Description
Presented from my private collection is one of the rarest production Alfa Romeo models of the previous century.
To fully understand the significance of the South African special 119i, you need to understand the historic relevance of the Alfa 6 119 Series.
The 119 series was conceived prior to the oil crisis of the 1970s as the true Alfa Romeo flagship, a worthy successor to the 2600 Berlina of the 1960s, however the grim financial outlook at Arese as well as the political influence of the Italian government lead to the 119 Series which would have been a ground breaking design being placed on hold.
Fast forward several years and the nearly still born 119 Series of the early seventies enters a position of prominence, the South African division of Alfa Romeo was struggling to beat the larger engined BMW’s and Fords in Group One with their fuel injected GTV6 2. 5. It needed more capacity, torque and tuneability.
The local Alfa 6s were also struggling with the high alcohol content in our fuel, resulting in the 6 Dellorto Carbs becoming unreliable for daily executive commuting.
This is where the story of my car on offer begins, the Alfa 6 as it was initially known was far from a sales success. The 6 troublesome Dellorto Carburettors and poor rust proofing soon found many brand new 6 Sedans filling dealer lots with warranty claims. This was however was not to be a missed opportunity for the Alfa Romeo racing division.
The 6 needed fuel injection, and the new larger capacity GTV6. 3. 0 needed carburettors.
Herewith I present to you the birth of one of only 230 Alfa Romeo 119i cars ever built. It is part and parcel of the story of the great GTV6 3. 0 and of the archives Alfa Romeo.
Sold new in September 1985 by Arnold Chatz Motors of Craighall Park, Johannesburg to the first owner of over three decades, Mr Syd Loewenthal, the 119i was always garaged indoors and pampered as a baby.
The car as new and has benefitted from a recent major mechanical refresh with many new parts fitted.
The odometer has a true 51000KM, making this a real time warp car, befitting of any great European Alfa Romeo collection.
The 2. 5 fuel injected V6 revs freely and powerfully and the bespoke ZF automatic transmission is silky smooth, paired with the long ratio limited slip differential, urging the driver to be absorbed in the true sense of long distance touring car.
The 119i features many interesting trim items that the European cars never had. The imperial roof console. Boot spoiler and wood inlay door panels to name but a few.
The sales price is inclusive of shipping from Cape Town South Africa, all necessary local clearances, documentation and loading.
Landed in the port of London Gateway in the United Kingdom.
