RACE ON SUNDAY, SELL ON MONDAY

In the Seventies, South Africa was one of Alfa Romeo's most important markets outside of Italy. The Berlina 2000 was both successful in sales and on the racetrack

- Wilhelm Lutjeharms

1973 ALFA ROMEO BERLINA 2000

Engine: 2,0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol

Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

Power: 98 kW @ 5500 r/min

Torque: 182 N.m @ 3 500 r/min

Top speed: 185 km/h

0-100 km/h: 10,8 seconds

Fuel consumption: 12,1 L/100 km

Fuel tank: 53 litres

Weight: 1 110 kg

Manufactured: 1971-1977

It looks dainty. The pillars are thin and the box-type design is typical of '70s European cars. The rear wheel arches, which partly cover the rear wheels, are a strong Berlina design element as are those double headlamps. At the rear, there is a single exhaust pipe and when you climb in, that '70s onslaught continues. The thin pillars together with large, upright windows - have a huge greenhouse effect and present a near-perfect view of all the car's extremities.

Unlike modern vehicles, the doors and windows are very close so it feels compact even though the bonnet stretches out in front of you.

The cabin has a pleasant "aged" smell. For a car of almost a half-century, the interior is in remarkably good condition. The vinyl dashboard presents perfectly along with the controls, gear lever and steering wheel. The seats have a tear or two, but that is to be expected. The rest of the vinyl throughout the cabin, including the door cards, is in good nick. Above the gear lever is the old radio and the three analogue Veglia Borletti dials indicating the cooling fluid temperature, fuel gauge and clock. The chrome and wood are gentle reminders of a bygone era.