1993 Alfa Romeo 164S – Auction car of the Week

If there is one thing we love here at Car & Classic, it’s a retro executive saloon. If we had a car park, you’d find XJ40s, Daimlers, E Class Mercedes, E38 BMWs and much, much more. We love the joy that comes from owning a bit of old school luxury. Yet, none of us have an Alfa Romeo 164. This means, of course, that we have all been drooling over the auction listing for this 1993 Alfa Romeo 164S. A luxury vision in brilliant burgundy, sitting on stunning split-rims and powered by that iconic 3.0 24V quad-cam V6. And the icing on the cake? A manual transmission. Bella.

Just look at that stunning machine and tell us you don’t need a lie down? That’s the result of the car being styled by Pininfarina’s Enrico Fumia, who took a shared platform (the Saab 9000, Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema) and made it unique. It was also a hugely significant car for Alfa due to it being the first to use extensive CAD to work out things like rigidity, structure, stresses and so on. It meant that while the 164 shared its basic underpinnings, it drove in a manner unique from the other three cars. It also holds significance as being the final car that can be labelled as a ‘pure’ Alfa Romeo due to being designed and engineered prior to Fiat’s takeover of the company.

The Alfa Romeo 164 is special in any guise, but this is perhaps nearing the pinnacle due to it being a 164S, or Super. That means around 200bhp from that red and chrome Busso V6 engine, it means electronic adaptive suspension, split-rim wheels, leather trim, loads of toys and lots more. This 164S is exceptionally rare, especially in UK specification. Take the incredible, but honest condition into account and you’re left with a true unicorn of a car. If you have ever wanted one, this 1993 Alfa Romeo 164S is it.

This car has lived a happy life. There is stacks of history with it, it has an MOT until September and it has been serviced recently for added peace of mind. Importantly for a 164, the car is solid as a rock underneath, as you can see from the images in the auction listing. It’s been inspected by specialists and all have been pleased with their findings. Mechanically, it’s recently been subject to a spend of over £3,500. A new clutch, new timing belt, new starter motors, new alternator and new oil seals all reside within this glorious car. There are no reliability issue here. In fact, there wouldn’t be anyway, as the 164 was lauded for being so well made. It’s not your typical Alfa.

Writing about this 1993 Alfa Romeo 164S has been bittersweet for us. We want it, but there is no room at the inn, so it falls to one of you wonderful lot to place a bid on it. And imagine if you do. Sliding into the rich, inviting, black leather seats. Pop the key in, crank the engine and listen to that Busso shout into life. An intoxicating soundtrack that will never fail to send a giddy shiver down your spine. Imagine taking this out on the road, exploiting the willingness of the engine, the sharp changes from the five-speed ‘box. Then imagine parking it up walking away, only to have to stop in your tracks and look back at it with admiring eyes, every, single, time. This is more than a car. This is art and emotion on wheels. You need that in your life.