Tag Archives: 164L

1993 Alfa Romeo 164L

This one-owner 164 exemplifies the erstwhile strength of the Alfa Romeo brand. How else do you explain 224,000 miles worth of caring ownership? The owner of this example passed before selling, but how does one replace a 164 these days? Starting in 2016, the Giulia would have been an option, but as much as we do respect the Tipo 952 Giulia, it just doesn't stack up to the 164 in terms of sound and design. Dynamically? That's another story.

We have dabbled in 164 ownership. First, with a 164LS with 164Q 45mm runners and a Squadra tuning chip worth a claimed 240hp. We'd still be driving that had a high-g off ramp cloverleaf not starved a rod bearing of vital oil pressure. Later, we ventured to New Jersey for a $1,300 164L that cost us many a night toiling in our cold Michigan garage. After exhaustive reconditioning efforts netted a car below our personal standards, we reluctantly passed the car on to another enthusiast, who would start at a much better point than we did.

1993 Alfa Romeo 164L anthracite 3.0L Busso V6 rear view
Click to view listing

Year: 1993
Model:  Alfa Romeo 164L
Engine: 3.0L V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  224,523
Price: Auction
Location: Philadelphia, PA

1993 Alfa Romeo 164L anthracite 3.0L Busso V6 manual interior black leather
Click to view listing

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Alfa Romeo 164L

This is a great looking 1993 Alfa Romeo 164-L. There has been one owner since new and this car has 224,523 miles. This 164 was owned by an auto sports aficionado who also owned a two European auto dealerships. He had a certain affinity for this car, and apparently spared little expense to keep it in great condition mechanically and cosmetically. He passed away last year which is how we came to own this Alfa. This 164 is equipped with the 3.0L engine and 5-speed manual transmission. I'm told that the owner had the engine completely rebuilt and upgraded to 164-S performance specs in 2015. We sold a very nice 1991 164-S with 96k miles in November 2019, and this 164-L runs stronger than that car in every respect. 
 
This Alfa runs and drives very well. The engine runs very strong and the transmission shifts smoothly. There aren’t any service or warning lights on. The tires are showing lots of tread and the brakes are in great shape as well. The oil & filters were replaced last week, and this car is ready to be picked up and put to use today.
 
The exterior of this Alfa is very clean and looks great. The Anthracite Metallic paint is very glossy over the entire body. There are lots of stone chips on the front, many of which have been touched up already. The alloy wheels are bright and clean, and all exterior trim is intact and in great condition. There aren’t any dents or body rust on this car, and the undercarriage is in excellent condition as well. 
 
The interior has been well maintained and is in terrific condition. The interior of this car is not beat up in the slightest and could easily pass for a vehicle with 75k miles. All leather seats are in excellent condition and not worn or damaged. The carpeting is also fluffy and clean without any holes. All of the trim panels and trim pieces are intact and in great condition. The owner was a non-smoker owned vehicle, and there aren't any burn marks or odors inside this car.
 
There is no accident history in the lifetime of this car, and we have the clear title in hand. This Alfa Romeo should provide excellent service for many years to come, and is ready to be driven away or shipped anywhere

1993 Alfa Romeo 164L anthracite 3.0L Busso V6 chrome runners
Click to view listing

The seller claims that the original owner had the engine rebuilt and upgraded with 164S pistons and cams in 2015. If that were to be true, this would be the most ideal of 164s in our opinion. Quieter styling than the S and Q models, but with the more simple 12V in its top spec.

The leather is clean and in great condition, the carpets neat, and the exterior mostly surviving, other than a few stone chips. Sometimes there comes a time when one questions whether the investments into a cheap old car will pay off. We think that keeping this car in the condition that it's currently in, and spending a bit to tidy up the paint would pay off without a doubt.

-Graham

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

While at the outset it was derided by Alfa Romeo purists for it’s front-wheel drive setup, the 164 has become quite the practical, desirable modern Italian classic. This 164L for sale in Maryland has been owned by one family and is rather attractive in that it has the five speed gearbox with the red and tan leather color combination.

Click to view listing

Year: 1991
Model: 164L
Engine: 3.0 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 114,000 miles
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

Click to view listing

A unique opportunity to purchase a one-family owned Alfa. My father bought this car new and when he passed, I became the next driver. We have owned many Alfas (Spyders, GTVs, 164s, Berlinas) and this is one of the finest. Always garaged and always maintained. She runs very strong. The clutch (19K on new clutch), brakes (new pads), cooling system (steppers work perfectly), tires (almost new), suspension (new control arms & trailing arms), and AC are all in great condition. Oil change just performed. Paint is in good shape as is the interior. Original tool kit included and complete. All original manuals too. I would drive this car anywhere without hesitation. I have mixed feelings about parting with Dad's Alfa but I just don't have the time to drive it and I can't stand the thought of it just sitting in the garage. The only thing worse than too many miles is not enough! I have many maintanance records. The Alfa is being sold "as is".

Click to view listing

At almost 120,000 miles, this isn’t a lot considering the car’s age. One important point not discussed in the seller’s ad is whether the timing belt has been replaced, and if so, at what interval. For a car in this kind of condition and benefitting from the fact that you know going in where it has been, I’d say it could pull around $4,500 to $6,000. For the enthusiast on a budget who needs a bit more space but wants a bit of a sharp edge to the four-door formula, this is your ride.

-Paul

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L

The 1991 Alfa Romeo 164S we featured yesterday has been up for sale for a while, but with no reserve, this 1992 164L 5-speed could very well turn out to be a bargain Italian classic for someone. While it has more mileage than the car featured yesterday, it still looks fairly mint and catches your eye with the red paintwork accentuated by the gray lower body cladding.

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L

Click to view listing

This is a no reserve listing. This is my 1992 Alfa Romeo 164 L sedan with 113,554 miles. This is a reliable, dependable, great driving car that you could drive every day if you wanted. All of the typical issues and problems have been sorted out, and this is a superb, fun-to-drive car that you can drive anywhere. I have 8 years of service records for this car- it has been very well cared-for and serviced.

This is one of only 1700 of these cars sold in the USA in 1992, making it a pretty rare find. These cars have become very hard to find in good condition. This is probably the nicest 164 you will find for sale in the country. While this is a rare car in the USA, over 270,000 of these cars were produced worldwide. Consequently parts are plentiful and easy to source, and internet forums are a great source of information. This was the fastest, most-powerful Italian sedan sold in America at the time. It will accelerate 0-60 about as fast as American V8 "muscle" cars from the 80s and early 90s, yet it will get about 27 mpg on the highway.

The exterior styling of this car was done by the Italian design house Pininfarina- the same company who designed Ferrari cars throughout the 1980s and 1990s. This was one of the best-equipped European cars you could buy at the time. The list of standard features and equipment was staggering. Here is a list of some of the equipment on this car:

3.0L all-aluminum V6 engine
5-speed manual transmission
beautifully crafted high-quality leather interior
power and heated front seats
power moonroof
power windows and locks
rear window sunshades
foglights
driver's airbag
automatic climate control
anti-lock brakes
cruise control

I also have the original books and manuals with the car, plus service records going back 8 years. Literally thousands upon thousands of dollars were spent on service and maintenance work on this car- this has got to be one of the best-maintained 164 models you will see. This car handles and drives like a sports car. The car well-balanced, nimble and quick on its feet. The engine is amazingly powerful, and of course nothing sounds like an Italian V6 engine at full power. This car is truly a blast to drive. You cannot imagine how far superior this car was to its contemporaries- this car has a soul! If you hate boring cars, this is the car for you.

This car runs and drives great and there are no known mechanical problems. The car has been immaculately cared for. This car runs and drives outstandingly well. The engine is superbly powerful and torquey, the transmission shifts well; the brakes and suspension are responsive, and the car handles nimbly. This is a superbly well-preserved, great-driving 164 that I'd trust to drive anywhere.

The interior of this car is the highest quality I've seen in any car short of a Rolls-Royce. The quality and thickness of the leather is beyond compare. The seats are in nearly perfect condition, and the deep-pile carpets are excellent as well, albeit with some color fade. The quality of the materials and craftsmanship is outstanding. This interior is gorgeous- the best in its class. The exterior, paint and body look quite good. There is no body rust. The paint is all-original, except for the hood which was repainted due to clear-coat flaking. This exterior looks very presentable for the age. The air conditioning has been serviced and retrofitted to R134a. The system holds pressure, and the compressor cycles on and off. However it is too cold here in the Cleveland area to tell if the A/C blows cold.

For a car from Ohio, this 164 has been kept up in very good condition, if it does have some flaws here and there. But a car like this is meant to be enjoyed, and with some patina, one would be less worried about pressing it into regular use. With a no reserve auction, this car will probably wind up somewhere around $4,500 to $6,000, which is about what average examples go for these days with around 100,000 miles or so.

-Paul

1991 Alfa Romeo 164

For under $15,000 these days, there's a lot of options on the used market if you are looking for a lot of style and luxury on a budget. While many buyers opt for popular German and Japanese high-end marques, there is always the road less traveled for those individualists: the Alfa Romeo 164. This was the company's last stand in the US market until the 8C Competizione sports car arrived in limited numbers in 2008. For sale in California, this 164 has the lesser seen cloth seats and hubcaps, but still cuts a dashing presence on the street.

1991 Alfa Romeo 164

Click to view listing

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L, low miles, one owner, Autocheck certified. Extra clean. Last of the great Alfa sedans. This Iconic Alfa Romeo 164 L has a high gloss white exterior and is matched beautifully with a gray interior. This classic motor car is in excellent original condition. This fine automobile has been lovingly cared for and it shows in its immaculate condition. This car will definitely be worth looking at. Even the pictures don t do justice for this car.

NOTE: There are reflections visible in the photos, which can be mistaken for flaws that aren't there, please ask if you have questions.

This amazing car has been sheltered and well cared in the temperate Southern California climate which is ideal for a vehicle to maintain its excellent condition. The car was never driven in harsh conditions. The car looks to be accident and rust free and is all original.

Interior:

The vibrant interior accents the exterior absolutely beautifully. The original interior is in excellent condition and unmolested in its original state; the seats hardly look sat in, the back seat looks like no one has sat in it. The dash is in flawless original condition without the typical cracking or fading expected for its age. The door panels are like new and all the carpets look as though they have never been exposed to any elements. The headliner and accents are in unblemished excellent condition. The truck mat looks as though nothing have been placed in it. The motor car has never been smoked in.

Exterior:

The exterior appears to be all original and unmolested, there is no evidence of any accidents, and the paint has the original high gloss shine with all the trim and accents in mint condition. The glass is in excellent condition without cracks. The high performance tires are in near condition.

Mechanical:

The engine runs good, the donor indicated the vehicle could use a good tune up as it wasn’t driven much. The transmission shifts very good, the brakes function well.There are no visible leaks or any other signs of neglect or abuse.

Title:

This outstanding car comes with a clean California Title

Autocheck Certification:

This Fine Alfa Romeo comes with an excellent Autocheck certification verifying a 1 owner low mile vehicle.

As an investment, it is important to understand that the prices for these cars are rising they will rise rapidly in the near future. Just like the previous generation of 1960’s and 1970’s classics have done, this upward trend will soon make these artfully crafted cars unavailable for most people.

For now this car is not only a prudent and still affordable investment, however unlike most other classics it can be enjoyed every day.

Excerpt taken from a recent business article

“There has been a surge in interest from collectors around the globe focusing on high end European luxury and sports car from the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, they are consider the next frontier of assets that will provide great return on investments, in fact some of my clients have left others markets and have put a portion of their portfolios into this lucrative classic car market, as with gold it will never be worth 0, like many stocks are these days in fact portions of the classic car market have outpaced the overall stock market.

This Alfa Romeo has reached its value point a long time ago and has been and will steadily continue to rapidly gain in value. This car has the durable reliability and build quality expected of a classic Italian sports car. All the while it actually appreciates in value as you are enjoying it for many more years to come.

If you have been looking and waiting for an exceptional classic, or for a perfect entry level classic, consider this fine example of an Alfa Romeo 164 L. This car will make you proud every time you take it out. Now is perfect time to treat yourself or someone special to a well built tastefully crafted classic Alfa Romeo..You deserve it. Feel free to come and see for yourself how exceptional this car is.

If you are interested in buying this car, call me, don’t say to yourself “I should have bought that car”, you will find most of the time the car has been sold before the auction ending from some who saw the true value of this car. Please ask all the questions you like. Although this car is in mint condition, I encourage you to come by and inspect the car or have it inspected by a professional inspection service.

Good, low mileage 164s are changing hands between $6,500 and $12,000 these days, with the sportier 164Q bringing top dollar. Since this is a "base" model 164 with the automatic, it will probably reach to the lower end of this range. I'd say somewhere around $7,000 might be enough to take this beauty home at the end of the no reserve auction.

-Paul

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

We've featured a bunch of clean Alfa Romeo 164s on CICFS. While the newest US market 164 is going on 17 years old, it doesn't seem that there is a shortage of low mileage examples out there. While it was the first front-wheel drive exexutive car for Alfa Romeo, enthusiasts have noted that even without a traditional rear-drive chassis, these sedans still have good poise on the road. This 164L for sale in Pittsburgh has covered a scant 22,000 miles and looks amazingly modern in white even though the car is over 20 years old.

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

One owner, only 24,000 original miles. We have all the books and original window sticker. This is a rare find! Four door, 2 Wheel Drive, Alloy Wheels, Sun/Moon Roof, Air Conditioning, Leather Seats, Power Windows, Alarm, AM/FM Radio, Anti-theft, Antilock Brakes.

While this car has extremely low mileage and appears to be an unmolested example, we're probably about $2,000 to $3,000 off the mark here. Typically, clean 164s will trade hands in the $7,000 to $10,000 range, possibly reaching a little beyond that if it's the sportier 164Q model we're dealing with.

-Paul

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L

We've featured a few lower mileage Alfa Romeo 164 sedans here on CICFS, but this is one of the lowest and, quite frankly, most well preserved. With only two owners, the second being a retired CEO and collector, this 164 has had a level of care lavished on it that few have seen. It's most recent service was carried out by a Ferrari dealer. While it's not the S version or a 5-speed manual, you have to appreciate the fact that this car, for sale in the Florida Keys, looks like it just rolled out of the showroom.

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L

Click to view listing

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L. This is an agent assisted private sale. It is not dealer inventory. I'm here to answer questions and present reasonable offers to the seller without bias. The car is at the seller's estate in Lido Key, Florida. Undeniably a museum quality piece. Magnificent in every respect. Red exterior, factory color code AR130. Black interior, factory color code Nero. 10,606 documented miles.

The current owner is the second owner. He purchased it directly from the original owner five years ago with 5,428 miles on it. Needlessly to say he paid an inordinate amount of money for it. He purchased it to be a part of his collection and for sentimental reasons. He is an elder retired CEO and is now in the relinquishment phase of his collection. 100% factory original paint with absolutely no sun fade, cracking or blemish of any kind except for a rub mark on the right driver's side bumper (please see photo close up). This mishap is recent as the seller backed the car out of the garage and turned too sharp grazing a plastic rubbish container. Per my advise, the bumper was not touched up, spot painted or repainted to preserve the originality for the purists.

I preparation for the sale the seller had the local Ferrari Service Center perform a "major service" that includes timing belt change along with all the fluids changed and tuned to perfection. This service was performed on May 18th, 2012 and a copy of the service ticket is included below. Brand new tires with less than 30 miles on them. Proper Michelin MXV4's were installed. The install was done back in the end of May, 2012.

Original interior that's never had any corrective dye process done to it. It is absolutely 100% original with no hardening of the leather anywhere. Very much like new. No aftermarket anything except for the window tinting which was done to prevent the sun from harming the interior. The window tinting can be professionally removed easily and without damaging the car. Full set of factory booklets with Alfa Romeo factory pouch.

Full set of factory booklets with Alfa Romeo factory pouch. Factory Alfa Romeo tire pressure gauge that came with the car when it was delivered new. Service records. Most recent records are photographed below. Full set of factory keys including the factory valet key. Everything works, no missing knobs, no loose door handles, no loose switches, no dim light bulbs, fully functional power seats, full functional non-leaking sunroof, both mirrors function perfectly.

The car has never been valet parked, never lent to anyone, never driven by a teenager, and never been on or hooked to a tow truck. Exterior Alfa Romeo emblems are original and in perfect condition with no fade or "separation." The underneath is as clean as the rest of the car. I saw the car on the lift recently when the major service was performed. It was too dark to photograph and the photos with flas weren't usable. The car drives perfectly straight without any pull to the left or right. The steering wheel is perfectly level when the car is going dead straight. Nothing is worse than a steering wheel that's off level even one degree.

The very best 164s out there may reach into the $12,000 to $15,000 range, with the sportier S models prized a little bit more. Even though I would prefer a 5-speed manual, this 164L looks great in classic red, accenting the crisp Pininfarina penned lines. As nice as this car is, I would almost rather buy one with a few more miles. A car maintained to this caliber certainly deserves to be preserved and driven sparingly for future generations to enjoy. If I were in the market for a 164, I'd want something I could use regularly.

-Paul

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L

Another week passes by, and yet another mint Alfa Romeo 164 pops up for sale. This example is a 1992 model with a scant 51,000 miles on it. It has had a comprehensive list of items attended to, but could benefit from an air conditioning service, new front fog lamp and possible attention to the power steering system.

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L

Click to view listing

PLEASE NOTE! THE ACCIDENT REPORTED ON THE VEHICLE HISTORY DID NOT INVOLVE THE ALFA. On the date listed for the accident I used the plate from the Alfa to transport a Volvo I bought for my teenage son back to my home from a location five minutes away and it, the Volvo, not the Alfa, was involved in a 5mph accident. I will be happy to furnish a copy of the police report to any seriously interested party.

1992 Alfa Romeo 164L 4 door sport sedan. Metallic dark green with tan leather. The Alfa 164 is a handsome, Pininfarina designed sedan selected by Hemmings Sports and Exotics Magazine as one of the ten most collectible cars of the the nineties. With a powerful (190 hp) free-revving V-6 engine and five speed manual gearbox this Alfa offers spirited performance, excellent handling, and a ride befitting the sport/luxury car segment it was designed to compete in. This rust free example has spent the majority of its life as a summer car on Cape Cod. It has been carefully maintained with all service records since new, including over $5,000.00 in receipts spent to freshen all mechanicals when the car was put back into regular service some two years ago. At that time the engine was removed, the engine bay detailed, an upgrade to mechanical tensioner completed, a new clutch installed, flywheel resurfaced, all new seals, gaskets, hoses, belts, water and fuel pump replaced, valve clearances checked and adjusted, new cap and rotor, new platinum tipped plugs, all new filters, new brake pads and rotors, coolant and brake fluid flushed and refreshed, new rear exhaust, four new Eagle GT H rated tires with four wheel alignment.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some items, but suffice it to say that anything that needed doing was done, save the air conditioning system. As I live in a temperate climate I did not attend to it since I prefer my summer motoring with the sunroof and windows open, listening to the Alfa's stirring exhaust note. The ac may simply require a recharge, or it may have a failed compressor, condenser, etc., all of which are readily available from the various Alfa parts suppliers. I have driven the car some nine thousand miles since the work was completed and it drives as it should, powerful, fast, shifts perfectly, a real pleasure for those who appreciate the unique driving experience an Alfa provides.

The finish of the car as one can see from the pictures is glossy and in good condition for a twenty year old car. There is zero rust, but the paint is not perfect. There are a few spots( dime to quarter sized) on the hood and trunk where the clear coat has been mildly discolored, and there are some minor blemishes here and there on the sides, but none of this is noticeable enough to show up in photos. The interior is in excellent condition, the leather supple and without tears or stains. There is one seam in the driver seat cushion that has begun to separate (about a two to three inch gap). This is not a tear, just the stitching come undone, and should be easy to repair. There is also a crack in the driver side fog lamp lens. The light works perfectly and as replacement requires an entire new fog lamp, (these are not currently available), I have been forced to live with it. The only other issue to be reported is that when I brought the car out of storage last week I noticed several drops of power steering fluid on the garage floor. Since the car was refreshed there has been no leakage anywhere under the car, but I did notice these small spots and feel it is only fair to mention them. The power steering reservoir is full, the steering works properly and I don't think the leak represents a serious issue or warrants immediate attention. It may be a result of the car not being driven for several months and perhaps will resolve itself with use.

In summation, this is a well-sorted, low mileage example of what is predicted to be a highly collectible automobile. I have both remote key fobs that operate central locking and alarm as you would find on more modern cars. The original window sticker ($32,495.00) and manuals as well as a complete service manual on cd are included. This luxury edition Alfa 164L (hence the L designation) can provide long service as an enjoyable daily driver, (if you watch e-bay you will see many examples of this model with 150-200k miles on them) and then if collecting is your interest you can choose to restore it in years to come to show condition. I will be happy to accommodate an inspection of the vehicle prior to the close of the auction, but once the auction closes I expect no tire kicking or negotiating over condition issues. Bear in mind when you compare value that this car is not the typical worn out, high mileage beater that will cost you three times the bargain price you think you're getting in the first six months of ownership.

I am selling to make room for the restoration of a 1974 Alfa GTV that I have recently purchased, and while the reserve is substantially less than what I have invested in the car please don't waste your time or mine with unreasonable offers. This is not a distressed sale. The car is sold as is/where is with no warranty expressed or implied. I will be happy to assist you in having the car shipped at your expense. Please do not bid if you are not prepared to go forward with the purchase. Bidders with less than five positive feedbacks please contact me before bidding.

It's heartening to know that this Alfa is being offered for sale to make way for another vintage Alfa. One can rest easy then knowing they are buying this car from someone familiar with the marque. Overall, with a few minor fixes, this would be a fantastic, usable modern classic for someone not interested in mainstream luxury. While walking down the street this weekend, a 164L rounded a corner and I was reminded how sweet sounding these cars are. Well worth the price of admission, if you ask me.

-Paul

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

Our feature car today comes from reader and fellow enthusiast Robert. The Alfa Romeo 164 was the last new Alfa Romeo sold in the United States until the 8C Competizione arrived on the scene in 2008. With Alfa's imminent return to the US market, it's a good time to reflect on the last of this company's mainstream offerings. There are less survivors of these midsize luxury sedans than contemporary Spiders, so when I come across a pampered 164 sedan, I take notice. This particular 164 has had only two owners over more than 20 years, comes with a wealth of service records and has the desirable 5 speed manual transmission.

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

Asking $6,200.00 OBO; may trade for the right Ducati, Moto Guzzi, or BMW airhead.

For sale: my 1991 Alfa Romeo 164L in great condition. I have owned 3 of these cars and they are a pleasure to drive and to own. Their looks and sounds attract all the right kinds of attention.

About the Alfa:
-1991 164L (Lusso), styled by Pininfarina; one of the most reliable Alfas, and the car that saved the company; Enzo Ferrari's daily driver was an Alfa 164.
-5 speed manual gearbox
-2 fanatical owners (first owner for 20 years, I'm the second)
-No accidents (Carproof and CarFax included with vehicle)
-Excellent condition; car runs and handles beautifully with no issues; fast, smooth and responsive
-Metallic blue paint with some minor scuffs on the rear bumper
-Bright, supple leather interior with embossed crests; leather was treated regularly with Leatherique and is in amazing condition (smells fantastic)
-All service records since new come with the car; serviced exclusively by Alfa expert Pino at Pinarello Motors; no expense spared on the maintenance of this gorgeous car
-All original manuals, tools, spare, jack, included with sale
-All rubber and plastic on the car has been treated regularly with Aerospace 303 and Wurth protectants
-Hinges lubed regularly with Wurth products
-$400.00 custom Coco mats included with the car
-New Michelin tires
-Rust sprayed regularly
-Stored winters; hand washed and waxed

Spares:
I have a huge inventory of spares that will go with the car: Spare fenders, trunk, hood, full dashboard and HVAC system, shifter, pedal assembly, console, front and rear lights, full black leather interior, 2 extra sets of floormats, tool kit, manuals, bulbs, alternator, radiator, rubber trim, trunk mat, relays, ecu, and much more. This is a very enjoyable, beautiful car that handles a dream and will make someone very happy. Serious inquiries only; Thanks for looking.

The bright tan leather over the metallic blue really makes this car stand out amongst modern sedans, save for some of the more interesting color combinations one can order in modern Audis. The chiseled Pininfarina looks have stood the test of time and for the money, this is a fun alternative to a number of used sports sedans one could buy. I know I'm not the only one waiting for Alfa Romeo to return to the US market. Lately I've gotten bored with the styling direction of new cars, particularly BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes. The Italians have always had the lock on aesthetics and as Jeremy Clarkson said "alpha males drive BMWs.....Alfas are for nice people."

My compliments go out to Robert for preserving such a great piece of Alfa Romeo history. If you have had your eye on an Alfa Romeo 164 for some time, this car is the one to buy.

-Paul

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

As Alfa Romeo moved towards the 1990s, big changes were in store for the marque. Chief among these was the switch to front wheel drive for the entire lineup, include their large executive sedan, the 164. This was the last car to be designed by Alfa Romeo before Fiat purchased the company and was the first Alfa Romeo to be designed with computer aided technology. The 164 shared it's platform with the Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000. It was the last to be introduced among the four models and had a bespoke front suspension and notably better build quality than earlier Alfa Romeos. Even an electronically controlled suspension was available in the 164 Cloverleaf and 164 S models. This particular 1991 164L represents the first year the 164 was sold in the US market and has the earlier 12 valve V6 engine mated to a 5-speed manual.

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L

Click to view listing

1991 Alfa Romeo 164L. Two-owner California car from new with 143,672 miles. All original. New front factory leather seats that cost thousands of dollars. Rear seats are in very good condition, with the exception of the stitching coming loose at the tops (a common problem with these seats). A side marker lens is cracked. Leather wrap on steering wheel is nice, but not perfect showing some wear. Engine runs strong, clutch and brakes are good. All gears shift smoothly. Horn, lights, heater good. AC needs re-charging. Rear windows need switches replaced.

Front windows are fine. Mostly original paint – a few dings, chips and small repairable dents. One area, about ¼ inch square, at the upper right rear window surround needs repair since a small rust hole is present (see photo), there is surface rust where the paint peeled away around the top of the left front strut – otherwise no rust and an area was previously bumped out at the right rear corner (see photo). Side view mirrors and driver’s door handle need re-paint. A tie rod end may need replacing, since I hear a “clunk” when I back up and turn the wheel. The car rides and drives great. Really a nice road car for the money, with everything covered with leather inside.

The interior is in great shape – dash, gauges, door panels, carpet etc… all are very nice. Headliner is good – but needs cleaning. Driver’s side seatbelt retracting spring is not working. Horn knobs are worn and the on/off button for the radio shows wear from use. Engine is clean. Fluids are clean, with new Castrol oil and filter. Tires are very nice, almost brand new, but fronts and rears are different brands. Car is quick and a blast to drive. One set of keys comes with the car. It has the small alarm box key. Comes with the correct spare, tools, jack and an added bonus – a battery shutoff switch professionally installed. This is a lot of car for the money.

The previous owner was an Alfa enthusiast since the early 1960s, purchased the car in 1996 with 57,821 miles. He recently passed away. The correct documentation comes with the title to register the car. The car has been out of registration since 10/2011. The car is sold as is, where is. Low reserve for a very nice Alfa. With some cosmetic work, this Alfa could be spectacular. You’re starting with a beautiful interior and a mechanically sound car.

This isn't the most mint condition vehicle we have featured, but with a little bit of TLC and for the right price, you could have a daily driver and stand out from the crowd, especially when you put your foot down and hear that sonorous V6 exhaust note.

-Paul