Alfa 75: In the heart of the Alfisti.

So called because it was presented in 1985 to mark the 75th anniversary of Alfa Romeo, the 75 is considered by pure Alfisti to be the last real Alfa, as it was the last model designed at Arese before the transfer to Fiat. The first The first life-size plaster model, called K1, was made by the Centro Stile directed by Ermanno Cressoni in 1982, but it was designed before that date, practically coinciding with the Alfa 90, which had the project code K2.

It was presented to the press on 17 May 1985 with five engines: 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, and V6 2.5 and 2.0 turbocharged with intercooler with 95 hp. Heir to the Giulietta of '77The 75 was presented at a financially very difficult time for the company, which was celebrating its 75th birthday and was still owned by IRI.IRI.

Before the start of production, it was the subject of an unusual and useful test for the definitive development of a new model, namely a 'customer test' in which six hundred Alfa employees were invited to participate for twenty days and fill out a 'report card' providing valuable indications for adjustments and improvements.

The 75's driving pleasure is due to its classic basic set-up with rear-wheel drive, gearbox in lock-up with the differential and the De Dion axle, solutions that gave it excellent road holding and great handling.

In Paris, it was presented with a spectacular advertisement: a panel with a life-size Alfa 75 in relief, nine metres above the ground, it certainly stood out, but the extraordinary thing was that from the window the driver, in the flesh, waved his hand in greeting. Six of these 'human' panels were placed at strategic points on the Périphérique in Paris, where 250,000 cars passed through every day. Twenty or so young people had agreed to stand on the panels. They sat in four-hour shifts from 8am to 10pm in a padded armchair supported by a metal frame, could listen to the radio at low volume, and also had a small lamp to look at books and newspapers during short breaks. Their job was to greet passing cars. The discomfort was not slight as they had to endure the cold and drinking was absolutely forbidden. After the first week, for the remaining three, the young people were replaced by dummies.

And again for advertising purposes, Alfa commissioned a short film that was shot at Cinecittà. The film starred the car itself, which arrived at the studio for the making of a commercial, but got lost among various sets of films in progress, including 007, Dracula and Mary Poppins, interacting with the characters themselves.

Finally, the Alfa 75 must be associated with an exhibition: 'Alfa: Immagini e percorsi' (Alfa: Images and paths), curated by Angelo Tito Anselmi and set up by Franco Origoni. curated by Angelo Tito Anselmi and set up by Franco Origoni, which was held at the Triennale di Milano from 16 September to 30 October to commemorate the 75th anniversary and to the success of which the Historical Archive made a major contribution in researching the documentation on display. It was a precious opportunity to tell the story of one of the most significant industrial histories of our country through a wealth of images and memories.