I'm being sarcastic. This is not investment grade. Do not invest in this. What the hell drives a man to list a promotional VHS tape for an 164 for $200? One of 300...
This was a dealer used VHS tape for the Alfa Romeo 164. This tape was used for mechanics to go through the pre-delivery process!
Tested and works! Fun to watch and a must have if you love the 164!
Only 300 tapes were made, I have not seen another one! March 1990!
Thanks for looking!
We're glad to see that the seller tested the tape - even better that it works. Do not hesitate to join fellow investors in recession-proof Alfa Romeo 164 investments. Act now!
Spare us, dear commenters, for we know not what we type, or something. Wouldn't a 1978 Alfetta GT actually be a Sprint Veloce? We're not entirely sure - maybe some 1978 cars made it out before the Sprint Veloce moniker took effect. We'll trust the car's owner's manual on this one.
We'll admit that we got overly excited when we saw the engine bay of this one. Individual air filters leading to carbs? If only. The car actually maintains its original SPICA fuel system, for better or worse. The local Alfa expert swears by a functioning SPICA system, and we can see the advantages over carbs. But, here we were, excited at what we thought we carbs. The appeal transcends logic, we guess.
1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT Only 37,460 Original MilesRuns and Drives Original Int and Paint appears Original
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Rust is the big question on this car. Windshield frame, jack points, rear hatch and nearly everywhere else should be inspected before getting one's hopes up. Assuming that rust is not an issue with this car, we are impressed with the general condition and subtle upgrades. We see an Ansa muffler poking out from the rear, some shiny long-tube headers under the hood, and handsome 15" Ronal A1 alloy wheels in the wheel wells. The front bumper looks to be painted to mimic a GTV-6, and the front air dam has a GTV-6 vibe as well. These cars can be styled into the 80s if desired, and this example makes the jump well.
The low mileage is worth something to potential buyers, but don't expect this car to drive like it came off of the lot unless a lot of rubber has been replaced in the recent past. We have a feeling that that might be the case, given the general condition of the car. The asking price is a wasp nest that we'd prefer to leave be. Ok, fine - it's twice what we'd pay. That said, we're impressed with this example, and do recommend checking it out. Maybe the price is a barrier against tire-kickers. This one is a perfect example to buy and double the odometer count on in short order.
Today's search began as a favor for a buddy. He's on the lookout for a decent Alfa, preferably a Milano, for under $5,000. That sum of cash will still buy plenty of Milano - and even plenty of Milano Verde, if you have good manners. I choose to ignore how much 164 you could buy for that sum - a shame, but at the same time a blessing for 164 fans such as ourselves.
The GTV-6 - fundamentally a Milano coupe - somehow eludes any pretense of economic sense on the open market. Maybe it's the less sensible 2-door body style that invites less sensible sellers, or perhaps it's an inferior complex stemming from the lack of rear doors. Whatever it is, it results in listings such as today's 1984 GTV-6 project.
I have a 1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6 project car for sale. All of the parts are there including boxes of newer parts, it just needs some time, money, and love. The car is a dark grey/ black color, but it needs a repaint. It does not have the original engine, but instead has an upgraded 3.0l 24v engine from a later Alfa 164. This engine was in the process of being rebuilt with new pistons and camshafts, and everything is there to finish the project. The original transaxle is in the car, and I bought a second limited slip transaxle from a Milano Verde that was rebuilt by an Alfa shop in Washington state. It also has a second set of magnesium racing wheels.
I bought this car because I wanted to rebuild it and have an amazing car, but I honestly don't have the time or money for it right now. NADA puts the low value of this car at $10k, and with a better engine (including new upgrades) and a second rebuilt LSD transaxle, I think this price is fair even as a project. I'm not in a rush to sell, and I have a clean title in my name.
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We are not surprised to see mention of a 24V 3.0L engine swap in the ad. A friend of the blog has a very sorted 3.0L 24V swapped GTV-6, and it's an absolute monster at high speed and in corners. No, what surprises us is the lack of any evidence of a 24V engine whatsoever. See, the pistons have two valve-relief cuts, and the heads show only single camshafts. That said, the seller mentions that the build includes new camshafts and pistons, and we do see those! But, like we said, they're 12V units.
Ok, so can we pull this write-up out of a negative nosedive? Sure - there's nothing wrong with a 12V 3.0L GTV-6! Many even prefer the 12V timing belt drive to the more complex timing belt drive on the 24V. A spare 3.55 LSD from a Milano Verde is included with the sale, and certainly sweetens the deal. If the car is rust-free, it's certainly worth pursuing as a winter project, but the price needs to reflect the reality that it's an inoperable project with an unfinished engine build. We think there's potential with this one, 24 valves or not.
With the weather in the garage bordering on Canadian, we find it appropriate to share an Italian-Canadian delicacy, the Alfa Romeo Montreal. As most of our readers are aware, its Canadian roots are limited to its name. The Montreal design is based on a Marcello Gandani concept car produced by Bertone and displayed at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada. We never took the late Italian-Canadian FCA CEO, Sergio Marchionne, as the type to indulge in novelty, but he might have gotten a kick out of one of these.
The Montreal's engine is interesting, in that it is approximately two Alfa Romeo 1300 cylinder heads mounted on a V engine block. I'm sure that we're oversimplifying slightly, but the end result is not too far off from that. The advantages of this sort of design, over the later Busso V6, is in engine breathing and flexibility. The Busso's SOHC heads can't match the volumetric efficiency of the cam-over-tappet DOHC heads in a Montreal, and the power numbers show it. The Montreal V8 produces 197hp at 6500RPM, not bad for a 1970s-era 2.6L V8.
1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupe This excellent original 1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupe shown here is available in red with a black interior. It comes equipped with a 5 speed manual transmission, wood steering wheel, power windows, solid wheels and includes the spare tire. This is an excellent original car which has been with the same owner for many years and has just come out of storage. For $39,950
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The price on this car is a departure from what we are used to seeing on Montreals. Either the market has softened, or this car is less-than-stellar. We'd guess that the truth lies somewhere between the two. The underside shots don't inspire heaps of confidence, but the car clearly isn't consumed by rust. Trim will require a considerable degree of dedication to source too. All in all though, this seems to have potential as a driver.
We're not sure what the potential market for this particular car is. First time Montreal buyers? A safer bet would be to find a sorted example. Serial Montreal buyers? You might lose your shirt bringing this one back to health. Speculators who plan to sit the car in storage until it's worth more? Unfortunately, that's where we see this car going. We can't even say that we are particularly interested. We'd spend our cash on a different 70s Gandani V8 Coupe, the Maserati Khamsin.
As promised, we'll conclude our impromptu Alfa Romeo sports sedan week with a Giulia, and a Quadrifoglio at that. A tech specialist at a powertrain company once told me that BMW and Honda are engine companies that happen to produce automobiles. Lotus, at least lately, is the opposite, producing chassis into which Toyota engines are installed. The same could be said of Cadillac, with their exemplary ATS sports sedan chassis let down by lackluster albeit powerful engines. The Giulia Quadrifoglio manages to best the competition with both its powertrain and its chassis - a rare feat today.
The chassis of the Giulia, if my experience and every modern review are to be trusted, is beyond reproach. The powertrain is a unique beast requiring some background. Ferrari's F154 V8 serves as the basis of the Alfa Romeo V6. Now, the F154 V8 is the best, or perhaps second best V8 engine in the performance market, matched only by the Mercedes-AMG M177/M178 4.0 Bi-Turbo V8. Though Maserati does have access to the F154 series engine in V8 form in the top Quattroporte and Levante models, the F154 V6 remains exclusive to Alfa Romeo. V6 Maseratis must chug along with a humble FCA Pentastar-based unit.
$18k off of sticker is a good starting point for a brand new Giulia Quadrifoglio. Really, under $60,000 for a Ferrari-powered sports sedan with a factory warranty is absurd. And, since it's a 2017 model that's been languishing in the showroom, its peers have put in the legwork to find out which issues necessitate recalls. Drive it straight to the service department, have the recalls addressed, and enjoy!
Well, we promised a Giulia, but this isn't the Giulia that we promised. We'll get a modern Giulia up on the site later this week, but for now, check out this surprisingly clean 105 series Giulia 1300 Ti, and let us know how we do in describing the details on this thing - 60s Alfa experts, we are not.
The Tipo 105.39 Giulia 1300 Ti shared chassis and suspension mechanical bits with the sportier Super, but differed in engine selection. The 1300 Ti Giulias featured the 1,290cc single down-draft Solex carburetorater engine of the 105 series 1300GT Junior, vs. the more basic 101 series-derived lump in the plain Giulia 1300. Being a later car, it has circular gauges, but lacks the binnacles of the Super models. For better or worse, it lacks the dual-circuit brakes of the 1970+ models, but maintains four wheel disc brakes. The Turismo Internationale represents a sporty medium in the Giulia range.
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Year: 1969 Model: Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Ti Engine: 1,290cc 4-cyl Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 8,309 mi Price: $22,500
The condition of the car is rather remarkable. We would be sure to ascertain that the mileage listed is actual. We would also seek out all of the relevant details required to consider a car of this ilk, as the listing is entirely devoid of detail. Is the car restored? Is there rust? It sure appears that either the car was restored, or it is an incredible survivor - and at $22,500, we'd wager that the former scenario is more probable.
Were we not in the middle of some space-consuming garage activities, we'd have a tough time turning this example down. Mark us down as fans of the light blue color and single headlights. We're also keen on the simpler single-circuit brakes, and four-wheel discs. Would a 1600 Super be preferable? Sure, but we'll take top condition over top spec any day. And, this car sure seems to deliver on condition.
Let's see this Alfa Romeo sports sedan theme through; spoiler alert: tomorrow's post is going to be a modern Giulia.
The 164 breaks with Alfa's tradition of basing its sports sedans on its sports cars. The internet at large will be quick to point out that the 164 shares DNA with the Saab 9000, Fiat Chroma, and Lancia Thema, and it does share much of the floorpan with those sedans. But, having owned two 164s, I can tell you that they share shockingly few components with that trio. At first glance, it's not a very appealing Alfa sports sedan - shared platform, and FWD at that. Drive one, though, and you'll quickly understand.
The 164 doesn't weigh as much as you might expect. Combine the relative light weight with excellent steering feel, a comfortable and controlled ride, and a torquey V6, and the car really excels at daily driver duty. In S guise, the V6 makes 200hp, thanks to the vaunted S cams, a bump in compression ration. Piston cooling jets, a water to oil engine oil cooler, and a bumped-up oil pump curve ensure durability at the increased power level.
The Alfa Romeo 164 is a four-door executive saloon that was manufactured by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1987 to 1998 and designed by Pininfarina.
Alfa brought the 164 to American shores in 1991, and all of those cars were equipped with the beautiful 3.0-liter motor. This engine, with its exposed intake tubing, was as satisfying to drive as it was to look at and in SOHC 12-valve form was rated at 183 horsepower in the base and “L” versions and 200 horsepower in the “S” cars.
1991 Alfa Romeo 164S. The exterior is White with a Black interior. 5 Speed manual transmission. 134,363 km. V-6 Engine. FWD. Sunroof. Options include power windows, power mirrors, power seats, heated seats, air conditioning. In showroom condition.
The mileage and perceived condition of this example are desirable. Missing is any record of engine and suspension service. The electronic shock absorbers and their bearings are difficult to source, if broken. The engines are robust, but it never hurts to reiterate that timing belt service must be kept up on. In general, these cars are outside of their design lifetime in age, if not mileage, so elastomeric components will be worn out - belts, hoses, seals, suspension bushings. It's nice to see a record of what has been replaced.
Having only dredged the bottom of craigslist for 164s, the price of this one is a bit rich for my blood. That said, the 164S is sort of favored to the 164Q for those who want similar performance, but can't stomach the service requirements of the 24V Busso of the 164Q. At this price, I have a feeling that an outsider to the Alfa world will make a foray into Alfa ownership. With this particular car, they will more than likely emerge unscathed.
The concept isn't foreign to the elders at CICFS: US serviceman buys desirable car in Europe, drives it while serving in Germany, and then brings it back to the US to enjoy. We have to imagine that e30 BMWs are currently popular among car enthusiast serviceman in Europe, so we applaud this gentleman for his taste in less-common sports sedans.
The Alfa 75 in 1.6 trim is as basic as the model was offered. A friend of the site has a particularly mean 75 1.6, which was swapped to a 3.0L Busso V6 powertrain for the ultimate sleeper 75. This particular 75 doesn't deliver on sleeper status, with its aftermarket wheels and Alfa Romeo decals, but we see nothing that couldn't be reversed for a 2.0 TS sleeper build.
This is a 1988 Alfa Romeo 75 2.0 Twin Spark, the European version of the Milano in the states.
VIN: ZAR162B2000049876
This car is a European spec car, originally it was imported from Italy and sold new in the Netherlands in 1988 as a White Alfa 75 1.6. From there It changed hands and had a full documented restoration in 1998 by L Beute. When it was restored, the drivetrain was swapped over from a 2.0 Twin Spark and the car was resprayed green. The car was purchased from the Netherlands in 2014, from there it was imported to Germany and then to the United States. Once it made it over here, the car was brought back up to good condition.
What Separates it from the Milano:
Euro Bumpers and headlights
Euro Tails
Reliable 2.0TS engine
Center Exit Exhaust
Fuel tank under the car instead of in the trunk
NO quirky ABS system
NO sunroof
Power front windows only
NO A/C factory
Less weight
The Good:
Everything from the rear doors back was rebuilt. All new transmission mounts, new slave cylinder, lines, brake calipers. Brake rotors, replacement axles and new rear bearings.
New wheels and tires
New brakes all the way around
Rebuilt Transaxle
Rebuilt Shifter
Strong Engine
Excellent Paint
Mint interior
Lowered with Koni Adjustable Shocks and Springs
The Bad:
Inner and outer rear wheel arch rust,
The passenger rear door has a rust hole in it
Inner fender behind the coolant bottle also has a hole in it.
Paint has two clearcoat blemishes
Headliner Sagging
Though the suspension components seem to be pretty devoid of rust, this car does show a fair amount of rot, particularly in the area where the rear doors meet the rear wheel wells. This is a common rust area for the 75 / Milano, and repair sheetmetal does exist - as do examples without the rust.
Asking price is strong on this car. We attribute that to the rarity of this particular model in North America, as well as to the considerable list of maintenance that the current owner had completed on the car. We'd ditch the Nardi steering wheel and shifter, swap out the Crown Royal shift boot for something less 2008, and get to work on rust mitigation. For those in search of the ultimate lightweight 75 and a powerful engine to boot, this car is a good opportunity.
BMW is the household name in sports sedans in North America, and deservedly so. But, Alfa certainly produced some equally-appealing, if less beloved models in the category. While Europe saw even more models, North America was fortunate enough to receive the Giulietta, Giulia, Berlina, Milano, and 164 sedans, with the modern Giulia arriving for the 2017 model year.
Folks are usually surprised when I share that Alfa sports sedans benefit from being largely derived from their sports car counterparts and not vice versa. The Berlina is no exception to this, sharing its powertrain, brakes, and suspension with 115 series Alfa sports cars. The additional mass of a sedan body style might no be so welcome, but the proven hardware is up for the task.
Offered for sale is a 1969 Alfa Romeo Berlina 1750, that is powered by the improved 2000cc inline-four engine.
Recent mechanical and cosmetic improvements were made to make this Berlina a reliable and comfortable daily driver. Mechanical improvements include new brakes, tune up, and installation of the Shankle Sure Start replacing the thermostatic actuator to assist in cold starts. With the exception of the clock, all gauges, lights, heater and radio (new speakers) operate. Mechanical improvements to the car were performed by an experienced Alfa mechanic, resulting in the car running strong with solid handling and quick acceleration.
The car has also had an interior refresh, including new carpet and reupholstered front seats complementing the classic Nardi steering wheel and wood dash. There is one crack in the dash top and the console wood is showing wear (see pictures) - otherwise the interior is in excellent condition.
Rust repairs were made to the rocker panels and the car has been resprayed in Amarante/Maroon, which was a color change at some earlier point in the life of the car with the original color appearing to be Verde Olivia/Olive Green.
This Berlina is a perfect candidate for a complete restoration or with attention to a few more areas such as improving the suspension and addressing minimal rust spots, specifically in the tire well, this Berlina could become an even stronger daily driver.
With Spiders and GTVs dominating the Alfa classic market, the Berlina is a rare fine and this one is a solid performer and great fun to drive.
We've seen this particular Berlina before, and we've even considered buying it. When it was shared on Bring A Trailer in November 2016, the photos were not very promising. The underside showed a discouraging amount of rust. The car certainly didn't look beyond repair, and at the $5,900 asking price, didn't show too much optimism on the seller's part.
Now with bidding over $12,000 at the time of posting, we are curious to see the rust repairs to the sills claimed by the new seller. If completed correctly and thoroughly, the car stands to be a great purchase. The 115 series sedans don't share the plucky proportions or driving experience of the 105 series Giulia sedans. But, all accounts point to these being comfortable and rewarding sports sedans in their own regard. If the rust repairs check out, this could be an enjoyable Berlina to sink your teeth into.
84 watchers, according to the eBay page at the time of this post. We already have a black Verde, so we're sharing this one with you all after a few days of talking ourselves out of buying it. It's not because this isn't going to be a great buy - it's a solid Verde, no doubt. No - it's because we don't have a place to park it. Why is that? Well, we've got a customer Verde on jackstands in the garage, stripped entirely of its suspension. And the other two (tight) spots in our 24x24' garage? The Maserati is in one. It should be in storage at a friend's place by now, but that would require its cover, which would first require a car wash, which would require windows that close. Currently waiting on the machine shop to produce a pin for the window regulator. Third spot goes to our black Verde, of course.
There are two types of Verde buyers: The curious, and the repeat offenders. The curious first-timers often buy the cosmetically sound but neglected cars, or the dilapidated projects, and once their wallets re-calibrate their expectations, they cut their losses and move along. The repeat offenders are always on the prowl for the cared-for drivers out there. Dents, dings, and worn interiors are simple enough to fix, but the various unorthodox systems on the Milano, if broken, do require more research and effort than on the typical Italian car.
Click to view listing
Year: 1988 Model: Alfa Romeo Milano Verde Engine: 3.0L V6 Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 114,000 mi Price: auction
1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde (3.0L), 114,000 miles; I’ve owned this car for over 10 years, fun driver, but I don’t have time to drive it much anymore, so hopefully someone else will enjoy it and give it a good home. It’s a classic Alfa V6 (3.0L vs regular Milano 2.5L), with cool DeDion rear suspension, torsion bar and A-arm fronts, 5-speed manual transaxle and Recaro interior (seats, door cards, etc). Car is in good mechanical condition, but could use some cosmetics—though I didn’t bother as I liked it as a driver. In the last several years all the suspension bushings have been replaced, as have engine and transmission mounts, steering rack, tie rod ends, etc. It has Bilstein HD shocks, recent Performatek rebuild on shifter, Stebro mid and rear muffler... Cosmetically, the hood could use a respray (clear coat is cracking) and there is a dent on LR fender (paint still adheres).
Relatively new f/r calipers and rotors. Recent new injection hoses and matched injectors.
A/C works, sunroof works, newer headliner, passenger and driver lower seats recovered with OEM Recaro cloth.
ABS brake system (pump and accumulator) work fine, ABS light is on so likely a sensor needs replacement or adjustment.
This Verde is one of the good ones. Fresh engine and trans mounts were probably done in conjunction with the steering rack job. That rear engine mount and the steering rack are both weekend-crushers for the uninitiated. The suspension bushing replacement, as innocuous as it sounds, is a relatively time-consuming, though inexpensive way to bring an a worn Verde back to life. Paired with the fresh steering rack and tie rods, the steering on this Verde will feel like new. Stebro exhaust, Performatek shifter components, and the Bilsteins are all a great use of someone else's money. We don't love the ABS light, but that isn't insurmountable, and at least the accumulator is in working order. No seller comments on the engine, but the engine is usually the easiest part of a Verde to sort. If it's in good shape, service it properly and it will continue to function as intended for years to come.
There are plenty of venues for a bad deal on a Verde, so we are refreshed to find out the market price for a mildy scruffy but sorted example. Whoever buys it should get out and drive it - I've personally put over 7,000 miles on my Verde since April of this year. Maybe paint the intake manifold if you buy this one though?
