When it comes to Alfa Romeo Milanos, the masses - i.e. those who do not count themselves among the Alfisti - generally remember the model by its kinked up belt line and Alfa V6. A few might be familiar with the torsion bar front and DeDion rear suspension setup, and the rear transaxle with inboard rear brakes. And some may even know the Verde model to be the top of the range.
Today's Alfa Romeo Milano Platinum sits right below the Verde in the Milano model range. I might disappoint the AlfaBB with my description here, but I believe that the Platinum is basically a Verde as far as options go, though mechanically there are some changes. The Platinums have smaller diameter torsion bars and sway bars, and forgo the 3.0L V6 in favor of the classic 2.5L. The transaxle is a 4.10 final drive in place of a 3.55 in the Verde, but the Platinum is the only Milano model, outside of the Verde, that offered a limited slip differential.
Here is a tired, yet surprisingly straight example of an 87 Alfa Romeo Milano Platinum. With minimal description provided, we'll need to work off of the photos to glean some information.
The seller reports that the car does not run, and little else, for that matter. A look at the engine shot shows a lack of a battery, but otherwise the engine bay is largely intact. The timing covers are removed, and the ignition wires are perched in such a way that leads us to believe that the seller gave up either before or after a timing belt job. A super close examination shows a mechanical timing belt tensioner in place of the mechanical tensioner, which means that the timing belt was replaced at least once in the car's life - useless information unless the service was in the last 3-5 years or 30,000 miles, give or take. Still, with the exception of some sort of internal mechanical failure, which is unlikely, the car probably needs only minor mechanical attention to get back onto the road. Figure on a fuel tank flush, fuel pump and filter, fresh 7.5mm fuel hose and clamps, a new timing belt, v belts, an air filter, plugs, and an oil change - less than $200 if you're good with a wrench.
6 cylinder, 5 speed transmission. Does not run. Call for details
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The Platinum models represent the highest spec 2.5L Milano offered in North America. Powered leather and suede seats, a sunroof, power windows, cruise control, and power mirrors were compelling convenience features when the car was new in 1987. Drivers today will no doubt still be impressed by the car's torsion bar front suspension, 4.10 LSD 5 speed rear-mounted transaxle with inboard brakes, and DeDion rear suspension.
We recommend this car for the seasoned Alfisti, though a good home mechanic with experience in any European marque would make quick sense of a project like this. Once mechanically sorted, the buyer could tend to the ailing passenger fender, and might as well repaint the entire car at that point. Many Platinums in this condition are either converted into racecars, or parted out for their 4.10 LSD rear transaxles, which often make their way into the 3.0L Milano Verdes. We hope to see this car get a proper refresh from a patient enthusiast - we'd better not see this thing bombing around with a roll cage and stripped interior the next time we take the Verde to the track!
