Alfa Romeo Alfasud, Arna and Montreal: Books - History

Alfa Romeo Alfasud - The Complete Story

Launched in 1971, the Alfasud was an all-new departure for Alfa Romeo, both in its design and its execution and became the best-selling model in the history of Alfa Romeo. Originally it was developed with the dual intentions of launching the company into large volume production and providing a more affordable model than their highly regarded sports cars.
However, its story was far from straightforward. Although respected for its technically brilliant design and universally praised for its ride and handling, the model never quite reached its full sales potential and its reputation was marred by problems that could not have been foreseen.

With over 240 colour photographs, the book includes a brief history of Alfa Romeo to the end of the 1960s. The development of the Alfasud's design and the political reasons for building a new factory are given along with the car's reception from both the press and owners.
The evolution of the model from initial prototypes, to the improvements to build quality and performance, including the Giardinetta and Sprint variations are covered as well as Alfasuds in competition. The political and labour problems, as well as the early quality control issues are discussed.
Finally, there are numerous specification tables, performance data, chassis numbers, engine codes and colour charts.

Alfa Romeo Alfasud - All Saloon Models (1971-1983) and Sprint Models (1976-1989)

This Essential Buyer's Guide leads you through the process of buying an Alfasud from whether this is the right car for you, what it's like to live with and what it will cost you to run, to which version and engine is best for you and what you should be paying for it.
Having helped you decide these factors, this guide then takes you through the buying process. It explains what equipment you'll need when you go to view a car and shows you how to quickly determine whether to look at a particular car in more detail or to just simply walk away.

A comprehensive and thorough evaluation section, with a points scoring system, lets you fully assess a prospective purchase and detailed illustrations show exactly what to look for. With advice on paperwork, buying at auctions and thorough and clear advice on restoration, every aspect of sourcing your car is covered.

Having led you to your perfect car, the Guide goes yet further to give you all the contact information you'll ever need to get involved with the Alfasud-owning community allowing you to make the most of your new pride and joy!

Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972-1984) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Alfa Romeo Alfasud models from the years 1972-1984. Describes the Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1186cc, Ti, 1286cc Sprint, 5M, 1300Ti, 1490Ti, 1490 Sprint, 1.4 Super, 1.5 Sprint Veloce, 1.5 Super, Series III, Ti 1.5 Veloce, 1.5 Hatchback and Sprint Trophy.

• The 33 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

▶  More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Alfa Romeo Arna - The True Story 1980-1987

This book is the first detailed account of the 1980s joint venture between Alfa Romeo and Nissan. Mired in political controversy from the get-go, the joint venture produced two identical cars based on the Nissan Cherry but built in Italy and equipped with Alfa Romeo running gear.
The Alfa Romeo Arna and the Nissan Cherry Europe sold poorly and the venture, which ended in 1987, has been ridiculed ever since.

Alfa Romeo historian Matteo Licata sets the record straight on the Arna with this extensive research based on period documents, to separate the facts from the misconceptions once and for all.

Alfa Romeo Montreal

This book focuses exclusively on the Tipo 105.64 Alfa Romeo Montreal. The 264 pages contain solely contemporary photographs, which for the most part are published here for the first time, documenting this car.
In addition to the story of the car's development the european motorsport activity of the Montreal is covered, documenting the relatively small number of races entered between 1973 and 1975.

The documentation covers the Montreal models produced by Alfa Romeo between 1971 and 1977. Also included is information concerning the vehicle identification numbers and production numbers.

L'Alfasud de mon père

Présentée en 1971 sur un marché européen en pleine expansion, traction avant, moteur 4 cylindres boxer : ce fut une révolution pour Alfa Romeo. Au cours des douze années de production, la gamme fut complétée par un break et un coach sportif, par des motorisations plus vives, puis une fonctionnalité accrue avec 3 et 5 portes.
L'Alfasud fut engagée dans de nombreuse compétitions, sur circuit lors du Trofeo Alfasud, ainsi qu'en rallye dans les groupes 2 et N. Malgré les troubles économiques et sociaux, la fabrication de plus de 900 000 exemplaires, jusqu'en 1983, aura contribué au doublement de la production d'Alfa Romeo.

• Richement illustré, cet ouvrage est consacré aux voitures Alfasud des années 1971-1983.
• Retrace en détail l'historique et l'évolution de la Alfasud.
• Ce tome de la collection "La voiture de mon père" n'est pas seulement une source d'information profonde pour le propriétaire, mais aussi un guide d'originalité concis.
• La technique, les variants, les modifications et les versions spéciales sont décrites d'une manière détaillée.
• Contient 250 photos d'époque, souvent inédites.

Alfa Romeo Alfasud

At the end of the '60s, Alfa Romeo began to write a new chapter in its history by entering the market with a medium-low class car that was true to the company's sporting vocation and with a form of technology only experimented with in timid fashion until then. The little Alfa's front-wheel drive and a longitudinal mounted boxer engine, signalled a real turnaround that even involved a selected production centre: Pomigliano d'Arco, near Naples.

The Alfasud was a car that not only left a deep impression on the technological and industrial history of the automotive Italy, but also had major repercussions on the social, occupational and political life of the country between the early '70s and the end of the '80s, which included an highly active sporting life rich with success.

Italian text.