Alfa Romeo 75 Twin Spark LE | Spotted
One of the last hundred 75s ever made, and probably more affordable than you might think
The Alfa Romeo 75 has enjoyed a minor resurgence in recent years, thanks to how good its indirect successor, the Giulia, has turned out to be. There were more than 20 years from the 75’s demise to the Giulia’s launch where the Alfa range was without a front-engined, rear-drive saloon. Which, however nice cars like the 156 were, never seemed quite right for a car brand as storied and popular with enthusiasts as Alfa.
It’s certainly been nice since 2015 to be reminded that the 75 was decent to drive, really popular and enjoyed a little bit of motorsport success in its homeland. None of that, however, can bring them back from the dead; though plenty sold in period - Wikipedia says almost 400,000 in total - rust got to many. With even the youngest cars now more than 30 years old, and a period in the doldrums where they weren’t really worth enough to save, the Alfa Romeo 75 is very rarely seen these days. Or one pops up with barely any miles and a ludicrous price tag.
To be presented with a Twin Spark like this one, then, eminently affordable and very presentable, is a welcome treat indeed. It’s an LE, one of the final 3,500 75s made ahead of Alfa being absorbed into the Fiat empire in 1992. It was then that a few of the quirks and idiosyncrasies were phased out, so this era and cars like the 75 and 33 is a very collectable one for the dedicated Alfisti.
This one is 75 Twin Spark LE number 3408, so one of the final hundred from 32 years ago. It’s in Rosso Alfa that, if not quite perfect thanks to some time in storage, still looks more than good enough. The interior is said to be in great nick and the drive as rewarding as ever. (Even the 2.0-litre 75 got a limited-slip diff, to go with the famed 50:50 weight distribution.)
Today it’s on a smidge over 100,000 miles; the seller mentions the clocks were changed, however, so there isn’t a guarantee of that number’s accuracy. But it’s an old car now, so the overall condition, the recent history and the way it drives are surely more important than a number on the dash. Seeing an Alfa Romeo Owners Club sticker is quite encouraging. Arguably any car from '92 that’s survived this long must have enjoyed some kind of TLC during its life.
Almost 40 years since its introduction, the 75 looks a really interesting route into retro sports saloon and classic Alfa ownership. Plus rare old Italian car custodianship, in fact - HowManyLeft suggests this might be the only Twin Spark LE left taxed on the road. You don’t get that with an E30 3 Series. You don’t get a £6,995 asking price, either, which seems like very little even if it does need some work to be back at its best. Offering up classic Alfa cool with rarity and some historical significance also in its favour, it’s easy to see why a 75 like this might appeal. So don’t delay - there isn’t likely to be another for sale anytime soon.
SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO 75 TWIN SPARK LE
Engine: 1,962cc, four cylinder, naturally aspirated
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 150@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 134@4,000rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: N/A
Recorded mileage: 101,349 (see text)
Year registered: 1992
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £6,995
The wheels are wrong, could be from a 916 GTV? The front bumper is a veloce item and would need to be changed back to the original if you can get one. Rear bumper shouldn’t be all red, although it seems to be the correct one. The ad says they’ll change the steering wheel for the correct original, wood rim looks out of place in a ‘modern’ car.
But it’s 32 years old so the main thing is body rot, if there’s none or very little it could be the basis of a nice car.
I had one In period 34 years ago (not an LE) and remember loving it. They just drove so well and the twin cam engine seemed so right for the 75. 148bhp isn’t much now but it was high for a car of this type at the time and placed it somewhere between normal 2.0 saloons and the more expensive specialist stuff like the Sapphire Cosworth. I had a 3.0 next and busso-ness aside it never seemed as resolved.
I’ve considered getting another as a summer Sunday occasional classic. Will I be disappointed after years of very competent but dull German stuff?
I was always concerned that at circa 5/6 years old at the time reliably would be an issue. In actual fact I think they were pretty good.
This one looks a nice example.
This is a decent enough example it seems, although does need (as others have pointed out), some minor cosmetic changes if you want an original looking car.
The thing which always put me off these, were the lines and front end.
Following front to back, to me, they always looked like the car you made out of lego, but didn't quite have the correct blocks left to make it look exactly like your mental picture, so instead you had to bend some of the bits and force them to connect to bricks which were not quite in line.
I never liked the front end of this gen Alfa, the lights are an awful shape, sort of 'sad' looking, instead of being aggressive like they should be.
No doubt this car will be loved by many, and an absolute money pit to it's adoring owner.
These were nicely balanced and so easy to slide at low speed with the lsd and felt like quite long wheelbase, damp roundabouts were a lot of fun! This was the last of the rear wheel driver Alfa's for a long time.
I had a 2.0 twinspark when it was about 3 yrs old was a high mileage ex fleet car (120k miles) got it for an amazing £2k which at the time was such good value for a 3yr old car. The gear linkage was terrible probably needing new bushes other than that was a good car, I remember it would get stuck really easily in snow even just a couple of cm' snow would leave it stranded.
The most significant feature for most in 1985 was the aggressive ’face’ of the Alfa 75, which did sell really well.
Only with 2024-eyes (and being born after 1985) the front of the 75 could be viewed as ”sad”, probably.
My over-riding memory of the one I drove is the pain in my left hand, every time I released the bucket-handle handbrake. Impossible not to nip the palm of your hand!
Oh and why put electric window switches in the roof??
Still, I'd have one in a flash.
My over-riding memory of the one I drove is the pain in my left hand, every time I released the bucket-handle handbrake. Impossible not to nip the palm of your hand!
Oh and why put electric window switches in the roof??
Still, I'd have one in a flash.
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