed

• Roof shows fine white surface speckling

• Twin polished stainless Regazzon exhaust tips are in excellent condition with a bright mirror finish

• Alfa Romeo five-hole teledial alloy wheels from a phase two car are fitted all round, which the owner fitted to help make the car look more contemporary; all show minor kerb marks

• Underbody has been undersealed

Mechanical

• Genuine 1,970cc 16V Twin Spark 

• Cambelt, water pump, cam cover gasket, spark plugs and cam variator serviced October 2025

• Performance exhaust comprising Squadra front and mid-silencer with Regazzon twin tailpipes; intact with no blowing

• Blue silicone HT leads fitted as an upgrade

• NAPA 60Ah battery appears to be a recent replacement in good condition

• The vendor tells us all brakes, fluids and lubricants have been kept current

• Previous upgrades include Koni dampers, Eibach lowering springs, uprated front discs and a carbon airbox, all fitted by Poweralfa between 2003 and 2006

Summary

A genuine Cloverleaf with a history file that reads like an enthusiast's love letter, this 145 combines the character of Alfa's 2.0-litre Twin Spark with a raft of considered upgrades and a completely bespoke interior. 

Recommissioned, well-maintained and honestly presented, it is a rare chance to acquire one of the more distinctive hot hatches of the 1990s. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. The seller is located in Esher, Surrey.