1977 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta (904) Dimensions, Size & Specs

Yes, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Given its length of 3935 mm (about 3.9 meters or 155 inches) and width of 1590 mm (1.59 meters or around 62.6 inches), it is well within the typical garage size in many countries, which usually accommodate vehicles up to approximately 6 meters (20 feet) in length and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in width. Additionally, its height of 1370 mm (around 54 inches) poses no difficulty for garages with standard ceiling clearance. Therefore, owners can confidently store the Alfasud Giardinetta indoors without space concerns.

The Alfasud Giardinetta has a curb weight of approximately 915 kilograms (2019 pounds). This relatively light weight for a station wagon contributes positively to both its performance and fuel efficiency. A lighter vehicle requires less energy to move, which can enhance acceleration and make the car more responsive and nimble on the road. Additionally, the lighter mass generally translates into better fuel economy, as the engine doesn’t have to work as hard compared to heavier vehicles. The low weight also aids handling dynamics, making the Giardinetta a more engaging and practical vehicle for everyday driving.

The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta offers a substantial luggage capacity of 600 liters (approximately 21.2 cubic feet) with all seats in place. This is quite generous for a compact station wagon of its era, making it convenient for daily errands or weekend trips. When the rear seats are folded down, the cargo capacity dramatically increases to about 1300 liters (around 45.9 cubic feet), providing ample space for larger items or bulky cargo. This versatility in the cargo area allows the Giardinetta to adapt to different needs, from carrying passengers comfortably to maximizing storage for longer journeys or larger loads.

With a width of 1590 mm (62.6 inches), the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta is fairly typical for compact station wagons of the late 1970s. Many comparable wagons from that era also measured in the range of 1.55 to 1.65 meters in width, aiming to balance interior space with the ability to navigate narrower roads and urban environments. The Giardinetta’s width supports a comfortable interior without being unwieldy on tight streets or in parking spaces, which was a key design focus for many European compact wagons during that time period.

The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta stands at 1370 mm (approximately 53.9 inches) in height. This relatively low height contributes to the vehicle's sleek, sporty profile and helps lower the center of gravity, which can improve handling. In terms of interior headroom, while the height ensures a compact exterior design, it provides adequate vertical space for front and rear passengers given the era’s vehicle standards. However, this lower roofline might limit tall cargo options on the roof unless aftermarket roof racks or cargo boxes designed to maximize space within a low-profile are installed.

The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta is equipped with 165/70 R13 tires. These tires have a width of 165 mm, a sidewall height that is 70% of the tire width, and fit on 13-inch diameter wheels. This tire size reflects a balance between ride comfort and sporty handling. The relatively tall sidewall (70% aspect ratio) helps absorb road imperfections, contributing to a smoother ride. Meanwhile, the modest wheel size keeps unsprung weight low, which can promote responsive handling, an important consideration given the Giardinetta’s emphasis on driving dynamics.

The Alfasud Giardinetta followed the original Alfasud hatchback but introduced a station wagon body style to the lineup, hence significantly increasing cargo versatility and space. Compared to the hatchback predecessor, the Giardinetta is similarly compact in length and width but differs markedly due to its wagon configuration. It offers enhanced luggage capacity, with 600 liters of trunk volume expandable to 1300 liters with rear seats folded, which is substantially more than the earlier hatchback’s cargo space. The Giardinetta’s height and curb weight remained in a similar range but its design emphasized practicality and space utility while keeping the car’s nimble nature intact.

Among compact station wagons of the late 1970s, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta was competitive in both size and cargo capacity. With a length of 3935 mm (155 inches), width of 1590 mm (62.6 inches), and height of 1370 mm (53.9 inches), it was dimensionally similar to contemporaries such as the Volkswagen Golf Variant or Datsun Bluebird wagon. Its luggage space was particularly notable, offering 600 liters (21.2 cubic feet) with seats upright and up to 1300 liters (45.9 cubic feet) folded down, which compared favorably to many rivals. This combination of compact external dimensions and roomy storage made the Giardinetta an appealing choice for buyers seeking both city-friendly size and family practicality.

The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardinetta is recognized for combining sporty Italian design with practical utility. Serving as the station wagon variant of the Alfasud range, it featured a lightweight chassis and a nimble front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout that was advanced for the late 1970s. Its compact size and relatively low curb weight of 915 kg (2019 pounds) contributed to lively driving dynamics, unusual for many wagons of that time, which tended to prioritize comfort over performance. The distinctive aerodynamic shape and clever use of interior space—including a large cargo area adjustable via folding rear seats—highlighted Alfa Romeo’s focus on versatility without sacrificing driving enjoyment.