By Pete Vack
Alfa Romeo Berlina
216 pages with 131 black and white photos and 47 color photos
Dimensions: 25.7 x 22.9 cm
Weight: 1.3 kg
Language: English – German
Author: Patrick Dasse
ISBN 978-3-87166-067-2
Order here
The other day we received a book, the Alfa Romeo Berlina, from Hamburg, Germany. I was hoping for a while that we wouldn’t be adding many more volumes to the Alfa bookshelf. And, does the world need another book about the Alfa Berlina? In this case, yes.
I was much surprised and relieved to find that this book, unlike most that went before, consists of very little text (in both English and German) but a huge number of contemporary photos. Just what the restoration doctor ordered.
What did it look like, brand new?
A great many are factory photos, taken of each of the different model numbers at about the time of introduction. While many are PR shots, others are of the assembly line process, interior and exterior details that were not used in brochures and magazines at the time. But the author, Patrick Dasse, sources out similar photos from REVS, Quattroruote, Maurice Louche to fill in the gaps.
And that is what makes this book (and the rest of the very similar 105 series,) so very compelling, worthwhile, and a valuable restoration guide. The chapters on the respective models go into detail about the modifications made to the vehicles over the years. Also included are information about the chassis identification numbers and production quantities of the models.
Who is Patrick Dasse?
But let’s start from the beginning. Patrick Dasse was one of the co-authors of the landmark three volume work on the GTA, Alfa Romeo Alleggerita, as in that capacity, visited Alfa’s Centro Documentazione in Arese in 2011. He recalls “I was left completely speechless. There was so much material in front of me – shelves packed with documents of all kinds disappeared into the distance; photographs, negatives, slides in overwhelming quantities.”
Here, it seems, was a treasure trove of documents pertaining to the 105 series Alfas that was just gathering dust in old folders. Dasse realized that the 105 series cars were being restored, but many made use of a variety of parts to do so. “It was the practice to use later versions of the parts in order to either improve the car overall or to extend the life of various parts.”
The records as Arese could enable restorers and owners to return their cars to ‘as introduced’ condition.’ Dasse began a seven year project which resulted in a series of books on each of the major 105 cars. The author also searched for similar photos from REVS, Quattroruote, Maurice Louche to fill in the gaps as necessary. Dasse emphasizes that this could not have been accomplished without the continued support of Dr. Marco Fazio at the Alfa Romeo Automobilismo Storico.
Says publisher and author Patrick and Katrin Dasse, “On Thursday, May 23, 2019, we received the MOTORWORLD Book Prize 2019 in the category ‘Special Prize’ for our 6 books about the Alfa Romeo 105 series and for the book Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/1967 . We are very pleased about this award and would like to thank the organizers, the jury and all our readers!
One should be aware that the books we reviewed have no complete specs, no documents or parts lists, just photos of the models. It is the only criticism of the book.
In 216 pages, the various models of this type, which ran off the production line at Alfa Romeo between 1967 and 1976 in Arese, are documented with photos that are invariably contemporary,
mostly never published:
Tipo 105.48 1750 Berlina
Tipo 105.71 1750 Berlina U.S.A.
Tipo 105.73 1750 Berlina Automatic
Tipo 105.12 2000 Berlina
Tipo 115.00 2000 Berlina U.S.A.
Tipo 105.54 2000 Berlina Automatic Tipo 115.36 2000 Berlina
Below, a sample of the images from the book.
Early press photos of the new 1750 Berlina, Tipo 105.48, which was introduced at the press at Balocco in December of 1967.
Like all Alfas, the Berlina tended to roll in stock configuration. Handling was supposedly better, but the Berlina, longer and heavier than the original Satta sedan had lost it’s nimbleness and road feel.
Dasse included a few production line shots as well. Here are Berlinas and GTs on a roof mounted conveyor.
Interior photo shows the type of radio and speakers mounted in the new Berlina. Dasse’s goal was to find as many photos of the Berlina models as possible at the point of assembly or introduction.
This is apparently a one-off creation by Pavesi on a 105.48 Berlina, with a unique tailgate and fold down rear seats. Too bad it didn’t reach production.
Most of the photographs are black & white, but by 1971 color was becoming more common. This is the 1971 Tipo 105.12, and the author lists the differences between the 105.48 and 105.12 as well as noting them where possible in the captions.
Two Tipos indicated an automatic transmission, the 105.73 and 105.54. Dasse includes a full explanation of the Tipo numbers and provides production figures for each different type and model.
The 105 series is available for purchase on at a time or the entire set. A most welcome addition to the Alfa enthusiasts library either way!
Patrick Dasse and his partner did a truly truly GREAT job !!
Well deserved success .
Also the involvement of Marco Fazio is of great value .
In the past we simply could call him and ask a question ;
He always came back very swiftly with serious information .
Some of the readers will know I am involved with classic Alfa for almost 40 years .
So , I think, in a position to compare . The books we speak about here deserve a place on the shelf between Fusi ‘s eternal tutte le vetture Alfa on the one side and Tabuchi/d’Amico’s bible on the other side … ( and next off course Simon Moores books ..)
congrats .
San Giorgi
How do I get copies
A welcome book on a very much under estimated car of the 105.This Alfa Berlina has always been a car which I ve liked.This book goes a long way to do it justice finally.Like all the rest of Dasse books in this series not to be missed.
Best way would be simply to click on the words “Order here” in the beginning of the article.
Editor
Ah yes nice article. I had one of the last versions, a 1975 Berlina 2000, unfortunately with the big black 15 mph bumpers. Same mechanical spec as my 74 GTV 2000, but so much better in Rocky Mountain snow ski trips. After 150 k miles it just got too rusty and the GTV became the save it at all costs priority. Saved the mechanicals and still have the classic Alfa grill, on the trophy shelf.