Alfa Romeo 75 – Even with the 1.6, all that lovely Alfa feeling. driving test

It has been more than thirty years since the Alfa Romeo 75 ceased production. It was long viewed by older Alvesti and car enthusiasts as the last true Alfa due to its rear-wheel drive system, which also returned to the current Giulia and Stelvio. The 75 is a distant predecessor to the Giulia. We are again on the road with a typical Alfa from the 1980s, delivered until 1992. Of course, the 2.0 Twin Spark or 3.0 V6 is very attractive, but even with the basic version from 1990 you quickly feel the real Alfa feel.

Yes, the last “real” Alfa Romeo. Up front is that wonderful four-cylinder with two overhead camshafts driving the rear wheels. The gearbox is located at the rear, just as in the Giulietta and Alfetta, ensuring better weight distribution. The test car has the lightest engine under the hood, a 1.6-litre. Did that make him less desirable? no. You don’t buy classics like this to win drag races at traffic lights, but mainly to enjoy them. so you! Moreover, the 75 with the 106 hp engine is still smooth enough, we note, and looks every bit as distinctive as its more powerful brothers. And did we never care for the GT Junior 1300? OK then. The 75 provides driving pleasure not only with its sweet engine sound, but also thanks to its direct steering and light character. It weighs less than 1100 kg.

The distinctive handbrake lever and steering position typical of Alfas of the time. (Photo by Peter E. Camp)

What hasn’t been well thought out is the seating position and position of the pedals. The steering wheel is fairly upright, and where you think you’ll find the accelerator, you’ll find the brake. Since the wheel arch comes too far inboard, the pedal trio had to take a step to the right. You get used to it, just like the window controls above the interior mirror.

The power window controls are located above the inside mirror. (Photo by Peter E. Camp)

You also quickly get used to the trunk, which can only be opened from the inside. In terms of design, the 75 follows the line of its predecessor, the Giulietta: a slight wedge shape with a fairly short tail, making it look almost like a throwback. However, it doesn’t look like a typical sedan. Alfa owes its quality rating to the fact that the brand celebrated its 75th anniversary in the introductory year of 1985. It is not nearly as susceptible to rust as previous models, but it has its own points of interest. The car we are driving is still in exceptionally good condition after more than 33 years. Only the roof lining that is sagging here and there and the tachometer that is not working properly are a blemish on the car’s reputation, but it drives like new.

For a 1.6 or 1.8 you pay around €9,000, while the always powerful 3.0-V6 costs €20,000 or much more.

Version 1.6 was the entry-level version, meaning electronic injection. (Photo by Peter E. Camp)