Alfa 75 appreciation society
Discussion
crostonian said:
Wow, is the the one that was sold at Silverstone Auctions recently?
No, I imported this one in 2014, turbo rebuilt, etc but stock standard and you would eat off the underneath! I think Alex Jupe also looked after that car that went for around £21K if I remember correctly. I wish I had pictures of mine. I owned it twice around 1999/2001.
2.0TS, red colour coded side 'stripe' and a slightly regrettable (but small) spoiler that the previous owner had fitted badly.
I remember thinking it was fit for the scrap yard at 104k. I hope it didn't go there after I p/x it, but suspect it did. It was the first decent car I'd owned then (at 20yo).
Even though I now have a 997.2 and a 330ci, I still want it back. They both sound great (and in reality, probably better) but the 75 was the first, and only other car, I've owned that I drove with the stereo off to hear the car (particularly the gearbox i think it was). Not having the stereo on, when I was 20yo, is saying something too.
2.0TS, red colour coded side 'stripe' and a slightly regrettable (but small) spoiler that the previous owner had fitted badly.
I remember thinking it was fit for the scrap yard at 104k. I hope it didn't go there after I p/x it, but suspect it did. It was the first decent car I'd owned then (at 20yo).
Even though I now have a 997.2 and a 330ci, I still want it back. They both sound great (and in reality, probably better) but the 75 was the first, and only other car, I've owned that I drove with the stereo off to hear the car (particularly the gearbox i think it was). Not having the stereo on, when I was 20yo, is saying something too.
I had a 75 Evolution for a short while. I drove it all the way back from Italy in one gulp. The water pump fell apart a couple of hours after I got home which doesn't really bear thinking about.
I think mine was a little under the weather. Some claimed they had about 230 bhp rather than the official 165 or so. Mine certainly didn't have either.
At the same time a friend had a standard TS. That was sweet as a but. I'd like to sample one again.
I think mine was a little under the weather. Some claimed they had about 230 bhp rather than the official 165 or so. Mine certainly didn't have either.
At the same time a friend had a standard TS. That was sweet as a but. I'd like to sample one again.
I think - if you ask, you will never get it. Some cars, you just know you have to have one..
For me, its the combination of so many things. I clearly remember when it came out in 1985, read the tests etc It was such a middle finger to the rest of the car (design) world. It was rockenroll!
Then, its so usable, rear seat's more usable than all other Alfas at the time, its a perfect 4 people GT incl. luggage. Same time its so tiny/narrow, so compact. It adds up to the "hand-in-glove" feel all 116-cars have more or less.
Then of course the general construction design of that platform, its was an engineer dream, completely without compromises: 50/50 weight distribution, as low unsprung weight as possible. Without the cost-cutting you'd have in a traditional company (not governed by the state).
Of course a lot of this can be applied to the predecessor Giulietta, but for me the 75 looked 200% better, more aggressive, better proportions, clever styling cues and a 80's interior instead of that horrible 70's interior.
Then the 75 being the last 116 car (with the SZ) it was full of the latest improvements. Shifting mecanism, steering, materials, gearbox, everything.
Then, we have the engines. I dont need to mention any of them right?
They're just so much fun to drive, such an experience. So much more compact and direct than any new car.
And you can keep up with a 20years younger M3 on a twisty road, much to that drivers irritation. (Try that in a Alfa 155, the successor).
These are just a few of the reasons I think others can count a few more...
My 3.0 here:
Soon with this lump...
For me, its the combination of so many things. I clearly remember when it came out in 1985, read the tests etc It was such a middle finger to the rest of the car (design) world. It was rockenroll!
Then, its so usable, rear seat's more usable than all other Alfas at the time, its a perfect 4 people GT incl. luggage. Same time its so tiny/narrow, so compact. It adds up to the "hand-in-glove" feel all 116-cars have more or less.
Then of course the general construction design of that platform, its was an engineer dream, completely without compromises: 50/50 weight distribution, as low unsprung weight as possible. Without the cost-cutting you'd have in a traditional company (not governed by the state).
Of course a lot of this can be applied to the predecessor Giulietta, but for me the 75 looked 200% better, more aggressive, better proportions, clever styling cues and a 80's interior instead of that horrible 70's interior.
Then the 75 being the last 116 car (with the SZ) it was full of the latest improvements. Shifting mecanism, steering, materials, gearbox, everything.
Then, we have the engines. I dont need to mention any of them right?
They're just so much fun to drive, such an experience. So much more compact and direct than any new car.
And you can keep up with a 20years younger M3 on a twisty road, much to that drivers irritation. (Try that in a Alfa 155, the successor).
These are just a few of the reasons I think others can count a few more...
My 3.0 here:
Soon with this lump...
Edited by Pereldh on Wednesday 6th April 15:50
Pereldh said:
I think - if you ask, you will never get it. Some cars, you just know you have to have one..
They're just so much fun to drive, such an experience. So much more compact and direct than any new car.
And you can keep up with a 20years younger M3 on a twisty road, much to that drivers irritation. (Try that in a Alfa 155, the successor).
These are just a few of the reasons I think others can count a few more...
Don't knock the 155! - I have both 155s, 75s and a number of Alfas and Lancias and the 155 is the easiest daily driver but out of all my cars, the most smiles per mile along with value for money is the Lancia Delta HF TurboThey're just so much fun to drive, such an experience. So much more compact and direct than any new car.
And you can keep up with a 20years younger M3 on a twisty road, much to that drivers irritation. (Try that in a Alfa 155, the successor).
These are just a few of the reasons I think others can count a few more...
Edited by Pereldh on Wednesday 6th April 15:50
arguti said:
Pereldh said:
I think - if you ask, you will never get it. Some cars, you just know you have to have one..
They're just so much fun to drive, such an experience. So much more compact and direct than any new car.
And you can keep up with a 20years younger M3 on a twisty road, much to that drivers irritation. (Try that in a Alfa 155, the successor).
These are just a few of the reasons I think others can count a few more...
Don't knock the 155! - I have both 155s, 75s and a number of Alfas and Lancias and the 155 is the easiest daily driver but out of all my cars, the most smiles per mile along with value for money is the Lancia Delta HF TurboThey're just so much fun to drive, such an experience. So much more compact and direct than any new car.
And you can keep up with a 20years younger M3 on a twisty road, much to that drivers irritation. (Try that in a Alfa 155, the successor).
These are just a few of the reasons I think others can count a few more...
Edited by Pereldh on Wednesday 6th April 15:50
My 155 Q4 and 75 2.0 twinspark, accompanied by my GTV 2.0 V6 turbo.
My Savali 75 twin spark track car at Silverstone on a PH day. I think it was the slowest car on the circuit, but in my defence I'd only collected it 2 days before and it was on worn semi-slicks.
My 75 v6 is probably still the best car I’ve owned, hard to describe why but when driving it it felt like I was part of it, not just sat on/in it. It all seemed to work together so well, engineering and design. My only complaint was front brakes not good enough. It was quick in it’s time, economical for a 3 litre and the sound was top notch.
The only other car I’ve owned that was on a par, or perhaps just pipped the 75 was an e46 M3. I’m not comparing power and speed, but as a driving machine. I think that says a lot for the 75.
The only other car I’ve owned that was on a par, or perhaps just pipped the 75 was an e46 M3. I’m not comparing power and speed, but as a driving machine. I think that says a lot for the 75.
Veesix75 said:
My 75 v6 is probably still the best car I’ve owned, hard to describe why but when driving it it felt like I was part of it, not just sat on/in it. It all seemed to work together so well, engineering and design. My only complaint was front brakes not good enough. It was quick in it’s time, economical for a 3 litre and the sound was top notch.
The only other car I’ve owned that was on a par, or perhaps just pipped the 75 was an e46 M3. I’m not comparing power and speed, but as a driving machine. I think that says a lot for the 75.
Fair comment…have you even driven an Delta Integrale? The only other car I’ve owned that was on a par, or perhaps just pipped the 75 was an e46 M3. I’m not comparing power and speed, but as a driving machine. I think that says a lot for the 75.
My 2.0TS, owned 30 years ago.
It replaced a metallic blue 1.8 from 1986, itself a good car but getting tired. The TS was a very good car, better still once fitted with adjustable Konis. These and the 164 were the last proper Alfa Romeos to my mind (I never rated the 33 much) and whilst not a bad car, the 155 was never anything special. It was completely reliable and the 'real' Alfa twin cam engine was a lovely unit unlike the iron block Fiat based thing that replaced it.
The blue 1.8 was registered DAZ5704 and had Campagnalo(?) alloy wheels from a GTV 2000SE. Apparently it's still around - sadly the red Sparker isn't.
It replaced a metallic blue 1.8 from 1986, itself a good car but getting tired. The TS was a very good car, better still once fitted with adjustable Konis. These and the 164 were the last proper Alfa Romeos to my mind (I never rated the 33 much) and whilst not a bad car, the 155 was never anything special. It was completely reliable and the 'real' Alfa twin cam engine was a lovely unit unlike the iron block Fiat based thing that replaced it.
The blue 1.8 was registered DAZ5704 and had Campagnalo(?) alloy wheels from a GTV 2000SE. Apparently it's still around - sadly the red Sparker isn't.
Edited by Touring442 on Friday 16th September 15:07
PeterGadsby said:
This is one we bought from auction a year or so a go and it was so troublesome we sold it. Rare 1.8 Turbo
Pretty sure I recognise that car - wasn’t it recently restored by one of the marque specialists? IIRC it had loads of work done…..I suppose the real question would be, what wasn’t done! If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly were the issues?
I have owned 2 alfa 75s and they are not exactly complicated cars and fairly straightforward to work on even for non-specialist apart from the rear brakes……aaaarrrgh!
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