French Customer Bruno Manfredini

As a long term Alfista, I nearly owned all the 105 chassis version possible. I know the Banks’ for more than 5 years now and I am a faithful customer for race and road parts.

My last road car was a 2000 GTV with Alfaholics road B kit, Alfaholics 4 pot brakes and some comfy mods. But I always find the car tiring on last distance tour (like the Centenary in Milano) majorly because of wind noise on door windows and a bit too long legged for that nearly stock engine.

As a pure afficionado of 4 doors Alfa’s ( I owned in the 90’s a 1750 Mk1 ), I decided to make MY berlina.

After months of researches, I found this time warp 71 1300 Super with 65000kms on the odometer at a well-known classic Alfa dealer. But it was a 1300. So we settled a deal or the car without engine drive train and wheels. I had in the garage a spare ex-racer torquey 2000 engine and 10/43 CP on the shelf. Many talks further with Max who was at that time working on Andrew’s TI super Replica, and the 1300 Super project, leads to a 2000-Super car.

I wanted an effortless car with comfort and efficient suspension. So I went for:

• FIA kit 2”1/4 on slightly lowered suspension ( minus 3 cms )
• Alloy rose jointed T-bar
• Lightened trailing arms
• Full Alfaholics geometry kit
• Sport Koni all around
• Alfaholics 4 pots calipers kit with rear aluminium calipers.
• Screw rear brake limitor
• Engine is that ex race one with long alloy car mount and 40 DCOE carbs for extra torque (power estimated to 150-160 bhp no more but flat bottom torque curve ) and 123tune ignition specially made.
• Full Alfaholics SS exhaust line
• Live axle is 1750 10/43 CP on 40/25 Alfaholics LSD
• Alfaholics 7×15” GTA Veloce wheels with custom Alfaholics smoke paint finish

Early summer tests in Aveyron during my holidays, revealed a fantastic torquey car, with all the comfy side of the Berlina. What a difference with the GTV. As says my wife: far less sensual but so more usable. The full suspension prove the efficiency of a modern car on those little twisty roads (just ask that A6 Quattro owner).

I really don’t feel the extra weight compared with the GTV. In fact I must say that the slightly shorter final ratio + big improvements in wind noise and comfier seats largely put the Berlina as the best 105 Classic choice.

I was just a little disappointed with the front damping on bad bumpy roads. So having spoken to Max, the latest improvements are 2 front special Alfaholics race dampers with road valving. The dampers are beautiful, even on softest position. They have dramatically changed the car. At 140 Km/h you feel like a modern car. Incredible, what a balance. The speed in motorway long apex is terrific with absolutely no drama.

I have now also fitting an Alfaholics alloy radiator and low temperature thermostat for extra town cooling.

Next car will surely be a 1750 Berlina mark1 with same suspensions tricks and an Alfaholics TS and why not aircon as well!