Introducing the Alfarrari: an Alfa Romeo with a 400 hp Ferrari V8 engine!

Ferrari is the daughter ofAlfa Romeoevery enthusiast knows! The Scuderia, founded in 1929, was the Biscione's racing team until 1938, when the great Enzo went out on his own and founded Ferrari in 1947. Today, the best of both brands merges in the Alfarrari: an Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV body housing a Ferrari V8!

The engine comes from the "big family".

We have already reported on mechanical "swaps" in recent times, notably in Australia with Tony Ricciardello's GTV and the Ferrari 308 Honda of the World Time Attack Challenge. The model of the day takes us once again to Australia, but this time no Honda or Chevrolet engine: we're staying on Italian soil with an Alfa Romeo coupé that has swapped its legendary Bialbero engine for a 3.6-liter Tipo F131 V8 from the glorious Ferrari 360 Modena.

Although the Bertone coupé is already a lightweight vehicle, the weight of the Tipo F131 engine, with twice the number of cylinders as the original, was reduced to keep the overall weight down to around one ton. As a result, the coupé boasts 400 hp and 373 Nm, giving this yellow-painted masterpiece an impressive power-to-weight ratio. Begun in 2019, the project took four years of hard work, all of which was documented and filmed over 200 episodes until its official unveiling in 2023. The story continues, however, to improve the project, and new videos were released this year.

Use your wits

The Alfarrari started life as a rusty GTV 2000 wreck, abandoned under a tree, which was salvaged by a passionate Australian, Jeff Micklem. After salvaging a low-mileage Ferrari 360 Modena engine from a supercar junkyard in Adelaide, he began the graft.

To achieve this, the bodywork had to be reworked, replacing all the panels from the B-pillar upwards, not forgetting numerous other bodywork rust repairs before figuring out how to house the 3.6-liter V8 under the hood. The intake had to be modified, custom manifolds created and the subframe modified to make room for the Ferrari engine, which is proudly displayed on the hood, which receives a transparent panel to show off the Maranello V8...

The 360's engine was originally designed to be centrally located, driving the rear wheels. But with its new position at the front, Micklem had to find a way to transmit power to the rear wheels. The solution came from a Subaru BRZ transmission, which had to support the engine's 400 hp.

Other ingenious solutions include the manufacture of a custom-made oil tank for the dry-sump engine and the installation of air-conditioning condensers at the rear. In addition to a modern heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, the car is also equipped with power steering, cruise control and electric windows, because, according to Micklem, the Alfarrari has to be a "daily".

The project obviously had its share of technical headaches and a few annoyances, such as a few large unwelcome dents on the roof and rear window when the car was assembled on a flatbed, but genius craftsmen were able to repair everything, even though the cut and shape of the Bertone's rear window are very particular. Inside, the finish blends aluminum for the center console and a tan upholstery/door trim set. Finally, the three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel features a small Ferrari logo.

It's fully operational!

Prepared for the World Time Attack Challenge 2023, held in Sydney, the Alfarrari has received a warm welcome for its level of finish and attention to detail. From a complete restoration of a derelict Alfa Romeo to a bespoke masterpiece, this may not appeal to purists, but if there was ever to be a crazy but justified engine swap for a classic Alfa Romeo, a V8 Ferrari would be the way to go to retain a modicum of respect!

Jeff Minckley continues to work on his work, fine-tuning the machine's manoeuvrability and the functioning of the mechanical assembly, which is no mean feat! After several technical glitches encountered during track day sessions, the Alfarrari now seems to be on the right track!