The Alfa Romeo 75 (Type 161, 162B), sold in North America as the Milano, is a compact executive car produced by Alfa Romeo between 1985 and 1992. It was named to celebrate Alfa Romeo’s 75th anniversary and was the last model released before Fiat took over the company.
Alfa Romeo 75 at a glance
| Production | 1985–1992 |
|---|---|
| Units built | 386,767 (236,907 in the first three years) |
| Types | Type 161, Type 162B; Milano in North America |
| Replaced | Giulietta |
| Styling | wedge shape by Ermanno Cressoni, head of the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo |
| Layout | front engine with the five-speed gearbox, clutch and differential at the rear (transaxle) |
| Suspension | front torsion bar and shock absorbers; rear De Dion tube |
| Brakes | rear discs next to the gearbox-differential |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Alfa Romeo 75
The 75 was introduced in May 1985 to replace the Giulietta, with which it shared many components. It was a commercial success: 236,907 cars were produced in only three years, and about 386,767 by the end of production in 1992. It was the last model released before Alfa Romeo was acquired by Fiat; the Alfa Romeo 164 was the last model developed independently.
At the 1986 Turin Auto Show a prototype of an estate version of the 75 was shown, a forerunner of the later 156 Sportwagon, but it was cancelled after Fiat took control. Two estate concepts were shown at the 1987 Geneva Motor Show: the Turbo Wagon, made by the coachbuilder Rayton Fissore on a 75 Turbo, and a 2.0-litre Sportwagon.
Design and features
- Balance: almost perfectly balanced from front to rear thanks to the transaxle configuration.
- Suspension: a torsion bar and shock absorber combination at the front and an expensive de Dion tube at the rear, chosen to optimise handling.
- Styling: a wedge shape tapering at the front with square headlights and a matching grille, similar to the 33.
Alfa Romeo 75 versions
- 75 (1985): the saloon.
- 75 Turbo Wagon and Sportwagon (1986–1987): estate prototypes, never produced.
More Alfa Romeo cars of the era are in our Alfa Romeo collection, for example the Alfetta, the Alfa Romeo 33 and the Alfa Romeo 164.
Alfa Romeo 75 questions and answers
Why is it called the 75?
The name celebrates Alfa Romeo’s 75th anniversary in 1985.
What is the Alfa Romeo Milano?
The name under which the 75 was sold in North America.
How many Alfa 75 were built?
About 386,767 by the end of production in 1992.
What did the 75 replace?
The Giulietta.
Was there an estate version?
Only prototypes, which were cancelled after the Fiat takeover.
Sources
- Alfa Romeo 75, English Wikipedia: history, design, technical features
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