Meet the Owner – Tony Ludovico and his Alfa Romeo Alfa 6

My car was registered in Italy in 1986, but it was actually manufactured in 1984. I imported it to the UK it in 2018 after it had stood in a barn in Verona for 16 years - and after a wash and wax and the original paintwork was still amazing!

The Alfa 6 was always an exclusive sight in the UK. It may have been Italy’s fastest four-door production at one point, but no previous large Alfa Romeo saloon had been a major seller in the UK. The 1962 – 1968 2600 Berlina was not exactly a common sight. There was also the issue of the 6’s appearance, as its elegant but slightly dated lines were reminiscent of an elongated Alfetta. The two cars share doors, floorpan and suspension.

In fact, Alfa Romeo designed the 6 before its smaller stablemate, and they planned to launch it in 1974 as their BMW and Mercedes-Benz rival. However, production was delayed due to the 1973 Fuel Crisis and the company’s financial issues. A further problem was that some of the company’s directors were somewhat un-keen on giving it the green light.

The 6 finally debuted on the 21^st April 1979, and one of its major talking points was the new 2,492cc V6 with six carburettors. The specification included ZF power steering, a limited-slip differential, electric windows, central locking and adjustable steering, while the velour interior resembled the living room for Terry and June. Italian buyers could even specify the 6 with bulletproof glass and body panels – a reminder that Alfa Romeo developed it during the era of the Angry Brigade.

Tony finds the 6:

very underrated. It is such a solid car which was mainly driven or chauffeured for diplomats in Italy! The Pope had one, and it’s still alive at the Alfa Romeo Museum! At the time, I think it was a very expensive car to buy in Italy, and mine was the model in which they downsized the engine to avoid a tax charge. Being a 2.0 V6, this was never sold in the UK, so this makes it the only one here! It is a lovely drive on a long run - a real cruiser - especially on the motorway but I only manage to get about 25mpg! I avoid taking her through Milton Keynes as the 6 is not very good at going round roundabouts!!!

Home market buyers could also specify a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, but Alfa GB only marketed the 6 with the 2,492cc petrol engine and a ZF transmission. Given the intended customer base, this was probably a wise decision – The Observer advised potential buyers to “go for the automatic every time”. The 2.0-litre version was also less economical than the 2.5-litre 6 as it had to work harder.

The press reception to the Alfa 6 was mixed with Autocar saying, “the choice of the Alfa 6 would have to be mainly because of the special mystique of being an Alfa Romeo”. Motor appeared similarly underwhelmed:

An adequately good car in most respects, but a class-leader in none, and overall rather a disappointment for the price. In that light the Alfa 6 appears as a rather mundane device that lacks any special qualities to distinguish it from many very strong rivals.

Meanwhile, Car claimed that in many ways it was “an inadequate car” but “on the open road it is very good. One up, with 100 miles of B-roads to cover and no time to waste, keen drivers will find it excellent. Fast, clean, precise and inspiring”. But Motor Sport seemed rather keener on the 6:

For those who crave a part of the exciting Alfa Romeo mystique but who want a fully-equipped, spacious family saloon that is more up-market than an Alfasud or Alfetta, the vee-six Alfa Romeo Alfa-6 has much in its favour, at the present price of £12,500 (£50 less than that of the basic Rover 3500).

As seen on Tony’s car, Alfa Romeo facelifted the 6 in 1983 with square headlamps. For the V6, a Bosch fuel injection replaced the carburettors. The launch in the following year of the 90 - essentially a modified Alfetta with the option of the 2.5-litre injected unit – marked the beginning of the end, and production ceased in 1986.

The company intended to sell 10,000 units per year - with 3,000 for export - but a mere 12,070 left the factory, 128 to the UK. In Italy, the last examples of the 6 occupied Alfa Romeo dealerships alongside the new 1987 164. Tony believes “only a couple survive” in this country, making his 6 a highly exclusive machine. It follows his previous Alfa Romeos – a 164 and a 166 - and certainly looks distinguished.

And the Ferrer Roche ambassador would probably have greatly approved the Alfa 6. “With these rear window blinds and velour upholstery, you are spoiling us!”.

With Thanks To: Tony Ludovico