In the early Eighties, it wasn't just Lancia eyeing the podium of the rally world. restomod">Alfa Romeo, the iconic Italian automaker, had its sights firmly set on conquering the rally stages with a bold Group B creation. Enter the Alfa 6C, a radical transformation of the Alfasud Sprint tailored to fit the FIA’s cutting-edge homologation requirements.
The vision for the Alfa 6C was ambitious. The engineers swapped out the humble 1.5-liter front-mounted four-cylinder boxer engine for a more formidable 2.5-liter mid-mounted V6, sending power to the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed transmission, akin to the powerhouse within the Lancia 037. It made its grand debut at the 1982 Paris Motor Show, capturing attention with its distinctive box arches, louvred rear window lid, and wide Pirelli-tired wheels.
However, the competitive edge of the 6C became quickly clear; to really stand a chance against its rivals, it needed four-wheel drive. Despite developing a second prototype with this configuration, the project stalled in 1983 due to financial constraints, and alas, Alfa Romeo’s rally dream was shelved. But legends never die—they just bide their time. Fast forward four decades, and the dream is reborn.
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Now Portuguese tuner Alma has resurrected the spirit of the 6C with a stunning revival. Their restomod, the Alma Sprint, pays homage to the rally legend with meticulous detail. The widebody styling remains faithful to the original, although refined with closer panel gaps and a reimagined front end featuring Hella headlamps. Inside, it’s an upscale affair with leather, Alcantara, and corduroy trims adorning racing seats equipped with Sabelt harnesses.
But when it comes to power, Alma has taken a different route compared to Alfa Romeo's aspirational V6. The Sprint's heart beats through a heavily modified 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. It features redesigned heads, forged pistons, custom camshafts, and Dellorto carbs with polished velocity stacks. The result? A respectable 160 horsepower, channelled to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission and an open Torsen differential.
While Alma hasn’t disclosed the price tag of this incredible machine, they have committed to producing just 20 of these masterpieces, with the first deliveries expected by the end of 2025. This restomod isn’t just a car; it’s a bridge to the past, seamlessly connecting the dreams of yesterday with today’s reality, giving rally enthusiasts and Alfa aficionados alike something truly noteworthy to celebrate.
