1997 Alfa Romeo 155 - 2.5 litre V6 Final Special Edition Model

This left-hand drive V6 was apparently one of just 250 Final Special Edition 155s offered right at the end of production in Japan only. This example seemingly coming with the correct paperwork and certificate from Fiat Alfa Romeo Japan to state as much, with its build plaque stating number 046/250 – incidentally the same as Valentino Rossi’s racing number, for all you super bike fans out there...

The vendor’s something of an Alfa Romeo enthusiast and seems to have done his research, so we’ll let him unravel the story of this rather special machine. “In 1997, 250 V6 and 500 2.0-litre twin spark, left-hand drive 155s were sent from the Alfa Romeo factory in Pomigliano, Italy to Japan. The target purchasers were high-net worth Japanese customers, keen to pay homage to the racing version of the 155 DTM/BTCC cars, that had performed so well in the mid-1990s. Modifications to these ‘Final Special Edition’ 155s included a sports free-flow exhaust, cloverleaf badges, up-rated Brembo brakes, Speedline alloys and suspension upgrades. The vast majority of the numbered 155s are red, although research has revealed both a black 155 V6 and a yellow coloured Zagato car in Japan.”

The specification of this rare machine also includes; headlamp washers and Carello fog lights (yellow), with tinted rear glass, colour-coded skirts, a wrap-around boot spoiler and quicker ratio steering.

Although something of a cliché, performance Italian cars do always seem to look their best in Rosso (red). This one certainly looks the part, with its flared arches and sculpted lines surely drawing many an admiring glance. The 155’s styling was always one of its greatest assets with the extra visual impact of this more sporting version further enhancing Ercole Spada’s exceptional penmanship. There’s very little to giveaway that this fine machine has now seen 27 winters – most of them thankfully not spent on our salt-strewn roads. Again, in danger of skirting into cliché territory, the biggest killer of old Alfas is corrosion, yet that certainly doesn’t seem to have taken hold here.

The panel gaps all look highly uniform with trim and glass ostensibly in equally fine order. We really did struggle to find any marks worth mentioning anywhere on this 155. We have been informed by the vendor that those Cloverleaf wing badges were originally painted, but have since been replaced with badges. The wind deflectors on the front windows (Alfa Romeo etched) are matched by a pair of rears, currently residing in the boot. The seemingly excellent 16-inch Speedline alloy wheels are covered in good-looking and matching Continental tyres all round. All the glass also still carries its Alfa Romeo etching. 

While it’s by no means untidy, the cabin of this rare 155 hasn’t held up quite as well as its frankly stunning exterior. The fabric to the seats shows a few light stains and signs of sagging, the same can be said of the headlining that’s beginning to lose its fight with gravity (at the front). That’s the bad news, though hardly a disaster, the good news is that the rest of the fabric (carpets and door cards) look to be in great shape.

The dashboard and plastics in general (usually not known for being the most robust) seem to have survived without the unsightly cracks or damage common to many. The Momo steering wheel also looks to be in fine shape. The factory gear knob has been swapped for a carbonfibre alternative, which is mirrored by the stereo surround (the latter could do with some adjustment). The boot trim also seemingly superb, the latter allowing access to the rear seats via the centre load-through rear armrest.

While we were in the boot, we lifted the tidy carpet to reveal the tyre-change instructions still remain on the spare-wheel cover, with the associated space-saver spare, tools and jack all found where we’d expect them to be. There’s also a selection of spare parts that includes; side mirrors, a relay, those aforementioned rear wind deflectors and a set of wipers.

Arguably the best part of this rare Alfa is its 2.5-litre centrepiece Giuseppe Busso-designed V6 engine. A mainstay of performance Alfas for decades, this 60-degree bent six is heralded by many a petrolhead as one of the best sounding and most characterful motors out there. Lift the bonnet and you’re greeted by the motoring equivalent of a flashy watch in the form of those chrome intake runners. They look good here, with only a little tarnishing showing along their bases – we’ve seen much worse. The engine bay in general looks good and honest and clearly hasn’t been detailed to hide any vital fluid incontinence.

We saw a replacement coolant hose on the block, hard to miss as the stock black rubber has been replaced with a bright blue silicon alternative. The soundproofing seems to still be holding well onto the underside of the bonnet and plenty of original plaques and manufacturer safety decals could be seen throughout the engine bay (always a great sign of originality). We didn’t get a good look underneath this 155, other than to gaze longingly at its stainless-steel exhaust, but the vendor did report that; “crucially, the car is rust free.”

There are a few Japanese inspection documents to accompany this 155, though sadly we’ve no idea what most of them mean. However, the certificate of authenticity from Fiat Auto Japan is clear to see. What we could decipher – via correspondence with the Alfa Romeo homologation department – was that this 155 was built on 19 May 1997. More up-to-date care can be charted by a large service invoice from Deans of Hampton Court (showing water pump, coolant and cambelt changes) from May 2020 at a cost of £900. Another generous invoice from the same firm charts similar work in August 2021, showing an itemised list of work that includes a clutch slave cylinder and bonnet strut replacement at a cost of £549,06.

Substantial brake work was carried out in March 2022 with both front and rear brakes changed and some 25mm Eibach wheel spacers added. A front brake hose was changed in January 2022 with a coolant leak cured at the same time, the result a bill for €1092 (work carried out in Tallinn, Estonia by TRK Varvid). A front wishbone and radiator replacement were also carried out at the same place and time. New Brembo callipers were added in February 2022 at GGB, Bradford for £1048,49. All keys including the ‘master’ red one and owner’s book pack, also accompany this rather special 155.

There’s a little more to this car’s history that we’ll let the vendor explain; “First registered in Japan in June 1998, the dash is showing 122,000kms. Cambelt changed at 76k kms and 107k kms. New Ignition coil, performance HT leads and modified hydraulic clutch hose added. The many warning lights that appear on the instrument panel and centre console are a constant challenge, but are presently off. R188 PDL has a fully-documented history and certification from Fiat/Alfa Romeo Japan. It has six months to run on its current MoT, that shows no advisories. This car was imported from Japan and registered with DVLA in 2018 by the present owner. Any further information regarding R188 PDL is available upon request.”

Even without factoring in its remarkable touring car career, the 155 offers some of the most engaging, entertaining and avantgarde executive motoring on offer from the 1990s. Add in that motorsport seasoning and you’ve got a near irresistible machine, especially if the 155 in question happens to be one of the model’s final numbered limited editions. 

The vendor has enjoyed taking this fine 155 throughout Europe, driving some of the best roads the continent has to offer and now admits, ‘it’s time to sell’. Having had his fun, it’s time for its next owner to enjoy theirs.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £8,000 - £10,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Esher, Surrey. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.