• Top of the range Gold Cloverleaf

• Excellent condition throughout

• Sweet twin carb 1,500cc boxer engine

• Recent full service

• Only 4 owners

Alfa Romeo broke new ground with the launch of the Alfasud in 1972.  Given that they had no experience of small front-wheel drive cars, the sheer dynamic excellence of the flat-four powered Sud came as a shock to their competitors and the Alfa was immediately commended by the media for its ground-breaking styling.  

The Alfasud is considered one of Alfa Romeo’s most successful models, with over a million examples manufactured between 1972 and 1989. Now a rare car it is believed fewer than 100 Alfasuds remain registered on UK roads.

First registered on 27th May 1983, this Alfasud Gold Cloverleaf has had just three long term owners from new.  Being the range topping version it came with the best engine –the rorty 1.5 Ti punching out 95hp through a 5 speed manual gearbox.  Finished in attractive Grigio Nisida (metallic silver) which really suits the car, in our opinion the Gold Cloverleaf is the best looking of all the Alfasuds.

Showing no signs of accident damage or corrosion, this Alfasud is as good example as you could hope to find. The subject of meticulous maintenance throughout its life, the Alfa was featured in the February 2000 issue of Auto Italia magazine, a copy of which will come with the car.  In 1999 the Alfasud received an engine rebuild and has only travelled around 15,000 miles since with recurring periods spent in storage.

There is a good size history folder with the Alfa containing plenty of bills and invoices that document the mileage, and a full set of old MoT certificates, dating back to 2006 shows the car has been MOT'd every year apart from 2008. Each time it has sailed through the MOT test with not a single advisory recorded. A perfect MOT history record.

The current MoT is valid until 26th April 2022. The original Owners Handbook is present along with the “Alfacover” warranty folder and two sets of keys  

On the inside the Alfa is as well preserved as the exterior, with contrasting beige velour and vinyl throughout, with matching beige carpets. The whole interior is particularly clean, with very little evidence of wear considering the miles covered.   

The Gold Cloverleaf was the flagship of the Alfasud range, with a well-appointed interior with several sophisticated features including front electric windows,  wood rim steering wheel and matching gear knob. There is an aftermarket Kenwood CD receiver fitted which the owner points out is not currently working, although it may just require connecting.

For a car that will celebrate its 40th birthday next year the Alfasud is in astounding condition.  Described by the seller as “near Concours” we would agree.  With no history of accident damage or bodywork repairs the Alfa must be one of the best preserved examples of a car that wasn’t known for its longevity!  

When studied closely there are a few minor paint blemishes, but this is being extremely critical as overall the exterior is lovely. The silver metallic finish is excellent, contrasting well with the black graphics and Alfa logos on the front wings and C pillars.  

Only slight degradation of the rubber around the C pillar badges gives the age away. The Alfa sits on lovely 13 inch ‘Campagnolo’ 32-spoke alloy wheels which have Michelins on the rear and Yokohamas on the front, all showing some wear. The glass and light lenses are all clear and have no visible cracks.  The front headlights are fitted with a headlight wash/wipe system which was a feature on the Gold Cloverleaf edition.

The Alfasud is reported to be in fine mechanical condition, having recently had a full service at Alfa Romeo specialists Thorobred Cars in Staines, Middlesex.  Earlier work includes a new clutch master cylinder in 2013 at about 106,000 miles.  A new cambelt was fitted in 2015, and in 2016 the carburettors were rebuilt. 

In 2021 the Campanatura alloys were refurbished which explains why they look so fresh as the Alfa has covered very few miles since.

Driving like an Alfasud should, the seller tells us it’s probably the best example he has owned ( and he should know as he’s had a few!)  Partly through lack of use and partly to fund a new project, the Alfasud is now being offered for sale.

   

In the great Hot hatch debate, the Alfasud is often overlooked which is unfair considering it was the first in its field, taking other European manufacturers by surprise.  

By the 1980s it found itself in a highly competitive market, up against numerous other hot hatches, many with bigger engines, but what it lacked in the power department it made up for in handling and Italian brio! Rewarding to drive and now extremely rare, we are sure the Alfasud is on its way up.  

As the saying goes “always buy the best , and this highly specced Gold Cloverleaf has to be the top of the tiny pile; get it while it’s hot!