1988 Alfa Romeo 75 America LHD

Highlights

• Desirable 3L V6 car with 5spd manual box
• Very rare European-specification ‘America’ special edition
• Extensively restored in 2020 including full respray in Grigio Medio
• Recent replacement windscreen, Bilstein shocks, rear brake overhaul
• Recently serviced
• Current MOT valid to May 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

The 75 has a special place in the Alfa Romeo lineage, and not just because it was built to celebrate the firm’s 75th anniversary. It is the last car fully designed, developed, and built using Alfa-only engineering, rather than parts shared with Fiat models. That it also evolved the beautifully balanced transaxle layout of the Alfetta and Giulietta merely adds to its appeal.

The marriage of all that with Giuseppe Busso’s 3L V6, aptly nicknamed the ‘violin of Arese,’ and a five-speed manual gearbox makes this 1988 car a proper treat for Alfisti. The eagle-eyed will also spot that it is one of the exceptionally rare European market ‘America’ models. These cars were based on the USA-market ‘Milano’ and featured an ‘aero’ body kit, a repositioned fuel tank, and electric windows, and can be identified by their US-market ‘accordion’ impact bumpers.

The car comes with a fascinating history. Documents with the car indicate that it was a service vehicle for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta during 1990. For many years, subsequently, it was owned by an Italian family with a well-known restaurant in Keighley. The owner was on a trip to Rome in the early 1990s when his flight was cancelled. Spotting this car in a garage across the road from his hotel, he bought it and drove it home. The car was then run on its original Roma plates for several years before being UK-registered in 1994. Those plates are provided with the car.

The current keeper is a marque enthusiast who has owned several 75s. He specifically wanted an America in this car’s colour - Grigio Medio Metallizato - and discovered it with a collector. We’re told that it had been unused on the original UK keeper’s driveway for 16 years, so between 2019 and 2020, the current keeper commissioned its restoration. 75-specialist Walshaw Motors was entrusted with a full respray in the original colour and Firdy’s Garage did the mechanical work. This included new springs, rear brake overhaul, new grooved discs and Bilstein shocks.

The car comes to market with a recent service. The timing belt was replaced in 2023 . The current MOT runs to May 2027 with no advisories. A range of useful parts are included with the car, including a timing belt kit.

The vendor would like this car to go to someone who is as enthusiastic about 75s and Alfas as he is. Judging by the provenance and condition, that seems highly likely.

Key Information

• Mileage: 82,495 miles (odometer replaced, see photos, mileage not warranted)
• Country of registration: originally Italy, United Kingdom
• Technical inspection status: MOT valid to 1st May 2027 with no advisories
• Technical specs: 2,962cc ‘Busso’ V6, 5spd manual
• Paperwork: good history file verifying car’s story, photo of odometer change, 2 keys, lots of paperwork, photos of restoration, Roma plates, V5C, over 250 photos of restoration available on Walshaw Motors Facebook page

Summary of history:

• Service vehicle for Sovereign MIlitary Order of Malta 1st to 31st December 1990
• Acquired by a previous Italian keeper in Rome in early 90s and then owned for many years
• Acquired by the current collector-keeper and restored in 2020

Various spare parts included:

• LHD steering rack
• Electronics parts
• Window parts
• Timing belt kit

The Detail

• Resprayed in original Grigio Medio Metallizzato in 2020 by 75-specialist Walshaw
• European America model with impact bumpers, aero kit and America grille
• Paintwork presents very well with few indications of use as shown
• Attractive black five spoke alloys in good condition with Nankang tyres
• Underside as shown with no structural advisories on MOT
• Two-tone red and black interior in very good condition with three-spoke leather wheel
• Interior fittings including headlining, door cards and switchgear present well
• Specification includes sliding steel sunroof, electric windows and a/c (not tested)
• Fitted with MPH speedo
• New windscreen and headlining fitted in recent years as shown in photos
• Extensive mechanical work since 2019 including new springs and Bilstein shocks
• Rear brakes overhauled and fitted with grooved discs
• Vendor reports that gearbox works ‘like new’
• We are told the car drives well and starts first time
• Serviced in 2025 and will be sold with new timing belt fitted
• Driver’s door handle on the driver’s side requires repair which will be rectified before sale
• No advisories on MOT
• Over 250 photos available to view on the Walshaw Motors Facebook page

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.

✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.