Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In the 1990s Alfa Romeo was digging itself out of a financial hole as red as the colour of its iconic, but slow selling cars. The 155 had captured the minds if not the hearts of the Alfisti. If that car were to be given a report card, it would probably be “must try harder”. Well, Alfa certainly did that with the 156. It’s a car of legend and brought Alfa Romeo back from the brink. Where did the iconic shape come from, did Alfa’s famous quality problems torpedo sales, and what other cars did it spawn?
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Sources:
thethinkersgarage.com/2014/04/04/looking-back-at-the-alfa-romeo-156
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_155
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Three_platform
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_156
it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_156
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo
it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo
media.stellantis.com/em-en/heritage/press/storie-alfa-romeo-eighth-episode-design-sportiness-and-innovation-the-156-was-an-authentically-successful-alfa-romeo
it.motor1.com/news/232692/alfa-romeo-156-la-storia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_C-platform
web.archive.org/web/20110723010156/http://www.alfa156.net/fr_index.html?%2Fhistory.html
web.archive.org/web/20120101114528/http://www.caroftheyear.org/previous-winners/1998_1/coty
web.archive.org/web/20140812070217/http://www.alfaromeopress.com/press/article/258
web.archive.org/web/20070928083305/http:/www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_51082/title_Unique%20Performance%20Automatic%20Gearboxes%20for%20the%20New%20Alfa%20Romeo%20156/newsarticle.html
studiotorino.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=510:19980202-156-sw-2&catid=50&lang=en&Itemid=840
fcaheritage.com/en-uk/heritage/stories/alfa-romeo-156-superturismo
autointell.com/News-2001/May-2001/May-2001-3/May-16-01-p3.htm
#bigcar
In the 1990s Alfa Romeo was digging itself out of a financial hole as red as the colour of its iconic, but slow selling cars. The 155 had captured the minds if not the hearts of the Alfisti. If that car were to be given a report card, it would probably be “must try harder”. Well, Alfa certainly did that with the 156. It’s a car of legend and brought Alfa Romeo back from the brink. Where did the iconic shape come from, did Alfa’s famous quality problems torpedo sales, and what other cars did it spawn?
If you'd like to support what I do, and get early access to advert-free videos and exclusive channel updates, please consider supporting the channel from just $1 or 80p a month: patreon.com/bigcar
Support me using PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/bigcartv
Big Car merch: teespring.com/stores/bigcartv
Twitter: twitter.com/bigcartv
My second channel - Little Car: youtube.com/littlecar
Sources:
thethinkersgarage.com/2014/04/04/looking-back-at-the-alfa-romeo-156
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_155
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Three_platform
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_156
it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_156
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo
it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo
media.stellantis.com/em-en/heritage/press/storie-alfa-romeo-eighth-episode-design-sportiness-and-innovation-the-156-was-an-authentically-successful-alfa-romeo
it.motor1.com/news/232692/alfa-romeo-156-la-storia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_C-platform
web.archive.org/web/20110723010156/http://www.alfa156.net/fr_index.html?%2Fhistory.html
web.archive.org/web/20120101114528/http://www.caroftheyear.org/previous-winners/1998_1/coty
web.archive.org/web/20140812070217/http://www.alfaromeopress.com/press/article/258
web.archive.org/web/20070928083305/http:/www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_51082/title_Unique%20Performance%20Automatic%20Gearboxes%20for%20the%20New%20Alfa%20Romeo%20156/newsarticle.html
studiotorino.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=510:19980202-156-sw-2&catid=50&lang=en&Itemid=840
fcaheritage.com/en-uk/heritage/stories/alfa-romeo-156-superturismo
autointell.com/News-2001/May-2001/May-2001-3/May-16-01-p3.htm
#bigcar
