Our Classic of the Month for March is a true wonder, being a 45 year old Alfa Romeo saloon car that is rust free!
We feature this rare survivor, a 1978 Alfetta 1.6 that was assembled in, and, spent most of its life in South Africa, until recently imported to Cyprus by its owner Boudewijn van den Brink. Alfa Romeo produced Alfettas, throughout the 70s/80s, and, despite their reputed propensity to rust, they proved highly popular, due to their sporty performance and incredible handling. So popular, that over 400,000 were produced, in various marks, in their factories in Italy and South Africa.
The performance came from a straight 4 cylinder engine which in the case of the 1.6 produced a very respectable 108hp, due to its twin carburettors and twin overhead camshafts. These cars had wonderful weight distribution and balance, with a front mounted engine but, unusually, with the gearbox located in the rear of the car. The suspension was also technically sophisticated with double wishbones and torsion bars at the front and a De Dion tube to the rear. These innovations combined to produce a car that was not only fast but handled like a true throughbred. The performance was such that Alfettas became the Italian equivalent of the Mark 2 Jaguar, and was beloved by not only their police force, but also the Mafia!
So did Boudewijn buy his Alfetta because it had survived in such an incredible, rust free condition, or, was it for its sporty performance?
Well, these are only partially true! Whilst he likes fast stylish Italian cars the main reason is that, he is a true romantic. You see, Baldwin and his wife, Maria, owned a 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 back in 1981 when they got married and they used that car on their wedding day.
You can meet this rare Alfetta and other interesting classic vehicles at any PCVC meetings and events. For details check our Facebook page, or our website, www.paphosclassicvehicleclub.com
or telephone 97760997.
