WOW, the Alfa 75 (sold as Milano in the USA) here in Italy is pretty famous. It's a special car, and back then let's say that if you see 2 of these out of a bank here in Italy, especially with engine on, it means that a bank robbery was in place in that exact time. This was a FAST car (and I don't mean just in straight line...) back then, especially with the 2.0 or the V6 Busso :) Take care with the distrib. belt on these ones, they don't last long on the v6... Unfortunately it's not easy (even here in Italy!) to get parts for these :( FCA group never valued his heritage :(((( And now these are sold for 15k$ here... Note: Brembo pads code P 23 020 are the ones for this and they HAVE the sensor.
I had one of these back in the 90’s. I remember givin the driver behind me the finger every time I put the windows down and squashing my fingers every time I took the handbrake off. I loved that car until rust got to bad
The "Shamrock"symbol on the boot lip means that is a "Cloverleaf" model . The symbol has a long history and is reserved for sports models including race F1 , similar to AMG , M , RS etc.
Also to clarify the 80s Alfa badging , the green cloverleaf (Quadifoglio Verde) indicates the sport oriented trim, and the gold cloverleaf (Quadrifoglio Oro) indicated the luxury trim.
@@danielroman1899 Back in the 1920s when Enzo Ferrari was driving for Alfa, racing he hit a stretch when he wasn't winning, he painted a four-leaf clover on his race car for luck. As you see it continues to be part of alfa. so you're kinda right
@@Mr-pn2eh Being in the computer repair industry, I'm sure it's more about the price / availability of genuine parts, and availability of RELIABLE aftermarket parts. Doing a job perfectly only to find out the part you used was defective is soul crushing. Kills all motivation + your profits. Some models aren't worth the headache.
Gotta love the armchair mechanics and CEOs in the youtube comment section. I love how they always assume they know better than the actual experts presenting the content, or act like they have some inside knowledge to how someone runs their channel or business lmfao. So sad, but also very entertaining. These are the kinds of people who lie to strangers and tell them that they work for the CIA or some other alphabet agency doing the lord's work on black ops missions 🤣😂
You’ve touched my heart with this Alfa 75. Was my first car and with all the cars I’ve owned since, not one has had the character like the 75. Such a balanced car in every aspect. Thank you wizard for great videos and content. I’ve learnt so much watching your channel. 🇦🇺
This is the best sounding V6 in the world. The Alfa Romeo 75 , as it is known in Europe ( and Greece where I am from), is probably the last true Alfa Romeo. I am trying to find another model of this car: the Alfa Romeo 75 1800cc turbo evolutione.. This is a very rare car even in Greece, where alfas were very popular..
Evripides, save your money for a newer car and use your time to joy ride than Fix ! I've had one of those, the rust ate it up! Nice ideas in these cars, but poor execution in the making! Lots of tek evolution since. I am happy with the Japs now.
@@krisphoton7304 Back in the 70s, Fiat sold some technology to the Soviets. The Russians paid with steel coils. That sheet metal was of such inferior quality that cars made with it would start rusting before they made it off the line. Instead of scrapping the bad steel, the decision was made to continue using it. That's were the Italian car rusting problems came from. That bad Russian steel was used up by the 1980s. Italian car makers then went back to high quality Western steel and rusting was no longer a problem. Look at this car. It's 35 years old and isn't rusty.
Evri for a good 1,8TQV in Greece contact me. Not Evo but a very very fast red Turbo America QV rebuilt 4 years ago with JimK who wrote the two international bestselling books about modifying Alfas 4 & 6 cylinder. Not cheap but you can see where the money has been spent.
That's not a shamrock emblem on the back, that's a four leaf clover or on an Alfa a Quadrifoglio! It pays homage to Alfa's racing history and historically just the top of the line of a model, or a sportier racing version had this logo applied! Love the channel Wizard, and was excited to see an Alfa Romeo in your garage. Big fan of Alfas and your show!
I used to work for Alfa in the early 90`s, I loved driving these things.. In fact, I loved driving all the Alfa`s (Suds, 33`s, 75`s, Alfetta`s & 164`s), all absolutely superb drivers machines! I didnt find them hard to work on, the engineering was great, but, I understand that that was 3 decades ago, & this one looks like it needs work I wouldn't have seen at the time, the crushed wire in the column definitely isn't the cars fault, & the window motor.. Well, 80`s window motors were rarely much good long term! As long as its rust free, its worth doing! You will love it like no other car! These are highly regarded in Europe, the prices have picked up a lot in recent years, & rightly so.
True. Althout, I find my 33s far easier to work on than my 90. Changing clutch master and slave on the 116 chassis is the hardest job I've performed ever on a car.
@@БранимирПетров Yeah, transaxles are usually bad to do anything clutch related on, but look at what we have now! Concentric clutch slave cylinders that require you to take the whole box out just to do the clutch slave!
@@MrPabsUk Indeed, it can be worse. I think I've seen such clutch slaves on 75 IMSA replicas, however the long term reliabillity isn't a concern there.
I remember when these were new -- I was 18 years old in '88. These cars weren't all that common in the States, even back then. I can't imagine how rare one of these is today -- especially with only 57K miles on it. You'd almost expect this to be a Euro Asian Bob rare-car find. Very nice!
I love the 75 (that's what we call it here in Europe) especially with a V6. The version you have here with the bigger bumpers we know as the 75 America
They were sold as the 75 here in the U.K. 🇬🇧. That 3.0 v6 is an awesome engine! Note: Ensure that the underside and every single panel is treated with about 1000 gallons of Fluid Film unless the owner wants to find a massive blob of rust on his driveway in 6 weeks time!
Rust is always a problem in the UK with Alfas, Fiats and Lancias. Here on the Mediterranean it's not a problem so these cars are sought after. I love the combination of the V6 and the transaxle - perfect balance.
I can remember seeing these getting crushed when they were 6 years old. 1 year I welded a customer's for an MOT the year later it was like a complete different car the whole floor pan had rotted and dropped 3 inches
@@tfj100 Well, I suppose it partially depends where you live and the amount of road salt used, but it’s mainly a Alfa using very poor quality steel rather then a “U.K. problem” My brother had an 86 GTV6 and that rusted whilst you were looking at it!
@@newblackdog7827 Some have rust problems in Australia and NZ, but not many. Maybe if you leave it parked outside, near the sea. I can't recall anybody in Australia having to weld their floorpan, but it is normal in the UK with salt roads. If they get rusty here, it would usually be because of blocked drain holes, poor sunroof installation etc. 75s were better than GTV6 as well, with fully galvanised bodies. Also, the steel being a problem is a bit of a myth...the main issue was leaving bodies exposed to the elements before receiving rust treatment.
The 75 with the Busso in the front was and still is a delight to drive. The Busso is imo one of the best V6 engines ever. Regarding the car I can only say this. Keep it and keep it well maintained. The value will only go up. There are not a lot left, also not here in Europe. Greetings from the Netherlands.
Very underrated vehicle. A hoot to drive though. I loved mine. And besides some engineering complexities, these vehicles from the eighties can be worked on. This video brought back some great memories, so thank you for the consideration. And you're correct, only old people like us actually know what it is because we saw them driving around or drove them ourselves.
I wouldn't say underrated. At least here. Since the 80s there have been clubs dedicated to the model and the model has always changed ownership at the speed of light. I've had 3
Really enjoyed watching this latest posting from the Wizard, Car Wiz Dave understands why some old cars are an attractive temptation. He adjusts his workshop agenda accordingly. Very wise financially from a business standpoint not to mention avoiding many unseen lengthy and costly aggravating problems that are invariably there with most nice old cars. As a non-professional spanner man, I get a lot of satisfaction breathing new life into some nice old cars the previous owners have given up on. Some of the fine cars us Brits throw away is borderline criminal waste. They'd be highly valued, revived and cared for in many other less fortunate parts of the world. I see many Vans at my favourite Car Breaker yard full of parts. Vans with Eastern European plates. Here in the UK and no doubt in the USA and elsewhere, car consumers and users far outnumber car enthusiasts. That ratio was far less wide when I first bought a car many moons ago. Many modern UK car user/consumers do not know where the bonnet/hood release is on their cars. I have experienced this when neighbours, friends have approached me on a "You know about cars" basis when problems arise. A near neighbour drives one of those big bright yellow Vans used by a UK Nationwide roadside rescue firm. He confirms that when attending a stranded motorist at the roadside, when he asks them to pull the hood/bonnet release, he is met with a blank stare. Car users like that invariably pay much more for their motoring than they really need due to that level of care and ignorance. I get far more pleasure breathing new life into nice old Brit cars previous owners have given up on than taking delivery of a new car which I have done many times over the years. Be they a private purchase or company supplied new car. Previous owners having been quoted silly high figures to rectify and repair decide to get rid instead. . One such car was estimated to cost in excess of £1000 ( UK pounds ) to fix. I took a chance bought it for scrap value and fixed it with change from ten of our UK pounds. Plus a couple of leisurely well spent hours investigating. That scenario on more than one occasion. My current daily workhorse driver of the past eight years was purchased for less than one hundred UK pounds when scarp metal prices were at an all time low. I did not look for that car. The previous owner, an enthusiast on one of the groups I am a member of, contacted me as he did not want to see his nice MG ZT-T 1.8T be recycled prematurely. That car again was fixed for only a few hundred of our English pounds and a few well spent leisurely hours with my tools. Always the car enthusiast from day one, cars are more than merely a means of getting from A to B for me.
Back in '88 when I was in HS, a friend's Italian-American dad got one of these rare AR Milanos - in red, ofc. As I recall, the family was excited about it. Even in our suburban hometown, where there have been some intere$ting cars, it was uncommon to see. ETA: The Spider Veloce was another one I envied then.
I had an 88 v6 3.0 for a few years. And this is the only car I regret selling. It had 200000 miles and had a sebring exhaust on it. And man it sounded glorious!!! I really want one. This grey one is a keeper, almost no rust, brakes and belts done. And the upholstery is actually special. Normally its gray or black velours. The cars from 1989 on had white dials. Only the first two years had these orange dials. Very nice! Now i want one
The last "real"rear wheel drive Alfa. Still quite a few 75's around here in yhr Netherlands/ Europe .Alfa check system never really worked properly but the car is a classic. The 2 litre Twin spark with 150 bhp was More popular over here but dont think it was sold in the US.I always loved that wedge shape,so unusual.Nice car👍
Did a college internship in Research Triangle Park, NC back in the 80s...used to see them around. RTP had a ton of BMWs, SAABs, Mercedes, Volvos and other high end vehicles.
I owned two of these Alfas known as the 75 here in the UK and Europe ( named to celebrate 75 years of Alfa Romeo when released in 1985). One was powered by a 2.0 Litre Twin Spark ( 2 Spark plugs per cylinder) and the second was powered by a 3.0 V6 designed by legendary Guiseppe Busso. These cars are now fetching serious money in the UK and Europe. Great cars and last of the true rear wheel drive Alfas before FIAT bought the company and saved them from financial ruin. Great Vlog!
Oh this is fun. I had a red Verde (3 liter) that was a 1987 (very rare-most were 88 or 89) as my second car when I was 20 years old. My first was a spider veloce. Alfas are great. This car handled so well and that engine sound is just amazing
Not only I've heard, but I owned a 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano. This V6 is the famous Busso motor. It sounds and performs GREAT. Of course, you need to take care of it, maintain it. It's an Italian car, after all.
Hi Wizard, one of the other cars similar to this one (in Europe at least) was the Lancia Thema. I had one and it had a similar problem to Bill's. One day I came out of my office to drive home, and the car wouldn't start. I had to get a recovery truck to take it to my specialist dealer. Within about 10 minutes, he had diagnosed that the steering column had been rubbing against the insulation of part of the wiring loom. Problem solved very quickly.🤣
Looks to be a 3.0L version... Limited slip, Recaro interior, just super fun. I had two, an 87' and a 89' Verde and just loved loved them. It has a few quirks but always worth it.
I owned two of these Alfas known as the 75 here in the UK and Europe ( named to celebrate 75 years of Alfa Romeo when released in 1985). One was powered by a 2.0 Litre Twin Spark ( 2 Spark plugs per cylinder) and the second was powered by a 3.0 V6 designed by legendary Guiseppe Busso. These cars are now fetching serious money in the UK and Europe. Great cars and last of the true rear wheel drive Alfas before FIAT bought the company and saved them from financial ruin. Great Vlog!
I know the lot in Omaha he was talking about. I buddy of mine bought a new Spider in 1987. The salesman tried to get him into a Milano. Several years later I bought a 1986 Spider. It was a fun car.
My first car was a 89 Milano Verde. Paid $100 for it non-running but in great shape back in 1998.. ended up putting about 5K into it over the course of 2 years , and first drive it caught on fire. Wiring harness roasted. Ended up cutting my losses, selling it and buying a Saturn. Still miss that Alfa. Enjoy it Bill - it's definitely worth fixing!
4:26 Yes, thank you Mr. Wizard! Saab was indeed cooperating in safety with Alfa Romeo in the 80's modifying a body cage for Saab 9000 platform, and Alfa did adapt to use Saab's designs and proportions from a 9000 16-valve model here. Even the radio is of the same model that I remember in my 9000's. They were just 2 years older of '86 vintage.
The Type 4 Floorpan was common to Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema. The Alfa had a lower roof line compared to the others. In theory the doors on the Saab, Fiat and Lancia were the same.....except they turned out not to be. I had three 164s and my father in law had a Thema.
Yeah, but this has longitudinal engine which neither of other four cars had (9000, Croma, 164, Thema) - so this was before SAAB came to Fiat and Alfa and said - hey, we don't have money, let's build a common platform. I had a 1990 SAAB 9000 with the giant 4-cyl (2.3 litre) and it was transverse and of course FWD. Also - all of them had much more conventional everything - no inboard brakes, no transaxle of course with FWD - but the SAAB had a weird subframe for the engine as far as I remember - also, its handling was pretty superb for a FWD. Very little understeer, esp. compared to the other car in family at the time - audi 100 2.2. Drove the SAAB into ground and sold to a guy from the countryside here in Latvia for abt. EUR 500 (350 latvian lats at the time) - who just needed the gearbox out of the car - which by the way worked perfectly. Cannot say that about many other things on the car.
@@JurisKankalis I’ve had 2 of 1986 9000 and a 1993 9000 CSE. Drove like tanks. Loved every one of them. My 9-3’s of the last body style while feeling pretty light on the skinny pedal don’t have the same solid feel about the body- I dented one just by leaning on the C-pilar. So much for crumple zones. One of my 9000’s saved my life, but I don’t know if a 9-3 would do the same with similar road obstacle should it happen.
I missed the part where the customer was not happy. The Verde is a great car - I've got one in my garage right now, and have owned (and raced) many. Few items of note. First, you missed a critical item during the under car inspection, the drive shaft donuts. You need to inspect those for cracks or missing chunks. If the customer wants to replace the exhaust, it's a good time to address those. There is a front and a rear, and a center support. Regarding the ABS brakes, you can replace the system with a non ABS MC/pedal assembly from a Milano or GTV6. Lastly, somebody in the comments mentioned the ARC, yes those are famous for the 'disco' display. Somebody actually identified an overworked transistor on the ARC panel circuit board, you can replace that transistor with a higher voltage one and it solves most ARC problems. Good luck with the car, they're a ton of fun to drive!
Pads with sensors are still available. The fix for the booster/ABS system is to replace it entirely with a normal vacuum booster with no ABS found on the lower end models.
He is right though. That is the recommended fix in Alfa circles. It’s not a liability, you’re just swapping non ABS brakes from a less optioned model. Plenty of classics have non abs.
@@MrSkeltal268 much safer than than getting a fault in the system that shuts off your power brakes. In addition to parts not being available for the ABS system.
You are correct, I could easily find the front pads with sensors but not so much the rear. I know they are out there but I didn’t try too hard when I saw centerline selling pads only without sensors.
That car takes me back. My boss, at my job after college, had one. He was an older English guy who loved Italian cars. He already had an Alfa Romeo Spider and bought the Milano new. It was a gorgeous car for the time and I got to drive in it a few times. Unfortunately, it more than lived up to the Alfa Romeo reputation for (lack of) reliability. It was often in the shop.
Thank you wizard for sharing your knowledge and experience with this car. I particularly resonated with your comment about “unreliable, complex, italian cars” and it might not always be true. They often turn into basket cases because incompetent people try to butcher them together with wrong tools and parts. These were police vehicles and were very common in the 80s/90s in Italy, and were doing their job quite well. Matter of fact, there is one in my area (GTV6) that gets regularly abused and autocrossed on weekends, and it still functions. They require a competent eye for maintenance but nothing as extraordinary as people might think. So yes, thank you for your unbiased, realistic opinion, it might actually draw more people into alfa ownership, at least those that are hesitant strictly because of that reliability factor (in fact, all older cars are unreliable lol) Too many people give opinions without knowing the subject, and it just doesn’t do justice to some brilliant cars that are not well known.
The car magazines absolutely loved these in the late 80s. As a fresh out of college kid who graduated into a recession, it was on my list of cars I wanted but could never afford. And now that I can afford them, it's tough to find a decent one. Well done, Bill!
One of the best engine ever made, that sound ! 😀, amazing road capabilities, funny handbrake and be ready for a christmas tree at the dashboard, sold mine years ago and still regret it 👍👍
It’s a 75, and it’s still very common in the EU. The last RWD Alfa until the Giulia and Stelvio. And it’s not a four leaf clover, but a Quadrifoglio Oro ;)
Such surprise to see this here at the Car Wizard! Had a 2.0L Twinspark years ago and I loved it so much. Also same color as this one. It was a joy. Engine was special; All aluminium from pan to valve lid. Great throttle response and the sound of a thoroughbred. Thing was also reliable and economical. This v6 is something else though. The stearing i remember was great; no understear to speak of. Perhaps consider new (Koni) shocks and a beafed up front roll bar. It worked great on mine. For looks I can recommend the Ronal A1 telephone rims as it fits the angular body style so well imo, but these are very fitting also. Enjoy Bill, cheers!
We have had 2 75s. One was a 2L twin spark, the other a 2.5 v6 auto. Overall they were reliable cars, just don’t expect the Alfa Control warning panel to work! When we bought the first one, a friend showed us what to look for on them - lifted the bonnet and said the only bits that go wrong are labelled Bosch. That said, v6 cam belt is a minor pain and the “tensioner” works by oil pressure and is a detensioner. Rust wasn’t a major issue generally, but the V6 had rusted around the windscreen where someone had wrecked the rust proofing doing a lousy job of changing a screen. Changing the rear pads is a pain, with the handbrake on the top of the inboard calipers. Clutch is in the transaxle as well. One thing to watch out for when driving. With the front window switch’s it can look like you are giving the finger to the car behind! The front abs brake setup was an ATE setup. Think Volvo used a similar system. They have a poor “fail safe”, giving you one stop when they brake. We were lucky in the uk and didn’t get the ABS option.
Your customer is a lucky man. I bought used Alfa Romeo Alfasud in the 1980's and a used Giulietta in the 1990's ( the Milano which was called 75 in the UK was the successor to that giulietta). Both beautiful to drive but rusted away before my eyes. It didnt put me off. I currently drive a 2013 Giulietta.
That's not a shamrock on the car. (Shamrocks only have three leaves and were never used as motifs by Alfa Romeo). No, it is a cloverleaf (quadrifoglio in Italian), which is a designation used by Alfa to denote that it's a high-performance model.
Having sat in and driven a few Alfas of this era, the one thing I always remembered is that the driving position is best suited to someone with arms as long as their legs.
Just started looking at the channel as the 75 caught my eye, and this looks amazing compared to some rubbish I've been looking at Down Under. I've owned 3 x 75 V6 plus many other Alfas in the past, but the 75 is the champion model for me. They are great cars to own and drive, and that V6 Busso engine is like no other. You won't be disappointed with Alfa' s last Hurrah model before Fiat bought them out in 84. Best rear wheel drive car, in my opinion. Can't wait to get another very soon. Will subscribe and follow 🇬🇸
i worked on those in the dealership when they were new. the 6 cyl is the best one. very fun car to drive. Electrical (alfa control) is a whole different story with those Alfa's. random faultcodes that just needed a hit on the dashboard to reset..lol
Finally an Alfa.I have had a few, a 33 (still own it), a few the USA didn’t get:155 V6,156,159, 166 and now a giulia (and a montreal to keep the 33 company). I hope that one a day a Monti will show up at the wizards place😀 Enjoy the 75!!
Beautiful alfa! I'm happy to hear the car wizard finally mention SAAB. I watch all the wizards videos on euro cars and I'm hoping one day he will cover a SAAB. Particularly an old SAAB 900 or 9000.
Yes, I think he should revisit Saab. In one of his videos, his complaint was that the 9000, I think, didn't good good enough gas mileage. Also, Mrs. W's uncle complained about fixing them back in the '80s, I guess? In any case, I think like a lot of mechanics or YTers who find OG or NG Saabs, he might find them easy to work on and enjoyable to drive. Also, parts aplenty, pretty good for brand that's been gone a decade.
Well hello there. Be aware of the crunchyness of the undercarriage. And bushings. Lot of bushings, actually all of them. On the suspensions. On the gearbox leverages. Also, the gearbox is made of glass and the gear's bearing wear out fast. This is for Ms Wizard, the dummy buttons behind the handbrake handle are for the rear power windows and the passenger buttwarmer that were both options.
Put a glass pack after the cats and a straight pipe with a tip. I promise you, it will be the best sounding exhaust for that. Congrats on the purchase bill.
@@apscoradiales I’ve tried ansa. They sound great but It was a little too droney in my opinion. I’ve also tried magnaflow but I still ended up with a custom set up and to me, this was the best sound that really highlights the Busso.
Great find. I remember this as the Alfa 75 in Europe. Quirky design - you either loved it or hated it. This was when Alfa made great engines with the Twin Spark technology. I had two versions of the Alfa 164, the V6 and the 2.0 twin spark. Interestingly i preferred the 2.0 Twin spark - a wonderful throaty motor and frugal as well.
My father had one of these (Alfa 75 with 4-cylinder twin cam engine) The electrics were a nightmare, several control boxes in the dash and under the seats had overheated and melted the plastics. For example every time you pushed the brake pedal the dome light would come on. Very nice car to drive though
Surprised there was no mention of the DeDion rear suspension. Love that Milanos, seriously under appreciated cars. Other than some surface rust that one looks to be in great shape. I have had 4, I currently have 2 and plan to buy another Verde from a friend soon. If you missed out on the GTV6 because prices are heading up go grab a Milano.
@@agenericaccount3935 it’s not a brand name, it’s a type of suspension design that is not very common due to its complexity. Look it up if you aren’t familiar with it.
@@autoarcheologist I noticed it was weird, for sure! So much effort for handling....even putting the transaxle in the back with CV joints...then just connecting the rear wheels with a solid bar?! figured I must be missing something...then I looked it up. Pretty cool!
I've been a massive fan of the 75 (Milano) since it was new in the 80's. I read all about these in Car and Driver, Road&Track, and Automobile magazines. I'm very grateful that I've gotten to see one in real life. Thankfully these are rear wheel drive. When the 164 replaced it, it was front wheel drive. These are absolutely gorgeous cars. So glad to see that it's in very good condition for it's age. Most of these were Ferrari red. Of the ones that came to the US, many were automatics. Thank you.
Amazing car, that was called Alfa Romea 75 here in Finland - and rest of Europe, I think. A friend of my elder brother had one, but with a tiny 1.6 liter engine. As a teenager that time I dreamd of QV version. The 75's reputation was a car with many problems, though.
I have a number of the the GTV - GTV6 versions of this chassis. This car is in incredible shape. A set of Koni Yellows will sort the problem with the originals. Bill, Alfaholics has a handling kit (front sway bar and rear springs). It is well worth the money. You've got a really good example !! Congratulations
Was a bit surprised, honestly, to see it in the Wizard's shop. I've been an Alfa fan forever, and I'm happy to see these nifty cars get their share of the spotlight.
Truly a great car. When it went up on the lift and the only major things wrong were needing four shocks and a complete exhaust system. Looks like a great purchase to me.
even the local alfa dealer said, after open the hood of my 75 3 liter, i never seen this engine^^ i loved the fast car in alfa red, the few alfa drver greeted each other on the road
I almost bought one of these when they were super cheap, really regretting it now. It was the last mainstream Alfa developed independently from Fiat. While it's replacement the 155 was great it was on a Fiat platform.
@0:23 I have seen it so often. It is the Alfa Romeo 75. It is the base for one of the best DTM touring cars of the 90ies. According to the rules Alfa had the option to either go turbocharged or AWD. They went for the later and created a high reving V6 instead. 😊
I had an Alfa75 here in Australia. the 4 cylinder twin spark in red. My God, I love that car, drove beautifully. Style, handling and soul. I also had 3 Alfa 33s as a young man all those years ago. I had no idea they made it to the USA, not a market I would have thought appreciated a car like that.
Interesting videos, I recall seeing Milanos every so often growing up in Southern New England. I think Alfas were more popular in Southern New England compared to other parts of the nation.
Thanks Wizard, Ms, & Bill for sharing this sweet find. Imagine getting exact car of your teen dreams in good condition! Body, paint, engine, trans, interior all good shape. Don't sweat small stuff. Mostly metal engine parts.For 35 year low production car, buy some consumable parts, like brake pads, plugs, timing belts, a clutch kit, water pump, distributor cap/rotor, belts, hoses...before you can't get them. Enjoy for long time.
Very nice Milano. Good deal from BaT. Best color for this car. I had 2 of them and they were quite reliable. Timing belt every 36k mi might sound expensive BUT it is very easy and simple to do, much easier to maintain than cars that built after 2000. Just put a new timing belt, water pump, exhaust, new shocks, and polish it and it will look and drive really nice!
Another great video Wizard. This one struck a chord with me, having bought my Milano Verde from the original owner back in 2015. I've bought and sold many cars in that time period, but the Milano is still in my garage and one of my favorite all time cars to drive. They are not fast by modern standards - quickish would be accurate - but the sound, feel and overall character win you over before you've even done 5 miles. It's a seriously enjoyable car to wring out on your favorite B road with sublime chassis dynamics and balance, excellent steering and brake pedal modulation and that jewel of a V6 up front making music so sweet you would swear Vivaldi gave his seal of approval. Highly underrated cars IMO, and so much more interesting than an E30. And before you call me an Alfa fanboy, keep in mind that I own and race E30s! More of this car please.
We had a few of these when i grew up, a 1986 2,0 twin cam with 130hp, a 1987 2,5 v6 with 155hp and a 1988 3.0 with 185hp. Fantastic cars and i’ve always loved the looks, especially with more aggressive wheels with a lower offset. It’s not at all as unreliable as people might think either, the 75/milano was a very well engineered car. The massive parking brake lever is such a cool feature.
Fond memories of my 1986 Milano. Puccini on four wheels. Could never get the fuel tank above 3/4 unless I filled it ever so slowly, and the radio would lose presets if the engine didn't start on the first try! But the sounds that engine made... Melted.my heart.like Puccini.
WOW Wizard, that is one great looking Milano! Love all classic Alfa Romeos!!! The 4 leaf clover 🍀 is the racing team symbol 👍👍👍 Thanks for doing what you do, we LOVE your videos🎉🎉🎉
Great to see another Alfa in the shop,but this is the second Busso engine you have had in that you havent started. Many of your viewers may not have heard the Arese Violin which is a shame. Hope we can see an update with a new exhaust - by coincidence a well respected aftermarket exhaust maker from Penrith in the UK produces beautiful exhausts and manifolds for the V6 under the brand name Wizard exhausts, surely this is a sign?
Very cool car. I would expect Doug Milano to do a review on this just because it is so rare. More than happy to watch Mr/Mrs wizard to do the job tho! ✌️
Oh man, blast from the past, Alfa 75 is beautiful example of Italian craftsmanship. Designer is drunk and builders are drunk or hangover or strike. Like Jeremy Clarkson says "all alfas have their error lights and issues, but they are different on each one at different times".
I had three Milano's, two gold models, and the 3.0! In red, grey Recaro interior. Funny I bought my 3.0 in Omaha, Nebraska! Unfortunately it was a rust bucket. Every one, had the "Christmas tree lights " just an Alfa quirks, power windows up by the windshield, rear windows by the armrest, so you put down the rear windows..... why is there wind blowing inside?... oh I opened the rear window by mistake! If you love Alfa's start with spider.. the cheapest classic Alfa to maintain! Im a Hoovies subscriber.. just disappointed he hasn't bought one yet! I'm in the Midwest I might bring him my 1986 Spider veloce.. for a little love. Great video. Which I will not get any response. As an owner of over 15 Alfa Romeo's and a club member back in the day! I tracked my 2.5, and some a.h..commented that it looked like a milk truck.. it was white , with Grey velour interior, 5 speed.. gotta love that 50 / 50 weight distribution! Even though mine had the battery in the front.. versus.. my spider, 164, Alfetta.. sedan and 4 gtv.. four cylinders! Wizard!!!!
Hey Wizard & Mrs Wizard, how are things going with the bus??? I think that we need another update!!! Thanks for sharing another interesting video!!! 👍🙂👍
Had a teacher when I was in middle/high school 30 years back who had one of those and a Merkur XR4Ti … always thought they both were odd/ugly looking vehicles. Now they turn my head in the rare times I see them. LOL
I actually heard of this car when I was a young buck, first time I seen one was in 1987 coming home from school in a shopping center lol...I thought the world of that car , looked awesome! I would always try to find model kits for it 😂😂😂!
Here in Italy is Called Alfa 75, really special car, especially the 1.8l turbo evoluzione spec, I really want one of them! Also the 3.0 v6 Busso engine is pretty good, sound amazing, this engine is called "the Arese violin"!
That was a really interesting video on the Alfa Romeo. Beautiful car oh, I always love them. It would have been nice, and added some perspective if the auction price was disclosed to the viewers. It would have been very relevant to know how much this car cost. Thanks and best wishes
Yeah! I had an 88 Milano 3.0 Quadrifolgio in the early 90s. I’d spent time in Rome for school a few year prior so of course. Fun car. Sold it cause pre RUclips couldn’t figure out how to fix the brakes or get the ABS controller box. And I had some kids. Mine was black. Great engine sound. Fun manual transmission.
Another nice and informative video, the only point I would quibble over is that the rear badge isn't a shamrock but rather a clover leaf used on Alfa performance vehicles.
I liked the twin spark v6.. Had one briefly as a company car when everyone else in the company rejected it because the seat was terrible.. but for a 6'5" person.. that seat was fine. Loved it.
Wizard, please check the timing belt tensioner. Original is oil pressure driven and prone to leaks. I converted to manual ones on ours. Ours were 2.5's. Don't know if Alfa updated these for the 3.0. Just a thought sir... I had a new dark blue '87 Milano Silver (their base model) and my wife liked it so much, a few months later she purchased a bright red '88 Milano Gold (mid-range model).
The Europe the 75 came in many versions: 1.6L, 1.8L, 1.8L Turbo, 2.0L twinspark, V6 2.5L and weirdest of all 2.4L turbo diesel made by VM. This car was a direct competitor to cars like the BMW e30 325i or Mercedes 190e 2.6L or even the Masarati BiTurbo. Because of RWD, the DeDion rear axel and excellent weight distribution these cars make very nice track cars.
I've had around 12 or so Alfa's in a row , including 3 Busso engined cars, it's a very special lump and elevates any car it's in. My current daily is a Brera S one of 500 made for the UK market by rally company Prodrive . They have a way of getting under your skin ! N.B These cars were sold as the 75 in Europe .
It’s great to see the Wizard going thru this car with the owner - an owner who knows cars and is very realistic. Good job Wizard, Mrs Wizard, and Bill!.
At 11:39 I can see the side of the frame looks rotted through next to the torsen bar. Great car. Sorry to point out another problem with the car. I hope you get it all fixed up and enjoy it. Thanks for all of the great videos Wizard. My 2.5 year old son loves your newer video.
Wonderful, the Alfa 75 (aka Milano in the US), the last of the Alfas before Fiat took over. As a kid I loved that car when it came out. And this one is in great shape. Hopefully we'll get so see it running, I'd love to hear that Busso V6.
Good purchase for Bill, lovely V6 Busso engined Alfa Romeo, best sounding V6 engine. don't worry about the gearchange which is due to long linkage , rear gearbox and diff ,very good weight distribution, hence very good handling and road holding. inboard rear discs for better cooling. İn Europe the car was called Allfa 75. I hapened to have owned oneiI enjoyed driving it for many years. You are lucky to have Mr. Wizard helping you. Don't sell this car enjoy driving it. The warning lights sometimes come and off for no reason. Thanks for the video. Legend car.
@ahmet alkin: Alfa 75 is fitted with inboard rear brakes to reduce the unsprung mass of the rear axle. It's not for better cooling - in fact it usually has the opposite effect.
The first thing I would do is power wash the entire underside so you can really see where all the leaks are. Fix the leaks. Get all that surface rust brushed off and then spray seal the underside.
WOW, the Alfa 75 (sold as Milano in the USA) here in Italy is pretty famous. It's a special car, and back then let's say that if you see 2 of these out of a bank here in Italy, especially with engine on, it means that a bank robbery was in place in that exact time. This was a FAST car (and I don't mean just in straight line...) back then, especially with the 2.0 or the V6 Busso :) Take care with the distrib. belt on these ones, they don't last long on the v6...
Unfortunately it's not easy (even here in Italy!) to get parts for these :( FCA group never valued his heritage :(((( And now these are sold for 15k$ here...
Note: Brembo pads code P 23 020 are the ones for this and they HAVE the sensor.
Good thing also the Polizia had it...
@@AGoogleUser-sj3rh esatto;)
La macchina della Polizia Stradale Italuana negli anni 80
You're telling me. I have trouble finding parts for my 156 SW and 166 v6. I'm in Australia.
I had one of these back in the 90’s. I remember givin the driver behind me the finger every time I put the windows down and squashing my fingers every time I took the handbrake off. I loved that car until rust got to bad
The "Shamrock"symbol on the boot lip means that is a "Cloverleaf" model . The symbol has a long history and is reserved for sports models including race F1 , similar to AMG , M , RS etc.
Giulias Quadrifoglio continue the same lineage.
Also to clarify the 80s Alfa badging , the green cloverleaf (Quadifoglio Verde) indicates the sport oriented trim, and the gold cloverleaf (Quadrifoglio Oro) indicated the luxury trim.
Alfa Romeo Milano Verde
I thought it was there to give the car some good luck… Alfas certainly need it…😂
@@danielroman1899 Back in the 1920s when Enzo Ferrari was driving for Alfa, racing he hit a stretch when he wasn't winning, he painted a four-leaf clover on his race car for luck. As you see it continues to be part of alfa.
so you're kinda right
Bill is one of the chosen ones where Wizard will actually work on their older cars, lucky man! 🙌
The oldest cars that the wizard will probably still work on for most customers are probably 90s cars.
@@Mr-pn2eh Being in the computer repair industry, I'm sure it's more about the price / availability of genuine parts, and availability of RELIABLE aftermarket parts. Doing a job perfectly only to find out the part you used was defective is soul crushing. Kills all motivation + your profits. Some models aren't worth the headache.
Because he gets a cut, like they all do when they share RUclips business.
@@ILOVEBACONBOY2018 No cuts. Zero
Gotta love the armchair mechanics and CEOs in the youtube comment section. I love how they always assume they know better than the actual experts presenting the content, or act like they have some inside knowledge to how someone runs their channel or business lmfao. So sad, but also very entertaining. These are the kinds of people who lie to strangers and tell them that they work for the CIA or some other alphabet agency doing the lord's work on black ops missions 🤣😂
You’ve touched my heart with this Alfa 75.
Was my first car and with all the cars I’ve owned since, not one has had the character like the 75. Such a balanced car in every aspect.
Thank you wizard for great videos and content. I’ve learnt so much watching your channel. 🇦🇺
@notfiveo statute of limitations, right? lmao
This is the best sounding V6 in the world. The Alfa Romeo 75 , as it is known in Europe ( and Greece where I am from), is probably the last true Alfa Romeo. I am trying to find another model of this car: the Alfa Romeo 75 1800cc turbo evolutione.. This is a very rare car even in Greece, where alfas were very popular..
👍🟩⬜️🟥 Alfa Romeo...cuore sportivo
Evripides, save your money for a newer car and use your time to joy ride than Fix !
I've had one of those, the rust ate it up! Nice ideas in these cars, but poor execution in the making! Lots of tek evolution since. I am happy with the Japs now.
The Giulia Quadrifromaggio is definetly an Alfa.
@@krisphoton7304 Back in the 70s, Fiat sold some technology to the Soviets. The Russians paid with steel coils. That sheet metal was of such inferior quality that cars made with it would start rusting before they made it off the line. Instead of scrapping the bad steel, the decision was made to continue using it. That's were the Italian car rusting problems came from. That bad Russian steel was used up by the 1980s. Italian car makers then went back to high quality Western steel and rusting was no longer a problem.
Look at this car. It's 35 years old and isn't rusty.
Evri for a good 1,8TQV in Greece contact me. Not Evo but a very very fast red Turbo America QV rebuilt 4 years ago with JimK who wrote the two international bestselling books about modifying Alfas 4 & 6 cylinder. Not cheap but you can see where the money has been spent.
That's not a shamrock emblem on the back, that's a four leaf clover or on an Alfa a Quadrifoglio! It pays homage to Alfa's racing history and historically just the top of the line of a model, or a sportier racing version had this logo applied!
Love the channel Wizard, and was excited to see an Alfa Romeo in your garage. Big fan of Alfas and your show!
TIL that a shamrock is a different plant from clover, and never has four leaves!
I used to work for Alfa in the early 90`s, I loved driving these things.. In fact, I loved driving all the Alfa`s (Suds, 33`s, 75`s, Alfetta`s & 164`s), all absolutely superb drivers machines!
I didnt find them hard to work on, the engineering was great, but, I understand that that was 3 decades ago, & this one looks like it needs work I wouldn't have seen at the time, the crushed wire in the column definitely isn't the cars fault, & the window motor.. Well, 80`s window motors were rarely much good long term! As long as its rust free, its worth doing! You will love it like no other car! These are highly regarded in Europe, the prices have picked up a lot in recent years, & rightly so.
True. Althout, I find my 33s far easier to work on than my 90. Changing clutch master and slave on the 116 chassis is the hardest job I've performed ever on a car.
@@БранимирПетров Yeah, transaxles are usually bad to do anything clutch related on, but look at what we have now! Concentric clutch slave cylinders that require you to take the whole box out just to do the clutch slave!
@@MrPabsUk Indeed, it can be worse. I think I've seen such clutch slaves on 75 IMSA replicas, however the long term reliabillity isn't a concern there.
I remember when these were new -- I was 18 years old in '88. These cars weren't all that common in the States, even back then. I can't imagine how rare one of these is today -- especially with only 57K miles on it. You'd almost expect this to be a Euro Asian Bob rare-car find. Very nice!
I love the 75 (that's what we call it here in Europe) especially with a V6. The version you have here with the bigger bumpers we know as the 75 America
Thanks I thought I was going crazy.. swede here 🤣
yes they where so nice on the road in the 1990 and Alfa 155
They were sold as the 75 here in the U.K. 🇬🇧. That 3.0 v6 is an awesome engine!
Note: Ensure that the underside and every single panel is treated with about 1000 gallons of Fluid Film unless the owner wants to find a massive blob of rust on his driveway in 6 weeks time!
Rust is always a problem in the UK with Alfas, Fiats and Lancias. Here on the Mediterranean it's not a problem so these cars are sought after. I love the combination of the V6 and the transaxle - perfect balance.
I can remember seeing these getting crushed when they were 6 years old. 1 year I welded a customer's for an MOT the year later it was like a complete different car the whole floor pan had rotted and dropped 3 inches
That's a UK issue. None of the 3 I owned had rust problems
@@tfj100
Well, I suppose it partially depends where you live and the amount of road salt used, but it’s mainly a Alfa using very poor quality steel rather then a “U.K. problem”
My brother had an 86 GTV6 and that rusted whilst you were looking at it!
@@newblackdog7827 Some have rust problems in Australia and NZ, but not many. Maybe if you leave it parked outside, near the sea. I can't recall anybody in Australia having to weld their floorpan, but it is normal in the UK with salt roads. If they get rusty here, it would usually be because of blocked drain holes, poor sunroof installation etc. 75s were better than GTV6 as well, with fully galvanised bodies. Also, the steel being a problem is a bit of a myth...the main issue was leaving bodies exposed to the elements before receiving rust treatment.
That is one majorly underrated car. Really fun to drive.
Its really a miles for smlies car
I owned that same model for 5 years and I'm currently driving my 3rd Alfa hopefully some i have my forth being t he Tonale
@@AXLCOKE13 "Alfa" and "Tonale" don´t go together, imo :P
@@izno73 and why would that be?
Amennn !!! ! !!! Especially 1,8-T !!! ! !!!
The 75 with the Busso in the front was and still is a delight to drive. The Busso is imo one of the best V6 engines ever. Regarding the car I can only say this. Keep it and keep it well maintained. The value will only go up. There are not a lot left, also not here in Europe. Greetings from the Netherlands.
Very underrated vehicle. A hoot to drive though. I loved mine. And besides some engineering complexities, these vehicles from the eighties can be worked on. This video brought back some great memories, so thank you for the consideration. And you're correct, only old people like us actually know what it is because we saw them driving around or drove them ourselves.
I wouldn't say underrated.
At least here.
Since the 80s there have been clubs dedicated to the model and the model has always changed ownership at the speed of light. I've had 3
Because it shared the same saab 9 5 chassis
Really enjoyed watching this latest posting from the Wizard,
Car Wiz Dave understands why some old cars are an attractive temptation. He adjusts his workshop agenda accordingly. Very wise financially from a business standpoint not to mention avoiding many unseen lengthy and costly aggravating problems that are invariably there with most nice old cars.
As a non-professional spanner man, I get a lot of satisfaction breathing new life into some nice old cars the previous owners have given up on. Some of the fine cars us Brits throw away is borderline criminal waste. They'd be highly valued, revived and cared for in many other less fortunate parts of the world. I see many Vans at my favourite Car Breaker yard full of parts. Vans with Eastern European plates.
Here in the UK and no doubt in the USA and elsewhere, car consumers and users far outnumber car enthusiasts. That ratio was far less wide when I first bought a car many moons ago. Many modern UK car user/consumers do not know where the bonnet/hood release is on their cars. I have experienced this when neighbours, friends have approached me on a "You know about cars" basis when problems arise. A near neighbour drives one of those big bright yellow Vans used by a UK Nationwide roadside rescue firm. He confirms that when attending a stranded motorist at the roadside, when he asks them to pull the hood/bonnet release, he is met with a blank stare. Car users like that invariably pay much more for their motoring than they really need due to that level of care and ignorance.
I get far more pleasure breathing new life into nice old Brit cars previous owners have given up on than taking delivery of a new car which I have done many times over the years. Be they a private purchase or company supplied new car.
Previous owners having been quoted silly high figures to rectify and repair decide to get rid instead. . One such car was estimated to cost in excess of £1000 ( UK pounds ) to fix. I took a chance bought it for scrap value and fixed it with change from ten of our UK pounds. Plus a couple of leisurely well spent hours investigating. That scenario on more than one occasion. My current daily workhorse driver of the past eight years was purchased for less than one hundred UK pounds when scarp metal prices were at an all time low. I did not look for that car. The previous owner, an enthusiast on one of the groups I am a member of, contacted me as he did not want to see his nice MG ZT-T 1.8T be recycled prematurely. That car again was fixed for only a few hundred of our English pounds and a few well spent leisurely hours with my tools.
Always the car enthusiast from day one, cars are more than merely a means of getting from A to B for me.
Back in '88 when I was in HS, a friend's Italian-American dad got one of these rare AR Milanos - in red, ofc. As I recall, the family was excited about it. Even in our suburban hometown, where there have been some intere$ting cars, it was uncommon to see. ETA: The Spider Veloce was another one I envied then.
I had an 88 v6 3.0 for a few years. And this is the only car I regret selling. It had 200000 miles and had a sebring exhaust on it. And man it sounded glorious!!! I really want one.
This grey one is a keeper, almost no rust, brakes and belts done. And the upholstery is actually special. Normally its gray or black velours. The cars from 1989 on had white dials. Only the first two years had these orange dials. Very nice!
Now i want one
The last "real"rear wheel drive Alfa.
Still quite a few 75's around here in yhr Netherlands/ Europe .Alfa check system never really worked properly but the car is a classic.
The 2 litre Twin spark with 150 bhp was
More popular over here but dont think it was sold in the US.I always loved that wedge shape,so unusual.Nice car👍
Did a college internship in Research Triangle Park, NC back in the 80s...used to see them around. RTP had a ton of BMWs, SAABs, Mercedes, Volvos and other high end vehicles.
I owned two of these Alfas known as the 75 here in the UK and Europe ( named to celebrate 75 years of Alfa Romeo when released in 1985). One was powered by a 2.0 Litre Twin Spark ( 2 Spark plugs per cylinder) and the second was powered by a 3.0 V6 designed by legendary Guiseppe Busso. These cars are now fetching serious money in the UK and Europe. Great cars and last of the true rear wheel drive Alfas before FIAT bought the company and saved them from financial ruin. Great Vlog!
Oh this is fun. I had a red Verde (3 liter) that was a 1987 (very rare-most were 88 or 89) as my second car when I was 20 years old. My first was a spider veloce. Alfas are great. This car handled so well and that engine sound is just amazing
Not only I've heard, but I owned a 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano. This V6 is the famous Busso motor. It sounds and performs GREAT. Of course, you need to take care of it, maintain it. It's an Italian car, after all.
Hi Wizard, one of the other cars similar to this one (in Europe at least) was the Lancia Thema.
I had one and it had a similar problem to Bill's.
One day I came out of my office to drive home, and the car wouldn't start. I had to get a recovery truck to take it to my specialist dealer. Within about 10 minutes, he had diagnosed that the steering column had been rubbing against the insulation of part of the wiring loom. Problem solved very quickly.🤣
Looks to be a 3.0L version... Limited slip, Recaro interior, just super fun. I had two, an 87' and a 89' Verde and just loved loved them. It has a few quirks but always worth it.
Had a silver model, 2.5l, but yes the verde is the one to have.
I owned two of these Alfas known as the 75 here in the UK and Europe ( named to celebrate 75 years of Alfa Romeo when released in 1985). One was powered by a 2.0 Litre Twin Spark ( 2 Spark plugs per cylinder) and the second was powered by a 3.0 V6 designed by legendary Guiseppe Busso. These cars are now fetching serious money in the UK and Europe. Great cars and last of the true rear wheel drive Alfas before FIAT bought the company and saved them from financial ruin. Great Vlog!
@@markbennett2170 I’d love to pick up a clean gtv6. If I had the money I’d source a twin spark and put it into a spider.
What gave it away? Was it were they said multiple times in the video that it's a 3.0L ...
I know the lot in Omaha he was talking about. I buddy of mine bought a new Spider in 1987. The salesman tried to get him into a Milano. Several years later I bought a 1986 Spider. It was a fun car.
My first car was a 89 Milano Verde. Paid $100 for it non-running but in great shape back in 1998.. ended up putting about 5K into it over the course of 2 years , and first drive it caught on fire. Wiring harness roasted. Ended up cutting my losses, selling it and buying a Saturn. Still miss that Alfa. Enjoy it Bill - it's definitely worth fixing!
The best Moroccan wiring harnesses on the market
Bad luck ..I caught fire in first drive out ..they really rusted in UK Alfa s generally
4:26 Yes, thank you Mr. Wizard! Saab was indeed cooperating in safety with Alfa Romeo in the 80's modifying a body cage for Saab 9000 platform, and Alfa did adapt to use Saab's designs and proportions from a 9000 16-valve model here. Even the radio is of the same model that I remember in my 9000's. They were just 2 years older of '86 vintage.
The Type 4 Floorpan was common to Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema. The Alfa had a lower roof line compared to the others. In theory the doors on the Saab, Fiat and Lancia were the same.....except they turned out not to be. I had three 164s and my father in law had a Thema.
Yeah, but this has longitudinal engine which neither of other four cars had (9000, Croma, 164, Thema) - so this was before SAAB came to Fiat and Alfa and said - hey, we don't have money, let's build a common platform. I had a 1990 SAAB 9000 with the giant 4-cyl (2.3 litre) and it was transverse and of course FWD. Also - all of them had much more conventional everything - no inboard brakes, no transaxle of course with FWD - but the SAAB had a weird subframe for the engine as far as I remember - also, its handling was pretty superb for a FWD. Very little understeer, esp. compared to the other car in family at the time - audi 100 2.2. Drove the SAAB into ground and sold to a guy from the countryside here in Latvia for abt. EUR 500 (350 latvian lats at the time) - who just needed the gearbox out of the car - which by the way worked perfectly. Cannot say that about many other things on the car.
@@JurisKankalis I know, I had a 75/ Milano too 😁
@@JurisKankalis I’ve had 2 of 1986 9000 and a 1993 9000 CSE. Drove like tanks. Loved every one of them. My 9-3’s of the last body style while feeling pretty light on the skinny pedal don’t have the same solid feel about the body- I dented one just by leaning on the C-pilar. So much for crumple zones. One of my 9000’s saved my life, but I don’t know if a 9-3 would do the same with similar road obstacle should it happen.
I missed the part where the customer was not happy. The Verde is a great car - I've got one in my garage right now, and have owned (and raced) many. Few items of note. First, you missed a critical item during the under car inspection, the drive shaft donuts. You need to inspect those for cracks or missing chunks. If the customer wants to replace the exhaust, it's a good time to address those. There is a front and a rear, and a center support. Regarding the ABS brakes, you can replace the system with a non ABS MC/pedal assembly from a Milano or GTV6. Lastly, somebody in the comments mentioned the ARC, yes those are famous for the 'disco' display. Somebody actually identified an overworked transistor on the ARC panel circuit board, you can replace that transistor with a higher voltage one and it solves most ARC problems. Good luck with the car, they're a ton of fun to drive!
This is one of my favorite cars of all time! I haven't seen any for sale here on the East Coast.
Pads with sensors are still available. The fix for the booster/ABS system is to replace it entirely with a normal vacuum booster with no ABS found on the lower end models.
For liability reasons I doubt any shop would do that
He is right though. That is the recommended fix in Alfa circles. It’s not a liability, you’re just swapping non ABS brakes from a less optioned model. Plenty of classics have non abs.
@@MrSkeltal268 much safer than than getting a fault in the system that shuts off your power brakes. In addition to parts not being available for the ABS system.
You are correct, I could easily find the front pads with sensors but not so much the rear. I know they are out there but I didn’t try too hard when I saw centerline selling pads only without sensors.
That car takes me back. My boss, at my job after college, had one. He was an older English guy who loved Italian cars. He already had an Alfa Romeo Spider and bought the Milano new. It was a gorgeous car for the time and I got to drive in it a few times. Unfortunately, it more than lived up to the Alfa Romeo reputation for (lack of) reliability. It was often in the shop.
Thank you wizard for sharing your knowledge and experience with this car. I particularly resonated with your comment about “unreliable, complex, italian cars” and it might not always be true. They often turn into basket cases because incompetent people try to butcher them together with wrong tools and parts.
These were police vehicles and were very common in the 80s/90s in Italy, and were doing their job quite well. Matter of fact, there is one in my area (GTV6) that gets regularly abused and autocrossed on weekends, and it still functions. They require a competent eye for maintenance but nothing as extraordinary as people might think. So yes, thank you for your unbiased, realistic opinion, it might actually draw more people into alfa ownership, at least those that are hesitant strictly because of that reliability factor (in fact, all older cars are unreliable lol)
Too many people give opinions without knowing the subject, and it just doesn’t do justice to some brilliant cars that are not well known.
The car magazines absolutely loved these in the late 80s. As a fresh out of college kid who graduated into a recession, it was on my list of cars I wanted but could never afford. And now that I can afford them, it's tough to find a decent one. Well done, Bill!
One of the best engine ever made, that sound ! 😀, amazing road capabilities, funny handbrake and be ready for a christmas tree at the dashboard, sold mine years ago and still regret it 👍👍
It’s a 75, and it’s still very common in the EU. The last RWD Alfa until the Giulia and Stelvio. And it’s not a four leaf clover, but a Quadrifoglio Oro ;)
Loved the Milano's advertising for the USA market. Still one of my favorite odd cars from the era. Thankful this one is in appreciative hands! 🍀
Such surprise to see this here at the Car Wizard! Had a 2.0L Twinspark years ago and I loved it so much. Also same color as this one. It was a joy. Engine was special; All aluminium from pan to valve lid. Great throttle response and the sound of a thoroughbred. Thing was also reliable and economical. This v6 is something else though. The stearing i remember was great; no understear to speak of. Perhaps consider new (Koni) shocks and a beafed up front roll bar. It worked great on mine. For looks I can recommend the Ronal A1 telephone rims as it fits the angular body style so well imo, but these are very fitting also. Enjoy Bill, cheers!
As an Alfa owner, I really loved this video.
We have had 2 75s. One was a 2L twin spark, the other a 2.5 v6 auto.
Overall they were reliable cars, just don’t expect the Alfa Control warning panel to work! When we bought the first one, a friend showed us what to look for on them - lifted the bonnet and said the only bits that go wrong are labelled Bosch. That said, v6 cam belt is a minor pain and the “tensioner” works by oil pressure and is a detensioner. Rust wasn’t a major issue generally, but the V6 had rusted around the windscreen where someone had wrecked the rust proofing doing a lousy job of changing a screen.
Changing the rear pads is a pain, with the handbrake on the top of the inboard calipers. Clutch is in the transaxle as well.
One thing to watch out for when driving. With the front window switch’s it can look like you are giving the finger to the car behind!
The front abs brake setup was an ATE setup. Think Volvo used a similar system. They have a poor “fail safe”, giving you one stop when they brake. We were lucky in the uk and didn’t get the ABS option.
Your customer is a lucky man. I bought used Alfa Romeo Alfasud in the 1980's and a used Giulietta in the 1990's ( the Milano which was called 75 in the UK was the successor to that giulietta). Both beautiful to drive but rusted away before my eyes. It didnt put me off. I currently drive a 2013 Giulietta.
I bought a 1985 Giulietta in 1994. I've still got it now. Oddly it never went rusty!
That's not a shamrock on the car. (Shamrocks only have three leaves and were never used as motifs by Alfa Romeo). No, it is a cloverleaf (quadrifoglio in Italian), which is a designation used by Alfa to denote that it's a high-performance model.
Having sat in and driven a few Alfas of this era, the one thing I always remembered is that the driving position is best suited to someone with arms as long as their legs.
Just started looking at the channel as the 75 caught my eye, and this looks amazing compared to some rubbish I've been looking at Down Under. I've owned 3 x 75 V6 plus many other Alfas in the past, but the 75 is the champion model for me. They are great cars to own and drive, and that V6 Busso engine is like no other. You won't be disappointed with Alfa' s last Hurrah model before Fiat bought them out in 84. Best rear wheel drive car, in my opinion. Can't wait to get another very soon. Will subscribe and follow 🇬🇸
i worked on those in the dealership when they were new. the 6 cyl is the best one. very fun car to drive.
Electrical (alfa control) is a whole different story with those Alfa's.
random faultcodes that just needed a hit on the dashboard to reset..lol
Finally an Alfa.I have had a few, a 33 (still own it), a few the USA didn’t get:155 V6,156,159, 166 and now a giulia (and a montreal to keep the 33 company). I hope that one a day a Monti will show up at the wizards place😀
Enjoy the 75!!
Beautiful alfa! I'm happy to hear the car wizard finally mention SAAB. I watch all the wizards videos on euro cars and I'm hoping one day he will cover a SAAB. Particularly an old SAAB 900 or 9000.
Yes, I think he should revisit Saab. In one of his videos, his complaint was that the 9000, I think, didn't good good enough gas mileage. Also, Mrs. W's uncle complained about fixing them back in the '80s, I guess? In any case, I think like a lot of mechanics or YTers who find OG or NG Saabs, he might find them easy to work on and enjoyable to drive. Also, parts aplenty, pretty good for brand that's been gone a decade.
Well hello there. Be aware of the crunchyness of the undercarriage. And bushings. Lot of bushings, actually all of them. On the suspensions. On the gearbox leverages. Also, the gearbox is made of glass and the gear's bearing wear out fast. This is for Ms Wizard, the dummy buttons behind the handbrake handle are for the rear power windows and the passenger buttwarmer that were both options.
Put a glass pack after the cats and a straight pipe with a tip. I promise you, it will be the best sounding exhaust for that. Congrats on the purchase bill.
They actually sound best when left stock. Since the music is coming from the front anyways.
NOS Ansa exhaust mufflers are still available. And sound amazing.
Nawh. Just get Ansa exhaust. Best sound ever.
@@apscoradiales I’ve tried ansa. They sound great but It was a little too droney in my opinion. I’ve also tried magnaflow but I still ended up with a custom set up and to me, this was the best sound that really highlights the Busso.
@@DaleDriven combine it with csc headers. I have that in my GTV6 and it is glorious. No drone.
Great find. I remember this as the Alfa 75 in Europe. Quirky design - you either loved it or hated it. This was when Alfa made great engines with the Twin Spark technology. I had two versions of the Alfa 164, the V6 and the 2.0 twin spark. Interestingly i preferred the 2.0 Twin spark - a wonderful throaty motor and frugal as well.
well done, Car Wizard, I admire your calmness in dealing with these issues.
My father had one of these (Alfa 75 with 4-cylinder twin cam engine) The electrics were a nightmare, several control boxes in the dash and under the seats had overheated and melted the plastics. For example every time you pushed the brake pedal the dome light would come on. Very nice car to drive though
Surprised there was no mention of the DeDion rear suspension. Love that Milanos, seriously under appreciated cars. Other than some surface rust that one looks to be in great shape. I have had 4, I currently have 2 and plan to buy another Verde from a friend soon.
If you missed out on the GTV6 because prices are heading up go grab a Milano.
Why would the branding of the rear suspension make it into the video?
@@agenericaccount3935 it’s not a brand name, it’s a type of suspension design that is not very common due to its complexity. Look it up if you aren’t familiar with it.
@@autoarcheologist I noticed it was weird, for sure! So much effort for handling....even putting the transaxle in the back with CV joints...then just connecting the rear wheels with a solid bar?! figured I must be missing something...then I looked it up. Pretty cool!
We talked about it but it didn’t make the cut
@@williamohlmeyer6988 makes sense. I forget you guys probably film a lot more than you present, unlike us amateurs.
I've been a massive fan of the 75 (Milano) since it was new in the 80's. I read all about these in Car and Driver, Road&Track, and Automobile magazines. I'm very grateful that I've gotten to see one in real life. Thankfully these are rear wheel drive. When the 164 replaced it, it was front wheel drive. These are absolutely gorgeous cars. So glad to see that it's in very good condition for it's age. Most of these were Ferrari red. Of the ones that came to the US, many were automatics. Thank you.
Amazing car, that was called Alfa Romea 75 here in Finland - and rest of Europe, I think. A friend of my elder brother had one, but with a tiny 1.6 liter engine. As a teenager that time I dreamd of QV version. The 75's reputation was a car with many problems, though.
I have a number of the the GTV - GTV6 versions of this chassis. This car is in incredible shape. A set of Koni Yellows will sort the problem with the originals. Bill, Alfaholics has a handling kit (front sway bar and rear springs). It is well worth the money. You've got a really good example !! Congratulations
Was a bit surprised, honestly, to see it in the Wizard's shop. I've been an Alfa fan forever, and I'm happy to see these nifty cars get their share of the spotlight.
Truly a great car. When it went up on the lift and the only major things wrong were needing four shocks and a complete exhaust system. Looks like a great purchase to me.
even the local alfa dealer said, after open the hood of my 75 3 liter, i never seen this engine^^
i loved the fast car in alfa red, the few alfa drver greeted each other on the road
I almost bought one of these when they were super cheap, really regretting it now. It was the last mainstream Alfa developed independently from Fiat. While it's replacement the 155 was great it was on a Fiat platform.
@0:23 I have seen it so often. It is the Alfa Romeo 75. It is the base for one of the best DTM touring cars of the 90ies. According to the rules Alfa had the option to either go turbocharged or AWD. They went for the later and created a high reving V6 instead. 😊
i think you mean the 155 DTM. Alfa only raced with the 75 in IMSA (1.8 Turbo) Very nice cars
A beautiful Alfa Romeo 75, thanks for sharing this @car wizard !
I had an Alfa75 here in Australia. the 4 cylinder twin spark in red. My God, I love that car, drove beautifully. Style, handling and soul. I also had 3 Alfa 33s as a young man all those years ago. I had no idea they made it to the USA, not a market I would have thought appreciated a car like that.
Jeremy Clarkson drove the European version during an episode of Top Gear. The racetrack part was epic
Rolled it on its side, then drove it another like 200 miles. Only show left on tv/ streaming that’s worth watching.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. WIizard enjoyed the diagnosis of the car, y'all take care and God bless.
OMG !!! i can believe you doing this car. love this car, i had a 75 turbo america and i crashed it :( miss it everyday.
I love the Alfa 75! I had a lot of Alfa's in my life. Living in the Netherlands we have a lot of Alfa Romeo's here and parts are not hard to come by.
Interesting videos, I recall seeing Milanos every so often growing up in Southern New England. I think Alfas were more popular in Southern New England compared to other parts of the nation.
Thanks Wizard, Ms, & Bill for sharing this sweet find. Imagine getting exact car of your teen dreams in good condition! Body, paint, engine, trans, interior all good shape. Don't sweat small stuff. Mostly metal engine parts.For 35 year low production car, buy some consumable parts, like brake pads, plugs, timing belts, a clutch kit, water pump, distributor cap/rotor, belts, hoses...before you can't get them. Enjoy for long time.
Very nice Milano. Good deal from BaT. Best color for this car. I had 2 of them and they were quite reliable. Timing belt every 36k mi might sound expensive BUT it is very easy and simple to do, much easier to maintain than cars that built after 2000. Just put a new timing belt, water pump, exhaust, new shocks, and polish it and it will look and drive really nice!
Another great video Wizard. This one struck a chord with me, having bought my Milano Verde from the original owner back in 2015. I've bought and sold many cars in that time period, but the Milano is still in my garage and one of my favorite all time cars to drive. They are not fast by modern standards - quickish would be accurate - but the sound, feel and overall character win you over before you've even done 5 miles. It's a seriously enjoyable car to wring out on your favorite B road with sublime chassis dynamics and balance, excellent steering and brake pedal modulation and that jewel of a V6 up front making music so sweet you would swear Vivaldi gave his seal of approval. Highly underrated cars IMO, and so much more interesting than an E30. And before you call me an Alfa fanboy, keep in mind that I own and race E30s! More of this car please.
I have always liked those
Milano's. Beautiful cars.
That one is in amazing shape for its age.
We had a few of these when i grew up, a 1986 2,0 twin cam with 130hp, a 1987 2,5 v6 with 155hp and a 1988 3.0 with 185hp. Fantastic cars and i’ve always loved the looks, especially with more aggressive wheels with a lower offset. It’s not at all as unreliable as people might think either, the 75/milano was a very well engineered car. The massive parking brake lever is such a cool feature.
The Alfa Romeo Milano was and may still be one of the best driving machines ever built. Love them.
Fond memories of my 1986 Milano. Puccini on four wheels. Could never get the fuel tank above 3/4 unless I filled it ever so slowly, and the radio would lose presets if the engine didn't start on the first try! But the sounds that engine made... Melted.my heart.like Puccini.
WOW Wizard, that is one great looking Milano! Love all classic Alfa Romeos!!! The 4 leaf clover 🍀 is the racing team symbol 👍👍👍 Thanks for doing what you do, we LOVE your videos🎉🎉🎉
Great to see another Alfa in the shop,but this is the second Busso engine you have had in that you havent started. Many of your viewers may not have heard the Arese Violin which is a shame. Hope we can see an update with a new exhaust - by coincidence a well respected aftermarket exhaust maker from Penrith in the UK produces beautiful exhausts and manifolds for the V6 under the brand name Wizard exhausts, surely this is a sign?
Very cool car. I would expect Doug Milano to do a review on this just because it is so rare. More than happy to watch Mr/Mrs wizard to do the job tho! ✌️
Oh man, blast from the past, Alfa 75 is beautiful example of Italian craftsmanship. Designer is drunk and builders are drunk or hangover or strike. Like Jeremy Clarkson says "all alfas have their error lights and issues, but they are different on each one at different times".
This older, Alfa Romeo looks rare, compared to the newer ones, like the Stelvio crossover.
I had three Milano's, two gold models, and the 3.0! In red, grey Recaro interior. Funny I bought my 3.0 in Omaha, Nebraska! Unfortunately it was a rust bucket. Every one, had the "Christmas tree lights " just an Alfa quirks, power windows up by the windshield, rear windows by the armrest, so you put down the rear windows..... why is there wind blowing inside?... oh I opened the rear window by mistake! If you love Alfa's start with spider.. the cheapest classic Alfa to maintain! Im a Hoovies subscriber.. just disappointed he hasn't bought one yet! I'm in the Midwest I might bring him my 1986 Spider veloce.. for a little love. Great video. Which I will not get any response. As an owner of over 15 Alfa Romeo's and a club member back in the day! I tracked my 2.5, and some a.h..commented that it looked like a milk truck.. it was white , with Grey velour interior, 5 speed.. gotta love that 50 / 50 weight distribution! Even though mine had the battery in the front.. versus.. my spider, 164, Alfetta.. sedan and 4 gtv.. four cylinders! Wizard!!!!
Hey Wizard & Mrs Wizard, how are things going with the bus??? I think that we need another update!!! Thanks for sharing another interesting video!!! 👍🙂👍
Had a teacher when I was in middle/high school 30 years back who had one of those and a Merkur XR4Ti … always thought they both were odd/ugly looking vehicles. Now they turn my head in the rare times I see them. LOL
I actually heard of this car when I was a young buck, first time I seen one was in 1987 coming home from school in a shopping center lol...I thought the world of that car , looked awesome! I would always try to find model kits for it 😂😂😂!
Here in Italy is Called Alfa 75, really special car, especially the 1.8l turbo evoluzione spec, I really want one of them! Also the 3.0 v6 Busso engine is pretty good, sound amazing, this engine is called "the Arese violin"!
That was a really interesting video on the Alfa Romeo. Beautiful car oh, I always love them. It would have been nice, and added some perspective if the auction price was disclosed to the viewers. It would have been very relevant to know how much this car cost. Thanks and best wishes
It sold for $12,750 on BaT.
Yeah! I had an 88 Milano 3.0 Quadrifolgio in the early 90s. I’d spent time in Rome for school a few year prior so of course. Fun car. Sold it cause pre RUclips couldn’t figure out how to fix the brakes or get the ABS controller box. And I had some kids. Mine was black. Great engine sound. Fun manual transmission.
Yes!!! Car wizard in his Alfa Era!!!
Another nice and informative video, the only point I would quibble over is that the rear badge isn't a shamrock but rather a clover leaf used on Alfa performance vehicles.
I liked the twin spark v6.. Had one briefly as a company car when everyone else in the company rejected it because the seat was terrible.. but for a 6'5" person.. that seat was fine. Loved it.
Wizard, please check the timing belt tensioner. Original is oil pressure driven and prone to leaks. I converted to manual ones on ours. Ours were 2.5's. Don't know if Alfa updated these for the 3.0. Just a thought sir...
I had a new dark blue '87 Milano Silver (their base model) and my wife liked it so much, a few months later she purchased a bright red '88 Milano Gold (mid-range model).
Bill sounds like a customer you'd really want.
Game recognize game.
The Europe the 75 came in many versions: 1.6L, 1.8L, 1.8L Turbo, 2.0L twinspark, V6 2.5L and weirdest of all 2.4L turbo diesel made by VM. This car was a direct competitor to cars like the BMW e30 325i or Mercedes 190e 2.6L or even the Masarati BiTurbo. Because of RWD, the DeDion rear axel and excellent weight distribution these cars make very nice track cars.
Buying an Italian 🇮🇹 car sight unseen…I too like to live dangerously 😁
I've had around 12 or so Alfa's in a row , including 3 Busso engined cars, it's a very special lump and elevates any car it's in. My current daily is a Brera S one of 500 made for the UK market by rally company Prodrive .
They have a way of getting under your skin !
N.B These cars were sold as the 75 in Europe .
That’s a beautiful car !
It’s great to see the Wizard going thru this car with the owner - an owner who knows cars and is very realistic. Good job Wizard, Mrs Wizard, and Bill!.
Thanks!
Lose Mrs. Wizard
At 11:39 I can see the side of the frame looks rotted through next to the torsen bar. Great car. Sorry to point out another problem with the car. I hope you get it all fixed up and enjoy it.
Thanks for all of the great videos Wizard. My 2.5 year old son loves your newer video.
Wonderful, the Alfa 75 (aka Milano in the US), the last of the Alfas before Fiat took over. As a kid I loved that car when it came out. And this one is in great shape. Hopefully we'll get so see it running, I'd love to hear that Busso V6.
Good purchase for Bill, lovely V6 Busso engined Alfa Romeo, best sounding V6 engine. don't worry about the gearchange which is due to long linkage , rear gearbox and diff ,very good weight distribution, hence very good handling and road holding. inboard rear discs for better cooling. İn Europe the car was called Allfa 75. I hapened to have owned oneiI enjoyed driving it for many years. You are lucky to have Mr. Wizard helping you. Don't sell this car enjoy driving it. The warning lights sometimes come and off for no reason. Thanks for the video. Legend car.
@ahmet alkin: Alfa 75 is fitted with inboard rear brakes to reduce the unsprung mass of the rear axle. It's not for better cooling - in fact it usually has the opposite effect.
The first thing I would do is power wash the entire underside so you can really see where all the leaks are. Fix the leaks. Get all that surface rust brushed off and then spray seal the underside.
In typical Alfa fashion it self rustproofed with a coating of oil. Love them!