In 1985, Andy Burton was visiting a collector friend, who had a Ferrari 308 GTS quite similar to Magnum's and an Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint. Both cars seemed to be in disrepair and the owner wanted to sell them. Burton had an idea: why not combine the two cars and turn them into a rally beast?
A veritable automotive Frankenstein
This is how theAlfa Romeo Alfasud Ferrari Sprint, a sort of automotive Frankenstein that amateur rally and hill-climb championships love. The project is based on a Ferrari 308 GTS V8 engine and running gear, integrated into an Alfasud Sprint base. An atypical marriage, reinforced by a mix of parts borrowed from various vehicles, custom modifications and hours of hard work in the workshop.
The Alfasud Ferrari was born in the midst of the Group B craze, and drew its inspiration from a number of models: the general lines were reminiscent of the Lancia 037, with a large homemade aluminum rear spoiler; the rear suspension was copied from the Ford RS200, while the front hood was taken from an Opel Manta 400! A few motorcycle parts are also used. As for the original engine, it's mated to a gearbox with shorter ratios for rallying purposes.
In the end, it was a little revenge for the Alfasud Sprint, which appeared in 1976 under Giugiaro's pencil. In 1982, Autodelta had developed a Sprint 6C prototype, designed for rallying, but which never saw the light of day, like many of the Biscione's other projects...
10 years of career, then an abrupt end
For a decade, from 1986 to 1996, the Alfa Ferrari raced successfully on special stages. In some fifty rallies, it won 7 different classes, culminating in the 1995 title in the amateur BTRDA Rally Championship. But trophies aside, this car established itself as a true rally icon, captivating fans with its unique design and the inimitable sound of its Ferrari V8.
Unfortunately, the adventure came to an abrupt halt in 1996: in the middle of a straight line in a special stage through the Radnor forest, the connecting rod broke and the engine gave up the ghost! The Alfasud Ferrari went back to the barn. Burton then developed another project, a Peugeot Cosworth, with which he was to compete in amateur rallies for more than ten years!
A wake-up call before a restoration?
On the occasion of the 100ᵉ anniversary of the Brecon Motor Club, as part of the exhibition held at the Brecon Market Hall, the Alfa Ferrari was brought out of the shadows. A real barn-raiser, as the Alfasud Ferrari has somewhat aged and gathered dust. It could do with a little restoration.
But this is just the beginning of her return to the spotlight. New images and testimonials from Andy Burton will soon be unveiled, revealing the full story of this rally legend and why she slept out of sight for so long.
English 
French 
Italian 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
German 
Japanese 
Turkish 
Dutch