After an absence of almost 20 years Alfa Romeo returned to the U.S. market with the 4C, a mid-engine sports car that’s gotten rave reviews though sales (a total of 91 sold in calendar 2014) have been minimal due to an excruciatingly slow roll out. One still occasionally  encounters a vintage Giulietta, Giulia, Duetto or Spider roadster in a supermarket parking lot but sightings of Alfa sedans are few and far between.The paucity of vintage Alfa saloons hiding in plain sight is understandable.  When it was still active in North America, Alfa concentrated on sports cars with little thought, nor marketing lira,  to cars that had proper backseats and steel roofs.

We’ve endeavored to provide a roundup of bigger Alfas sighted over the course of the past year or so to underscore that Alfa Romeo has always been more than just sports cars. These are offered in the hope that the powers that be, namely current corporate parent Fiat Chrysler, will see fit to send something over that won’t conjure up comparisons to go-karts — not that we have anything against topless fun.

How about two for the price of one?  Feral Cars Field Scout (and brilliantly gifted singer songwriter) Sutter Zachman sent in the above shot of a first generation Alfa Giulia sedan (yes, the name was shared with the sports car) we’re guessing it to be a ’65 along with a companion 2000 Berlina sporting nifty tricolore stripes along its flanks.  The Berlina is, likely, an early ’70s model, before federal safety standards mandated protruding rubber bumpers.

Here’s another 2000 Berlina that we peg as a ’74 or ’75 wearing those above referenced rubber bumpers.  Thanks to Feral Cars Field Scout Andrew Keeler for documenting its mouldering presence on the mean streets of San Francisco.

We’re delighted that another two-for-one situation was documented by Feral Cars Scout Fabio Fabbio Fabi — yes, that’s his real name — checking in from Bologna.  He found a late ’50s/early ’60 Giulietta sedan in front of a wedge-shaped Alfa 75. The 75 was sold here as the Alfa Milano, begetting all manner of Pepperidge Farm cookie comparisons.

Speaking of cookies, Feral Cars Field Scout Jimmy Varett sent us this shot of a Milano behind bars.  We think it’s poetic and speaks volumes about the fact that the Alfa brand hasn’t been turned loose for too long a period of time.

The last big Alfa shipped over was the 164, a front wheel drive sedan that was designed prior to Fiat’s takeover in 1986. We found a decent unrestored one, in midnight jade green metallic, proudly wearing its Pininfarina design badge. It reminded us of the expectation that it would be accepted as a BMW 5-series alternative during its short U.S. run. That started with the 1991 model year and came to a screeching halt with Alfa’s withdrawal in ’95.

How about this Giulia we encountered a few months ago?  The patina is breathtaking but we’re betting that by now it’s as shiny as a pair of Gucci loafers.  Then, again, maybe it’s still raw like a nice plate of carpaccio.

We found a Giulia would-be rally car (note the roll cage inside) wearing Alfa’s traditional racing quadrofoglio (four leave clover) on its front fenders and still sporting plates that indicate it was shipped over from the northern province of Cremona. We’re thinking the bumpers were sent out to be re-chromed but maybe this is the look the owner was going for.  Va bene così?

 

Check out this commercial for the 164 that was shot in New York.  It’s a must click if only for the giant mobile phone the driver uses as well as for the glimpse of the World Trade Center.

Do you have the Alfa bug?  Why not add one of these sporting sedans to your fleet?  How about this pristine ’72 Berlina in nearby Wilmington, MA or this hot, hot, hot ’92 164S that’s up for auction on Ebay.

If you’ve stalked a feral car and would like to submit a photo of it for posting consideration please send it to us:   info (at) feralcars (dot)com OR through our Facebook page.