New Alfa owner: 1986 75 2.5 V6

[WildWedge]

Buon giorno everyone!

I have always been keen on classic cars and recently I decided to buy an Alfa to accompany my TA22 Celica, but which one?  I have always tended towards cars of the 60s to 80s and, with an eye to the company's history, I settled on the last rear-drive models before the Fiat takeover: the Alfa 75 or its precursor, the Giulietta, or even the Alfetta. Nice GTVs seemed to be out of reach and the 90 didn't appeal to me.

I started watching the online ads, and cars came, and went, but most were interstate. I just missed out on an Ebay auction 75, dabbled with a Giulietta, but eventually settled on getting a 75, V6 preferred. Several cars appeared for only a short time, but others seemed to be stuck. One of those was in Perth, although initially I wasn't sold on the all-white colour (including the belt moulding, door mirrors and bumpers).

An AROCA WA member kindly took the car for a test drive, and sent me an unexpectedly detailed report on most aspects of the car, mostly favourable. Largely on the basis of this inspection, I decided this 1986 75 2.5 V6 had to come to SA!

My excitement on seeing the 75 for the first time at the transport depot in late May was soured by the car refusing to start and needing to be trucked home. Then followed a couple of frustrating days battling perished fuel hoses and stale or low fuel issues - before a tank of fresh 98 octane finally fired up the V6!

Since then, I have taken numerous short trips and a couple of longer country drives, and the sound of that Busso V6 is certainly addictive!  And I've come to love the all-white paint job, as I think it gives the car a measure of extra elegance!

The car is overall in very good condition for its age, and the story I've been told is that it had been stored under cover in a couple of collections for up to 20 years. The paint (resprayed) is glossy, and the seats and dash appear undamaged by the Aussie sun, so that seems believable.

Soon after I got the 75, I had the cam belt, water pump, coolant, brake fluid and transaxle oil replaced.

I've been kept busy trying to rectify assorted faults: a surging idle was fixed with a replacement air valve, I fitted a reconditioned alternator and fixed a power window, a leaking fuel filler neck, indicators which didn't cancel, and the heater fan. The wipers still park anywhere they want, and I already have a list a mile long of other little niggles. Otherwise it's a well-preserved car even with 35 years and 259000 km under its wheels. It's largely original except for the later 75 grille and tail lights and Simmons three-piece wheels.

Part of the joy in a newly-bought car is discovering all its peculiarities. I have tangled with the oft-reported peculiar driving position (I'm pretty short and glad I'm not any taller!), there's a light in the fusebox (is that trying to tell me something?) but not in the glovebox, and there is a storage compartment with a lid under the back parcel shelf (a brilliant idea!). I have also learnt that gear changes can't be rushed!

Ciao!

[shiny_car]

Good story!  Sounds like you found a good car, worth fixing-up, to enjoy.

[poohbah]

Very envious, the 75 V6 is my single favourite Alfa, and I really want to add one at some point but they are getting really hard to find here in WA. So well done mate.

[WildWedge]

Here's a photo!

[poohbah]

Ha, that's the West Perth 75 I'd been watching for about a year. From what I could gather it was in pretty good nick but not driven. Like you, I was a bit put off by the colour and the belt moulding- I'm holding out for the more prominent black  side moulding integrated into a rear boot spoiler. But well done, she looks a good'un.

[GTV-074]

Congrats on the purchase! Always good to see another 75 owner come on board.

Yeah, that your car was up on carsales for a while and it always puzzled me as it looked in good nick. The 'white outs' can always be reversed quite easily so
i am not sure why the buyers stayed away if the rest of it is sound.

Throw up some more pics when u get a chance and any niggles you work through (just in case i/others get/have the same their 75!).

Cheers,

Paul.

[Colin Edwards]

Very nice!  Looks a gem!

If not already done so, contact Alfa Romeo Club Owners Club of Australia (SA Division).  Speak to Malcolm Ebel - membership@alfaclubsa.org.au

My second "road" car was a 1972 TA22 Celica - purchased around 1976.  Car before that was a 1970 Corolla!

I'm sure you'll love the 75.  I have very few pictures of my 75 - see below.  Alfesta 2019!

[WildWedge]

Thanks everybody! I do reckon I've scored a nice 75! I'm in need of a headlight washer water pump if anyone has one spare 

Here's another pic - I do like the de-badged rear but I will add the badges for completeness!

[Colin Edwards]

https://picclick.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-155-headlamp-washer-pump-224351989862.html

https://alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=2350

I grabbed one for my 75 from Centerline - it may have been their last!!

You'll probably need a new seal as well.  They go hard and leak like a sieve! 

You could also try Italian Auto Spare in Melbourne or The Italian Job in Melbourne.  Both are extremely helpful. 

Never let the washer reservoir run dry.  The lack of water stuffs the seals in the pumps.  Also lift the bonnet whenever possible after driving.  The heat soak from that big V6 lump cooks the engine bay rubber.

[WildWedge]

Poohbah, there's a white 75 on carsales in Vic but it's auto and I can't see if it has the integral spoiler

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1988-alfa-romeo-alfa-75-auto/SSE-AD-11821778/

[WildWedge]

Thanks Colin, I'm already an AROCA SA member; I joined to get historic rego for the Celica! I'll add a pic.

[WildWedge]

...and thanks Colin for the advice re the washer 

[WildWedge]

Here's a study in curves vs angles and straight lines!  Both distinctive and beautiful in their own way I reckon.

1971 Celica has folding sunroof, 1.6litre 2T engine with twin dual-choke Dellortos (maybe from an Alfa?), extractors and big exhaust, courtesy of previous owner. I'm told it's from the very first shipment of Celicas to Australia, originally pale yellow

[aggie57]

Poohbah, there's a white 75 on carsales in Vic but it's auto and I can't see if it has the integral spoiler

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1988-alfa-romeo-alfa-75-auto/SSE-AD-11821778/

It does, you can see it in the 1st picture.  IIRC all the auto's had them.

[GTVeloce]

Well done on the purchase!

I quite like it in white. Perhaps a little black here and there to offset might be nice but it looks very clean. The front indicators would have been orange originally as I think they didn't go to clear until about 1989. Changing back might actually help break up the colour a little at the front? Just an idea.

I bought a 1986 GTV a few years ago and a PO had painted everything red. It was too much so I am slowly trying to reverse enough to provide contrast.

Enjoy that V6 sound!