- An Alfa Romeo fan built his dream car by combining a 159 sedan with a Brera coupe.
- The period-correct, one-off creation merges practicality and style into a single vehicle.
- Achieving the right proportions and perfect finish required extensive work.
Update 9/17: The Alfa Romeo 159-Brera hybrid project we first reported on last year has now reached completion. We’ve revised the story with fresh details and new photos showcasing this one-of-a-kind build.
The Alfa Romeo Brera is often hailed as one of the sexiest creations in the brand’s recent history. Available only as a three-door coupe or a two-door spider, it wasn’t exactly built with practicality in mind. But that didn’t stop a determined Alfa fan in South Africa from crafting his own five-door hatchback version, cleverly using the mechanically-related 159 as a foundation.
More: Custom Alfa Romeo GT Sud-Est Is A Brera With A Giulia Quadrifoglio Face
The production version of the Brera that was introduced in 2005 was a toned-down take on the original Giugiaro concept from 2002, mostly because it had to share its underpinnings and a lot of its parts with the Alfa Romeo 159. That’s where Brendon M. Scholtz from South Africa came in, deciding to merge the two models into one, satisfying his inner car designer’s itch for a unique blend of style and practicality.
It all began with a digital rendering and the realization that the lines of the two models weren’t too far off. Brendon then tracked down a rear end from a scrapped and badly beaten Brera—no need to destroy a perfectly good one for this experiment.
AWD V6 Power
Next, he picked up a perfectly intact Alfa Romeo 159 that would serve as the primary donor. Fortunately, it wasn’t just any 159; it was the beefiest version, sporting a 3.2-liter V6 with 256 hp (191 kW / 260 PS) and 322 Nm (237 lb-ft) of torque, paired with the Q4 all-wheel-drive system, just the kind of muscle you’d want for a project like this.
Both Alfas rear ends were cut at the same point along the rear fenders, allowing Brendon to weld the Brera’s sexy tail right onto the 159’s body. While the profile lines lined up well enough, the Brera’s lower height meant some serious metalwork was needed to align it with the more upright roof of the 159.
Not satisfied with the initial outcome, Brendon hit the scrapyard for another Brera and started over from scratch. This time, he meticulously reconstructed the panels onto the 159, following each seam and spot weld. That obsessive attention to detail paid off, as the final build looks almost like it rolled out of the factory, with spot-on proportions and a clean finish.
The new roofline flows more smoothly, and the Brera’s rear integrates seamlessly with the 159’s bodywork. To complete the look, he threw in a few more Brera bits, including door-mounted mirrors and a fresh front bumper.
More: This Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm Replica Bodykit Looks Quite Convincing
The Frankenstein body received a fresh lick of Rosso Red paint from the 8C Competizione palette, paired with new alloy wheels from the Giulia Quadrifoglio and a splash of yellow brake calipers for that extra pop. A lowering kit was also thrown in, dialing up its sporty stance.
As the only five-door, five-seater Brera on the planet, this creation could give some rare midsize hatchbacks like the forgotten Opel Signum and the oddball Renault Vel Satis a run for their money. Not stopping there, Brendon also snagged a standard Brera to match, because what’s better than a one-of-a-kind car? A matching set for the ultimate family photoshoot.
For more of Brendon’s wild automotive experiments, you can check out his @carazy_guy profile on Instagram.
