ALFA ROMEO ALFETTA Overview

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta is an Italian rear-wheel

drive executive saloon car and fastback
coupé produced from 1972 until 1987 by Alfa
Romeo. It was popular due to its combination
of a modest design with powerful engines,
selling over 400,000 units until the end of its
production run

Although the Alfetta had a fairly conventional unitary construction, four

door body it had an unusual gearbox layout (for a saloon). The Alfetta
had a Ferrari style trans-axle. This meant that the gearbox was combined
with the rear axle and so provided a better weight balance.

The Alfetta came with a 1.8 litre twin-cam engine

to start with, however the engine was reduced in
size to 1.6 litres in 1975. From 1977 a more
powerful 2.0 litre engine was made available.
Twin Weber 40 carburetors were also used for the
1.8 litre model. Production of the Alfetta saloon
continued until 1984.

The Sedan had a body designed by Centro Stile

Alfa Romeo, and the Alfetta GTV coupe (not to be confused with the
more recent 1995 Alfa Romeo GTV, or the classic Giulia GTV), was
designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Alfetta introduced a new drivetrain
layout to the marque. Clutch and transmission were housed at the rear of
the car, together with the differential for a more balanced weight
distribution, as used on the Alfetta 158/159 Grand Prix cars. The suspension
relied on double wishbones and torsion bars at the front and a de Dion
beam at the rear. The Alfetta was renewed in 1979 with a revised
frontend, new wheel rims and new lights, as well as a diesel version.

It was available with two four-cylinder DOHC engines with two valves per
cylinder and a turbodiesel engine supplied by VM Motori. [3] The 1.6 and
1.8 L base models had two double-barrel carburettors, while the 2.0 DOHC
received fuel injection in 1979. The diesel initially had 2.0 L, but was
increased to 2.4 L in 1982.
Engines
Capacity Config Model Bore/Stroke CR
1779cc S4 DOHC Alfa Romeo S4 DOHC 80mm x 89mm
1570cc S4 DOHC Alfa Romeo S4 DOHC 78mm x 82mm
1962cc S4 DOHC Alfa Romeo S4 DOHC 84mm x 89mm 9

Fuel System
Type Number Comment
Twin-choke side down draught. Solex carbs also used
Dellorto 2
(1962cc model)

Design and dynamics

The rear transaxle found on the Alfetta and
derivatives- GTV, 90 and 75- provided these cars with
excellent weight distribution. This resulted in excellent
handling, which some experts believe makes these
some of the best-handling cars of their time. Unlike
most rear-wheel drive cars, the transaxle meant there was no transmission
tunnel between the front seats, thus helping interior space.

Produced: 1972-1984, 424739 produced. (to end '83)

Types: Saloon, 4 doors, 4 seats

Source: Motorbase