Points of significance.
1.'Graduate' insignia (eg front wings)
2.Side stripes (Pls see comments above by Darren gates)
3.Steel wheels + narrower tyres (with plastic covers from
'85?)
4.Lack of clock/electric windows + mirrors
5.Plastic seat upholstery (old-style seats retained after '86
revisions)
6.nb. Body colour = ivory only [or Enthusiast?]
In 1985 the line was split into three models,
the Graduate, Veloce, and Quadrifoglio (pronounced
"kwah-drih-FOH-lee-oh).
The Graduate was the "introductory" level of trim,
with vinyl seats, vinyl top, and steel wheels. The Veloce came
with leather seats, a cloth top, power windows and power
external rear view mirrors, and very attractive
"star" alloy wheels. The Quadrifoglio came with
specially designed leather seats, canvas top, "phone
dial" alloy wheels, a/c standard, special carpeting, a
redesigned front spoiler and tacked-on "side skirts, and
a detachable hard top.
It should be noted that the cars differed only in trim, not in
anything important like engine output or handling goodies. The
Graduate was advertised as an "Enthusiast's Car"...
i.e. it got all the important stuff, but not the gadgets or
the plush things. In short:
- Graduate = vinyl seats, no power windows or mirrors,
steel wheels (sometime with platic covers
- Veloce = leather seats, power windows and mirrors,
Campagnolo "star" alloy wheels
- Quadrifoglio = all above, phone dial wheels, side
skirts, and removable hardtop
- A/C was an option Veloce, maybe on the Grad, maybe
standard on the quad.
Here are some comments about the
Graduate model. Thanks to Darren Gates
Wille,
On the page listed, you're listing of 1985MY Alfa Graduate
shows a question mark next to item #2 Side stripes.
The sides on ine, while lacking any actual emblems beyond the
Pinnifarina "F" just behind the doors, did have a
gold double pinstripe, in vinyl, not painted, down each side
originating in the area just shy of the rear side marker lamps
and traveling above the body sculpting to a point just short
of the headlight bezel. On the fender, and breaking the stripe
at a point about 5-10cm from the front seam of the doors,
there was a cursive "Graduate" done in the same gold
vinyl as the stripe proper. (might have been someone trying to
be 'decorative', but it didn't appear that way)
Unfortunately I've since removed the pin-striping due to a few
damaged spots in it and the body, or I would send a photo of
it for your reference. I foolishly thought I could get it
replaced somehow. Sorely mistaken on that point.......
The U.S. version I recently acquired had factory black paint,
(or at least I presume so, as sanding various spots of the
body to the metal revealed nothing but the black topcoat and a
primer layer, and the color label in the trunk/boot does say
black), with red/burgundy interior.
Air conditioning was in the car, and appeared factory spec
with the exception of where someone had cut the hoses that
went through the firewall. (firewall hose grommets present,
crank pulley still had the outer ring with spacer/belt
tensioner washers intact, the compressor was still present on
a stock mount fixed to the block and upper oil pan, secondary
radiator was in place along with an electric fan with temp
sensor hardwired as part of the factory harness, etc)
Wheels are steel as you list, (patterned as the GTA alloy
wheels offered by Highwoodalfa, are 14x6.5" and silver or
alumicoated in color with the underhood data sticker and glove
box data sticker calling for 185/70-14. Stainless steel trim
rings and centercaps with embossed Alfa logo at all 4 corners.
Mirrors are as shown here
http://www.international-auto.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=2672
with the exception that the right one is etched with the
"objects in mirror are closer than they appear"
warning found so commonly today.
The big gray area I have right now is the conflict between
what the interior is, and what it should be according to what
specs I can find. The car has a data plate listing it's
manufacture as late '85, yet it carries the instrumentation
and console fittings of an '84 and back model. (separate pods
for tach and speedo, triple instruments in the center console
above the radio, pre-'85 steering wheel, etc) Beyond that, all
other interior components consist of what one would expect on
the '85. (seat bolster/rib pattern, luggage 'scuff plates' in
the rear jump seat area, and the like)
I've no clue if someone just cobbled a few cars together to
arrive at what I've got in the garage now, but it really
doesn't appear that way. Some clues I have is that every bit
of glass in it still has the factory logo embossed or painted
right onto it, and oddly enough, the wiring layout matches
that of an '85 on. I find it doubtful that someone could or
would preserve such items in the event they were piecing a car
together from several wrecks. It just wouldn't be cost
effective. (ok, it's a reach, though I'm also basing it on the
appearance that no apparent repair/replacement of any kind as
been done to the body or chassis after being looked at by
several individuals who would be more than capable of spotting
such things)
Either way around, I thought it might be of use and,
(potentially), offer a bit more data to add to the archives
eventually.
