THE Alfa Romeo 155 did not win us over right away. Introduced in 1992, its mission was to replace one of the last genuine Alfa Romeo cars, the charismatic 75, which would also be the last rear-wheel-drive Alfa for too long.
Now part of the Fiat group, the 155 has proved to be much more conventional, as it derives from the same base as the Fiat Tipo, in other words, a whole at the front, sharing countless components with it. Despite its distinctive styling, the Alfa Romeo 155 “breathed” Fiat through almost every pore…
But the perception and attraction of the model would change — and in what way — after the decision to put it to compete in the most varied tourism championships at the time. And it was a reason: the Alfa Romeo 155 GTA between 1992 and 1994 he would win the Italian, Spanish and British Touring Championships. But it would be in the DTM, already as 155 V6 Ti, the German super-tourism championship, that he would achieve his greatest feat, by defeating the powerful German brands in his own home!
The Alfa Romeo 155 had rightly won the cuore of enthusiasts!
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We need a 155 GTA Stradale
The titles won more than justified a corresponding high-performance road version, even for the possibility of evolving “the species” by designing a special homologation, similar to the Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo or the BMW M3 (E30). The plan was put in motion…
Under development…
Starting from the most powerful variant of the model, the 155 Q4 — 2.0 Turbo, 190 hp and four-wheel drive —, in essence, almost a Lancia Delta Integrale with which it shared the main mechanical parts, Alfa Romeo turned to Sergio Limone's services. , renowned engineer at Abarth, and considered the father of the rally “monster”, the Lancia 037, for such an important task.
Get to work
The 2.0 engine would receive Group N specs, apparently integrating a new Garrett T3 turbocharger, a new intercooler and a new ECU from Magnetti Marelli. However, there doesn't seem to have been any gains in power, remaining at 190 hp, but the engine's response seems to have benefited.
The story goes that those responsible for Fiat were more interested in “fitting” a V6 under the bonnet — most likely the V6 Busso — ensuring the performance to better rival and even surpass the German models, but this proved impossible due to the incompatibility of the V6 with the other mechanics and chassis of the Delta Integrale.
Dynamically the changes were of greater importance. At the rear, the rear suspension of the Lancia Delta Integrale was adopted — the MacPherson type, with lower arms — and the tracks would be widened by 23mm and 24mm, at the front and rear respectively.
They had to design new fenders to accommodate the wider lanes, as well as new bumpers, similar in design to the competition 155 GTA, in addition to the rear now being ornamented with a new wing. The set was topped off with new white wheels, something common in Alfa Romeo competition.
the prototype
A prototype was built, precisely the one that is up for auction, which, in addition to the exterior alterations, saw its interior being stripped and covered in black leather, having won new sports seats and a three-spoke steering wheel from Sparco, with a vertical mark on the top. , as we see in competition cars.
The most curious detail was in the key, which in addition to turning the engine on/off, also automatically cut off the electrical system and the fuel supply in the event of an accident, just like in competition cars.
The prototype was presented at the Salon in Bologna, Italy, in 1994 and would later be used as a medical assistance car at the Italian Grand Prix, in Monza, that same year, still having the legendary Sid Watkins as its head.
"Lost opportunity"
The prototype, which generated so many expectations, however, would never reach the production line. According to Fiat officials at the time, not only did they want to see the V6 under the bonnet, to better face the M3 and 190E Evo Cosworth of the time, but it would also require a production line, given the differences to the remaining 155, which would entail too high costs.
The production Alfa Romeo 155 GTA Stradale would stick to the intentions. Sergio Limone, the engineer responsible for the project, in a recent interview with Ruote Classiche, says it was a missed opportunity.
is being auctioned
After presenting the prototype and participating in the Italian Grand Prix in 1994, the Alfa Romeo 155 GTA Stradale ended up in Tony Fassina's garage in Milan, where it remained for four years before being sold to a friend.
This friend took the car to Germany, where he received his first registration so that he could be driven on the road. In 1999, the car was returned to Italy, for a private collection by a preparer specializing in Alfa Romeo engines, recently changing owners, who now put it up for sale, through an auction organized by Bohnams, in Padua, Italy, the next day October 27th.
The 155 GTA Stradale has 40 thousand kilometers, and according to the seller is in good condition. Accompanying the car are several documents attesting to its history, a copy of the Ruote Classiche magazine with an interview with Sergio Limone, and even a letter from the latter, addressed to Tony Fassina, testifying to the authenticity of the model.
The price for this unique piece of Alfa Romeo's long and rich history? Between 180 thousand and 220 thousand euros is what Bonhams predicts…
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