Introduction:
Alfa Romeo, an iconic name in the automotive industry, bid adieu to the United States following the sale of the last Spider Veloces and 164s here in 1995. This left American car enthusiasts yearning for models like the Alfa 164’s successor: the stunningly handsome 166, a blend of luxury and performance that never made it across the Atlantic. This article takes a detailed look at the Alfa Romeo 166 and its fate after being discontinued, delving into its history, aesthetic appeal, functionality and more. Join us as we explore the various aspects of this underappreciated, classic Italian automobile from the perspective of a car enthusiast who embarked on an across-the-ocean journey to uncover the story of the forgotten Alfa Romeo 166.
Traveling Across the Ocean for the Alfa Romeo 166
Following Alfa Romeo’s departure from the U.S. in 1995, the Alfa Romeo 166 remained largely inaccessible to Americans. A visit across the Atlantic to Luxembourg reveals that a number of 166s are still on the roads today. Despite the model’s reputation for unreliability and rapid depreciation, its aesthetic appeal remains charming. A 1999 model of the 166 shouldn’t raise any eyebrows among U.S. Customs if imported.
Journey to Sherburn Motor Spares
A trip to the scrapyards of Yorkshire in England furthered the exploration for Italian automotive history. A visit to Sherburn Motor Spares, a dismantler yard in Sherburn-in-Elmet, reveals piles of Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Peugeots, several Toyota MR2s and an extremely rare Alfa Romeo Brera S.
The Alfa Romeo 166 Hidden in the Scrapyard
Within the rows of scrapped cars was a first-year 166, sported in some racing livery. Though packed and stacked closely with other cars, the yard’s eBay store held photos of this vehicle pre-stacking. The car’s MOT showed that it last passed inspection in 2015 with 150,191 miles on its clock before persisting electrical problems and emission issues led to several inspection failures.
The Alfa Romeo 166: A Participant in the Screwball Rally
The 166 in question participated in the Screwball Rally, a car rally parallel in spirit to the American counterparts like the Lemons Rally, the Rocky Mountain Rambler 500 and the Gambler 500. Although, not much evidence of the car’s participation remains, the drive in the 15-year-old Alfa luxury saloon through France and Italy was likely an experience of comfort and character building.
Specifications of the Alfa Romeo 166
An under the hood analysis reveals that the vehicle is powered by a 3.0-liter quad-cam V6, boasting 223 horsepower and 203 pound-feet. Equipped with an automatic transmission, the car’s top speed is 147 mph, slightly lower than the manual version’s 151 mph. Despite its glory days having faded, the Alfa Romeo 166 remains an underappreciated gem in the luxury car segment, a testament to the brand’s design philosophy that continues to echo in their modern models.