Lot details Registration No: X522DBD Chassis No: ZAR93200001189785 Mot Expiry: Sept 2010
With its gracefully sculptured flanks, cunningly disguised rear door handles and eye-catching grille the 156 was, to some eyes, the best looking car in its class. It was certainly pretty popular, with some 680,000 being produced between its launch at the Frankfurt motorshow of 1997 and the cessation of saloon production in 2005. At launch there was a good range of petrol engines from 1.6 to 2.5-litres, the option of diesel power and either manual or sequential semi-automatic transmission. Drive was through the front wheels and suspension was independent all round with wishbones at the front and a high-tech multilink system at the rear that afforded a modest degree of rearwheel steering. Weight saving materials were used where possible, with aluminium employed for several key suspension components and magnesium for the structure of the front seats. In typical Italian sports car style, all the main controls and displays are angled towards the driver. There is ample room and considerable comfort for the front seat occupants. Despite being designed for two passengers (rather than three), rear seat accommodation is more modest, however.
The righthand drive example on offer is a 153bhp 2.0-litre model with semi-automatic transmission featuring centre gearshift and steering wheel mounted buttons. Built in 2000, it is finished in Rosso Corsa complemented by a full leather black interior. Its 'Lusso' specification includes air conditioning and CD player. The owner describes the coachwork and paintwork as being "very good for their age", the engine as "excellent", and the gearbox as "serviceable". The interior is said to be "very good". The car apparently comes complete with "two books of service stamps and bills and accounts totalling £8,000". The Alfa is MOT'd until September 2010. Alfa Romeos may not stir the blood quite like Ferraris do but their inherent Italian flair nevertheless enjoys a passionate global following. With design cues from such past greats as the Giulietta and Giulia, the 156 was a clever blend of old and new. At today's prices they represent a lot of style for the money.
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