Thursday 5th April 2018

Alfa 147 Ducati Corse: Spotted

One of the last 147s made is certainly one of the most interesting, and especially so at £4k...

---

Alright, hands up: PH may have been featuring one too many exotics in this slot recently. And while we all like a bit of automotive day dreaming from time to time, those more attainable classified picks can be of greater of interest. Exactly because they are attainable, and could be yours, and anything that belongs to you immediately has some significance attached to it. Lotto-win supercars, for all their virtues, do not.

Even when considering something more everyday though, we do like to look at more intriguing options than the norm - consider it the PH way. Hence this Alfa 147 JTDm Ducati Corse, currently owned and being sold by PHer James Dealtry Smith. Because even if you do need something for dull journeys, it needn't be a dull car.

The Ducati Corse was a limited run of 200 cars produced right at the end of the 147 production run (see the 58-plate on James's car), adding some Ducati embellishments to the JTDm diesel model. Don't forget that by this time the 147 diesel was producing 170hp and using the Q2 limited-slip differential that was denied to the GTA. Even 10 years later there aren't diesel hatches with locking differentials in them, and a Golf GTD only has an additional 14hp. Add in the fact a 147 must surely be lighter and you're left with a car that will still feel brisk today.

It still looks good today as well, the 147 cutting a dash that eludes many similar cars launched at the turn of the century - see Peugeot 307, for example. When you consider the 147 was probably being designed 20 years ago, the way it has aged really is remarkable. Despite this particular Ducati Corse having covered 90,000 miles, the exterior seems to be holding up well, although the advert does mention some road rash to the front end.

Our Alfa owning PHer bought the car from a fellow member of the Alfa Owner community - keep up at the back - which means this 147 should have been very well cared for over the past few years. It's had a cambelt change less than a year ago, was serviced in December and also has a clutch that's less than 18 months old. Whether you're looking at a million-pound supercar or a diesel commuter tool, seeing it's been cared for is always a good sign.

So what we have is an Alfa Romeo that's rare, stylish and plenty fast enough for most. With Bluetooth for music and calls it shouldn't feel to technologically outdated, either. And what else might you have instead - a Golf? The 147 isn't perfect, but of course those flaws that made it difficult to recommend as a new purchase are less critical when it's a secondhand buy. No, it won't become as covetable as a GTA - of course it won't. Instead the Ducati Corse should offer something a bit different for your everyday errands, without being so quirky as to be annoying. And fortune favours the brave, doesn't it?

---

SPECIFICATION - ALFA ROMEO 147 DUCATI CORSE

Engine: 1,900cc, four-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 170@3,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 243@2,000rpm
MPG: 47.9 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 157g/km
Recorded mileage: 92,000
Year registered: 2009
Price new: £17,495
Yours for: £4,200

See the original advert here.

[JMF894]

Would make a good daily hack. I'm running a 2004 M Sport 320cd for all my commuting and the rwd makes it interesting. Pretty sure a previous owner has mapped it too as it is far too lively for 150bhp. My previous commuter was a mk2 Leon FR 170pd with btcc kit. Reminds me of this DC. Walter de Silva............................