Blast from the past

Wanderer

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5,791
Veloce kit that looked so cool now looks like shiiit! Handbrake deliberately designed to trap fingers, window switches in roof panel, de Dion splined rear suspension, inboard discs, no boot space, rear gearbox and clutch for maximum frustration, accelerator pedal specially designed to give ankle cramp after 3 miles...

That, my friends, is the Alfa 75...
 

zagatoes30

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Messages
20,763
Veloce kit that looked so cool now looks like shiiit! Handbrake deliberately designed to trap fingers, window switches in roof panel, de Dion splined rear suspension, inboard discs, no boot space, rear gearbox and clutch for maximum frustration, accelerator pedal specially designed to give ankle cramp after 3 miles...

That, my friends, is the Alfa 75...

Or any other Alfa 10-15 years after launch but they all grow on you again and you recognise all those frustrations as character.
 

zagatoes30

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20,763
The Black Giulietta is a bit of a bits, V6 3.0 engine, 75 interior and doors, 5 stud wheels I believe and it use to belong to our very own Catman
 

Nayf

Member
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2,734
Veloce kit that looked so cool now looks like shiiit! Handbrake deliberately designed to trap fingers, window switches in roof panel, de Dion splined rear suspension, inboard discs, no boot space, rear gearbox and clutch for maximum frustration, accelerator pedal specially designed to give ankle cramp after 3 miles...

That, my friends, is the Alfa 75...
I still want one. And I love the Veloce kit - but then I love the Integrale Evo/Shamal/Ghibli II/SZ...
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Veloce kit that looked so cool now looks like shiiit! Handbrake deliberately designed to trap fingers, window switches in roof panel, de Dion splined rear suspension, inboard discs, no boot space, rear gearbox and clutch for maximum frustration, accelerator pedal specially designed to give ankle cramp after 3 miles...

That, my friends, is the Alfa 75...

I have driven a 75 (LE - last of the line) extensively and never trapped my fingers, or got ankle ache. The seats were brilliant, the window switches amusing, the fuel gauge told you how hard you were accelerating (not cornering like in a 'sud) and I loved it. I'd have another but I would have a 'sud first.
 

Felonious Crud

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... window switches in roof panel...

That’s quite cool. Macca Senna does the same to save weight, so the wiring loom only has to run one way instead of spidering out all over the place.

I wonder what Alfa’s motivation was?
 

Wanderer

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5,791
I have driven a 75 (LE - last of the line) extensively and never trapped my fingers, or got ankle ache. The seats were brilliant, the window switches amusing, the fuel gauge told you how hard you were accelerating (not cornering like in a 'sud) and I loved it. I'd have another but I would have a 'sud first.
I had two (at once) the TS and the V6, much preferred the TS. To be fair I never trapped my fingers either but I was wary of it! Alfa Ankle on the other hand, got it every trip.

I also seem to remember a huge red warning light on the centre dash that flashed if anything went wrong, like even low washer fluid level. Very off-putting.

The V6 had a reverse Tardis boot like the QP5 in that it looks big from the outside, but tiny inside. Fuel tank and gearbox/clutch using up the space, bad on the TS but I suspect the V6 had a larger fuel tank and a minuscule boot.

Those inboard discs were a nightmare.....
 

Zep

Moderator
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9,110
I had two (at once) the TS and the V6, much preferred the TS. To be fair I never trapped my fingers either but I was wary of it! Alfa Ankle on the other hand, got it every trip.

I also seem to remember a huge red warning light on the centre dash that flashed if anything went wrong, like even low washer fluid level. Very off-putting.

The V6 had a reverse Tardis boot like the QP5 in that it looks big from the outside, but tiny inside. Fuel tank and gearbox/clutch using up the space, bad on the TS but I suspect the V6 had a larger fuel tank and a minuscule boot.

Those inboard discs were a nightmare.....

There must have been some redeeming features if you had two! :D I haven't driven a V6 but the TS was a peach, an indicated 150mph (so about 120 in reality and not on the road obvs).

They were (are) far from perfect, but then what is and would you want it?

The Alfa Control was absolutely ridiculous, but it was from a time when a cutting edge computer was a ZX spectrum. I do remember it used and incredible amount of washer fluid and that light was always flashing, sometimes twice on a journey if it was those conditions when the dirt dried on the screen. I was worried it was the brake fluid the first time it came on!

This has made me feel both nostalgic and glad its not still on my drive. So it was a real Alfa, no doubt about it.
 
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Wanderer

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5,791
There must have been some redeeming features if you had two! :D I haven't driven a V6 but the TS was a peach, an indicated 150mph (so about 120 in reality and not he road obvs).

They were (are) far from perfect, but then what is and would you want it?

The Alfa Control was absolutely ridiculous, but it was from a time when a cutting edge computer was a ZX spectrum. I do remember it used and incredible amount of washer fluid and that light was always flashing, sometimes twice on a journey if it was those conditions when the dirt dried on the screen. I was worried it was the brake fluid the first time it came on!

This has made me feel both nostalgic and glad its not still on my drive. So it was a real Alfa, no doubt about it.
I loved the cars, both of them! TS had a straight-through exhaust and sounded great, I swear that TS was as unstickable as my later Audi 200 Quattro if not more. Probs due to 50/50 weight balance.

V6 started developing running problems, would just cut out and not start again for ages, I never really got on with it anyway and sold to a block who wanted to race it.

The TS I have no memory of what I did with it, but I was in a dark place at the time.....
 

CatmanV2

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48,555
The Black Giulietta is a bit of a bits, V6 3.0 engine, 75 interior and doors, 5 stud wheels I believe and it use to belong to our very own Catman

It is. I assume that's Alex at the wheel? He's done the upholstery (and he was the guy that built it). Loads of fun. Felt a lot lighter than the 75 and very 'manual' :D

Mad idea, but fun while it lasted

C
 

Vampyrebat

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Messages
3,117
I have driven a 75 (LE - last of the line) extensively and never trapped my fingers, or got ankle ache. The seats were brilliant, the window switches amusing, the fuel gauge told you how hard you were accelerating (not cornering like in a 'sud) and I loved it. I'd have another but I would have a 'sud first.
I loved mine too with the pepper pot alloys. Handbrake was quirky and the recaro seats were great. DSC_0408.JPGDSC_0411.JPG
 

Wanderer

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5,791
My V6 was an E reg, £100, and the TS an F reg I think, £100 again, but needed a new n/s rear wing, which I had sourced, bought a shed load of panels and bits from Copley.

Like I said I was in a bad place then, total car-bum, next was a free Alfa 164 auto Lusso which I collected from Beer in Devon, drove it to Scotland where I lived at the time, fantastic drive, oodles of power, comfy, the v6 a different beast than the one in the 75, I loved that car more than any other, H reg, then I emerged from my dark place and got a Ford Galaxy. Got rid and got an Alfa 166, great car until a lorry twatted it on the M62 Irwell Valley. I’d have another.....
 

zagatoes30

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20,763
It is. I assume that's Alex at the wheel? He's done the upholstery (and he was the guy that built it). Loads of fun. Felt a lot lighter than the 75 and very 'manual' :D

Mad idea, but fun while it lasted

C

That is Alex Jupe driving, he has done quite a bit of fettling to your old car and it really is looking good these days. Alex uses it as his daily driver
 

CatmanV2

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48,555
That is Alex Jupe driving, he has done quite a bit of fettling to your old car and it really is looking good these days. Alex uses it as his daily driver

Yep, he told me he was going to do that :) . Rather pleased it went back to him, and it's getting proper use.

C
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
My V6 was an E reg, £100, and the TS an F reg I think, £100 again, but needed a new n/s rear wing, which I had sourced, bought a shed load of panels and bits from Copley.

Like I said I was in a bad place then, total car-bum, next was a free Alfa 164 auto Lusso which I collected from Beer in Devon, drove it to Scotland where I lived at the time, fantastic drive, oodles of power, comfy, the v6 a different beast than the one in the 75, I loved that car more than any other, H reg, then I emerged from my dark place and got a Ford Galaxy. Got rid and got an Alfa 166, great car until a lorry twatted it on the M62 Irwell Valley. I’d have another.....
If you’re after a 166 I know just the chap from AROC - would you like me to put you in touch?
 
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