In an era where curves were frowned upon and rulers ruled the roost with automotive design, there existed the Alfa Romeo 155. Spanning a six-year production cycle and enough motorsport successes to keep rivals green with envy, the model has cemented itself as a standout creation during the Fiat takeover in the late 1980s.
The annual Alfa Romeo Concorso D’Eleganza normally celebrates the best of breed from the Turin-based brand but the aforementioned model was the underlying theme for 2022; 30 years of the 155. The wedge-shaped sedan was unveiled in January 1992 in Barcelona for the first time, with the first public launch happening at the Geneva Motor Show the following month.
The Italian sedan achieved admirable sales for the passion-filled brand, with just under 200 000 being produced before the 156 replaced it six years later. In the era of “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” the 155 was undeniably one of the more successful contenders in production motorsport of the time. The boxy four-door model achieved success in both the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), among others, with a lightly modified front-wheel drive 2,0-litre naturally aspirated motor propelling it to dominant displays on the European circuit.
Alfa Romeo upped the ante with the 155 V6 TI which beat the Germans at their own game; the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM). This was a model that only vaguely resembled the production car on which it was based since the underlying structure was built around a longitudinally mounted 2,5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 motor that was rated at 360 kW and produced a glorious induction shriek at its 11 900 r/min redline.
Mint examples of the 155 wearing DTM and BTCC sticker packs were a central point of the display while the dozens of other contenders on the lawns of the Modderfontein Bird and Sculpture Park attracted crowds and waited their turn for Concours judging.
With a history spanning well over 100 years, there was a rich mixture of classic and modern creations wearing the Alfa Romeo Scudetto. With electrification looming for all European automakers, Alfa Romeo may have one last piston-powered swansong up their sleeves with a supercar expected in the next few years. For now at least, a rich motoring past dominates Alfa Romeo and continues to entice the Alfisti to gather at special occasions like the 2022 Concorso D’Eleganza.
Photos: Alex Shahini (@alexshahini)
Keyword: Lights, camera, Alfa Romeo – 2022 Concorso D’Eleganza Johannesburg