FNM Alfa Romeo 2300 (Tipo 102) 1974-1987

1974 saw the [URL="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=997154"]FNM 2150[/URL] replaced with the Alfa Romeo 2300.

The FNM Alfa Romeo 2300 is a Brazilian luxury sedan produced from 1974 to 1987. The general look of the new car was very similar to that of the Italian built Alfetta sedan, designed by Giuseppe Scarnati and first offered in Europe in 1972, although the Brazilian car was actually 41 centimetres (16 in) longer and 7 centimetres (2.8 in) wider than the Alfetta. Under the skin, the 2300 was based technically on the older Alfa Romeo 1900. The gear box of the 2300 was conventionally located adjacent to the engine and not (as with the Alfetta) across the rear axle. Like its Brazilian predecessor, the FNM 2000, the 2300 featured a four cylinder twin camshaft engine, now of 2,310 cc with a claimed output of 140 hp (100 kW). A maximum speed of 170 km/h (106 mph) was claimed. For the 1985 model year the 2300 was renamed as "Alfa Romeo 85". This model was supposedly manufactured until November 1986, although a final 243 Alfa Romeos were built in Brazil in 1987.

As demand for alcohol-powered cars rose a stockpile of petrol-powered 2300s built up: as a result, Alfa Romeo forced the Brazilian Alfa Romeo on European (Dutch, Swiss, and German) customers in 1981 under the designation Alfa Rio. In addition around 600 of the cars were shipped to The Netherlands. The cars proved nearly unsellable and severe quality issues further deteriorated Alfa Romeo's image in Central and Northern Europe, with the importers eventually being forced to buy back the majority of the cars brought over. In Holland, the bought back cars were sold on to used car dealers after three years in outdoors storage; without warranties the already decaying cars caused severe damage to Alfa Romeo's already crumbling reputation. The only real value of the Rio seems to have been to provide parts for restorers of vintage Alfa Romeo 1900s.

[SIZE="1"]Source: wikipedia.org[/SIZE]