1994 Alfa Romeo 164

This is a fully loaded, second-generation example of the wonderful Alfa 164, which means a V6 engine, leather interior and all the toys. And what toys! The lucky new owner will be able to enjoy full climate control air conditioning (untested), an electric sunroof and windows, electric folding mirrors, central locking, electrically adjustable front seat with built-in heating, leather-trimmed steering wheel, gear knob, dash binnacle and center console plus a rear sunblind.

It’s clearly been cherished and loved, and comes with a history file dating back to 1998 bulging with the sort of paperwork you want to see when you’re thinking of buying a 23-year-old Italian car.

The Pininfarina-designed car has been resprayed in its original colour of Nero Black at some point in its life, and the work has clearly been done to a high standard as they even took the trouble to finish the body-kit in Grigio, as per the factory finish. The resulting two-tone colour scheme looks as sexy as hell. The finishing touch are a full set of brand new badges and number plates.

The 16-inch Speedline alloy wheels have been refurbished too, and are shod with excellent tyres. The eagle eyed amongst you will spot the red brake calipers peeking out from behind them, a flash of colour we heartily approve of.

There are some small ripples along the flanks and and a couple of light scratches on the roof that may well polish out but that’s pretty much the norm for a black Italian car that was built in the nineties.

Black coachwork with a brown leather interior must be the very best colour combination for any Alfa Romeo. If you agree, then this is the car for you because that is the spec you’ll be bidding on.

The interior is way better than most 164s, in large part because of the relatively low mileage. That means that while the driver’s seat is starting to show some gentle creasing, it is otherwise in very good condition with no rips and tears to ruin the ambience. 

Alfa 164 aficionados will be wondering about the condition of the display of the (very rare) dual-screen climate control panel, a notorious weak point. Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that it has just been refitted following a full restoration by an expert in The Netherlands.

All the toys that we tested worked (windows, mirrors, sunroof, sport suspension, central locking etc) with the exception of the dash boot release button. The only other anomaly that we noticed on a brief test drive was that the indicators were not self-cancelling, a not uncommon and easily rectified fault on a 164.

I’m not sure we need to say anything other than that this Alfa Romeo 164 is fitted with the 3.0-litre, ‘Busso’ V6 petrol engine with its wonderful chrome inlet manifolds and one of the best exhaust notes in the business. 

It runs and revs and sounds as it should and produces 232bhp and 203lb/ft of torque, enough for a top speed of 140mph and a 0-62mph time of 7 seconds via a five-speed manual gearbox.

Three, two, one, back in the room *snaps fingers*

Right, time to concentrate on something other than the engine you’ve always promised yourself. And it’s all good news because in recent years (2014 and just 1,000 miles ago) the previous owner spent over £6,000 with Alfa Romeo specialists Alfa Aid on giving the 164 the love she deserves.

The money went on a new cambelt, cam cover gasket, and pulleys, and while they were under the bonnet they popped on a new water pump and an auxiliary drive belt tensioner kit. 

They also fitted an uprated polyurethane rear engine mount, six new spark plugs, a battery, clutch slave cylinder and pipework, a reconditioned steering rack, new brake discs and pads all round including new brake flexi hoses and handbrake cables. They also fitted genuine Alfa Romeo middle and rear exhaust sections. 

All the fluids and filters were then changed, the tracking was adjusted, and the underside was fully waxoyled.

In other words, the owner did it all, and he did it properly. For full details see the invoices in the history file below. 

Oh, and the car is fitted with the rare and highly effective electronically adjustable shock absorber system. Both auto and sport modes work as they should and the whole thing is completely free of any untoward knocks and bangs. 

The car comes with numerous other receipts back to 1998 for previous servicing and maintenance. There is a thick wad of old MOTs too back to the same period, and the car comes with its dealer-fit number plates, which are a bit scruffy but an important part of the car’s provenance, nonetheless.

The current MOT runs out in June 2017, but will come with a new full 12 months MOT for the lucky winning bidder.

The Alfa Romeo 164 is something of an unloved classic. While everyone loves the way they look, sound and go, few are brave enough to actually buy one.

Which is a bit silly. The underlying platform was a joint Saab/Alfa/Lancia/Fiat effort, so the mechanical underpinnings are rock-solid and no less reliable than anything else of that period. And Alfa’s rust-woes were well-behind them by this point, with the 156 and 164 being no better or worse than their contemporaries.

So, we can’t help but think that the 164’s time has come. Prices are still on the floor but there are growing signs of interest in what is effectively a four-seater supercar.

With only 400 or so left on the road in the United Kingdom, the opportunity to snap up a decent 164 has never been slimmer – and it’s getting ever slimmer as the months slip by.

Remember: cars and girls have one thing in common; the ones we regret are the ones we let slip through our fingers…

The car is with us and can be viewed at our premises in South Oxfordshire. Use the 'Contact Seller' button to arrange.

Guide price is £5,500 and the reserve as always is set slightly lower. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments or view our frequently asked questions.

A history check (certificate in the history below) shows nothing untoward and supports the provenance of this car.