The Alfa Romeo 75 is a curious car. It’s not conventionally good-looking, but it looks good. Different, but not straying into the realms of odd. And it’s one of those rare Alfas from this period and beyond that has its drive going to the back wheels. That’s a definite plus. It was that point that nearly made me buy one at auction many moons ago – I arrived with no intention of buying a 75, but when I saw one sitting in the auction hall I thought, ‘yeah, I’ll have a bit of that.’ Sadly, the person I was bidding against wanted a bit of it more. That was the closest I’ve ever come to owning an Alfa. But Nick, who owns this 75, is a proper Alfa man.
Like so many Alfa owners, his love of the brand runs deep and was formed in his formative years. It’s hereditary, too, the gene having been passed down from his father. Nick’s dad owned various Alfas and had three or four 75s. There was a garage not far from where their family home was in Canterbury that sold Lotuses and Alfas, and he and his dad would often take a Sunday drive to gawp at the cars there. At that time, Nick told me he was all about the Lotuses – unburdened by thoughts of practicality and bursting with youthful exuberance, they naturally held more allure. His dad, on the other hand, would be looking with a more pragmatic mind to his next choice of wheels – something fun but able to cart the family around as well.
Still, the seed of Alfaholism was sown in those early years, even if Nick’s first taste of actually driving a 75 was a disappointment. Now, I reckon he had a result here, because having just passed his test he was let loose on his dad’s 75. That makes me well jealous. My old man wouldn’t let me anywhere near his car when I was a novice driver, and it was just an old Mk2 Cavalier estate. The idea of driving something this exotic is astonishing. Anyway, the 75’s quirks – its unconventional handbrake and low-throw, slightly graunchy gearbox – put Nick off. He said he...er...hated it.
But like the best relationships, those that begin with some needle and turn to love are often the most profound. He reckons that between himself and his dad, he’s owned or driven eight of nine Alfas in his time. He even bought his sister a 33, which I am not sure she appreciated because, as he said, it was a bit of a rust box. Even during the fallow periods, when he’s not had access to his own Alfa, he’s maintained his membership of the Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club over the last 15 years.
That’s how he came by this 75. It was a club member’s car, so he knew its provenance. He also knew it was an unrestored and largely original example that had been dry stored and, crucially, never met a welding torch. And just as importantly, he knew it had been loved like a favourite child. It came with proof that others loved it, too, having won the Alfa club’s Concours d'Elegance – not once but twice, with the rosettes to prove it. It’s also featured in Auto Italia as the best of its kind. So about 18-months ago, he did the deal and bought it.
Herein lies the problem, though, and it’s something I can totally get my head around. When something is so special and so clean, it starts to seem irreplaceable. That can switch the ownership experience from living the dream to a nightmare filled with worry. He says this car is so good that he’s become worried about driving it and risking damaging it, so it’s not getting the use it should. He thinks it should be in a collection, especially because the Twin Sparks are now particularly rare. So many have been broken up for their prized engine, with the market ready to pay good money thanks to the demand for restomods from producers like Alfaholics.
He also reckons the Twin Spark is the sweetest version. He’s owned a 75 3.0 Busso, and, yes, the torque and noise are wonderful. But the extra weight up front does make it a little ponderous compared with the lighter, nimbler TS. He also says that the typically recalcitrant gearbox isn’t a problem in this car – it has a really sweet change with no graunching. There’s also a lovely symmetry to things. The head mechanic at the garage Nick used to visit in his youth is the person who currently services this car. He reckons there are few people who know 75s as well, and it’s why this example drives so impeccably.
It's mostly original spec but with lots of money spent on keeping it in tip-top condition. It’s had some subtle upgrades to the suspension and a stainless exhaust – both from Alfaholics. It also has a set of 16-inch Speedline wheels, because Nick says that getting hold of tyres for the original 14-inch rims is now tricky. The original wheels come with the car, though. If you’re interested, give Nick a call. He comes across as a genuine car enthusiast and is undoubtedly enthusiastic about the marque. His 75 is a rare and lovely thing.
SPECIFICATION | Alfa Romeo 75 2.0 Twin Spark
Engine: 1,962cc, four cylinder, naturally aspirated
Transmission: five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 148 @ 5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 134 @ 4,000rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: N/A
Recorded mileage: 62,000
Year registered: 1992
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £19,995
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