The ex-Jon Dooley, 1981 British Saloon Car Championship class-winning
1976 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Competition Saloon

• Considerable in-period race history
• Well documented
• Purchased directly from Jon Dooley in 2012
• Restoration completed in 2018
• HRDC Alfa Challenge and Goodwood Members' Meeting competitor
• FIA/HTP valid until 31st December 2028

This historic Alfasud was raced by talented privateer Jon Dooley in the British Saloon Car Championship during 1980 and 1981. Formerly his own road car, Jon's Alfasud racer was prepared in their spare time by him and his team of part-time helpers, all of whom had regular jobs. Founded in 1974, the team raced under the 'Squadra Alfa' banner. Early successes earned them the factory's blessing and a change of name to 'Alfa Romeo Dealer Team' (ARDT), although support was limited to the supply of parts. A valuable sponsorship deal was struck with the Italian food importer Napolina, and the ARDT cars were finished in the company's distinctive livery: black with red and green stripes.

Running under the FIA's Group 1 regulations, the Alfasud with its single carburettor and restrictive exhaust was at a distinct disadvantage. That all changed in 1980 when the British Saloon Car Championship allowed competitors a free choice of carburettors and exhaust. Trouble was, Jon had written off his race car in 1979; he was forced to fall back on his Alfasud 1.3 Ti road car, 'MHM 225P', which was race-prepared to exploit the new regulations. Developing an extra 35-40bhp as a result, the Alfasud now had a realistic chance of winning its class. Regular class wins were being achieved by the second half of the season and the team built on this for 1981.

The final round that year was held at Silverstone on 4th October. Jon's chief rival for the 1300cc championship was two-time BSCC champion Richard Longman driving one of three factory-backed Datapost Austin Metros. Longman narrowly out-qualified Jon in practice but was forced to give best to him in the race, Jon crossing the line four seconds ahead of the Metro driver with a new lap record of 1:49.7 to take the 1300cc championship crown.

Eventually retired from racing in 1986, the championship-winning Alfasud remained in Jon Dooley's possession; it deteriorated as the years passed and by 2012, although still in one piece, was severely rusted. It was then that our vendor, an avid Alfa Romeo enthusiast and an experienced engine developer for Weslake and Cosworth among others, recognised the car's historical significance and bought it from Jon Dooley.

The rusted bodyshell was retained and repaired, a donor car providing replacement sheet metal, while the original race engine was rebuilt. This full restoration was completed in 2018 and our vendor was invited to compete in the Gerry Marshall Trophy race at the 2020 Goodwood Members' Meeting, only for the event to be cancelled because of Covid. In recent years the Alfasud has raced competitively in the HRDC Alfa Challenge and at the Goodwood Members' Meeting in 2021 and 2023 where the car was very competitive in Heat 1 for cars up to 2.5 litres. Rebuilt prior to the 2023 season, the engine currently installed is a 1.5-litre unit.

This historic Alfasud comes with a most substantial history file containing Autosport reports from the 1981 season; period photographs; Napolina sponsorship documents; race history; Jon Dooley's account of its history; and FIA/HTP valid until 31st December 2028. Included in the sale is the original 1981 1.3-litre race engine (rebuilt) and the suspension and brakes from 1981. Sundry engine parts, wheels and suspension components are available by separate negotiation with the vendor.