1983 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint 1.5 QV

The Alfa Romeo Alfasud is an interesting car. It acquired a bit of a bad rap due to mechanical malfeasance, but with over one million vehicles sold, is one of Alfa Romeo's most successful models in its history. This car was the product of a joint venture between Alfa Romeo and Finmeccanica and a new plant was set up in the south of Italy as part of a labor agreement, hence the "Sud" part of the car's name. This 1983 model is the last year the Alfasud moniker appeared. After that, this car was called simply the "Sprint" as its lifecycle wound down in the late 1980s. Alfasuds weren't the heartiest of vehicles; as a result, many have disappeared from the roads, primarily due to rust issues. This survivor in Rome has an astoundingly low 22,000 miles on the clock, but I'm not sure I'd call the green carpet "bella."

1983 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint 1.5 QV

Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint 1.5 Quadrifoglio Verde, 105 hp, four-wheel disc brakes (front inboard). 1983 model year, white, upholstery in good condition, beautiful green carpet, very nice body paint, well functioning mechanically. One owner until 2010. New tires added in 2012.

At $5,800, there's other ways of getting into a classic Alfa Romeo but perhaps not with such little mileage or in such great condition. So what'll it be then? A slightly tatty Spider or a mint condition example of what some consider a forgettable Alfa. For me, it would probably be the Spider but for all the Alfasud's faults, the later Sprint iteration is charming in its own right.

-Paul