Description
*** Safe and secure international shipping available on the buyer’s behalf, via The Freight Factory, a well-regarded and experienced global shipping agent, conveniently situated close to the port of Cape Town, offering a direct door to door, turnkey forwarding service***
1976 Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1200 5 Marche
Being sold from my private collection of Continental and Classic cars, as I have ultimately made the decision to sell off my entire collection inventory, including my Alfasud 5M
The subject car, a 1976 Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1200 5M, now comes to the market for the first time since being acquired in 1976, by the late Mrs Silvana Di Matteo, of Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa.
The Sud is an encapsulation of preservation and originality, a testament to a single feminine owner’s care and regard for its wellbeing and upkeep.
Mrs Di Matteo purchased the Alfasud through the Italian consulate in South Africa, as she was a member of the diplomatic corps, destined to leave SA in a few short years, she opted to take it in Left Hand drive configuration, for her imminent return to Italy.
This however never transpired, and both Mrs Di Matteo and the Alfasud remained in the temperate climes of Pretoria, at 1800M above sea level. After Silvanas passing, I purchased the vehicle, where it has since taken pride of place within my collection.
The 5M is one of the original Tipo 901 Prima Serie or S1 Sud, and remains true to the initial design and specification of its designers, Giorgetto Giugiaro and Rudolf Hruska, a well-balanced design, with a low centre of gravity and an aerodynamic Kamm rear profile, the Alfasud can very well be regarded as the forerunner of today modern hatchback design.
The bodywork of the Sud is absolutely bone dry and rot free, it is an unbelievable survivor, here exists such a thing as a rust-free Sud!
The original Capo di Monte paint work has a deep lustre and a mirror-like quality. The body is pin straight and was never subjected to any welding, collisions, or repairs. There are absolutely no rust issues to contend with, I have dry stored the Sud, just as Mrs Di Matteo did for all those years.
All light lenses, glass and stainless steel and rubber trimmings are free of defects.
The interior is exactly as when it was new, the black Skai Vinyl has been protected underneath soft lambs’ wool seat covers, the carpeting is original and clean, as is the hood lining, parcel shelf and door trim panels.
The original fluted dashboard top is in a beautiful condition, free of any UV related damage, the Alfasud script still enjoying pride of place on the dashboard fascia. The instrumentation binnacle is equally clear, clean and functional.
The boot area is impeccable, with its original Alfa Romeo embossed floor covering and hazard equipment.
Being a very low milage example, with gentle use in its lifetime, the Sud drives and handles just as it did when new. Being an over square design, the little 1200 mill, with its lighter and smaller diameter pistons, loves to rev, and is very happy cruising along at freeway speeds, the 5th gear, from where the 5M gets its name, is very handy for relaxing the motor at cruising speed.
Sitting on fresh Dunlop rubber, dated 2024, the Sud retains its original Campagnolo, dealer fitted alloy wheels, also in like new condition.
All badges, designations and centre caps are also present on the vehicle and in perfect order.
Benefitting from a recent mechanical refresh, the following work has been performed;
New battery fitted 2024
New 13-inch tyres fitted 2024
New cam belts and tensioners fitted 2024
Carburettor clean and tune
Radiator clean and system flush
Major oil and lubrication service
Clutch and brake hydraulics refreshed
Wheel bearings serviced and adjustedDriving the 5M, one is immediately impressed by how spacious the cabin feels, but apart from its airy nature, the impression of evident care in past use is overwhelming, turning through corners the Sud is tight and responsive, the brakes anchor it down with almost excessive force, the engine at throttle is deceptively quick, and the boxer engines tune is music to any Alfa Romeo lovers’ ears.
Being an unrestored car, the Sud exudes a charm that many a rebuilt specimen loses, it is now as it has always been and as it should be, it is just right.
The advantage of the Sud being configured in LHD, is that it is ready for continental European cruising, the Sud will be at home on a long trip, and is also ideally suited to bespoke daily classic motoring, offering ULEZ beating London commuting during the week, take it to Alfa Club gatherings and runs over weekends, it is just a very cool car all round.
I have been fortunate to own many prestigious classic and sports cars in my life, spoilt with vast stretches of quiet and desolate open roads to run them on, and if truth be told, I always subconsciously went for the keys of my little Alfasud, a car with a special character, with a heart and a soul.
The Alfasud has come of age, and is today appreciated as one of Alfa Romeos finest and most revered cars of the 20th Century, looking back almost 50 years now, the Sud deserves much praise as a trend setter and benchmark to the industry, sadly most suffered from dubious build quality and had a tendency of rusting away, have today made a proper Alfasud a rarity.
For any further details and prompt response, please use the Car and Classic chat function.
