The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint was a front-engined, front-wheel-drive coupe developed by Alfa Romeo between 1976 – 1989. With it’s classic 70’s Giorgetto Giugiaro designed angular profile, high-revving boxer engine, and advanced mechanicals (such as independent rear suspension) the car proved a popular model for the Italian marque and sold almost 120,000 units.
You may be asking… what is “Alfasud” and where does it fit into the story of Alfa Romeo? Alfasud roughly translates to “Alfa of the South” and refers loosely to a factory in Southern Italy (where the Alfasud Sprint, and it’s predecessor the Alfasud were produced). The original “Alfa Romeo Alfasud” was actually produced under a separate arm of Alfa Romeo called Industria Napoletana Costruzioni Autoveicoli Alfa Romeo-Alfasud S.p.A.
Confused? Yes we were too. So let’s bin off the history lesson and focus on the car!
The Alfasud Sprint was produced with a range of engine capacities throughout its lifespan (initially a 1.2 litre, then later a 1.3 litre, a 1.5 litre, and a 1.7 litre). The engine was a flat-four boxer, which was mated to a five-speed synchromesh box. Suspension was a fairly technical (for the time) set up with semi-trailing arm independent suspension at the rear, and a macpherson set up at the front – initially with inboard disc brakes!
The Alfasud Sprint Veloce (the car featured here) arrived in 1979 and was billed as the top-spec model. The Veloce was treated to a double, twin-choke carburettor and increased engine compression. The result was an impressive 95bhp from the 1.5 litre engine!
Jiri’s Alfasud Sprint Veloce looks just as it should painted in classic Rosso Alfa 530 red! This car is really oozing with 70’s styling – we love the angular wedge-shaped profile and the classic flat-front with its quad headlights. Jiri’s done a huge restoration job on this car, it was virtually in bits when he bought it. We love it when a classic car is saved from the scrap heap by a dedicated (and perhaps crazy) enthusiast! Hats off Jiri!
Intrigued by the angular good looks of this Sprint Veloce, we reached out to Jiri to find out his story (which it turns out is a good one!) and to find out what he’s done to this lovely Alfa!
Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint Veloce 1.5 (1981)
Highlights
- Jiri describes this project as "not easy" – The Sprint was not a complete car when he bought it. It was un-documented, missing a lot of parts, it didn't have an engine, and each wheel was different! He spent the first year grinding the rust out!
- Jiri spent a lot of time looking for parts. He sourced them from all over Europe and also some parts from Australia!
- After a divorce, he didn't have a garage. He had spare parts everywhere, some in the basement of a friend's, the front windscreen in his girlfriend's bedroom the dashboard in her kitchen, and the brakes in her pantry! (we're not sure if she's still with Jiri after all that!)
- The Sprint was completely renovated. Everything was disassembled to the last screw. After repairing the body, it was painted with the original paint "Rosso Alfa 530". The interior is all original!
Modifications
- The cylinders were honed out, and oversize Mondial pistons were fitted.
- New connecting rods and a new crankshaft installed, and a K&N sports air filter.
- Suspension upgrades include harder shock absorbers, Powerflex silent-blocks, and a stronger front stabilizer.
- A custom Ansa exhaust system fitted, combined with Zara muffler.
- The car had a full respray in "Rosso Alfa 530" red!
Interview with the owner
- Well Jiri, we love the car – when did you buy it?7 years ago. Summer 2014
- What made you buy an Alfasud Sprint Veloce?I've always had an Alfa Romeo!I wanted a coupe. I hesitated on whether to go for a GTV or a Sprint…. and the Sprint won!There aren't many good ones left any more, and I wanted to save him.
- What's it like to drive?Driving a Sprint is very accurate. Low weight, low centre of gravity. It's a very fast ride, especially in corners. Like a Go-Kart!
- So it sounds like the car been fully restored / rebuilt?Yes! It was not easy. 6 years of work. The Sprint was not complete and it was undocumented. I struggled with unavailable/difficult to find parts, I didn't have an engine, and each wheel was different. I ground the rust out for the whole first year. I was looking for parts all over Europe. I also bought some parts in Australia!When I got divorced, I didn't have a garage. I had spare parts everywhere. some parts of the basement at a friend's. The front windscreen in my girlfriend's bedroom and dashboard in kitchen, brakes in the pantry… Eventually my Dad and I built a new garage, and the Sprint was completely renovated.Everything was disassembled to the last screw. After repairing the body, it was painted with the original paint Rosso Alfa 530. The interior is all original!
- It's a truly impressive resto, did you stay original or make some modifications?Visually it's pretty standard, but I did make some performance upgrades to the engine, suspension and exhaust system.
- What have you done to the engine?After grinding the cylinders, the engine received new oversized Mondial pistons. New connecting rods and a new crankshaft. I also fitted a K&N sports air filter.
- What have you done to the suspension?Lowered on harder shock absorbers, with Powerflex "silent blocks" and a stronger front stabilizer.
- And you mentioned some changes to the exhaust system?Yes it's now got a custom Ansa exhaust system combined with Zara muffler. Nice sound!
- Do you plan to do any further modifications to it?Yes, more powerful carburettors! Currently it has serial Dellorto DRLA 36.
- Is the car a "keeper" or will you sell it one day?She's a keeper!
- Ok final question – ignoring cost, and assuming you couldn’t go and sell it for profit… what’s your dream car and why?It would have to be either…– Alfa Romeo 1900CS– Maserati Shamal– Ferrari 288 GTO
