I have a 1986 Galant with one-spoke wheel, satellite controls and digital speedo, I think Citroenists loved it. By the way, its my only Japanese car that breaks down frequently. 🤣
Beautiful cars. My uncle had one by the hatchback shape. Used to love when I was a kid. Be worth a few Bob now. I had a Alfa 145 Cloverleaf she was gorgeous to look at, even better to drive but she was in the garage 2/3 times a year having one expensive job done or the other, so I regrettably got rid after two years, but probably the best car I’ve ever owned. As now a father of two I need something safe and reliable which is my BMW 330d. Yes it’s fast, it’s safe, but is sooooo boring to drive. Just has no personality at all, not a patch on my old 145. What I’d give to have that car now🙏🏼
Wow! What a treat. I never knew this car existed. Love your video of all the special features and many quirks. The boot shape and taillights are fantastic. I love the dash, the removable glovebox cum briefcase, the sci-fi instruments, the green Northern Lights display on the ceiling, and the so weird and lovely and excessive switchgear. Wonderful videography at the beginning too. Thanks!
No tea shelf... of course not. You take your espresso in that charming cafe down the road and your vino in the afternoon outside overlooking a beautiful lake, accompanied by an Italian beauty who resembles Sophia Loren... One can still dream!
Incredible car, thanks for another gorgeous review! This sound ... gives me goosebumps! One small thing, it was the 164 that came out in 1987. The 75 was already out in 1985. The 164 was based on the same FWD chassis as Lancia Thema, Fiat Chroma and Saab 900 ...
Wow!! Matt discovers hens teeth ! I thought my 75 was a bit eccentric, but the 90 was just madness. You are being very kind to this Alfa, much as I love them. You are spot on about the lovely chassis too. That suspension does indeed combine the holy grail of attributes, compliance, comfort and excellent handling
To be honest I don't think there is a single modern car on the market today that I would buy. Nothing on the market appeals to me nowadays. Just so boring in every aspect.
Very nice video. Little remark: the 90 was the stopgap for the 164 to be ready, not the 75. It was positioned next to the 75. When Alfa asked the Italian government for money in 1979/1980 it was for a mid-size and big saloon. The mid-size they got approved as it continued on existing technologies which became the 75 (launched 1985). The big saloon was rejected so Alfa started the 90 project which was a reskin of the Alfetta; later to be updated to be more like the 75. Due to some informal connections Alfa learned of the work that Lancia and Saab had been doing (Thema, 9000 and Croma) and was able to renogiate with Italian government to get money for a big saloon but with reduced costs as it would share the platform. They still went ahead in parallel with the 90 however to be on the market quickly. The 90 had a difficult time as it was not different enough from the 75 and the Thema was the better offer. Alfa was pretty much ready with the 164 to compete again (very different than the 75 and despite shared platform very different and more modern than the Thema) by 1986. They however ran out of money for production tooling. That's when FIAT bought them and after a year of fine-tuning (and some downgrading of luxury options to have less competition with the Thema) in 1987 the 164 was launched. And the doomed-from-the-start 90 was no more. In most companies a car like the 90 could not have existed. In Alfa it could.
Wow! I've never seen one of these before. I can just see myself in one back in the day as a young technician, travelling between sites! 😏 Busso engine, proto digital instrument panel, overhead aircraft style switches, and the clincher for me would be the briefcase. With Filofax.
I had the privilege to own one some time ago. It is not particular beautiful but with it’s quirky features it put a smile on my face every time i got to drive it. The front spoiler, digital dash, handbrake, green illumination, rear discs mounted at the gearbox and the engine 2,5v6 all one big smile. Then the rot came along and eat my trunk. Eventually sold it with a hole in one of the pistons probably due to a faulty injector. Then learned that ‘my’ car was sold on to a student that had folded it around lamppost. A true tragedy for such an awesome car.
I had one in the late 90s. A series 2 with a different analog dash and different grill. A fab car to drive. So enjoyable and that V6 was music to the ears. I agree agree a great ride and handling balance. I think here in Australia had an automatic been available more would have been sold. Only the 2.5 v6 available here. I wish I still had it. But am lucky to have another luxury Italian a 1983 Fiat Argenta 2.0.i as a substitute with only 55,000km. I love it too.
Had one of these in the 90's as it was the cheapest route to Busso V6 heaven. Loved it. The full strip rear lights and the side creases were refined and reused in the Alfa 164.
The familiar Alfa sound that can be heard in all 80's and 90's Italian movie car chase scenes. Only saw one of these in the flesh more than 20 years ago. Lovely cars, shame there aren't that many now.
And now for something completely different , intriguing Alfa with enough green lights to make Superman feel at home , and more shakes and rattles than a Doctor Who set it seems , only saved by the engine note . Just before heading off into the dough ball 90's lets give the straight line styling pen one more burl. Cars rode so much better back then on proper rubber and smaller wheels ,If the future is full of low profile tyres being almost sprayed on please bring back hydropneumatic suspension . The over head console takes your breath away ..all it needed was a Fax machine. Great review.
the driver mirror adjust being electrical on the passenger side was not a design high note, rather they just left the flawed LHD version as with the floor mats and boot release but in this case it was a benefit if you were RHD.
There it was, staring at us in nearly every interior shot... And yet, it took you more than half the video running time to even mention the briefcase. Amazing.
not first this time, but im always buzzing to see you, and mr hubnut posting up on facebook. Your such a fun guy to watch on youtube. to me, you hubnut and jayemm are the most diverse car youtubers on this, and you and hub are the ones i look at and go, i could actually drive them, very relatable and lovable :) you three have helped me through an extremely tough year mentally thanks for your vids
I'm showing my age here because I remember these. It was the last throw of the dice before Fiat stepped in and saved Alfa by getting them to make cars that actually made money instead of loosing it. I almost bought a champagne coloured one in 1996 & was totally gobsmacked by the gadgetry and the dash but just couldn't get used to the driving experience. I bought a 164 Cloverleaf instead. What a shame and I've regretted never buying the 90 ever since, if only to say I had one. What a brilliant find and a fantastic step back in time through your great video. It was rumoured the briefcase fitment was nothing to do with it appealing the normal business people, but on the orders of those Italian chaps who wear sunglasses and sharp suits. Probably not true but just another great story in the file of oddness and unusuality that is the Alfa 90.
Glorious car! Always wanted one, but, alas, like all the great cars of the 80s and 90s, they're too difficult to obtain without time and effort. Great to see it on the road!
I absolutely adore this car ! Alfa Romeo has always built cars which the other automakers didn’t even dare to think of. And let’s not forget that thanks to these guys we have the ‘Busso’ engine!
Tea shelf ratings, trunk body count calculations, interesting cars, and Blues Brothers references - congrats on creating the perfect car review format!
I 'upgraded' from a '76 Alfetta to a 1986 90. I loved it for about a week before problems started occurring, and then regretting not buying the more powerful 3.0l 75 or GTV. The dash check light was always on, the digital dash and odometer were flaky, oil got into the coolant through dodgy head gaskets from memory, heater radiator leaked, it cost a fortune to maintain. A real love/hate relationship.
Wow !, this this is just brilliant !. I love Alfa’s but am ashamed to say that I’ve never heard of or seen one of these. I love it’s bonkers interior dash and switchgear and the boxy rear end styling but, as usual, the best bit of these V6 engines is the noise. Thanks for showing this rare Italian beast.
A little lunchtime treat for me to watch later when I have finished tinkering with my own car! Oh flip... Decided to watch before lunch as I was curious what a fantastic example of a car so many quirky little features from the air plane handbrake, briefcase and that steering wheel where the boss does not move reminds me of the C4, never seen a 90 in the flesh and most likely never will so fantastic review, great humour and the brush... That's for sweeping up the mess of the business rival....
I had the 2nd series with conventional dials a slightly different grill. But in Australian spec no electric seats were offered. Smooth riding and lovely handling cars full of character.
Had to watch this again Matt because Mr Coleman's latest video says that the engine replacement on the Alfa 90 is coming along really well. Awesome sound. Amazing Executive Car for a stop gap.
One of my schoolfriends' dad had one of those from new. It was so rusty by the time it was two years old that Alfa Romeo UK replaced it free-of-charge with a 75 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf... Which he rolled into a field on his way to work one winter's morning, before it was even a few months old. That was replaced by a Toyota Supra 3.0 manual and a Mercedes-Benz 300TE 4-matic... His also came from Mario Deliotti in Birmingham as the 90 was only available from a select few dealers in the UK...
Adore these. One that go straight in to.a lottery win collection. The treasurer of my local Conservative party bought one brand new identical to this back in 1986 and then used it for canvassing in the 1987 election. A tweed wearing - chain smoking and hard drinking sort of chap - he kept it for years and years , it's bodywork increasingly getting more battle scared as time rolled on. He used to drive it like he stole it - and the glorious tune that the V6 played as he thundered by has always stuck with me. Totally 80s tastic.
To be honest I’ve not seen one of those models before not even in Italy. But I saw a similar one in Argentina I think. Nice condition and it runs great.
Loved this, saw it on Mr Lloyd's channel, nice to see that both of you enjoyed it's quirks. I must admit I can understand why Mr Coleman has lusted after one of these for so long, a really nice car, thank you for bringing another video of it and enjoying it. I hope your Alfa will be back with you soon.
That's a brilliant blast down memory lane! I owned one of these in the late 90's - I loved it but my wife hated it! The green interior light and whacky handbrake were my favourite features
One of the most rare Alfa's... And certainly one of my favourites especially for that dashboard, I love it!! Great vid as usual. I also think that this car fits perfectly to you Matt
Always loved this car. Already watched the LVC and Rubbish Mechanic reviews but can't get enough of it and this video gave a good impression of what it's like to drive.
I ve got 2 of these crazy Alfa Novanta`s and everyone wants the 75 but this is the car to have. Great car for long distance journey`s and very pretty as well. One of the most underestimated Alfa Romeo`s. Bertone at his best.
One day I hope to won one of these and never sell it! It was Alfa's attempt at a businessman's express and imho a very well executed one. The combination of the elegant, subdued styling with the performance and glorious sound of the Busso V6 is unparalleled. The car that could, but doesn't need to shout about it. In that sense it's an Alfa that harks back to the brand's image in the 60s.
Thank You! Nice video and really, really nostalgic for me. Ive had 5 of those, Yes thats figure is correct. I miss every one of them, especially the blu 2.5 quadrifoglio oro from 85. The 2.5 is just the best busso (and thus the best ever engine), more vocally trained and responsive than the later 3.0. But all bussos are great. Despite having active aero (way before it got into fashion with similar cars like f.x. the Veyron) it does lean a bit but the balance is just adorable. Steering is great and you can have all four wheels letting go at exactly the same time if You get of the accelerator briefly during cornering. Despite having 5 Alfa 90´s and using them, I never had any problems at all with any of them. Even the guys at the annual MOT testing always stressed -Don't bother coming back next Year, no need really. Some Years they even called in extra staff so more people could adore the perfection.
I had one of these ,way back in the 90s. It was a bitter/sweet experience, because I was never sure if it would break down unexpectedly, usually far from home and many times for the most trivial of reasons(fuel injection relay failure ). The list of things that failed or stopped working was quite long. Such as the electronic speedo and rev counter either not working or giving alarming speed readings ( 800 KMH ),failed front wheel bearings, failed electric windows, refusing to start sometimes ,failed radiator fan thermo switch. In the end ,I just gave up and got rid of it, but when it worked, it was a wonderful car to drive. The first thing to go missing when buying a used example is the briefcase
That is a stunning car in my opinion. The interior is superb, and in great condition. For some reason I've always liked steering wheels in Alfas...its just something about them. Glad you mentioned this too! Alfas, Citroen and Opel. Always a smidgen happier when I see a review of one of these!
I wish that Alfa imported them to the USA, I guess they thought just to wait for the '75' since they seemed to struggle here. I'm trying to get my 1988 Alfa Milano back on the road, it's funny how they used a lot of parts from the 90, I really wish they kept that digital dash! So cool, so 80s! Great video!
This is another rare beauty! I didn’t actually realise these existed and at first I thought it was a 33 and it is pretty much as boxy as the 740 and a boot for at least two bodies!! And that engine note? Just heavenly. What a find Matt!
The survival rate was quite high in Australia, there is usually a 1 or 2 for sale at any given time. All 2.5's.. but quite a few have 3L's in them now. The 90 Super is the one to have, a better diff ratio and analogue instruments.
Yep that’s the problem with Italian cars. They look beautiful and drive even better, but boy do they require some work to keep them on the road. I had a Alfa 145 Cloverleaf. It’s was a stunning looking car, fast and a beauty to drive, but she was in the garage 2/3 times a year having one repair of the other and I was always paranoid if I took her on a long journey, although one year and drove to Cornwall from Worcester all round Cornwall and back after a week and i didn’t experience one blip. But that was being lucky. I have a BMW 300d now. safe, reliable but just boring to drive. But I have children now so I need something that is safe & reliable, not something that is like being in a dodgy love hate relationship😂
Wow Alfa sure did go all out with this one, aircraft themed roof panels, the handbrake, the dashboard etc but all that is moot if it drives bad. However from your video we can take it that it drives superb which is what Alfa's are all about. I love the colour of the interior, didn't volvo do a similar colour on the 240 and 740? The dash reminds me of the MG Meastro which shows how much car manufacturers wanted to make their cars look like Knight Rider which was so popular at the time. What a steering wheel too, that huge centrepiece. Shame the warning lights are obscured by it though. Great video as always and thanks for sharing these ultra-rare cars.
Really decent review. It makes one think that the Alfa 90 is the more electronic heavy version inside of the Alfetta launched in May 1972 with exactly the same platform but with the v6 engine which should have been introduced in the Alfetta in the 70s; so how good was the Alfetta when it came out with all that technology of front engine and rear transaxle with watts linkage and low unsprung weight front and rear with torsion bars at front and hollow dedion tube at rear with inboard rear discs; as an Alfista who owns one none of the competitors of its day were close.
Just a quick bit of info about the weight thing at 3:40 - these weights listed don't match what you have because they're not what you think :) These were mandated to be on the VIN plate by the Italian rules of the road (some other countries have/had similar arrangements). In order, top to bottom: Maximum Allowed Weight for the vehicle FULLY LADEN (5 passengers + baggage) Maximum Allowed Weight of the vehicle combined (aka fully laden AND with a fully laden trailer) Maximum Allowed Weight on the front axle (vehicle + passengers/cargo) Maximum Allowed Wright on the rear axle (vehicle + passengers/cargo)
I have seen the owner working on this in his videos. It’s in remarkable condition and the engine sound is magic. Try a early GTV or 164 3.0v6, you won’t be disappointed.
Yeh 80s sports cars were designed to stand out. Now sports cars don’t they just look like the normal spec cars it’s all about being subtle and boring. The 80s was the decade of being OTT, if you had a fast Ford it was badged up and body kitted out as a sports cars like the Escort R.S Turbo, even the XR3’s & XR2’s stood out and the legendary Cosworth especially the 3 door whale Tail stood out a mile. Now it’s just some little badge on the bottom of the door that’s a signs it’s the faster or sports edition. Booooorrrriiiiiinnnnnggggg😒
Beautiful car! typical Italian single-minded mien attitude compared to todays contrived era of executive cars, loved that particular 1980's period of Alfa Bertone design! amazing quirky features like the; dashboard suitcase, unorthodox handbrake, green interior lighting etc..... should have been much more of a sales success! I think they are going to be finally appreciated now and will go up in value! I really hope Alfa make a comeback in this sector as an Italian alternative is long overdue since the 166.
A great video matt. I like how you and ’Lloyd vehicle consulting’ can film film the same car, but are totally different :) Me Coleman has had so many cool cars over the years hasn’t he :)
A friend had one recently. I have the workshop manual somewhere, although we never had one (had a pair of 75s) Range shouldn’t be that bad. One of the 75s we had was a 2.5 auto, which I think shared the same small tank. Around 25 was normal even with the 3 speed auto box . Tank was 10 gallons so around 250 miles. The 75 TS I had was better on fuel with the same size tank!
Love my Alfa’s and still keep a few including a 166 facelift Ti, a 164 3.0 V6 24 Cloverleaf, and a75 3.0 V6 Veloce. We just sold out Alfetta GTV6’s which were basically this 90 with a better body. I don’t know where you found this car; I can’t even remember seeing one on the roads when I was a kid!
That is a amazing car! I live in the US as a expat , there a not many Alfa s here. I miss my old 33 1.7 I had in spain! . It handled beautifully on those Andalusian mountain roads, so many good memories. Can you review a 33 boxer 1.7 ? Please???
Cool car, i love the styling! I remember when we were on holiday in Austria in 1987, somewhere close to the italian border, these things were everywhere, just like a C-Class today. I've never seen one live before or after that.
Brilliant choice of car for a review, pretty sure I was eyeballing this example on eBay a few years back, but I had recently bought my similar 164 12v so I was just eyeballing haha, seems like you really know your stuff, you mentioned some things I never even know about the 90 and I am a classic Alfa nerd! One thing I will say though is I would be Astonished if this thing only gets 20 to the gallon,the 3 litre version of this engine is capable of 30 mpg if you are easy on the throttle and 40mpg ish if you cruise it so I can't see the 2.5 being that much worse on fuel unless the transmission losses of the rear mounted transaxle are really that bad. I would love to see more classic Italian content like this, I'd be happy to let you drive my 164 once I have finished playing with it.
The consumption of a V6 is what puts me off of seriously wanting a Busso-engined car, although I am obssesed with them. Your report about getting that kind of mpg really makes me want one, now!
@@BEasay if you are in the market for a Busso then fuel consumption is no big matter for you. The 12 Valve is quite efficient but this engine is meant to be driven, you are meant to hear its song so you will likely see between 25 and 28 to the gallon on a 12 Valve and around 22 in a 24 valve. 30-40 is achievable on a cruise though, it is just so hard to not be tempted into dropping down a couple of cogs and hearing that song.
I love this car! Talk about character, I wish modern car designers and manufacturers are this brave with concepts. My favourite has to be the briefcase 💼 , can imagine the Italian owner getting out for a "business" meeting with his packet of pistachio nuts and barretta pistol stored safely in the 💼 . Great content.
Agreed Glen. Modern cars are just so boring. I used to have a Alfa 145 Cloverleaf 🍀 and she was a beauty to look at and drive, but always in the garage so I got rid unfortunately. My BMW is safe and reliable but no character, boring to drive and looks like any other car, to the point that when I come out Asda for shopping I spend the next 15 mins looking for my car and their all the same colour and look like the same models. Bring back the hot hatches and OTT sports spec of the 80s & 90s where if you owned a sports spec, the whole street is going to know it!!!
Hilarious the way you describe the perks and downsides of any car, this one gives you more than enough of both and this video is as always a great watch. And by the way, I love this beautiful car!
That is my favorite video so far. Even betterer than the 205 Gentry. Thanks for the interesting background information. A session on Google is imminent.
I love the take here on the exclusive side of luxury in giving people the sorts of features you wouldn't find in other cars. There may be practicality and costs reasons for this exclusivity but the fact they did it and sold it is brilliant. I feel a luxury car should be a bit bonkers
È un alfa meravigliosa, gli interni e i comfort dell'epoca competono con gli odierni..... Mi trovate un altra vettura che non sia alfa con tutti i comandi alle plafoniere...dettagli unici..... Che spettacolo wow🇮🇹
Amazing, Matt! I love this car and this video. Nicely dressed up for the occasion in fitting business outfit too 😉😁🍀🇮🇹 But one thing:this car needs a revisit in the summer on some proper driving roads 👍😊
Now, I have seen this on another channel, who shall remain anonymous to protect their innocence, and I just cannot get enough of this unique Alfa! When you mentioned aircraft, I thought of Alitalia, but the interior is so uniquely Alfa that I feel an architect designed its interior. Dashboard is reminiscent of 1980's GM when they used digital dash on certain vehicles, but Alfa Roméo took that to another level! Its exterior styling reminds me of the 75/Milano (US), although absolutely unique! I cannot stop using that word! 20 mpg seems like a figure from combined city highway driving, although that raucous V6 sounds absolutely delicious! I wonder if the gearshift feel can be improved from its current vague feeling, or is it a quirk due to the rear transaxle? And didn't Rover use rear DiDion suspension on the P6? Another smashing review! I bet this is another Alfa you are DYING to get your hands on!
Fabulous ! What a car, what would that have cost originally in comparison to a Granada / Carlton / Rover SD1 etc ? I remember occasional visits to Mario Deliotti for parts as my Dad had a `74 Berlina 2000 in the late `70s - not so quirky as the 90 although the centre console was angled to the left + guages were in Italian. Sadly it rapidly rusted and was actually outlived by the landcrab 1800 it replaced!
Again a great vid about an interesting car. However, I'm about as obsessed with door handles as you are with tea shelves: If you're unconscious and stuck in this car after an accident, you don't want emergency helpers to lose time working out how the doorhandles work and how to pull the dann thing open with force.
Matt Furious putting the far left in left field. This channel is car archaeology, digging up long lost treasures . Fabulous !
Bloody hell, Citroen must have cacked themselves when they first saw that speedo. It’s not often they’re out quirked by anyone else.
Electronics didn't last long enough to give Citroen a real rise
I have a 1986 Galant with one-spoke wheel, satellite controls and digital speedo, I think Citroenists loved it. By the way, its my only Japanese car that breaks down frequently. 🤣
Believe it or not, when Citroën were planning the Series 2 CX, they did seriously consider fitting a digital instrument display.
Man, that's a rare treat. I used to have an '82 Alfetta. Nothing rides like these. Smooth as a boat, yet corners like a kart..
Beautiful cars. My uncle had one by the hatchback shape. Used to love when I was a kid. Be worth a few Bob now. I had a Alfa 145 Cloverleaf she was gorgeous to look at, even better to drive but she was in the garage 2/3 times a year having one expensive job done or the other, so I regrettably got rid after two years, but probably the best car I’ve ever owned. As now a father of two I need something safe and reliable which is my BMW 330d. Yes it’s fast, it’s safe, but is sooooo boring to drive. Just has no personality at all, not a patch on my old 145. What I’d give to have that car now🙏🏼
The blocky design of early 80s cars is why I just love them. It is so pleasing and easy on the eye.
Wow! What a treat. I never knew this car existed. Love your video of all the special features and many quirks. The boot shape and taillights are fantastic. I love the dash, the removable glovebox cum briefcase, the sci-fi instruments, the green Northern Lights display on the ceiling, and the so weird and lovely and excessive switchgear. Wonderful videography at the beginning too. Thanks!
No tea shelf... of course not. You take your espresso in that charming cafe down the road and your vino in the afternoon outside overlooking a beautiful lake, accompanied by an Italian beauty who resembles Sophia Loren... One can still dream!
Incredible car, thanks for another gorgeous review! This sound ... gives me goosebumps!
One small thing, it was the 164 that came out in 1987. The 75 was already out in 1985. The 164 was based on the same FWD chassis as Lancia Thema, Fiat Chroma and Saab 900 ...
Wow!! Matt discovers hens teeth ! I thought my 75 was a bit eccentric, but the 90 was just madness. You are being very kind to this Alfa, much as I love them. You are spot on about the lovely chassis too. That suspension does indeed combine the holy grail of attributes, compliance, comfort and excellent handling
As a former maths teacher, I can confirm that the dash made it stir a bit in the nether regions. I apologize for nothing.
Was the rate of increase in the nether regions equivalent to that of the LED display
@@arnonmus1 It was enough just seeing the graph paper-esque lines!
😂👍
When I saw it it created a feeling of intense joy and euphoria, closely followed by feelings of gloom and inadequacy.
I've just fallen in love with this car! 😍
Great car - love it !! Modern cars just don't have this sort of character
To be honest I don't think there is a single modern car on the market today that I would buy. Nothing on the market appeals to me nowadays. Just so boring in every aspect.
Very nice video. Little remark: the 90 was the stopgap for the 164 to be ready, not the 75. It was positioned next to the 75. When Alfa asked the Italian government for money in 1979/1980 it was for a mid-size and big saloon. The mid-size they got approved as it continued on existing technologies which became the 75 (launched 1985). The big saloon was rejected so Alfa started the 90 project which was a reskin of the Alfetta; later to be updated to be more like the 75. Due to some informal connections Alfa learned of the work that Lancia and Saab had been doing (Thema, 9000 and Croma) and was able to renogiate with Italian government to get money for a big saloon but with reduced costs as it would share the platform. They still went ahead in parallel with the 90 however to be on the market quickly. The 90 had a difficult time as it was not different enough from the 75 and the Thema was the better offer. Alfa was pretty much ready with the 164 to compete again (very different than the 75 and despite shared platform very different and more modern than the Thema) by 1986. They however ran out of money for production tooling. That's when FIAT bought them and after a year of fine-tuning (and some downgrading of luxury options to have less competition with the Thema) in 1987 the 164 was launched. And the doomed-from-the-start 90 was no more. In most companies a car like the 90 could not have existed. In Alfa it could.
Als je een goede tegen een redelijke prijs te koop weet laat het svp weten! Ik vindt het een fascinerende auto en wordt er enorm hebberig van.
Wow! I've never seen one of these before. I can just see myself in one back in the day as a young technician, travelling between sites! 😏 Busso engine, proto digital instrument panel, overhead aircraft style switches, and the clincher for me would be the briefcase. With Filofax.
I had the privilege to own one some time ago. It is not particular beautiful but with it’s quirky features it put a smile on my face every time i got to drive it. The front spoiler, digital dash, handbrake, green illumination, rear discs mounted at the gearbox and the engine 2,5v6 all one big smile. Then the rot came along and eat my trunk. Eventually sold it with a hole in one of the pistons probably due to a faulty injector. Then learned that ‘my’ car was sold on to a student that had folded it around lamppost. A true tragedy for such an awesome car.
I had one in the late 90s. A series 2 with a different analog dash and different grill. A fab car to drive. So enjoyable and that V6 was music to the ears. I agree agree a great ride and handling balance. I think here in Australia had an automatic been available more would have been sold. Only the 2.5 v6 available here. I wish I still had it. But am lucky to have another luxury Italian a 1983 Fiat Argenta 2.0.i as a substitute with only 55,000km. I love it too.
I had one too, 90 Super V6 2.5 with ABS. Fantastic, I loved it so much!
You can install a Busso V6 in Haz Fiat Argenta as well as in the 130
Had one of these in the 90's as it was the cheapest route to Busso V6 heaven. Loved it. The full strip rear lights and the side creases were refined and reused in the Alfa 164.
The familiar Alfa sound that can be heard in all 80's and 90's Italian movie car chase scenes. Only saw one of these in the flesh more than 20 years ago. Lovely cars, shame there aren't that many now.
Best wake up video ever!! Out of all the 90 range, the 2.0 V6 is the rarest. 🐍🐍🇮🇹🇮🇹
And now for something completely different , intriguing Alfa with enough green lights to make Superman feel at home , and more shakes and rattles than a Doctor Who set it seems , only saved by the engine note . Just before heading off into the dough ball 90's lets give the straight line styling pen one more burl. Cars rode so much better back then on proper rubber and smaller wheels ,If the future is full of low profile tyres being almost sprayed on please bring back hydropneumatic suspension . The over head console takes your breath away ..all it needed was a Fax machine. Great review.
the driver mirror adjust being electrical on the passenger side was not a design high note, rather they just left the flawed LHD version as with the floor mats and boot release but in this case it was a benefit if you were RHD.
Having also driven this very car recently, I can confirm that it is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
You know it sir....
@@therubbishmechanicmrcoleman The sound is glorious, first dibs when you get bored with it.
@@reghollisquimdribbler737 ill drop you a message in about 30 years 😜
@@therubbishmechanicmrcoleman , indeed!
@@therubbishmechanicmrcoleman Doubt I've got 30 years in me but I'll be waiting.
There it was, staring at us in nearly every interior shot... And yet, it took you more than half the video running time to even mention the briefcase. Amazing.
building he excitement!
Possibly one of the worst offenders of useless interior gimmickry I have ever seen. I absolutely love it! Wonderful review as well.
Suitcase is awesome, dude.
It would be a brave or foolhardy soul to get involved with those Italian electronics
@@alexander1485 Certainly is, love that kind of stuff.
One of the nicest cars you've ever featured, Matt. Certainly the most interesting. And that briefcase!
Such a treat. Thank you, sir.
not first this time, but im always buzzing to see you, and mr hubnut posting up on facebook. Your such a fun guy to watch on youtube.
to me, you hubnut and jayemm are the most diverse car youtubers on this, and you and hub are the ones i look at and go, i could actually drive them,
very relatable and lovable :) you three have helped me through an extremely tough year mentally thanks for your vids
I'm showing my age here because I remember these. It was the last throw of the dice before Fiat stepped in and saved Alfa by getting them to make cars that actually made money instead of loosing it.
I almost bought a champagne coloured one in 1996 & was totally gobsmacked by the gadgetry and the dash but just couldn't get used to the driving experience. I bought a 164 Cloverleaf instead.
What a shame and I've regretted never buying the 90 ever since, if only to say I had one.
What a brilliant find and a fantastic step back in time through your great video.
It was rumoured the briefcase fitment was nothing to do with it appealing the normal business people, but on the orders of those Italian chaps who wear sunglasses and sharp suits.
Probably not true but just another great story in the file of oddness and unusuality that is the Alfa 90.
Glorious car! Always wanted one, but, alas, like all the great cars of the 80s and 90s, they're too difficult to obtain without time and effort. Great to see it on the road!
I absolutely adore this car ! Alfa Romeo has always built cars which the other automakers didn’t even dare to think of. And let’s not forget that thanks to these guys we have the ‘Busso’ engine!
Tea shelf ratings, trunk body count calculations, interesting cars, and Blues Brothers references - congrats on creating the perfect car review format!
I 'upgraded' from a '76 Alfetta to a 1986 90. I loved it for about a week before problems started occurring, and then regretting not buying the more powerful 3.0l 75 or GTV. The dash check light was always on, the digital dash and odometer were flaky, oil got into the coolant through dodgy head gaskets from memory, heater radiator leaked, it cost a fortune to maintain. A real love/hate relationship.
Brilliant, loved the 90 when I was a kid. Keep up the good work.
Doug Demuro would be going crazy at the Quirks and Features of that car!
No it’s not normal, it’s an Alfa! Really enjoyed your review of this wonderful and quirky Italian beauty. Cheers from Australia.
Wow !, this this is just brilliant !. I love Alfa’s but am ashamed to say that I’ve never heard of or seen one of these. I love it’s bonkers interior dash and switchgear and the boxy rear end styling but, as usual, the best bit of these V6 engines is the noise.
Thanks for showing this rare Italian beast.
Never heard about this Alfa before , and I got to say , the back and the interior are so much quirky , and I love it!
This interior looks like a Viper from Battlestar Galactica. Put Maren Jensen in, and I am happy. 😀
A little lunchtime treat for me to watch later when I have finished tinkering with my own car!
Oh flip... Decided to watch before lunch as I was curious what a fantastic example of a car so many quirky little features from the air plane handbrake, briefcase and that steering wheel where the boss does not move reminds me of the C4, never seen a 90 in the flesh and most likely never will so fantastic review, great humour and the brush... That's for sweeping up the mess of the business rival....
I had the 2nd series with conventional dials a slightly different grill. But in Australian spec no electric seats were offered. Smooth riding and lovely handling cars full of character.
Had to watch this again Matt because Mr Coleman's latest video says that the engine replacement on the Alfa 90 is coming along really well. Awesome sound. Amazing Executive Car for a stop gap.
One of my schoolfriends' dad had one of those from new. It was so rusty by the time it was two years old that Alfa Romeo UK replaced it free-of-charge with a 75 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf...
Which he rolled into a field on his way to work one winter's morning, before it was even a few months old. That was replaced by a Toyota Supra 3.0 manual and a Mercedes-Benz 300TE 4-matic...
His also came from Mario Deliotti in Birmingham as the 90 was only available from a select few dealers in the UK...
Adore these. One that go straight in to.a lottery win collection. The treasurer of my local Conservative party bought one brand new identical to this back in 1986 and then used it for canvassing in the 1987 election. A tweed wearing - chain smoking and hard drinking sort of chap - he kept it for years and years , it's bodywork increasingly getting more battle scared as time rolled on. He used to drive it like he stole it - and the glorious tune that the V6 played as he thundered by has always stuck with me. Totally 80s tastic.
Had an Alfa 90 2.0 back in 93-94. It almost ruined my economy........loved every second of driving it 😀
To be honest I’ve not seen one of those models before not even in Italy. But I saw a similar one in Argentina I think. Nice condition and it runs great.
The sound of the engine is just magic!
Loved this, saw it on Mr Lloyd's channel, nice to see that both of you enjoyed it's quirks. I must admit I can understand why Mr Coleman has lusted after one of these for so long, a really nice car, thank you for bringing another video of it and enjoying it. I hope your Alfa will be back with you soon.
I think he just likes cars that are a bit different
That's a brilliant blast down memory lane! I owned one of these in the late 90's - I loved it but my wife hated it! The green interior light and whacky handbrake were my favourite features
One of the most rare Alfa's... And certainly one of my favourites especially for that dashboard, I love it!! Great vid as usual. I also think that this car fits perfectly to you Matt
Thanks vm Matt, this is one of your best ever. I love the way you explain design elements that I have always taken for granted.
Always loved this car. Already watched the LVC and Rubbish Mechanic reviews but can't get enough of it and this video gave a good impression of what it's like to drive.
I ve got 2 of these crazy Alfa Novanta`s and everyone wants the 75 but this is the car to have. Great car for long distance journey`s and very pretty as well. One of the most underestimated Alfa Romeo`s. Bertone at his best.
Wow, not many can say theyve got more than one of these!
@@furiousdriving Actually even 4. A 2.0 iniezione and a QO with a 3.0 litre busso for spares or repairs.
One day I hope to won one of these and never sell it! It was Alfa's attempt at a businessman's express and imho a very well executed one. The combination of the elegant, subdued styling with the performance and glorious sound of the Busso V6 is unparalleled. The car that could, but doesn't need to shout about it. In that sense it's an Alfa that harks back to the brand's image in the 60s.
Thank You! Nice video and really, really nostalgic for me. Ive had 5 of those, Yes thats figure is correct. I miss every one of them, especially the blu 2.5 quadrifoglio oro from 85. The 2.5 is just the best busso (and thus the best ever engine), more vocally trained and responsive than the later 3.0. But all bussos are great. Despite having active aero (way before it got into fashion with similar cars like f.x. the Veyron) it does lean a bit but the balance is just adorable. Steering is great and you can have all four wheels letting go at exactly the same time if You get of the accelerator briefly during cornering. Despite having 5 Alfa 90´s and using them, I never had any problems at all with any of them. Even the guys at the annual MOT testing always stressed -Don't bother coming back next Year, no need really. Some Years they even called in extra staff so more people could adore the perfection.
the video just oozes with infatuation
great to see such enthusiasm
keep up the good work!
Oh wow. Your best review this year. Total unicorn. Well done Matt.
I had one of these ,way back in the 90s. It was a bitter/sweet experience, because I was never sure if it would break down unexpectedly, usually far from home and many times for the most trivial of reasons(fuel injection relay failure ). The list of things that failed or stopped working was quite long. Such as the electronic speedo and rev counter either not working or giving alarming speed readings ( 800 KMH ),failed front wheel bearings, failed electric windows, refusing to start sometimes ,failed radiator fan thermo switch. In the end ,I just gave up and got rid of it, but when it worked, it was a wonderful car to drive. The first thing to go missing when buying a used example is the briefcase
I was once told that the 90's briefcase is more valuable than the car itself.
That is a stunning car in my opinion. The interior is superb, and in great condition. For some reason I've always liked steering wheels in Alfas...its just something about them. Glad you mentioned this too!
Alfas, Citroen and Opel. Always a smidgen happier when I see a review of one of these!
What a wonderful piece of Italian motoring "obscura"!! Quirky off the scale. More like this please Matt. Fantastic car to do a feature on
I wish that Alfa imported them to the USA, I guess they thought just to wait for the '75' since they seemed to struggle here. I'm trying to get my 1988 Alfa Milano back on the road, it's funny how they used a lot of parts from the 90, I really wish they kept that digital dash! So cool, so 80s! Great video!
This is another rare beauty! I didn’t actually realise these existed and at first I thought it was a 33 and it is pretty much as boxy as the 740 and a boot for at least two bodies!! And that engine note? Just heavenly. What a find Matt!
I love this mad thing, shame Ill never have one
The survival rate was quite high in Australia, there is usually a 1 or 2 for sale at any given time. All 2.5's.. but quite a few have 3L's in them now. The 90 Super is the one to have, a better diff ratio and analogue instruments.
a most splendid motorcar, engine sounds fantastic and its about as 80s as you can get. It reminds me of the SAAB 90 which was a car in the same hue.
Luckily for me there was someone near my house owning one. Subdued(Lanciaesque) but futurististic at the same time. Love it!
Simply, over-the-top, amazing. That attaché case is the icing on the cake.
Being an Italian car it's lucky it's now owned by a mechanic.
Yep that’s the problem with Italian cars. They look beautiful and drive even better, but boy do they require some work to keep them on the road. I had a Alfa 145 Cloverleaf. It’s was a stunning looking car, fast and a beauty to drive, but she was in the garage 2/3 times a year having one repair of the other and I was always paranoid if I took her on a long journey, although one year and drove to Cornwall from Worcester all round Cornwall and back after a week and i didn’t experience one blip. But that was being lucky. I have a BMW 300d now. safe, reliable but just boring to drive. But I have children now so I need something that is safe & reliable, not something that is like being in a dodgy love hate relationship😂
Wow Alfa sure did go all out with this one, aircraft themed roof panels, the handbrake, the dashboard etc but all that is moot if it drives bad. However from your video we can take it that it drives superb which is what Alfa's are all about. I love the colour of the interior, didn't volvo do a similar colour on the 240 and 740? The dash reminds me of the MG Meastro which shows how much car manufacturers wanted to make their cars look like Knight Rider which was so popular at the time. What a steering wheel too, that huge centrepiece. Shame the warning lights are obscured by it though. Great video as always and thanks for sharing these ultra-rare cars.
Really decent review. It makes one think that the Alfa 90 is the more electronic heavy version inside of the Alfetta launched in May 1972 with exactly the same platform but with the v6 engine which should have been introduced in the Alfetta in the 70s; so how good was the Alfetta when it came out with all that technology of front engine and rear transaxle with watts linkage and low unsprung weight front and rear with torsion bars at front and hollow dedion tube at rear with inboard rear discs; as an Alfista who owns one none of the competitors of its day were close.
Just a quick bit of info about the weight thing at 3:40 - these weights listed don't match what you have because they're not what you think :)
These were mandated to be on the VIN plate by the Italian rules of the road (some other countries have/had similar arrangements).
In order, top to bottom:
Maximum Allowed Weight for the vehicle FULLY LADEN (5 passengers + baggage)
Maximum Allowed Weight of the vehicle combined (aka fully laden AND with a fully laden trailer)
Maximum Allowed Weight on the front axle (vehicle + passengers/cargo)
Maximum Allowed Wright on the rear axle (vehicle + passengers/cargo)
Thanks, that makes sense!
Really enjoyed watching this. Brings some memories.
116 based alfas were best alfas ever made in my opinion.
I have seen the owner working on this in his videos. It’s in remarkable condition and the engine sound is magic. Try a early GTV or 164 3.0v6, you won’t be disappointed.
Another very cool find. What a thing. Just two words to describe the interior, well, one word and one number. Blake's 7.
Yeah ...Star Trek would never have worked ...lol . I was half expecting it to all fold up into the brief case on arrival ala George Jetson.
"everything that was brilliant about the 80's... in a door" lol
Yeh 80s sports cars were designed to stand out. Now sports cars don’t they just look like the normal spec cars it’s all about being subtle and boring. The 80s was the decade of being OTT, if you had a fast Ford it was badged up and body kitted out as a sports cars like the Escort R.S Turbo, even the XR3’s & XR2’s stood out and the legendary Cosworth especially the 3 door whale Tail stood out a mile. Now it’s just some little badge on the bottom of the door that’s a signs it’s the faster or sports edition. Booooorrrriiiiiinnnnnggggg😒
Beautiful car! typical Italian single-minded mien attitude compared to todays contrived era of executive cars, loved that particular 1980's period of Alfa Bertone design! amazing quirky features like the; dashboard suitcase, unorthodox handbrake, green interior lighting etc..... should have been much more of a sales success! I think they are going to be finally appreciated now and will go up in value! I really hope Alfa make a comeback in this sector as an Italian alternative is long overdue since the 166.
A great video matt. I like how you and ’Lloyd vehicle consulting’ can film film the same car, but are totally different :)
Me Coleman has had so many cool cars over the years hasn’t he :)
We aim to please, sir!
A friend had one recently. I have the workshop manual somewhere, although we never had one (had a pair of 75s)
Range shouldn’t be that bad. One of the 75s we had was a 2.5 auto, which I think shared the same small tank. Around 25 was normal even with the 3 speed auto box . Tank was 10 gallons so around 250 miles. The 75 TS I had was better on fuel with the same size tank!
Love my Alfa’s and still keep a few including a 166 facelift Ti, a 164 3.0 V6 24 Cloverleaf, and a75 3.0 V6 Veloce. We just sold out Alfetta GTV6’s which were basically this 90 with a better body.
I don’t know where you found this car; I can’t even remember seeing one on the roads when I was a kid!
That is a amazing car! I live in the US as a expat , there a not many Alfa s here. I miss my old 33 1.7 I had in spain! . It handled beautifully on those Andalusian mountain roads, so many good memories. Can you review a 33 boxer 1.7 ? Please???
Fantastic video and the response of the engine and sound of it !!
Cool car, i love the styling!
I remember when we were on holiday in Austria in 1987, somewhere close to the italian border, these things were everywhere, just like a C-Class today. I've never seen one live before or after that.
My dad had one with 2.4l VM motori diesel. It was good car.
Brilliant choice of car for a review, pretty sure I was eyeballing this example on eBay a few years back, but I had recently bought my similar 164 12v so I was just eyeballing haha, seems like you really know your stuff, you mentioned some things I never even know about the 90 and I am a classic Alfa nerd!
One thing I will say though is I would be Astonished if this thing only gets 20 to the gallon,the 3 litre version of this engine is capable of 30 mpg if you are easy on the throttle and 40mpg ish if you cruise it so I can't see the 2.5 being that much worse on fuel unless the transmission losses of the rear mounted transaxle are really that bad.
I would love to see more classic Italian content like this, I'd be happy to let you drive my 164 once I have finished playing with it.
The consumption of a V6 is what puts me off of seriously wanting a Busso-engined car, although I am obssesed with them. Your report about getting that kind of mpg really makes me want one, now!
@@BEasay if you are in the market for a Busso then fuel consumption is no big matter for you.
The 12 Valve is quite efficient but this engine is meant to be driven, you are meant to hear its song so you will likely see between 25 and 28 to the gallon on a 12 Valve and around 22 in a 24 valve.
30-40 is achievable on a cruise though, it is just so hard to not be tempted into dropping down a couple of cogs and hearing that song.
Bet the broom is to hold the boot lid up. Very Alfa and quirky. Love it.
I love this car! Talk about character, I wish modern car designers and manufacturers are this brave with concepts. My favourite has to be the briefcase 💼 , can imagine the Italian owner getting out for a "business" meeting with his packet of pistachio nuts and barretta pistol stored safely in the 💼 . Great content.
Agreed Glen. Modern cars are just so boring. I used to have a Alfa 145 Cloverleaf 🍀 and she was a beauty to look at and drive, but always in the garage so I got rid unfortunately. My BMW is safe and reliable but no character, boring to drive and looks like any other car, to the point that when I come out Asda for shopping I spend the next 15 mins looking for my car and their all the same colour and look like the same models. Bring back the hot hatches and OTT sports spec of the 80s & 90s where if you owned a sports spec, the whole street is going to know it!!!
Apart from the rear number plate placement what a wonderful car!
Hilarious the way you describe the perks and downsides of any car, this one gives you more than enough of both and this video is as always a great watch. And by the way, I love this beautiful car!
I love you're reviews of the unusual and obscure. So fun and so interesting.
Hi Matt,nice review of the Alfa Cloverleaf,a tidy example still on the road.
Amazing car! Love the digital dash, like my quattro. Love the 80's design. Thanks for the great video Matt.
The 80s were great for car design, this is no exception
“Minus five on the tea-shelfery”
Most excellent!
That is my favorite video so far. Even betterer than the 205 Gentry. Thanks for the interesting background information. A session on Google is imminent.
I love the take here on the exclusive side of luxury in giving people the sorts of features you wouldn't find in other cars. There may be practicality and costs reasons for this exclusivity but the fact they did it and sold it is brilliant. I feel a luxury car should be a bit bonkers
È un alfa meravigliosa, gli interni e i comfort dell'epoca competono con gli odierni..... Mi trovate un altra vettura che non sia alfa con tutti i comandi alle plafoniere...dettagli unici..... Che spettacolo wow🇮🇹
It doesn’t have a cup holder or tea shelf to save its life but it comes with its own briefcase?! 💼 Nice exterior chase car shots by the way! 🎥 🚙
Why would a driver of an italian car need a cup holder, they would just swig from a hip flask surely ?
It’s always worked for me! 😂
@@knifetrain3118 LOL !
Amazing, Matt! I love this car and this video. Nicely dressed up for the occasion in fitting business outfit too 😉😁🍀🇮🇹 But one thing:this car needs a revisit in the summer on some proper driving roads 👍😊
Now, I have seen this on another channel, who shall remain anonymous to protect their innocence, and I just cannot get enough of this unique Alfa!
When you mentioned aircraft, I thought of Alitalia, but the interior is so uniquely Alfa that I feel an architect designed its interior.
Dashboard is reminiscent of 1980's GM when they used digital dash on certain vehicles, but Alfa Roméo took that to another level! Its exterior styling reminds me of the 75/Milano (US), although absolutely unique! I cannot stop using that word!
20 mpg seems like a figure from combined city highway driving, although that raucous V6 sounds absolutely delicious! I wonder if the gearshift feel can be improved from its current vague feeling, or is it a quirk due to the rear transaxle? And didn't Rover use rear DiDion suspension on the P6?
Another smashing review! I bet this is another Alfa you are DYING to get your hands on!
Would that be my channel mate 😉
@@therubbishmechanicmrcoleman No, but it is someone you know! 🙂
One word comes mind with that car and that is it is gorgeous. I love it. If only I had one.
Fabulous ! What a car, what would that have cost originally in comparison to a Granada / Carlton / Rover SD1 etc ? I remember occasional visits to Mario Deliotti for parts as my Dad had a `74 Berlina 2000 in the late `70s - not so quirky as the 90 although the centre console was angled to the left + guages were in Italian. Sadly it rapidly rusted and was actually outlived by the landcrab 1800 it replaced!
Great review, terrific on road photography!
That dashboard Matt 😍😍😍 Part of my revulsion for the iPad festooned interiors of today is my utter love for 80’s mental digital buttony dashboards 😍
and the graph paper!
Again a great vid about an interesting car. However, I'm about as obsessed with door handles as you are with tea shelves: If you're unconscious and stuck in this car after an accident, you don't want emergency helpers to lose time working out how the doorhandles work and how to pull the dann thing open with force.
Imagination & Phantasie of italian Car-Designer...“Alfa 90 it’s my Best Design“ - Nuccio Bertone.