Introduced in 1985 and produced until 1992, the Alfa 75 was perhaps the last old-school Alfa Romeo and also the last rear-wheel-drive saloon, until the arrival of the 2015 Giulia. So this of course makes all 75s collectible.
This particular car is however the very rare and highly sought after 1.8 Turbo QV Allestimento Speciale Numerato (“ASN”) special edition. This was effectively the same specification as the limited edition (‘LE”) that was offered in the UK in 2.0 Twin Spark form. However, whereas there were 3500 2.0 Twin Spark LEs made, the 1.8 Turbo QV ASN, was limited to a run of just 1000.
The 75 1.8 Turbo engine was created as a tax break special for the Italian market (which heavily taxed engines over 2 litres) and was never sold to the UK market, although it is understood that two 75 1.8 Turbos were officially imported by Alfa GB. In addition, it is thought that perhaps another four have been imported privately, two of which being the homologation special Turbo Evoluzione model, but we believe this to be the only 1.8 Turbo QV ASN currently in the UK.
The car was first registered in the UK in 2004 and has been fastidiously maintained, regardless of cost. This is evidenced by a substantial invoice history file. In 2018 the car was given a bare metal repaint, which showed the car to be exceptionally solid, with no signs of ever having being welded and with the underside still showing the original factory finish, never having been painted over with additional underseal.
In addition, whilst the ASN came with an attractive but subtle body kit and 14 inch Speedline alloy wheels, this car has been fitted with a genuine Turbo Evoluzione body kit, replica IMSA rear spoiler and sits on genuine period correct 15 inch Revolution RFX wheels, which all told, make for a stunning overall look.
Finding an Alfa 75 in such incredible condition, looking this good and one of the rarest variants ever made, presents a unique opportunity for anyone looking for one of the best and most collectable 75s available.
Finished in its original Rosso Alfa, the car presents beautifully with the paintwork in fantastic order. Trim parts and light clusters are also excellent condition and the car shows even panel gaps all round.
The car has been fitted with a genuine Turbo Evoluzione body kit. This is not to be confused with the Veloce bodykit fitted to some 75 3.0 V6s, as the Evoluzione bodykit features unique front and rear bumpers, bigger side skirts, wider rear wheelarch covers and boxed-out front wing extensions. Additionally, the car has been fitted with a replica rear wing as fitted to the 75 Turbo Evoluzione IMSA racecars. The combined effect of these modifications, we believe make for a truly stunning looking car.
The car was subject to a full bare metal repaint by marque specialist Alex Jupe Motorsports in 2018. During this process the car was assessed to be exceptionally solid, with just a small amount of corrosion on the sills, where the paint was thin. The document history contains numerous photographs showing the bare shell and the restoration and as the car stands today, it is completely rust free, which is remarkable for an Alfa 75.
The interior of the car is a very special place to be. As an ASN model, it is fitted with the fabulous Recaro seats, beautifully upholstered with black cloth on the bolsters and with a grey diagonal pattern cloth in the centres. All door cards, fitted with the same cloth as the seat centres are in excellent condition, as are the black carpets which are accompanied by a full set of 75 floor mats front and back. A period correct leather bound Momo steering wheel replaces the original item and a SZ style plaque on the dashboard, identifies this car, as being no. 713 of 1000. Front windows are electric, with the rears being conventional manual wind. Quirky features such as the roof-mounted electric window switches and “U” shaped handbrake lever, just add to the overall charm of the car.
The car is fitted with an aftermarket Sony CD/radio, with USB connectivity.
All switch gear, electrics and instrument dials work as they should, as does the dashboard-mounted diagnostic computer, called “Alfa Romeo Control”, which monitors the engine systems, alerting the drivers of potential faults.
Unlike the 75 2.0 litre Twin Spark engine, the 1.8 Turbo engine is built around the tried and tested twin cam “Nord Engine”, equipped with timing chains rather than a cambelt, that needs periodic changing. It is equipped with a single Garrett T3 turbo, cooled by a sizeable air-to-air intercooler. In ASN specification, the engine power was increased to 165 bhp from 155 bhp, in the standard 1.8 Turbo. Performance figures quoted at the time were 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, with a top speed of 132 mph, not bad for a saloon car of this era and very similar performance to the 3.0 V6 engined variant. The car is fitted with a custom made wider bore exhaust than standard, which has a centre exit at the rear and provides for a deeper, fruitier exhaust note than standard, but avoids any unpleasant “droning” at motorway speeds.
The 75’s rear wheel drive platform and rear-mounted gearbox/diff and inboard rear brake discs, give it superb front and rear 50/50 weight distribution and superb handling as a result. With a 4 cylinder turbo engine in the front, it has relatively low weight over the front end (especially as compared with the 75 3.0 V6), steering therefore is crisp and light. Additionally, as a late model it is unusually fitted with power steering, which earlier 1.8 turbos and even the Evoluzione Turbo didn’t have, which made low speed steering effort quite heavy, by modern standards.
As an ASN variant the car is also fitted with a 25% limited-slip differential as standard.
The front suspension is a torsion bar set-up and shock absorber combination and the rear an expensive de Dion tube located by a Watts linkage and assembled with shock absorbers. It is fitted with Koni sports adjustable shock absorbers all round and has benefited from replacement ball joints and replacement polyurethane bushes for the rear anti roll bar and Watts linkage. The car sits on lower-than-standard Eibach springs at the rear, which provide for a more purposeful stance.
Whilst suspension upgrades lead to improve handling, they only work when the car’s geometry has been properly set-up, which has been expertly seen to by Alex Jupe Motorsports.
Finally, as part of the pre-sales preparation the car has been serviced, had a gearbox oil change and all injector hoses replaced.
The car sits on freshly refurbished 15 inch Revolution RFX alloy wheels, which were period fitment to the 75 3.0 V6 Veloce. 15 inch wheels are considered to provide the best balance between ride comfort, whilst allowing the suspension to do its job properly. All wheels including a matching RFX spare, are fitted with brand new 205/50/r15 Toyo Proxes TR1s.
Brakes are solid discs all round inboard at the rear and with the recent fitment of new rear callipers.
As can be seen from the photos of the underside, the car is exceptional condition for a 75. It still retains the factory underside finish, with no evidence of ever having been welded, or with additional underseal painted on. As part of the bare metal respray in 2018, all cavities, chassis sections and door bottoms were treated to extensive cavity waxing.
In addition, as part of the pre-sales preparation the entire underside, sills, wheel arches as well as all suspension, mechanical and braking componentry, were coated with several coats of clear DINITROL automotive rust prevention and corrosion protection treatment. This will provide for additional and durable long-term corrosion protection.
The car was featured in a 5 page article in the May 2021 edition of Auto Italia magazine.
The car has been fastidiously maintained and comes with a huge history file comprising extensive invoices for parts and maintenance over the years, by Marque Specialists such as Alex Jupe Motorsports and Alfa Aid. Invoice costs totalling over £37,500, evidence the level of investment made over the years, in order to present the car is such exceptional condition today.
In addition, the history file contains the current and a number of previous MOT certificates, a clear HPI check, a number of Alfa 75 dealer brochures and of course a couple of copies of the May 2021 Auto Italia magazine. It also contains a number of photos recording the bare metal repaint undertaken in 2018.
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