1987 Alfa Romeo 75

The Alfa Romeo 75 was in production from 1985 to 1992. The successor to the Giulietta, it was available as a four-door saloon only. It is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car.

The Alfa Romeo 75 was launched in 1985 as a replacement for the Giulietta, whose underpinnings and centre section it shared. The Alfetta was discontinued at the same time, and the 75 served as an effective replacement. The name marked the fact that 1985 was the 75th anniversary of the Italian manufacturer, as well as aligning it with the smaller 33 and larger 90.

The Alfa Romeo 75 was available as a 1.6-litre, 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre and a pair of V6s over its life. Unusual design features included roof-mounted window switches, a U-shaped handbrake, and an oddly located cassette radio.

The 3.0 V6 was introduced to the range in 1987, and also the redesign of the 2.0 four-cylinder to incorporate Alfa’s new Twin Spark cylinder head, using two plugs per cylinder. In 1988 the 1.8-litre engine was given fuel injection, and the 3.0 was retuned for extra power.

A total of 34,3148 Alfa Romeo 75s were produced. The model was replaced in 1992 by the Alfa Romeo 155 – based on the same chassis as the Fiat Tipo, but retaining Alfa Romeo engines.

The Alfa Romeo 75 is derived from the Giulietta, and retains the Alfa Romeo Twin-Cam engines from that car. In the 75 these span 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0, all fed by a pair of twin-choke carburettors. Later models also used the Alfa Romeo Busso V6 engine in 2.5 and 3.0 form. Alfa Romeo also produced a 2.0 diesel using a VM engine, not sold in the UK.

All 75s used five-speed manual gearboxes, though a three-speed automatic was optional. All drove the rear wheels, and all Alfa Romeo 75s used a transaxle. 2.0 Twin Spark and 3.0 V6 models used a limited slip differential.

Owing to its transaxle, the Alfa Romeo 75 has near perfect weight distribution, and as such handling is pleasingly neutral. The nicest cars are those fitted with the V6 -– ideally the 3.0 – though a late Twin Spark is still an effective sports saloon. All feel livelier than they should, and all will put a smile on the driver’s face.

Check the propshaft doughnuts and gearbox mounts. Twin Spark exhausts and V6 exhaust flexis can also suffer from damage. Electric mirrors seldom work, heater cables can seize up, and the dashboards can flicker. None of this is unusual but should be a negotiating point.

In the UK you’ll have issues sourcing trim -– this may be easier in Italy but even then don’t bank on instant finds. Alfa Romeo 75s can rust – not only in obvious places such as the sunroof, but behind all the lower plastic trim. Try to see behind if you can. Fuel tanks on Twin Sparks rust as water can sit on them. The spare wheel well and the bulkhead are also known trouble spots.

The rare 3.0 V6 is the most desirable Alfa Romeo 75, followed by the 2.5. In the UK at least, values of four-cylinder Alfa Romeo 75s are yet to catch up with those of their six-cylinder brethren. As ever, low mileage, original cars are the most valuable.

Similar premium models include the Audi 90, the BMW E28 5 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz 190. The MG Montego EFi and Peugeot 405 MI16 share the Alfa’s sporting pretensions, though lack its premium aspirations.