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MOST OF the Alfa-Romeo cars I remember were immobile and rusting tributes to great automotive expectations gone awry. They were parked in driveways and along suburban streets — sometimes under makeshift canopies, but more often exposed to the elements and vandals.

Some of those moribund cars had proud owners, people who defended them in their decrepitude and who vowed to restore them to shining glory.

But most of those vows — made without the time, money or skills needed for execution — faded with the paint.

For those and other reasons, I loathed Alfa-Romeo cars and often advised friends and associates against their purchase.

I now recant.

My conversion came at the wheel of a 1987 Alfa-Romeo Milano Gold — a highly competitive, distinctive entry into the under-$20,000 sport sedan market. This car is more substance than dream, more performance than bravado.

It has some quirks, but they do little to detract from the joy of putting the Milano on the road.

Indeed, if the test car is representative of all Milano models rolling into Alfa-Romeo dealerships across the country, the Milano will stay on the road for a very long time. That is progress.

Complaints: Niggling, a driver’s side sun visor that pulled away from its right roof mount. Easily repaired.

Matter of Taste No. 1, a rear-mounted, five-speed manual gear system that resists speed shifting. The transmission has a slightly notchy feel, particularly in movements between first and second gear. But the notchiness seems to disappear with familiarity.

Matter of Taste No. 2, roof-mounted controls for front power windows, console-mounted controls (behind the shifter) for rear power windows. The idea of reaching up to touch some button was unappealing to several riders. ‘Twould be nice if Alfa-Romeo would put all of its window controls in one accessible place.

Praise: Excellence in overall craftsmanship and engineering, excellence in overall value. Compare this model with any competitor in the $12,500-to-$20,000 sport sedan category.

The Milano Gold is the mid-range Milano, ranked between the Silver and the Platinum. It is loaded with standard equipment — three-point seatbelts front and rear, inboard mounted power rear brakes, power-ventilated front disc brakes, fog lamps, headlamp washers, et cetera, all of which is put together quite well.

Egads| Even the factory rustproofing is good| The Milano’s anti-corrosion “system” includes generous use of zincrometal and wax injection to protect the underbody. Anti-corrosives also are widely used in the Milano’s engine and transmission parts. The outer-body paint job is world class, as is the overall quality of the vinyl and fabric interior. Say “goodbye” to dealer charges for undercoating and fabric treatment.

Head-turning-quotient: High. The car’s exterior styling — sharply angled, upswept rear and gently sloping nose — dre w raves and inquiries.

Ride, acceleration, handling: The ride is a little hard, befitting a sport sedan. Acceleration from the Milano Gold’s 2.5-liter, Bosch fuel-injected, aluminum, single-overhead cam V-6 beats a lot of larger six-cylinder models. The engine pumps 154 horsepower at 5,500 rpms.

The Milano’s 50-50 front-rear weight distribution provides trouble-free and worry-free handling in high winds on open highways. The car stays on track.

Sound system: Another one of those buggy Clarion AM/FM stereo radio and cassette systems, easily among my least favorite. Junk it, Alfa-Romeo.

Mileage: About 22 to the gallon (17.6-gallon tank), combined city-highway, running with mixed loads (one to four occupants) and with heating system operating most of the time. Mileage might have been adversely affected by newness of the engine — less than 100 miles on the odometer at time of delivery.

Price as tested: $17,030, the “full-delivered” price, includ ng the $395 destination charge, according to Alfa-Romeo officials. The Milano series starts at $12,850.