alfa romeo alfasud

Photos by: Roberto Motta, “Alfa Romeo Automobilismo Storico, Centro Documentazione (Arese, Milano)” and Carrozzeria Cristallo di Castelnovo Vicentino

The Alfasud still divides fans into two categories: the admirers and detractors. The first recall the unique engine, advanced suspension, driving pleasure and exuberant performance. For all of its faults, the new Alfasud was a brilliant design and always fun to drive. But many others objected to the dramatic changes that were reflected by the coming of the Alfasud: a new factory in Naples, (in the Mezzogiorno!) a new chief engineer (Viennese Rudolfo Hruska) and a completely different engineering and marketing philosophy (an inexpensive front wheel drive sedan).

And yet it was with the humble Alfasud that Alfa Romeo would establish a new “Trofeo” (Trophy) series which would bring it attention while serving as training class for new drivers. In 1976, the world of sports cars and sedans was going through a period of great change due to the emergence of new categories and the introduction of new technical regulations. Not only new classes, but complete series of challenge events based on low cost sedans including the Renault Elf Cup, which hosted the Renault R5, and Ford Escort Mexico Challenge. Alfa Romeo’s Alfasud would be a perfect subject for such a series of races. The Alfasud had been introduced in 1973 with a 73 hp 1186 cc SOHC flat four, and a year later the Alfasud TI (for Touring International) was on the market with 79 hp (SAE) and a five speed transmission. The TI would provide the basis for the Alfasud TI Trofeo.
[Read more…] about Alfasud TI Trofeo in English

IL BISCIONE METTE I MUSCOLI
Testo di Roberto Motta
Foto di: Roberto Motta, “Alfa Romeo Automobilismo Storico, Centro Documentazione (Arese, Milano)” e Archivio Carrozzeria Cristallo

L’Alfasud ti Trofeo divide ancora gli appassionati in due categorie: gli ammiratori e i denigratori. I primi ne ricordano la grinta, la piacevolezza di guida e le prestazioni esuberanti. Gli altri non possono perdonarle di essere il frutto del ‘tradimento’ compiuto dalla Casa milanese nei confronti delle tradizioni e dei canoni tecnici Alfa Romeo.

Nel ‘76, lo sport automobilistico italiano vive un periodo di grandi cambiamenti dovuti alla nascita di nuove categorie e all’introduzione di nuovi regolamenti tecnici. E’ un periodo in cui il panorama motoristico ‘minore’ vive un momento eccezionale grazie alla nascita di numerosi trofei monomarca fra i quali ricordiamo la Coppa Renault Elf, disputata dalle R5, ed il Challange Ford Escort Mexico. Campionati decisamente spettacolari che vivono all’insegna del massimo agonismo e della relativa economicità di gestione.

Sull’onda del successo ottenuto nei vari trofei monomarca e nel primo campionato austriaco riservato esclusivamente a vetture Alfa Romeo Alfasud (ideato dall’ex pilota Ortner), i responsabili dell’Alfa Romeo decidono di rafforzare l’immagine sportiva della Casa e della vettura prodotta a Pomigliano d’Arco, varando il primo ‘Trofeo Alfasud’, trofeo che verrà disputato in Italia e nella vicina Austria.
[Read more…] about Alfasud TI Trofeo In Italian

Once upon a time for a brief and shining moment, the editor owned the only Alfasud in the U.S., as they were illegal aliens here. But while he remembers the car very well, there are a few things he had long forgotten or simply never knew about the Alfa from Naples…

By Pete Vack

1. How to adjust the valves. Since the 1930s, Alfa Romeo has had only a few different ways to adjust the valve lash. The first was Jano’s unique but complex notch type method. The Giulietta featured removable inserts under the cup which came in a variety of thicknesses.
But the Alfasud had a handy way of adjusting the valve clearances. The camshaft had two lobes per valve, and one could insert a special tool between the cam lobes to reach an adjustable cups located on the top of the valve. Not having to remove the cams to adjust the valves was a nice feature.

Valve Adjustment on the Alfasud.