1989 ALFA ROMEO SPRINT 1.7 QUADRIFOGLIO VERDE

This Alfa Romeo Sprint 1.7 Quadrifoglio Verde is a striking example of the 1980s performance coupe, which is fresh from a major overhaul in June 2020. Under the bonnet is the 1.7-litre flat-four ‘boxer’ engine fed by two twin-choke carburettors, producing up to 116bhp, coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer indicates 40,720 miles.

First registered in January 1989, this UK-market ‘Cloverleaf’ Sprint was purchased new from Lombarda Alfa Romeo in London, and was kept by the same owner for the next 30 years. In 1997, she took the car over to Spain, and it remained there until late 2019 when the second UK owner purchased the car.

In mid-2020, a major recommissioning service was undertaken by Originale Italiano, a small business rejuvenating Alfa Romeos and Lancias in Northern Ireland. This is car number 15 of their completed projects to date. Now in excellent order, the car is offered for sale by the trade.

The vendor is not aware of any previous damage to the bodywork, and reports that it presents in excellent condition with no rust and no welded repairs. Its vibrant red paint is in superb order, having certainly been refreshed in the past, and now presents with only minor stone chips marks that have been touched in. It rides on five-spoke 14-inch wheels that are pristine, having been fully refurbished during the recommissioning.

Its cabin is in equally impressive condition, with the seats having been re-trimmed in black leather and now presenting as-new. The rest of the interior is also in great shape, with no cracks in the dashboard, and no damage to the fabric door panels. There are manual winding windows, a Blaupunkt radio cassette deck and speakers, and a beautiful three-spoke steering wheel ahead of the driver. The vendor notes that the gear shift gaiter is slightly worn, but this is clearly a very minor imperfection. There are no known faults with any of the electrics or switchgear, and no warning lights on the dashboard.

In June 2020 at 40,007 miles, this car was treated to an extensive recommissioning overhaul with Originale Italiano, totalling some £6,419. The engine and gearbox were removed, with the block and heads cleaned, and then partially repainted in black enamel. The underside of the car was also given a thorough clean, removing all of the wheel arch liners to ensure there were no hidden problems, and then treating and protecting the panels with anti-corrosion wax. Even the rear seats were removed so that access could be made to the inner sills to give them similar preventative attention. The front subframe and control arms were also blasted and repainted.

Mechanically, the car was fitted with a complete new clutch kit, including a replacement slave cylinder, while the oil pressure sensor, thermostat, silicone coolant hoses and vacuum hoses were also renewed. Two new timing belts and a drive belt were fitted, and the distributor cap, rotor arm, HT ignition leads and spark plugs were replaced. Both carburettors were stripped, cleaned and rebuilt, then correctly tuned. All fluids and oils were changed, and a machined steel speedometer drive was fitted. Finally, the car received new front brake discs and pads, new rear wheel bearings, and the engine bay was given a thorough clean.

The most recent MOT test was on 7 February 2020 at 39,963 miles. It had failed earlier the same day due to faulty lights, and with an advisory for some slight play in the nearside rear wheel bearing, but was subsequently re-tested after repairs were made and passed with no advisories. Four new Michelin tyres were fitted earlier this year during the overhaul.

Accompanying the car are the original handbooks, service book, and even a Sprint brochure. There is some paperwork and invoices from the time the car spent in Spain most recently, as well as the invoice for the major overhaul completed in the UK this year.

This Alfa Romeo Sprint 1.7 Quadrifoglio Verde is a coveted Italian modern classic, boasting a characterful flat-four engine, elegant Giugiaro styling, and rewarding handling. These range-topping ‘Cloverleaf’ cars are becoming increasingly hard to find in good condition, and this example must surely be among the very best. It is a great opportunity for a die-hard Alfa Romeo enthusiast, or a passionate performance car collector alike.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history where available. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.