The Alfa Romeo 75 is in the process of becoming a classic. For many, it is the "last true Alfa Romeo", because with powerful four and six-cylinder engines and driven rear wheels (and transaxle with DeDion rear axle), it still follows the maxims that were already considered to be effective in the Alfetta and GTV. Moreover, it was developed before the proud Milanese company came under the care of Fiat.
From the beginnings ...
Umberto Di Paolo follows the Alfa Romeo 75 in his book from the first strokes of the pen to the end of production, not forgetting its ancestors and the very special Zagato SZ/RZ, which also used Alfa 75 technology.
The rare models and those that never made it into production, such as Rayton Fissore's Sportwagon, are also mentioned.
... right to the end
Every major model produced in the seven years or so of production is described in detail.
And, of course, the elaborate technology also has its say.
Chapters on the interior, the car colors and the equipment allow the potential buyer to draw conclusions about the originality.
And motorsport
The Alfa Romeo 75 also achieved good results in touring car and rally racing, and Di Paolo, who has owned many Alfa models himself and has been an Alfista almost since childhood, devotes almost seventy pages to this part of the car's career.
He even mentions the local operations in Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.
With buying advice
Interested buyers are not left in the dark either. The author writes mercilessly about the strengths and weaknesses of the bodywork and technology and you learn, for example, that despite galvanization and other rust protection measures, the wedge-shaped saloon can still be attacked by the red-brown enemy of automotive heritage.
The 208-page book is supplemented by a chapter on model cars and a brief outlook on the successor 155.
From youngtimer to classic car
You hardly ever see an Alfa Romeo 75 on our roads and it is still too young for most rallies. It actually looks much more youthful than it actually is, as the first examples have already reached the age of 31 years (built from 1985 to 1992). This makes it all the more interesting to read, as it leaves little to be desired.
The book is illustrated on the one hand with factory photos from the period and on the other with photos of vehicles that have survived.
The "high-quality" book impresses with its good print quality and is certainly worth the almost 40 euros. You don't necessarily have to be an Alfa Romeo fan, but you should be interested in cars from the late 1980s or simply have a broad automotive curiosity. At the latest when you see one of the now rare models on the road, you will be happy to look up Di Paolo's work.
Bibliographical details
- Title: Alfa Romeo 75
- Author: Umberto Di Paolo
- Language: German
- Publisher: Heel Verlag GmbH
- Edition: 1st edition (August 28, 2015)
- Format: 245 x 290 mm, hardcover with dust jacket
- Scope: 208 pages, approx. 480 color illustrations
- ISBN number: 978-3-95843-040-2
- Price: EUR 39.95
- Buy/order: Online at Heel Verlag, online at Amazon or in relevant bookstores
