Alfa Romeo Berlin 1968 - 1977 - Model history

In Vietri sul Mare, near Salerno, on January 14, 1968, Alfa Romeo introduced a new version of the classic 1779 cc DOHC engine, which was incorporated into existing sports models, renamed 1750 GTV and 1750 Spider Veloce, but also a brand new sedan, called 1750 Berlin. A few days later, at a show in Brussels and the general public got a chance to meet a new model. The odd numbering was a homage to the famous 6C 1750 model from the 1920s.

The new sedan was developed on the chassis of the shorter Giulia, which it replaced in the US market. The design was signed by Bertone, who also managed to sell the second, rejected version to Mazda. The Berlin (which is actually the Italian design of the limousine body shape) was superior in offering comfort while retaining the sporting features of the Giulia. It continued to be the old rule: competitors like BMWand 2-liter engines were needed to get closer to the performance 'by number' of the smaller Alfa.

However, without a proper sports pedigree, this model remained attractive only to Alfistas, while the other forms seem relatively impersonal, so the prices of preserved specimens are still very reasonable. Rust is the enemy of most models from those years, so unfortunately Berlin is no exception, but the built-in mechanical parts were top-notch, of multinational origin, and quality control was entirely in line with the prestigious reputation the brand carried at the time.

In 1971, a slightly redesigned 2000 Berlin arrived (1982 cc, 132 bhp instead of 113), which remained on offer until 1977. A total of 191.723 copies were produced in ten years, of which about 2500 were with automatic transmission. The top speed was 180 km and at 2000 km and 190 km / h respectively, measuring 4390 × 1565 × 1430 mm, with a wheelbase of 2570 mm and a mass of 1110 kg. Rear-wheel drive, all 4-wheel drive and 5-speed ZF gearbox, was a real driver, but also a demanding car.

The 1779 cc version today is often considered optimal among Alfistas, so GTV and Spider are the most prized with it. Many Berlin served as donors to the engine, while the rest was discarded. Interestingly, Alfetta, the logical successor, was offered back in 1972, but Berlin was shut down only five years later, when a two-liter engine was finally offered at Alfetta.