The Alfasud Register

Alfa Romeo was not immune from the marketing tool of producing 'Special Edition' versions to boost flagging sales.  The principle is usually to give a 'cachet' by increasing the level of equipment and trim, often at a tempting price.  It is no coincidence that timing is often just prior to a significant model change or update.

Although never brought to the UK, the two early special edition saloons did not quite follow this stereotype.  'The Junior' was a 4 door version firmly aimed at younger buyers in the home Italian market. It had the 1.2 ti engine, 5 speed box and the inevitable radio cassette and body stripes.  Colours available were white, ivory and maroon.  6000 were produced of which 4500 were for the home market, the remainder which had the 1351cc unit, for Germany and Austria    The other, 'The Alfasud Valentino' was firmly aimed at the ladies.  The same body and mechanicals were embellished with designer elements from couturier Valentino Garavani.  Finished in metallic bronze with a black vinyl roof, the upholstery was black with gold piping with handbag and document case optional extras.  Again, most of the around 4000 produced were for the home market and those sold elsewhere were fitted with larger engines.

Although billed as a 'Special Edition' (see photo of brochure cover), the first of two saloon versions for the UK market, was not really  much more than an interim version of the Ti. This was the 1.5 TiS of late1980 and although it had the new grille and plastic bumpers of the Series III it was still not a hatchback and had no extra equipment.  The hatchback version was dubbed the TiX and although mechanically identical, this did have extra gear - sunroof, wing mirrors, fog lamps, and colour keyed grille.  Neither was numbered.

In contrast, there were certainly three UK Special Editions of the Sprint.  These were the 'Plus', the 'Trofeo' and the 'Speciale'.  The fourth, the 'Salon 82', was apparently produced solely for the Swiss market.

The TiX which was advertised on these pages has now been purchased by Patrick O'Reilly and here is a pic to prove it! 

This is the only 'unmolested' TiX currently on the register - currently up for sale again - see 'Forum'.

Although perhaps not a 'Limited Edition' in the accepted sense, the factory did produce a small number of racing spec Ti s in conjunction with Autodelta in the early 70's. These were designated as Trofeo Ti and it is known that Gerhardt Berger raced one early in his career. This very rare example has recently changed hands in the UK and I am in touch with the new owner.

Introduced in 1981, the Sprint 'Plus' had bronze paintwork, alloys, tan velour upholstery, woodrim wheel and other extra equipment I have yet to fathom.  Although produced primarily for the Italian market, there is evidence that a few RH drive versions were imported to the UK.  I have had sight of a contemporary advertising brochure (should have bought it!) and, some years ago, actually spoke to someone who had owned one in the past. Recently there has been a posting from Michael who used to own one, KTY638X. He is going to hunt out some photos - watch this space!  Having never even seen one in the metal, any first hand information and photos would be welcome! The photo is of a LH drive mint example on sale on the web in Germany for 6600 euros.

In contrast, there is much more information on this version which was available in the UK in mid 1982. 'Trofeo' is, of course, simply Italian for 'trophy' and takes it's name from the successful single model race series of the period. Interestingly, the name has also been used by Fiat for a special edition Bravo/Brava.  I have a contemporary brochure, from which this photo was taken and which details the specification and equipment.  Mechanically identical to the 95bhp Veloce, the body colour was silver/grey (AR755 Met Grigio Nisida) with darker metallic grey/brown stripes and the same colour carried by the alloy wheel centres and side window pillars. The upholstery is a special grey/brown tweed, with brown vinyl trim and dash. There was a wood-rim steering wheel, Britax glass tilting sun roof, Pioneer radio/cassette and numbered special edition plaque on the facia. Nobody seems to know how many were produced - least of all Alfa Romeo!  Best guess is about 200.  Mine is No.094 and the highest numbered I have seen is No.156 - rotting away in a garage in Lincs. One was offered for sale in the AROC mag last year and was reputedly in good condition.  Brian Hayward is restoring No.036 and fitting a 1.7 motor. Adrian Mayall has just acquired No 011 which was unheard of previously (June 2008) and although roadworthy needs a bit of attention to bring right up to scratch. I understand (July 2008) that No. 174 has been sitting in a garage in Cornwall since 1985 and is reputedly in good condition (notes to owner - 'please register it' and 'it's high time it was USED!!' - 'Suds are too entertaining to languish in garages!) . Latest registration (Nov 2008) is No019 undergoing restoration in Gateshead by Bob Hipkin ,who has had it since 2003 and might be persuaded to sell if anyone is interested! Sadly, it has been re-painted, so no Trofeo decals and stripes. UNJ674Y was on the register in 1998 under Richard Bartlett's name and this car has re-appeared for sale at JustSuds (Feb 2009) - it is No154. At that time Ian Markham reputedly owned one too (I have since discovered from another website that Ian lived in Ireland and the car was a LHD 1983 car imported from Rome in 1996). Trofeo VPG137X was photographed by a member at NAD the same year.  WHERE ARE THEY ALL NOW??

Colin has found this picture of a racing Sprint Trofeo which was produced by Autodelta in 1982 after success of the Trofeo Ti and which was the inspiration for the road -going Sprint Trofeo.

The following year,1983, prior to the introduction of the Green Cloverleaf saw the advent of yet another Sprint special edition, unimaginatively named the 'Speciale'. This again was a 95bhp Veloce but with the new Series III black plastic bumpers a unique narrow, black rear spoiler. The grille was standard but with two broad horizontal bars clipped on and painted in the body colour. The interior upholstery and alloys were as per the Trofeo but with a leather-covered steering wheel this time.  I have seen black, red and silver colours and Gary Orchard tells me that he has a brochure which indicates two other colours, ivory and metallic green. He thinks that the 'Speciale' was UK only.  Trofeo-like side stripes were again in evidence with 'Speciale' lettering on the rear quarter.  As to UK numbers, I guess around 400.  I have not seen one for years but Neil Collett has No.340, which has been off the road since 1994 and I am grateful to him for this publicity picture. A very battered example in (mostly) ivory was at the 2009 NAD at Newby Hall.  It had been driven from Scotland but the owner has not fulfilled his promise to register on-line! (photo right)  

Recently (Oct 09) No.268 has been registered. It is Roman Black and owned by Maurice Povey from Ruthin and is 'reasonable' with MoT.