ALFA ROMEOAlfetta 1972 - 1979

　　Alfa Romeo introduced the Alfetta range in 1972, evoking the name of its former Formula 1 racer, the Alfetta 159.

　　The Italian carmaker had vast experience in motorsport and tried to use it on its regular, production vehicles. Its mid-size sedan Alfetta was living proof. Alfa Romeo built it as a sports sedan on a unique platform with the engine at the front and the gearbox in the back to get a better weight distribution. Moreover, the motorsport-inspired solutions went further, with the in-board disc brakes from the rear axle mounted on the upper side of the driveshafts, not at the wheels, to reduce the unsprung masses.

　　At the front, the Alfetta featured dual headlights of equal size. The black grille sported the Alfa Romeo shield in the middle that stretched between the hood and the chromed metallic bumper. To comply with newer safety regulations, the carmaker added two rubber blocks. Underneath, on the apron, the carmaker placed the parking lights. The Alfetta's profile showed a sloped trunk offering a better view to the rear.

　　Inside, the carmaker tried to make an upmarket interior, with a flat dashboard and an instrument cluster raised in front of the driver. Alfa Romeo placed two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer and two gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature inside it. An analog clock took center stage between them. Back in the '70s, the center console was not a common feature for a car, but the Italian engineers installed one to hide the tall transmission tunnel.

　　Under the hood, the carmaker installed three gasoline engines, depending on the market. The most powerful version was the 2.0-liter twin-cam engine fed by a pair of Weber 40DCOE carburetors. A five-speed manual was standard for the entire range.