Spaghetti Sunday: Unicorno Macchiato!

"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
11/13/2016 at 08:59 • Filed to: Spaghetti Sunday, Alfa Romeo Arna, Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli, BaT

I really don’t think I’ve ever seen one in my life. Then again: one might not even notice it being special. Because special this was: A dull, boring looking Alfa Romeo. Responsible for that? Nissan.

Arna, it’s name, came from A lfa R omeo N issan A utoveicoli . And this basically was a Nissan Cherry. With Italian engines and transmissions. And another badge. That rear definitely shows it’s Cherry background: I don’t even think they bothered to redesign those taillight clusters.

It was just a loophole for Nissan to evade European protectionism-ruling in France and Germany. Then FIAT took over Alfa Romeo and FIAT’s first decision was to cease Arna production and to terminate the unsuccessful Alfa Romeo-Nissan alliance. The one you see here is for sale so if you want a true Unicorn: hurry!

Ciao Tutti!

DISCUSSION (44)

Steve in Manhattan > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 09:08

With an Alfa, you trade reliability for fun ... this seems to take both out of the equation.

Jobjoris > Steve in Manhattan
11/13/2016 at 09:13

You’d expect the Italians to come up with something stylish. Somewhere. Just that badge wasn’t enough. FIAT did the right thing by killing it. All hail the 33 that superseded it!

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 09:19

I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I somehow like it...

It’s funny how they thought that mechanicals by Alfa Romeo and the design by Nissan would be successful.

Jobjoris > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
11/13/2016 at 09:33

Nothing wrong with you, you just like the obscurity. Back then you didn’t want to be seen near one, nowadays I’d definitely drive one ;-)

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 09:39

It’s so obscure the eccentric in my loves it.

Jobjoris > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
11/13/2016 at 09:46

Then go get it! It’s not that far for you (you’re in Germany right?): Near Utrecht.

Steve in Manhattan > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 09:49

We’re not worthy!

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 09:51

I actually want something remotely reliable and durable as a first car. Stupid priorites:/

Jobjoris > Steve in Manhattan
11/13/2016 at 10:00

Also as a wagon. Also as a 4x4...

Kinja'd!!!

Jobjoris > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
11/13/2016 at 10:08

An Alfa boxer “sweats” at 50k, guzzles oil at 70k and stops working at 100k. Still 20k to go ;-)

shop-teacher > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 10:20

Wow, that is a seriously weird partnership. Those Nissans used the be everywhere around here, but they’ve all long since rusted away. I always kind of liked those odd steel rims with the giant plastic center caps for no reason.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 10:25

Not too bad, only that it would oxidize within the first two months of street parking I’m afraid.

Jobjoris > shop-teacher
11/13/2016 at 10:33

Can you imagine this one being even more rusty? It’s a Nissan built in Italy! Someone really has taken care of this one: it has to be garaged all it’s life. And 82K in 30 years...

Those center caps are awesome. Lots of base 33's with these as well.

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 10:42

It’s always amazing when someone takes impeccable care of such a ho-hum car.

Land_Yacht_225 > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 12:11

Jobjoris > Land_Yacht_225
11/13/2016 at 12:30

Haha, you hear how he mentions 340 still being around in the UK back then? It’s way less now. Just 2. TWO!!!!

Both not legally allowed on the road though...

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 14:29

Wow that’s a unicorn for sure, for a good reason too. I’m thinking this one recently came from Italy, seeing the new-ish plates, lack of rust and those dings in the fender.

Jobjoris > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
11/13/2016 at 15:17

Haha, this definitely is an import, not sure about Italy though. Those dings in the fender could easily been created in France as well ;-)

Now who on earth would import this to the Netherlands????

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 15:38

True, France and Italy are equal in that aspect.

Maybe someone with Alfa-sickness? But I agree it’s not really an ideal car to import and flip.

Jobjoris > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
11/13/2016 at 15:54

Don’t be upset but I am intrigued with this one. If the price is decent you’re getting a unicorn that will definitely shock the masses! Should I go and ask what it costs? I’m passing it again tomorrow...

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 16:17

It’s an intriguing car, for the weird choices Alfa and Nissan made. Though it might just be priced outside the price range where an Arna belongs due to how mint it is.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Jobjoris
11/13/2016 at 19:37

and that general N12 shape was sold in Australia as the Holden Astra.

Jonee > Jobjoris
11/14/2016 at 02:48

This is such a funny and reverse cool contraption. I’d totally daily drive one. It’s like a middle finger to everything sensible about automobiles. Not quite as cool as a Sport Sedan, though.

Jobjoris > pip bip - choose Corrour
11/14/2016 at 04:13

Ooof! That one looked even more beige!

Jobjoris > Jonee
11/14/2016 at 04:52

It’s around the corner of a customer’s. I think I’m gonna ask what it costs. It has been imported recently looking at the license plate.

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/14/2016 at 13:21

Why do I like this? I would really enjoy trolling the local Euro show with this thing.

Jobjoris > RallyWrench
11/14/2016 at 14:14

Haha, I KNOW! I’m seeing it again next Friday as it is near a customer’s. It’s been there a few weeks now. Maybe I have to know what it costs, right? Maybe drive it a little...

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/14/2016 at 14:57

Maybe accidentally buy it...

Jobjoris > RallyWrench
11/14/2016 at 15:03

I’m so afraid I’ll non-buy it accidentally. I DON’T NEED ANOTHER PROJECT! Unless it’s called Matra .

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/14/2016 at 15:07

Alfa RoMATRA! Oh yeah, problem solved. You’ll need a sensible little parts runner for the projects, right? Can’t be transporting dirty car parts in the Touring.

Jobjoris > RallyWrench
11/14/2016 at 15:36

Haha, this is gonna be such a sensible buy... My brother, who used to sell Alfas in the days they still made the 33, always reminds me of one thing about the boxers: Sweat a 50k, burn oil like hell at 80k and stop running at all at 100k. Kilometers that is. Don’t I need a winterbeater? It will only last one winter anyway ;-)

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/14/2016 at 15:47

The boxers were that bad? We never got them here. Have you had an Alfa before, then? At least this could cross that off the list of things car guys have to do. Any excuse to buy this, of course you need it!

Jobjoris > RallyWrench
11/14/2016 at 18:06

Well, they were lively alright. A blast. Just not that durable. High-maintenance. Really.

I did have an first gen 147 1.9 jtd. All started cracking and squeeking after 80k. Could have something to do I did that 80k in one year ;-)

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/14/2016 at 18:33

Well, we can’t expect that kind of use from an Italian car in a year! That’s a lifetime of mileage!

Jonee > Jobjoris
11/14/2016 at 23:08

I can’t imagine they have much value. I also can’t imagine there being that many in that good shape with such low miles. A real gem.

Jobjoris > RallyWrench
11/15/2016 at 03:06

I was young. I needed the money...

Jobjoris > Jonee
11/15/2016 at 04:28

Me neither, so why would one import it? Must be a true Arna lover. Or a Nissan Cherry collector. TFritch ordered me to get it.

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/15/2016 at 11:58

I understand that, I put over 40,000 on my old GTI in 2006 when I was racing full time, driving all over the western seaboard.

Jobjoris > RallyWrench
11/15/2016 at 13:45

I spent so many weekends in Austria back then, it was pathetic ;-)

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/15/2016 at 13:58

I worked with an Austrian named Dietmar for many years, great guy, but I decided that Austria is to Europe what Florida is to us.

Jobjoris > RallyWrench
11/15/2016 at 17:08

Austria aways has snow and mountains in the winter. I need that. I needed that often back then.

RallyWrench > Jobjoris
11/15/2016 at 21:19

It does seem nice, like the Sierra Nevadas for me.

Jonee > Jobjoris
11/16/2016 at 03:13

Yeah, you’d have to be an Alfa or Nissan completist (or loony like us) to really desire one. I could see this being the last car someone needs in their collection. So, if that’s who is selling it, it must really be undesirable. So, yes. You need it.

Jobjoris > Jonee
11/16/2016 at 04:25

Great summary. Convincing as well. I’ll walk in next Friday.