Three-quarters front view of Geoff Gordon's, Red, 1979, Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint, in the International Paddock, at the 2019 Silverstone Classic.
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint (later only Alfa Romeo Sprint) is a boxer-engined coupé produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1976 to 1989, and based on the Alfa Romeo Alfasud. 116,552 units of the Alfasud Sprint and Sprint were built in total. The Sprint was sold in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The Alfasud Sprint was presented to the press in September 1976 in Baia Domizia (Caserta), and shown at the Turin Motor Show in November. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro like the Alfasud, whose mechanicals it was based on, it had a lower, more angular design, featuring a hatchback (although no folding rear seats). The Alfasud Sprint was assembled together with the Alfasud in the Pomigliano d'Arco plant, located in southern Italy—hence the original "Sud" moniker, which means south in Italian. Under the Alfasud Sprint's bonnet there was a new version of the Alfasud's 1186 cc four-cylinder boxer engine, stroked to displace 1,286 cc (78 cu in), fed by a twin-choke carburator and developing 76 PS (56 kW; 75 hp) at 6,000 rpm. Mated to the flat-four was a five-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox. The interior was upholstered in dark brown Texalfa leatherette and tartan cloth. Options were limited to alloy wheels, a quartz clock and metallic paint. In May 1978 the Alfasud Sprint underwent its first updates, both cosmetic and technical. Engine choice was enlarged to two boxers, shared with the renewed Alfasud ti, a 79 PS (58 kW; 78 hp) (1,350 cc) and an 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) (1,490 cc); the earlier 1286 cc units was not offered anymore, remaining exclusive to the Alfasud. Outside many exterior details were changed from chrome to matte black stainless steel or plastic, such as the wing mirrors, window surrounds and C-pillar ornaments; the B-pillar also received a black finish, the side repeaters changed position and became square, and the front turn signals switched from white to amber lenses. In the cabin the seats had more pronounced bolsters.
Size: 4837px × 3228px
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -quarters, , 1490cc, 84, 1979, 2019, 3-door, alfa, alfasud, boxer, boxer-engined, car, carburettor, challenge, class, classic., coupé, flat-, front, geoff, giorgetto, giugiaro, gordon, h2ai, h4, hatchback, historic, hp, international, paddock, red, romeo, silverstone, sprint, touring, twin-choke, view
