Description
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 collectable.
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. 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 and sits on genuine period 15 inch Revolution RFX wheels, which all told, make for a stunning overall look.
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.
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.
Additionally, as a run out 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 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.
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, the car was most recently serviced at 78, 148 kms, which included both a brake fluid and gearbox oil change, as well as having all four fuel injector hoses replaced.
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.
A full description with over 80 HD photos, walkaround and driving videos are available on our website (- details above), however please do feel free to call for a chat about the car - contact details in the heading above.
