RE: Shed Of The Week: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf
Discussion
Ah, great oppertunity to be an Alfa bore.
The flat four was an iconic engine, especially with the big weber carbs.
I had that on a 1.7 sud sprint, it was seriously great. Stylish, Fun, Italain.
Based on the fun i had with the sprint i bought a cheap 145 off my wife's boss.
Injection and emission control had ruined the engine, build quality was still s
t.
AVOID
Possibly the only car I have ever owned that I wish i hadn't
The flat four was an iconic engine, especially with the big weber carbs.
I had that on a 1.7 sud sprint, it was seriously great. Stylish, Fun, Italain.
Based on the fun i had with the sprint i bought a cheap 145 off my wife's boss.
Injection and emission control had ruined the engine, build quality was still s
t.AVOID
Possibly the only car I have ever owned that I wish i hadn't
TooMany2cvs said:
Really?
The 145/146 came out in '94. The 155'd been on sale for two years already with 1.7 and 1.8 TS lumps, and it was the same basic engine that'd been in the 75 for years before that.
Don't forget the 8 valve Twin Spark is completely different from the 16 valve. The 155 was launched with the 8 valve engines which were like the 75 engines - all alloy, chain drive, indestructible. The 155 didn't get the 16 valve until 1995. The GTV came out at a similar time and the 145 Cloverleaf came the following year.The 145/146 came out in '94. The 155'd been on sale for two years already with 1.7 and 1.8 TS lumps, and it was the same basic engine that'd been in the 75 for years before that.
RicksAlfas said:
Don't forget the 8 valve Twin Spark is completely different from the 16 valve. The 155 was launched with the 8 valve engines which were like the 75 engines - all alloy, chain drive, indestructible. The 155 didn't get the 16 valve until 1995. The GTV came out at a similar time and the 145 Cloverleaf came the following year.
Were they all injection or were the early ones on carbs?I had an R reg one of these about 6 years ago. At the time, I was travelling to work and the usual commute was the mountain roads around the Brecon Beacons, so needless to say it was one of the more enjoyable journeys to work.
However, after getting a bit of welding done for the MOT, and then carrying out a major service, new brakes all around and a few other bits for close to £800, it repaid me by having the oil pump fail around two weeks later, killing the engine in one fell swoop. And so that was the first, and potentially last Alfa that i'll own.
However, after getting a bit of welding done for the MOT, and then carrying out a major service, new brakes all around and a few other bits for close to £800, it repaid me by having the oil pump fail around two weeks later, killing the engine in one fell swoop. And so that was the first, and potentially last Alfa that i'll own.
I have very fond memories of a 145 as a company car. Lovely little engine, and felt plenty quick enough for 21-year-old me. I remember thinking the interior was incredibly posh - all that soft black leather. I somehow managed to squeeze four passengers in on a regular basis for booze runs. Great stuff, although there was that one time the entire rear end froze solid, encased in ice, after a particularly weird bout of Edinburgh weather. I had to get the bus that day.
danlowe42 said:
Leins said:
I saw a 145 the other day, and a couple of 146s recently too. I haven't seen a Tipo of any description since about 1997
That prompted me to do a quick search as I haven't either...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-K-FIAT-TIPO-2-0-16V...
Still looks good I think.
I replaced my Tipo 16V 5dr (must emphasise 5dr as the 3drs were inferior) with a 145 QV. Yes the 145 was more modern and had the Alfa badge but the Tipo handled better, had a better dash and driving position. Both power units were excellent, real screamers and great fun, I'd love to have one of each if I could find a decent pair.
Bought one off my mate in 2003 for £400 - thats what the Honda garage offered him for it as a trade in! Had it for a month and sold it for £2200. Great engine though it did have an issue when idling and used to cut out. The electrics were a bit ropey with the odd thing not working but it drove great and the engine sounded sweet! Mine was in bright red though they had a habit of fading so needed t-cutting every week.
r11co said:
AngryPartsBloke said:
r11co said:
Stuffed-crust pizza is an invention by those morbidly obese Americans.
Beach-fronts in populated areas in Italy are leased out to companies/organisations who provide facilities such as showers/changing cabins/restaurants/lifeguards for which you pay a small daily fee to use the beach. Did you not read the signs, shed (or are you just tight?)
There are 'Spiagge Libere' where you don't have to pay and you won't get moved on, but bring your own deckchairs...
Thanks for clearing that upBeach-fronts in populated areas in Italy are leased out to companies/organisations who provide facilities such as showers/changing cabins/restaurants/lifeguards for which you pay a small daily fee to use the beach. Did you not read the signs, shed (or are you just tight?)
There are 'Spiagge Libere' where you don't have to pay and you won't get moved on, but bring your own deckchairs...
Worst "I know where stuffed crust pizza was actually invented and I know some useless* information about beaches in italy too " Post ever.
PS. The information is useful* if you don't want to be moved on and then get unnecessarily pissy about it in a website article.
Edited by r11co on Friday 3rd October 11:09
TooMany2cvs said:
Really?
The 145/146 came out in '94. The 155'd been on sale for two years already with 1.7 and 1.8 TS lumps, and it was the same basic engine that'd been in the 75 for years before that. Even the 1.8 16v TS had been in the 155 for a year or so before getting into the 145/146. It was only the 1.4 which was "new".
I spent about 6mo with a 155 widebody 1.8 16v as a CoCar - nice car, SO much better than the E36s I had before and then again, but VERY idiosyncratic and a bit fragile...
Just going by the quotes of the day in Car and Autocar. The flat four was claimed to be a stop gap until the 16V I4s filtered down.The 145/146 came out in '94. The 155'd been on sale for two years already with 1.7 and 1.8 TS lumps, and it was the same basic engine that'd been in the 75 for years before that. Even the 1.8 16v TS had been in the 155 for a year or so before getting into the 145/146. It was only the 1.4 which was "new".
I spent about 6mo with a 155 widebody 1.8 16v as a CoCar - nice car, SO much better than the E36s I had before and then again, but VERY idiosyncratic and a bit fragile...
Great little cars these. Have had a 146ti for 5 years and 50K miles so far, still in great condition. Good fun to drive, nice noise, easily fits in the garage and plenty of room for the family. Just took my son and all his gear to Uni - 600 miles in a couple of days and 40ish mpg overall. Just buy a good one and look after it!!
Edited by turps on Saturday 4th October 00:32
Edited by turps on Saturday 4th October 00:38
I am due to collect my new Alfa Romeo Mito this week (Cloverleaf, carbon Sabelt porno seats). As much as things have moved on, I still feel a tinge of guilt for not getting yet another 145 Cloverleaf. I may be broken. There is something about them which makes me miss them more than many other "better" cars I have owned. I console myself with the fact I very much doubt a mint one will pop up for sale now. I suspect the best of the best will be firmly held onto by their current owners. However if anyone does have a lovely example to sell do let me know... BEFORE I buy my Mito in 2 days!!
Awesome 'alternative' quirky hot hatch.
The car I owned the longest as well, Mine had been lowered with stiffer springs which; as previously mentioned really transformed the handling. The thing used to corner at silly speeds. Loved the quick rack steering - move the wheel a mil and it would fling you to the side.
Never understood the whole odd seating position comments as well, never was a problem for me.
Fairly normal engine note, until you get to 5000 rpm then a glorious howling sound enthralls the driver.
The car I owned the longest as well, Mine had been lowered with stiffer springs which; as previously mentioned really transformed the handling. The thing used to corner at silly speeds. Loved the quick rack steering - move the wheel a mil and it would fling you to the side.
Never understood the whole odd seating position comments as well, never was a problem for me.
Fairly normal engine note, until you get to 5000 rpm then a glorious howling sound enthralls the driver.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff