The Museu do Caramulo may even have its doors closed due to the complex situation that the country is going through. However, this does not mean that it is “stopped” and proof of this is the most recent member to be added to its collection: o Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo.
One of only three copies that came to our country when the 75 1.8 Turbo was launched, this is today the only survivor of that batch.
Intended to be part of the permanent collection of the Museu do Caramulo, this Alfa Romeo was donated by Fausto Vidal and after the museum is reopened to the public, it can now be seen on display.
The Alfa Romeo 75 1.8 Turbo
The last model developed exclusively by Alfa Romeo before its acquisition by the then Fiat Group, the Alfa Romeo 75 saw the light of day in 1985, appearing, at the same time, as a kind of “birthday gift” for the 75 years that the Arese's brand celebrated.
It was also the last rear-wheel-drive model to be launched by Alfa Romeo (excluding the very special 75-derived SZ) before the arrival of the equally exclusive 8C Competizione in 2007 and 4C in 2013. Its natural successor with rear-wheel drive , Giulia, would only be revealed in 2015.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Replacement of the then-old Giulietta, the Alfa Romeo 75 would see one of its most interesting versions arrive in 1986: the Turbo. Equipped with a four-cylinder in-line twin cam (double camshaft), with 1.8 l capacity, which was associated with a Garrett T3 turbo, it offered 155 hp and 226 Nm. An “old-fashioned” turbo, with nothing in low and needing at least 2500 rpm to give everything it had to give.
The numbers allowed to launch the 75 Turbo's less than 1150 kg (DIN) up to 100 km/h in less than eight seconds and reach a top speed of 214 km/h. Added to all this was a “darn for fun” dynamic, with the rear drifts characterizing its dynamic attitude.
The copy we are talking to you about today dates from 1987 and, as you would expect from a model that will be part of the permanent collection of the Museu do Caramulo, is in very good condition.
Now, just wait for the situation in the country to improve before we can travel to the most famous automobile museum in Portugal to see this Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo live.