75 bumper differences

[Vivace]

Hey, you knowledgeble 75 guys -

What are the differences in the 75 / Milano bumpers I see? There are the big accordian type that I assumed were US versions, and then some smaller, shorter bumpers on euro cars. But I have a bunch of photos of obviously Euro cars with the accordian bumpers.

What's up...Who got which ones, and which model years?

And...finally, can one find the smaller bumper to retrofit a US model?

Thanks!

[Maarten Bijlsma]

I don't know if I qualify as a knowledgeable 75 person but here goes;

as far as I know, all V6 models were equipped with the lead harmonica bumpers in the Old as well as the New World. Later Turbos also had this factory-added weight penalty. Lesser models and early Turbos had the lightweight bumpers. The US never saw the Turbos (right?) or any of the other varieties besides the V6s, therefore all US Milanos feature heavy bumpers.

Edit; yes you can fit lightweight bumpers to a V6 model, but you'll need to fabricate a replacement for those "shock absorber" struts up front. Easy.

[Grant]

Cars with the US bumpers can be known as "America" models. Not too sure why they sold the impact bumpers in other markets...

Forum members 75evo and Nizam have both fitted the european bumpers on their Milanos. The bumpers are supposed to weigh 10lbs each, compared to ~25-30lbs per end for the US and "America" obese bumpers.

[Maarten Bijlsma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant Cars with the US bumpers can be known as "America" models.

[1969read]

Australian 75 as they were known have larger bumpers in the 3.0 Clover Leaf range only the twin spark and 2.5 have the smaller ones. My choice would be the limited Evo kit which only came out in italy, x 500 off. Jason

[AR4me]

Quote:

25-30lbs per end for the US and "America" obese bumpers.

[Grant]

O yeah? I was incorrectly sourcing my info from what you found out. How much are they total?

[AR4me]

They are roughly 40 lbs per end - by gutting them I saved about half. These numbers exclude the front and rear bumper shocks.
Jes

[realdriver]

In europe, pre '87 Alfa 75 2.5 V6's and Turbo's have small bumpers

In '87, the 2.5 was replaced by the 3.0 America which had "american bumpers". The Turbo 1.8 I.E. became the Turbo America and got the same changes as the V6. At this time, nearly all european 75s received the small rear spoiler (anything with a 2L engine and above). There are a large number of other changes to all european '87 cars (wing mirrors, interior, etc). But not the "euro" grill or red tail lights, which came later (at the end of '88).

In mid '90, the 3.0 America got a few upgrades and became the QV or Potenziata (seems to depend on the country). These cars have a slightly different interior and a few suspension mods. Same story for the turbos

So, in general, pre-'87 european turbos and V6 75s have small bumpers and post -'87 have big bumpers. All post '87 big bumpered cars have wheel arch extensions and a spoiler.

There are 2 exceptions to this rule:

1) Some 2.5 liter Milanos were sold in europe. These are just like North American 2.5 Milanos. In Switzerland, these cars were sold as a stop-gap because Alfa didn't have any other catalyst equipped 75s (Swiss regulations changed at the beginning of '87) and had to use whatever was available. These cars were called 75 Milano oro.

2) The only automatic 75 (or milano) was the 2.5 L V6, in Europe, I believe that these are all post '87 cars and are visually identical to 2L Twin Sparks. If somebody has ever seen a pre-'87 automatic 75 please correct me

[jamieandthemagi]

then there are the cars with the veloce kits on them.................

[realdriver]

Hi Jamie,

Yes, then there are the Veloce kits, but they are UK specific. I wonder if they weren't fitted by the importer...?

[jamieandthemagi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by realdriver I wonder if they weren't fitted by the importer...?