RE: [alfa] Re: Stupid Looking Alfas

[White Anthony <anthony.white@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe Elliot wondered:

"The Milano's trunk is as high as it is for aerodynamic reasons (the 
boxy car manages an impressive .34 drag coefficient).  Why the trim 
along the side of the car has to bend upwards to meet the top of the 
trunk has always puzzled me, though."  


The 75 (Milano) was put together on a budget -- it wasn't a clean slate
design.  Much of the chassis, obviously, relied on the Alfetta and GTV6.  A
good amount of the bodywork, however, relied on the 116 Giulietta -- a
vehicle that was never available in the US.  

The 116 Giulietta was based on the Alfetta sedan chassis, but with completely
revised bodywork and interior.  It was smaller and slightly lighter than the
Alfetta sedan.  It was manufactured between about 1977 and 1986, and was
awarded European Car of the Year at some point -- I forget which year.  Came
with the usual Alfetta engines.  From 1983, there was also a 2 litre
turbocharged version, making 170hp.    

In developing the 75 from the Giulietta, Alfa appear to have retained a
number of the toolings.  The nose and tail are completely new, and
significantly larger.  Externally, the doors in particular appear to be the
same pressing, with different plastic trim.  The doors of the Giulietta have
a creased accent line along the top of the doors that continues along the
nose and tail of the car.  The new nose and tail design of the 75 did away
with this crease, and gave a different line to the tail particularly.  The
crease on the door would have looked completely wrong with the revised nose
and tail, so the plastic trim was added to the top of the door, and then
extended on the front and rear fender panels.  As the 75 tail is quite high,
the plastic trim needed to bend upwards to meet the top of the trunk, and
bring the whole design together.  

If anyone is interested, and has the chance to park a 75 next to a 116
Giulietta, it's quite an interesting comparison.  If you can find a couple of
photographs of a 75 and a Giulietta ( www.carsfromitaly.com has photos that
will do) you also may be able to make a comparison of the doors.  

Regards,
Anthony White
Wellington, NZ
former 116 Giulietta owner
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