Classic cars with history: the Alfa Romeo Sprint, a compact sports car in the Italian style that defined an era

The Alfa Romeo went through a series of major changes as a company during the 60s and 70s, moving its car production to southern Italy, specifically to the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Naples. This plant debuted with one of the most iconic models of the Biscione brand, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud, one of Europe’s first compact cars at the time, from which the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint, our protagonist today, was derived.

The Sprint was designed by the acclaimed designer Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1971 as the sporty variant of the Alfasud. Its blend of styles and silhouettes combined the dynamism of a coupé with the generous interior space of a saloon, and it also had a truly attractive side profile with many elements that characterised the Alfas of that time: its two headlights on each side and its large grille crowned by the iconic triangular mesh.

A design reference

With this design, the Sprint was undoubtedly a success, selling a total of 116,552 units during the 13 years it was on sale (1976–1989). Today it is even considered one of the most beautiful of its era by many, especially, in our humble opinion, the second generation of the Sprint, which radiated that very 80s air and set itself apart from the Alfasud.

Inside, the Sprint offered room for four people, and buyers could choose between more conventional seats or more sporty ones that held their occupants better when it came to misbehaving, something this car did very well.

Alongside these seats, the Sprint featured an instrument cluster with two analogue gauges of rounded shape set into the dashboard, a three-spoke steering wheel from which you could operate systems such as the climate control and, finally, interior space among the best in its segment, with a boot of 425 litres capacity.

The mechanics that made this a great compact sports car

Under its bonnet, the Sprint had a 4-cylinder Boxer engine with a 180-degree V layout, single or double carburettor depending on the version, and even fuel injection in its final years on sale.

In 1972, the most powerful version of the Sprint produced 76 CV, allowing it to reach up to 165 km/h, figures that were increased in 1989 to 118 CV, with which the Sprint could reach up to 196 km/h, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and disc brakes on all four wheels.

Although these power figures may seem laughable by today’s standards, the 76 and 118 CV for the Sprint’s 915 kg made it an ideal car for enjoyment, offering long hours behind the wheel, something that can’t be said of many cars today.