This book is the first detailed account of the 1980s joint venture between Alfa Romeo and Nissan.Mired in political controversy from the get-go, the joint venture produced two identical cars based on the Nissan Cherry but built in Italy and equipped with Alfa Romeo running gear. The Alfa Romeo Arna and the Nissan Cherry Europe sold poorly and the venture, which ended in 1987, has been ridiculed ever since.Alfa Romeo historian sets the record straight on the Arna with this extensive research based on period documents, to separate the facts from the misconceptions once and for all.
Alfa Romeo, one of the most famous and renowned carmakers in automobile history, celebrates 100 years of innovation. This fascinating history documents the Milanese automaker, from the exciting racing and sports cars of the twenties and thirties to the equally advanced and sporty sedans, coupes, and convertibles of the fifties and sixties to the present-day range of technically evolved, innovative vehicles. A comprehensive, visual, and informative tour through the make's evolution, this book covers bios of key, company innovators; technical sketches; and plenty of exciting full-color images of a star lineup. For the make's many fans, this journey is filled with passion and fascination.
Launched in 1971, the Alfasud was an all-new departure for Alfa Romeo, both in its design and its execution and became the best-selling model in the history of Alfa Romeo . Originally it was developed with the dual intentions of launching the company into large volume production and providing a more affordable model than their highly regarded sports cars. However, its story was far from straightforward. Although respected for its technically brilliant design and universally praised for its ride and handling, the model never quite reached its full sales potential and its reputation was marred by problems that could not have been foreseen. With over 240 colour photographs, the book includes a brief history of Alfa Romeo to the end of the 1960s. The development of the Alfasud's design and the political reasons for building a new factory are given along with the car's reception from both the press and owners. The evolution of the model from initial prototypes, to the improvements to build quality and performance, including the Giardinetta and Sprint variations are covered as well as Alfasuds in competition. The political and labour problems, as well as the early quality control issues are discussed. Finally, there are numerous specification tables, performance data, chassis numbers, engine codes and colour charts.
Alfa Romeo 916 GTV and Spider traces the complete story of the Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider models produced between 1994 - 2005, commonly known to enthusiasts by the manufacturer's project code as the 916 series. The 916 models would always be controversial - they replaced the iconic Spider, the best-selling Alfa Romeo sports model of all time, and the brand-establishing Alfetta GTV. Sharing components and a platform with a humble Fiat hatchback, would the cars ever be considered 'real' Alfa Romeos? The cars were critically acclaimed, and, though they faced tough competition in the late 1990s from the likes of the Audi TT, they remained in production for over a decade. Topics covered include: Full history of the 916 series GTV and Spider models; Design, development and evolution of the models from 1994 - 2005; Participation of the GTV in motorsport; Model variations in depth through all three facelifts; Previously unpublished production figures, and chassis numbers for the desirable, limited-edition GTV Cup model. Comprehensively researched guide to the entire lifespan of the 916 series.Will appeal to Alfa Romeo and automotive enthusiasts.The history and design process are examined along with an in-depth guide to each of the model variants produced.The cars' current position in the classic car market is considered.Superbly illustrated with 240 colour photographs.Robert Foskett is a life-long Italian car enthusiast with a special interest in Alfa Romeo.
The Alfa Romeo T33/TT/3 was produced by Alfa's Autodelta racing department, under the guidance of Carlo Chiti, to compete in the 1972 World Championship for Makes. Hopes were high, as the previously dominant Group 5 racers (including the Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512s) had been outlawed in favour of 3-litre Group 6 cars, such as the Alfa. However, the Alfas struggled to take the fight to the well-developed and reliable Ferrari 312PBs, though scored regular podium positions. The highlight was a second place in the epic Targa Florio Sicilian road race, where Helmut Marko put in a stirring drive to come within seconds of victory. Marko was driving chassis 115.72.002, the most successful of the T33/TT/3 chassis Alfa Romeo T33/TT/3 tells the full story of the T33/TT/3, with an emphasis on the fascinating history of chassis 115.72.002, which competed in seven world championship rounds in 1972. The car would later have a unique second career on the race circuits and hill climbs of Greece, before racing in Japan and South Africa prior to an eventual return to Europe, where it is still a frequent competitor in historic events. The unique history and success of 115.72.002 makes it a worthy addition to Porter Press's acclaimed Exceptional Cars series.
Alfa Romeo is synonymous with style and performance. These qualities are epitomized in forty years' production of the famous Alfa Romeo series of Spider sports cars. From the Giulietta Spider of 1955 to the latest style launched in 1996, John Tipler offers the full and fascinating story of the conception, design, introduction and production of these stylish automobiles.
After saving Alfa Romeo from oblivion in 1987, it took Fiat nearly five years to debut the first new Alfa produced under its control. This is the story of how the competition versions of the 155/156/147 family of cars were developed and subsequently raced to many championship titles and race wins. Together, these models kept the Alfa Romeo name at the pinnacle of motor sport for many years, from 1992 to 2006, and will become future motorsport classics.
Diego is a forty-something car salesman with a talent for telling half-truths. Fausto sells watches over the phone. Claudio manages (barely) his family-owned neighborhood supermarket. The characteristic common to each of these three men is their abject mediocrity. Yet, mediocrity being the mother of outrageous invention, they embark on a project that would be too ambitious in scope for any single one of them, let alone all three together. They decide to flee the city and to open a rustic holiday farmhouse in the Italian countryside outside Naples. Things would have been challenging enough for these three unlikely entrepreneurs, but when a local mobster arrives and demands they pay him protection money things go from bad to worse. Now their ordinary (if wrongheaded) attempt to run a small business in an area that organized crime syndicates consider their own becomes a quixotic act of defiance.
The story of Alfa Romeo, the prestigious Italian marque which created some of the most memorable cars of all time during its 100 year-plus history, is told by specification after specification in a "virtual gallery" of many of the models produced by the company, both road-goers and racers. The 1750 GS of the 1930s, the 8C 2900 B, the Giulietta, the Giulia, the 33s, the Alfettas right up to the most modern 8C Competizione are just some of the cars that find a place in this long catalog in which the illustrations of Michele Leonello, the authoritative car designer, come together with the words of Lorenzo Ardizio, the expert on the history of Alfa Romeo.
Alfa Romeo All-Alloy Twin Cam Companion provides an excellent technical and historical overview of the Giulietta and Giulia family of small sporting roadsters, coupes and sedans. If an Alfa Romeo had one of the all-alloy four-cylinder engines and reached production, it's covered in the Alfa Romeo All-Alloy Twin Cam Companion. That means that even after the Giulia name was dropped - particularly in the United States - the many variants of Duetto, GTV, Berlina and Alfetta are covered, from 1954 through 1994 when the final Alfas-including the four-cylinder Spiders-were sold in the United States. When it came to Alfa Romeos, author Pat Braden was an enthusiast's enthusiast. Pat didn't just write about Alfas - he lived and breathed Alfas. From the mid-1950s when he first owned a Giulietta Sprint until his death in August 2002, Pat had owned scores of Alfa Romeos, ranging from a 6C 1750GTC and an 8C 2300 to 1900s, Giuliettas, Giulias and countless later models. Alfa models are discussed according to history, engine, chassis and trouble spots. Without being a repair manual, this book contains important technical information needed to understand and enjoy one of these Alfas, as well as to perform many minor repair, maintenance, and service tasks. Braden starts with a brief overview of Alfa Romeo history, followed by a look at Alfa's presence in America. He also explores the major models of coupe, spider and berlina that used the all-alloy four-cylinder, as well as the limited production variants. Of course, he also gives much attention to that mighty engine itself. Braden explains the design and history of the engine, as well as exploring trouble spots and offering extensive advice and tips. Additional technical sections focus on the fuel system, transmission, brakes and chassis, not to mention overall restoration. Alfa Romeo All-Alloy Twin Cam Companion is a key to getting the absolute maximum benefit and enjoyment out of Alfa.
