This 320hp Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo Evoluzione is still racing (and winning!).

Launched in 1985, at a time when Alfa Romeo has mastered the art of making something new out of something old, the Alfa 75 enjoys a certain love affair with Alfisti. While some dislike its wedge-shaped styling, others praise its atypical character and its status as the "last Alfa Romeo" before the Fiat takeover. It may have taken the aging base of a Giulietta 2, but its Transaxle configuration, very '80s look and peppy engines ensured its commercial success. In 1986, the Turbo version arrived on the market and, in order to give it a sporting career as a successor to the GTV, the Milanese firm launched the development of the 75 Turbo Evoluzione, 500 of which had to be produced to receive homologation. It was finally available in 1987, powered by a 155 hp, 4-cylinder 1.8 Turbo. The 75 of the day is a project dating back more than twenty years, christened """Evoluzione 239″", "" because it is simply example no. 239 in the series of 500 produced.

Original engine preserved

From 2004 onwards, this 75 Turbo Evoluzione, up to that point original, began to undergo transformations to compete in Time Attack Italy events with Kabir Bonavetti. A "brutal idea", to paraphrase the presentation of the project on their blog, where you can follow all the stages of this adventure. A slightly crazy idea perhaps, but they take up a quotation from Ayrton Senna which sums up a little of what unites these enthusiasts we regularly write about: "If someone has no more dreams, then he has no more reason to live". It's an adventure that's not easy to take on financially, as this is a "normal" family, who have to work hard and without any facilities. But with a lot of determination.

The owners turned to all sorts of specialists and well-known tuners in the Modena area. They wanted to keep the original engine, rather than do a "swap", which is quite common in the industry. To further immerse themselves in the spirit of Vintage, they have been using a fully restored 1985 Alfa Romeo AR8T motorhome for their travels for some years now!

Years of painstaking work

Year after year, they have worked to repair, improve and update the 75, despite an often tight budget and, as always in this kind of adventure, moments of hardship and depression. In 2016, for example, following a body deformation, the engine had to be replaced, and the original Turbo Evoluzione engine had to be swapped for an 1800 Turbo from the first 75 series. In the same year, they also run in their brake pads on the small track at the Alfa Museum in Arese, isn't that great?

The car has continued to evolve in small steps over the past 20 years. In 2015, the 1762cc engine (the displacement had been slightly lowered on the Turbo Evoluzione to comply with Group A regulations at the time) was thoroughly overhauled and optimized, with maximum torque lowered from 5500 rpm to 4200 rpm, improved response at low revs and reworked electronic management. In 2016, work on the replacement engine's Garrett turbo gained a further 20 HP, while the driveshaft had to be changed in 2017, rebuilt identically by talented local craftsmen, but with shorter bevel gears.

In 2021, major work on cooling led to the appearance of two air scoops on the domed front hood, muscle car style. In 2023, again in consultation with specialists from the Maranello area, the suspension geometry was revised, while the intake flanges and exhaust manifolds were completely rebuilt by GMC Racing. At last count, the engine now delivers 320 hp, more than double that of the 1987 1.8 Turbo.

Rewarding work

In the end, their efforts paid off. In 2017, they won the Historic class at the Italian Time Attack, then took part for three years running in the Saloon Sport Festival in Zandvoort, a major Alfa Classic event in Europe. In 2024, they finally took part in the benchmark Alfa Romeo Challenge Deutschland at the Nürburgring, winning their Class 4 in both races!