The Mecanica Alma Dash Restomod

The phrases “Alfa” and “Romeo” are sufficient to get most automotive lovers and petrolheads drooling with pleasure. The well-known Italian producer is cherished for its beautiful designs, energetic driving traits and boatloads of attraction. However, regardless of their popularity for wonderful vehicles such because the 8C, Giulia, Disco Volante and lots of others, there have been loads of lesser-loved vehicles coming from the Turin-based carmaker. One such automotive is the Alfa Romeo (Alfasud) Dash, which has just about all the time been outshined by its sexier and stronger brother, the GTV. With the Mecanica Alma Dash, which may change indefinitely, although, as this reasonably budget-friendly restomod ticks all the correct containers!

The Alfa Romeo Dash, which was initially known as Alfasud Dash, was derived from the Alfasud. The compact two-seater coupe had fairly a putting look and was fitted with a four-cylinder boxer engine within the entrance. It was in manufacturing from 1976 to 1989 (in case you contemplate the Alfasud Spring and Dash as one), and Alfa Romeo constructed about 116,000 of them. Its angular design was the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro, who additionally penned the fabulous Giulia Dash GT, but additionally the Maserati Ghibli and the Lancia Delta.

The Dash began out with a humble 1.3-liter four-cylinder boxer engine pumping out a not-so-impressive 76 horsepower, though it will develop in dimension and energy afterward. In direction of the top of its manufacturing run, the Dash 1.7 Quadrifoglio Verde pushed this to 118 horsepower and a high velocity of near 200kph, an enormous step up over the unique v-max of 163kph.

Alfa Romeo Dash 6c

By 1982, Alfa Romeo, like so many others, realized that motorsport can be an ideal commercial for its sports activities vehicles. It tasked Autodelta, Alfa Romeo’s manufacturing unit racing division, with beginning work on a high-performance model of one among its vehicles for racing. But it surely wouldn’t be the larger, extra highly effective and quicker GTV that may be the bottom automotive, however reasonably the standard Alfa Romeo Dash. And it wouldn’t be constructed for circuit racing, however reasonably for Group B rallying as a substitute!

The Zagato-designed and -built Alfa Romeo Dash 6C was the end result, and it meant a radical shift in energy beneath the outside. The 4-cylinder boxer engine within the entrance was changed with the 158 horsepower 2.5 litre V6 engine from the Alfa Romeo GTV6, which additionally moved to behind the rear seats. On the surface, the Dash 6C obtained some updates as nicely, with wider wheel arches, new bumpers, and a brand new rear spoiler. Regardless of this promising begin, a road-going homologation model, not to mention a correct full-fledged competitors automotive, would by no means be constructed. And that’s the place Mecanica Alma picks up, kind of, with a really shocking end result!

Mecanica Alma

The Portuguese firm has a popularity for repairing, restoring and modifying classic sports activities and racing vehicles, principally of Alfa Romeo origin. Its founder, Rafael Soares, has a background in engineering and treats each automotive with the identical ardour and a spotlight to element. For the Alma Dash, as this pretty little restomod is formally named, the workforce thought that the unique idea of the Group B Dash 6C may very well be a bit extra refined and enhanced.

Drawing inspiration from vehicles such because the Lancia 037 and Maserati Shamal, the Alma Dash will get a extra muscular profile because of new bumpers, reshaped fenders, extra streamlined Vitaloni mirrors and so forth. Up entrance, a double pair of contemporary Hella headlights are built-in into an aluminium housing. The again is characterised by the little upswept rear spoiler, a pair of very Nineteen Eighties tail lights and a stainless-steel exhaust system.

On the within, Alma reveals restraint and retains the inside trying very very similar to inventory. Don’t be fooled, although, because the Dash’s inside is retrimmed in Alcantara, has new aluminium elements for the devices, and Bluetooth connectivity. A 4-point Sabelt harness retains you planted firmly in your seat while you give it the beans.

And talking of which, the Alma Dash obtained a mechanical replace over the unique Alfa Dash as nicely. Sadly, the engine isn’t nestled within the rear however stays within the entrance. Nevertheless, the unique four-cylinder boxer has been enlarged to 1.8 litres of capability. In depth modifications like Dellorto carburettors with velocity stacks bump the facility to 160bhp, though you possibly can push that to 220bhp in order for you (and it is best to!). New brakes and upgraded suspension elements are put in to make it flip and cease on a dime. Given its kerb weight of simply 880 kilos, the Alma Dash ought to be fairly the thrilling little machine!

However better of all, and that is the place it differs from most different restomod initiatives, its worth is reasonably pleasant! Mecanica Alma does require you to supply a donor automotive, however the price of changing an Alfa Romeo Dash to an Alma Dash is simply EUR 50,000! Now, isn’t {that a} pretty shock? Be fast, although, as Mecanica Alma will construct solely 20.

For extra data, please go to Mecanica-Alma.com.

Editorial Observe: The knowledge and pictures for this text are sourced from and used with permission by Mecanica Alma except acknowledged in any other case.