The Story Of The Unforgettable Alfa Romeo 75 Milano

[@Matteo_Licata]

Before you ask: Yes, the 75 you see early in the video is the one restomodded by the great Davide Cironi :) I filmed it at Turin's MAuto museum, where it was on display.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

With his affectionate persona, he sort of sums up everything of what being an "Alfisti" is all about.

[@lynnhooley7608]

Thank you Matteo for another interesting video. I like watching yt videos on the channel of Davide Cironi also.

[@delahayenator]

Gotta love his channel. Great interviews and builds. The last one he did is an Alfetta GTV6 . Awesome build.

[@michaflak5174]

Hahaha. I'm astounded Your memory and mating scematic Mateo! I almost forgot- great episode ❤

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Fantastic! I always wondered what the finished car turned out like! Davide’s videos are simply brilliant - a must for anyone with an interest in Italian cars!

[@martinclapton2724]

Had 2 , Alfa 75s. 1st was a 1987 Twin Spark , with the revised front grille , possibly the best Alfa I had. Generally very reliable , used as family transport as well as attending numerous car club shows . Never used any oil , contrarily to the belief they do, comfortable, fast , loved her. Despite buying her from a local non specialist second hand car garage, she was quite well prepared. Owned her from Valentines Day, February 1995 to late summer 1997, when an unfortunate accident ended our affair. It’s replacement, was a 1998 3.0 V 6. Unfortunately, this car was not so well prepared, despite coming from a so- called Alfa specialist. Having spent continuous money to correct her, she did remain with me til 2001 . Saying that , she did take me to Carcassonne in the South of France , one of memorable drives of my life , for a family holiday in year 2000 .

[@gaetanoflorio6277]

I was living in Italy when the 75 was released and immediately fell in love with the lines and wedge shape. Coming from Australia, alot of cars had straight lines and less curves so the appeal was there. When I returned to Australia in 86, I bought my first 1979 Alfetta sedan and restored it. Sold it and bought the last series 2lt Giulietta sedan, sold it for a an Alfa 90, sold it as well, then my foray into the 75. Bought a 2.5lt auto which I didn't enjoy due to it's ZF 3 speed. Sold it and bought another 2.5lt and semi restored it and was my favourite. Red with aftermarket alloy wheels. It was a stunner. Regrettably sold it and bought another a few years later. Sold that one as well and now I miss all of them. Would love to get a 3lt Potenziata but becoming very hard to come by here as well fetching up to $30k. Love this model, the last of the rear drive Alfa's. Sellers remorse here......thank you Matteo for the story. Only sorry we didn't cath up when I was in Milan last month. Ciao 👋

[@through_changes]

Loved the video! The 75 has always a special place to every Alfisti's heart!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed! Thank you!

[@simonelliott5956]

I had two 75s a 2.0 TS Veloce (uk only I think) and a 3.0V6 Veloce, the latter modified by Autodelta Services in the UK, with uprated brakes, torsion bars rear springs and Bilsteins all round, plus cams and exhaust. The latter being the car I wish I’d held on to more than any other I’ve ever had! Great video as always!

[@goffredo1965]

I had only the 1.6 around 1994, and oke it was only a 1.6, it's still my favorite car i had

[@marcschweiger9068]

Thank you for the great video. I am watching this in anticipation as I recently bought a 1988 6v 3.0 america and am now waiting for it to be ready for collection. It is so exciting to watch this and to know that I will have this car in the parking soon. My last 75 was a 2.0 TS ASN that I owned while living in the UK in 2006/2007, it was perfect and served as a reliable daily driver, not only for my Sunday dashes, but also driven by my wife on school runs and as shopping trolley during the week. We took the car twice accross to Germany and France, long drives, fully loaded. It was perfect. Crazy to think, when I left the UK I struggled to sell the ASN in excellent condition for more than GBP 1200.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool, that’s great to hear! Congratulations on your purchase. Yes, the 75’s time as a collectors’ item is a recent phoenomenon, especially outside Italy, where the model was perhaps more regarded than anywhere else. But I’m glad these cars now get the respect they deserve

[@studiocalder818]

A flash with the high beams and a click of the horn to you, a real member of the Alfisti family 😉

[@studiocalder818]

A model born as a makeshift has entered straight into the hearts of the Alfists. The rest of the world doesn't understand why they never drove it

[@nrs6956]

Thank you. Viva Alfa Romeo.

[@23Piccolina]

I owned a '89 Milano V6. It was a fantastic sedan.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool! 👍

[@bath1968]

Superb video 👌 as always, loved the 75 lines

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!

[@Suprahampton]

I've said it before but will always say, the 75 was my first Alfa Romeo, it was my daily driver & I miss it everyday

[@anakondase]

My 1986 75 QV is without a doubt the car I've had the most fun with. I have regretted many times that I sold it back in 2001.

[@brunotulliani]

In the 80's a friend of mine had the 3.0 Milano and it was a rocket! Not many were sold in Canada and the there was very little marketing if I remember correctly. Alfa was always ahead of the curve when it came to design and engineering. What Alfa offered in performance and style was way better than what the American companies were offering in that period. North Americans were not into light, agile, and spirited driving. The muscle car philosophy was too ingrained in the automotive culture. Once again thank you for the memories!

[@Texmotodad]

Thank you so much! My wife and I really enjoyed our Milano's when we lived in Austin, Texas. Hers, a red 1988 Gold automatic (hey, it's HER car!) and my dark blue 1987 Silver (base) manual. We enjoyed chasing each other around in the Texas Hill Country. Both had the 2.5 150HP engines which were plenty fast for us. One day, she confessed she went over 100MPH and was a little scared. She said she told herself "don't touch the brakes - slowly release the gas pedal". Did I marry well or what?! We considered the 164 as a replacement, a beautiful body and interior, but it didn't drive as well. Not as well balanced. Thanks for the video!!!

[@Matteo_Licata]

That’s a fantastic story, thank you for sharing! The automatic Milanos had a self-leveling rear suspension system that was unique to them: never present on any european model.

[@otomobilmece]

Such a fantastic car with a sad end. The 75 is the most unforgettable car of Alfisti.

[@individual1977]

Another fantastic review Matteo!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@johnphaceas7434]

I simply love the 75, especially its fantastic '80s boxy style that so many people find jarring. Superb lines, and in 3.0L Potenziata trim, superb everything. I will get one eventually - it might be the only thing I would consider swapping my 156 GTA for.

[@johnphaceas7434]

or I could probably be swayed to trade the GTA for the 75 Evoluzione Turbo, even though I'm not into forced induction.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I think there's no replacement for a Busso that's not another Busso :) Never driven a 75 V6, but it must be awesome!

[@nicolaiendsj1407]

I currently have a 89' 75 2.0 Twin Spark as a retro daily driver, here in Norway. Only used during summertime. It is a fantastic driving machine. The transaxle layout really gives the car a unique balance. I Love it!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Very nice! Cool, hope you'll keep enjoying it for a very long time then!

[@studiocalder818]

Original choice over there I imagine

[@nicolaiendsj1407]

@@studiocalder818 absolutely. The BMW E30, Mercedes W201, Ford Sierra and Volvo 240 series were/are the common ones.

[@raufsahin334]

Beautiful Machine ...

[@gearhead9828]

Just today I finally got my Giulietta out of hibernation, so very pleased to watch a great video about its close relative. Thanks, Matteo. Ciao🙋‍♂️

[@Matteo_Licata]

Wonderful! Enjoy your lovely Giulietta!

[@ppaz1956]

Pls share your video, my fav car Giulietta

[@Pat_RickX]

Great video to give the 75 the respect it deserves. Thx Matteo.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you liked it!

[@johndangelo9630]

Grazie Bravo!

[@paullacey2999]

Still an awesome car😍

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed!

[@roby72s]

My uncle Alfonso owned an Alfa Romeo 75, here in Puglia. I was about 12 years old and my uncle came to pick me up to go to the sea side. I remember saying to my uncle, you drive very fast, and my uncle reply was: this is an Alfa she likes to go fast. I have always loved the Alfa 75.

[@Matteo_Licata]

That's cool and oh-so-Italian :)

[@Panos-xo9rc]

I love this car...

[@prestigeplayer1780]

My 1st car was Giuleitta 2.0, my 2nd car was a 75 2.0 Tspark, my 3rd car was a 75 3.0. I loved this video thank you so much, as you know this was a very special car for the time and as you say the last of the classic Alfa Romeo line.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool, glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@tolgaetci9539]

Such a unique car with no any other car, and mechanically full Alfa Romeo from engine to chassis, pure riding pleasure

[@rabit818]

I’m curious why Alfa changed the the 75 to Milano in the United States. Regardless, it is a fitting name. I remember seeing a lot of 75/Milanos in Los Angeles. I still find it beautiful and unique to this day.

[@studiocalder818]

Actually when I was on the west coast in 2004 I saw a few in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. And also around Chicago a few years earlier

[@Matteo_Licata]

The reasoning was that Americans would have preferred a name rather than a number, and I think it was a good idea after all.

[@Gek98]

Bellissimo video! Ho una 75 da tre anni (oltre ad aver passato l'infanzia su un'altra 75) e la amo.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Grazie! Eh, capisco, come non si può amare la 75? Che versione è la tua?

[@Gek98]

@@Matteo_Licata È un'umile 1.6 ie, però è praticamente perfetta e sa dare le sue soddisfazioni! Se può interessarti sul mio canale trovi qualche video sulla 75. Ciao e buona serata!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Sono andato a vederla, bellissima, complimenti! Poi il Rosso Alfa 130 fa proprio piacere, grande 👍

[@Gek98]

@@Matteo_Licata grazie!!

[@fhwolthuis]

Excellent video! 🍀❤️👍🏻😃

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!

[@resemblesanacorn6561]

Wonderful. Thank you. ♥

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you too!

[@studiocalder818]

I guess you have already thought about it, dear Matteo: even more so after this video I would feel the need to dedicate a story to the figure of Ermanno Cressoni, so loved by his collaborators and by some Alfisti, so little known to others. I remember him when he came to give a lecture at the Politecnico of Milan on interior design trends.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I’d love to make something, either a book or a documentary, to honor Ermanno Cressoni. But it’s a big project, so I can’t make any promises: will take time and effort to do it properly.

[@gearhead9828]

This is a great idea!

[@asgerms]

I owned/drove a 1991 75 3.0 for 22 years. Such a fantastic car, nothing out there (on normal person budget) gives me the same excitement/goosebumps. No problems, just scheduled maintenance. Even the electronics stayed fully operational (no spurious warning lights, etc.). Don't know why Alfa got such a bad rep for unreliability, but I suspect some people are undisciplined regarding proper warm-up/cool-down. Or don't wanna pay for proper maintenance with quality components/liquids, or pay for a well-looked-after example from the beginning.

[@Matteo_Licata]

What always strikes me about Alfas, new and old, is how polarized their owners' experience seems to be: there are those who never had a problem and others who will tell you it's the least dependable car they've owned. There seems to be nothing in between :) Glad you enjoyed your 75, and I think you're right, neglect may explain many of those horror stories...

[@ElectricUAM]

I had the last 75/Milano Quadrifolglio sold in the US, black. It was amazing. I had a previous 2.5 and the 3.0L was smoother if not as much as a revver as the 2.5, it made up with its torque. I still miss it to this day :(

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you for sharing your memories with me. I always enjoy hearing from those who owned these cars

[@sean131sm]

I owned two 2 L T-sparks and a 3.0l v6 and can confirm these were fantastic cars, I really loved them, wish I still had my V6. Funnily enough mine all 1988 F reg so were near or over 10 years old and not one problem with rust. The 3.0 blew its plenum chamber off a few times though.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The 75 was very well rustproofed from the factory: by then, Alfa had learnt its lesson, but bad reputations take forever to rectify, sadly…

[@sean131sm]

@@Matteo_Licata Sadly you are right Matteo .Here in the UK Alfa and Fiat are still kind of synonymous with a dubious reputation which I think is very unfair. Forgot to add in my first comment cracking video as usual.

[@pauldaviesvoiceover]

The 75 was a standout, still is. Great video Matteo 👍🏻

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@cata5351]

You love it or you hate it, there is no in between!

[@studiocalder818]

That's true! (I'm in the right side)

[@viper3997]

This car is as iconic as the iveco 190.48 and the m3 e30, i can(incredibly proudly) say that i own a very specimen(1.6 1991 verde mirto metallizzato) and it deserves all of the hype it has. Love your channel continua così

[@Matteo_Licata]

Verde Mirto is a great color too, very successful on 33s but rarer on 75s. Thank you!!!

[@viper3997]

@@Matteo_Licata i've seen one many years ago(not yet knowing it would be my first actual car) and fell in love with it, the color became my main goal, along with the plate of my province(ca) and my car has both

[@MilanStojakov]

Love the video. Thanks 👍

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you liked it, thank you!

[@michaflak5174]

At last! The only T.spark 8v alternative for my Maserati 4.24v when I was looking for my own italian godess....

[@nicolaypol]

La dernière vraie Alfa en transaxle ....

[@Lancia444]

Had the 2.5 V6....such a great car!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool! 👍

[@vikopm022]

Great video, I remember it as one of the first cars I felt in love, and I will definitely have one one day. Also shout out for the amazing stupinigi area where you film this, great vid as always, thank you

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@troybaca912]

For 3 years I was able to own a 2.5 Milano that was fondly known as "The Rocket" in our family, wish I still had it.

[@gritnltw]

My parents were looking to get and Alfa 75, eventually they went for a Lancia Prisma as Alfa was about to bankrupt back then. Please make a video for Lancia Prisma, a highly disregarded car, having lived in the shade of Delta and 75. It was a lovely car. Elegant, great handling.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The Prisma was remarkably successful in its day, and it’s definitely worth a video, as soon as I’ll manage to film one!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

An oddly handsome car - I always liked the angled lines, and only worked out quite recently that it shared the Alfetta’s centre section. The mis-aligned side door mouldings always amused me - reminds me of the Austin Montego which shared the same styling trick to hide the fact that it shared its doors with the smaller Maestro…….this is what car makers with limited budgets had to do to save development costs! Not that I’m comparing the 75 with an Austin!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Speaking of the Maestro and Montego... My English teacher owned a Montego estate when I was a teen. Why do I remember that? Because she was the only Italian I've ever heard pronouncing "Austin" properly :)

[@simonhodgetts6530]

@@Matteo_Licata makes a change from Brits pronouncing Lancia incorrectly!

[@orangeutan39]

The 75 1.8ie was my parents second Alfa Romeo. The car got in the early 1994 the DTM 1993 livery.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool!

[@TheInstructor66]

Great video, and a great car the 75. Personally i call this era of AR the «ruler era», due to the designes. Then came the 156… But thats a story in another video. 😉 RIP to all the 75’s who donated their TS engine to a tipo 105. I have in this, and other videos notice the long and beautyfull brickbuilding in the background of your videos. Where is it located, and what is the story about it?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Those buildings are nearby a spectacular former royal residence, the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, a stone’s throw away from Fiat’s Mirafiori plant.

[@des9655]

I had two.. a 1988 Gold 5speed, yes you could get an automatic in the 2.5 model only here in the USA . And a 87 Verde. I tracked the 88, it was stock with all the interior, exterior.. someone came up to me and asked if I was driving a milk truck.. because it was so boxy looking.. I laughed. With a lot of cars, it was a love it or hate it in the styling department. I really wanted to have 3 Alfa's total.. in a reasonable world. 84 - 93 spider... Weekend cruiser, which I currently have.. a 86 veloce. The daily 94 - 95 164 ls automatic.. then 86 gtv6.. for track.. and whatever. So for now I'm happy enjoying my spider.. yet it is been super hot here in my part of the states, and unfortunately the air conditioning doesn't work. So I'll stick to my boring daily with vols AC.. but another great video as always!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool, thank you for sharing!

[@peterli6138]

Great video Matteo, but what happened to the other video that you have made about the same car (the one starting with showing the 75 sliding through the corner)?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Most of the earliest videos I've made are now gone, as they no longer reflected the level of quality my content has today: better audio and mostly original footage.

[@domtoni4567]

I had 2 Alfa 75s, 3,0 V6 Busso in Germany. The first one was about a year old when I was hit from behind under the isenbahnbrueke in Koeln, and the second I had for a few more years while in Germany. Great cars, fast, great seats, brakes at 230 Kph were not good !!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thanks for sharing! Yes I've heard from quite a few owners that the faster 75s could have done with stronger brakes!

[@kallekas8551]

Hope you are well…

[@stephenbrookes7268]

All Alfas are future classic cars from new, mainly due to very low production and low survival rates. Unfortunately this era of cars had the propensity to dissolve,and had reliability issues. This made it difficult to get past the "banger phase" in a car's life. The survivors do tend to be sought after. So, give an old Alfa a home but be prepared to spend some money. It will reward you eventually. Now I have to go and get a custom built exhaust for my 04 GT. As it is no longer available. There are a few bits of tin worm to sort, but nothing terminal. Very soon this last shout for Alfa by Bertone will be in the much sought after territory. Love Alfas, the will love you back.

[@tfj100]

I had 2x75 Twin Sparks and nothing went wrong with them...although the first one had some blinking warning lights which you could just ignore. It seems like most people who posted had similarly positive experiences. Although the GTV6 was the better looking car, the 75 3.0V6 would be an ideal classic to run for that reason.

[@stephenbrookes7268]

@@tfj100 If you are lucky you get a car that has been looked after they are fine. I have had several 156s petrol and diesel a 159 totally reliable. A Sud back in the early 80s went like the clappers, handled like a fighter plane and the sound track was better than Puccini. Mine had no rust either (Ziebart) if only I had known how rare they would become. That my 25 Jubilee mini and my 1981 Spitfire would all be in a hermetically sealed chamber now, along with all my 1970s motorbikes.

[@ivangreco8874]

Topppp 75

[@giannigreco75]

The last real Alfa Romeo 💪💪💪🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@ppaz1956]

Got my Alfa 33ti in 86, same time as my friend who bought a Honda Accord. Within a year his Accord front steering joints was changed twice under warranty. No problem with my 33 , who says Itailan cars were problematic or I was just lucky?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Italian cars' reputation for unreliability is way overblown, and nowadays mostly unwarranted too. It seems to me that Alfa owners who experience issues with their cars tend to tell everyone, while owners of other brands make less of a fuss. Even here in Italy, people are often too quick to bash Fiats, Alfas, and Lancias, yet remarkably patient and forgiving if their VW or Toyota breaks. In the era of global suppliers and long supply chains, the old national stereotypes make no sense, as cars are built pretty much the same way everywhere.

[@minopino3]

Important to mention, the interior. If it was a 1.6 or a 3.0 there were only little differences. Not like a volkwagen, if you needed a rmp meter, you have to pay extra, you need a light voor your sigaret? Pay extra, ppsst in the 75 was a car lighter IN THE BACK OF THE CAR and there were no mobile phones. Alfa already knew! They were luxury cars for a reasonable price, but the rest of Europe had their heads in there a..... You know were😉

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed. Like it or not, the interior of the 75 was pretty much the same even if you got the 3.0 V6: just a better fabric for the seats! My favorite is the ASN, because of its Recaro interior

[@a200tq1]

It's next to impossible to find the Milano in the USA, unfortunately. So I ended up with a 1991 Alfa 164 like a project/restoration/weekend car.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Really? I suppose most have been junked long ago then… A few have also found their way back to Italy, as local enthusiasts have imported some very good Milanos. Seen them at shows

[@Steve-gc5nt]

The 164 is nice though, yes?

[@individual1977]

Your video has inspired me to buy a 2.5 Milano next week. In other words Matteo, it's your fault!:)

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool! Congratulations on your purchase then, hope it’ll give you a lot of driving enjoyment 👍

[@individual1977]

@@Matteo_Licata Thanks Matteo.

[@albertseabra9226]

A nice looking car, unfortunately in the US sales suffered due to a poor maintenance history. The Milano, like previous Alfas was not a reliable vehicle. And as a trade-jn they had very little value. The lucrative american market penalized the Milano. Although a nice looking and fun-to-drive vehicle, competing with comparable German and Japonese cars was impossible. For a car owner, a trouble-free experience matters -- product-quality is King!

[@studiocalder818]

The usual vulgate. Due to inadequate assistance. As you can read here, the vast majority here have had more than one and have traveled many kilometers. And it seems that everyone is very satisfied. Like me, who have had 3 and have had an SZ for 20 years

[@BibionTourr]

❤️

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

What model relaced the 75 ?

[@studiocalder818]

Alfa 155

[@Driver599]

You say that the 75 was the 1st turbocharged Alfa, so were the Giulietta (116) Turbodelta a version made by Autodelta and not by Alfa in Arese?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yep! The Giulietta Turbodelta was an Autodelta special too, meant to be produced in just 500 examples. The 75 Turbo instead was designed and manufactured directly by Alfa Romeo, and that fact was also used in the period promotional material

[@timhancock6626]

I think my 1989 metallic blue 75 Twin Spark with sun roof and Revolution alloy wheels was the high point of my car ownership experience. I did 80,000 miles in two years and loved every minute in spite of its interior design eccentricity. I found the car a bit short of brakes if you drove it hard and I experienced some buttock clenching fade on fast descents. It's not nice to know that you have to release the brakes even though you are going too fast downhill 🤔😁. It was eccentric, it was imperfect, but there isn't a better handling better balanced car out there. I feel privileged to have had one, but two years was far too short. I traded it for a 164 Twin Spark Lusso.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yes, the brakes on the faster 75s were criticized even in period road tests. The interior ergonomics were… “interesting” indeed: the radio is all but unoperable while driving, buried down in front of the gearlever 😂

[@TheMercante100]

I have owned a number of Alfas. 1600 GTV, 2000 body, 1800 Giulietta and a 2.5 Incentzioni V6 Saloon manual in South Africa... Still long for those cars. The 75 did not appeal to me, cannot understand... why‽? That saloon, King of the Highway and byways......

[@izzatfauzimustafa6535]

Quite disappointing that Fiat cancelled the stationwagon 75 and only approved the front-wheel driven 33 Sportwagon. 😢

[@Matteo_Licata]

The 33 wagon entered production before Fiat's takeover of Alfa Romeo, and probably that's what saved it. The 75 SW would likely have been a success, Fiat definitely took a bad decision in axing it.

[@alexandermathar7780]

It was the only transaxle diesel.

[@not-fishing4730]

More would have sold in the USA except for the damage done by the 5 mph bumpers and having to use SPICA on the first years.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The Milanos were all equipped with Bosch fuel injection, SPICA was used on the 70s models

[@not-fishing4730]

@@Matteo_Licata Thanks for the information. This is not something most of us Americans know. We look at the 116 Alfa's to be of the same series with engine modifications.

[@AlessandroGenTLe]

Time passes, same errors. How many Giulia more would they have sold, if there was a Sport Wagon version?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed. I've met many people who would have gladly bought a Giulia, had a wagon been available.

[@studiocalder818]

@@Matteo_Licata I'm one of them. I still drive my '07 159 SW as I need space but I don't want to change it for a little truck like the Stelvio. Why not once again entrust the Colli body shop with a special series of Giulia Promiscua at a free price? I would buy it! Haha!

[@michaelisaacson9735]

The 75/Milano was an unforgivably ugly replacement for the GTV-6. When my GTV-6 had to go, that was it for Alfas for me. The Giulia stateside is automatic only. Cry for the children.