Just a handful of this GTV6 cars are left in the world today and we would like one.
This is one of the most desirable modern classic Alfa Romeo sports car today. Designed by Giorgetto Guigaro and only available as a sporty two-door fastback coupe, this was the last modern classic great two door performance Alfa.
Sure, we have since had the early 2000’s GTV and the more recent looking Alfa Brera, but this Alfa GTV from the 1980s remains at the top of the wanted list for us and many of our Italian car loving friends.
History Explained
Alfa Romeo has been building cars for some 111 years and they have built and delivered some rather special cars like the Alfa SZ but in all its 111 years of building cars, there has never been a car like this unique GTV6. The Alfa factory built some 22,000 units of the GTV6 from the year 1981 until the end of 1987.
GTV6 2.5 Explained
Yes, there was also a 2.0L version which lacked the ‘grunt to move this heavy Italian. The GTV6 also had the legendary 2492cc, V6 power-plant which was designed by Giuseppe Busso. Current and previous owners will know that the factory fitted 2.5 litre engine was renowned for head gasket failures, electrical issues and for our part of the world, rust issues. Failing trim and tired interior parts were another issue as the years moved on. However, most owners made it a lifelong hobby to keep the GTV6 running and in good order to enjoy its classic looks and drive.
The Rivals
Designed to compete against the Ford Capri, Opel Monza and the Porsche 924, this classic sports car is worth twice and more against its above-mentioned rivals today. Yes, its value has moved up faster than its European rivals. During those years, the Japanese car manufacturers saw the rising demand in this sports segment and so the Mazda RX-7 Savanna, Toyota Celica and Honda Perlude arrived but with little impact on the high desire factor that this Alfa GTV6 delivered.
The Surprising Model
Now, you might be a real Alfa enthusiast, or a true car ‘nut’ but many of you might not know or have heard of the rather special and rare GTV6 3.0. Yes, a 3.0L GTV6 that had more power and enthusiasm which was designed for just one country, and it is not Italy.
The Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 was the result of a collaboration between Alfa Romeo South Africa, Autodelta (the Italian firm’s competition division) and Alfa Romeo Italy, to give the 2.5-litre GTV a better chance of beating the larger-engined BMW 535i in the ultra-competitive South African touring car championship.
Autodelta sent the cylinder head casting, crankshaft, pistons and cylinder sleeves along with larger valves, and the engines were machined and assembled in South Africa, for a 3-litre, higher power V6. The fuel injection was changed for Dellorto carburettors. The new model won its debut race at Kyalami in 1983, and followed that with a 1-2 in the Group One class of the Castrol Three-hour race at Killarney.
Alfa Romeo had to homologate the model by building at least 200 units from 1983 to 1985 which another 8 units (total 208) ending up with private collectors who knew about its production run.
This GTV had a curb weight of 1118kg, so the 2,934cc engine allowed it to have a 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of 7.8 seconds and a possible maximum top speed 225km/h.
The 3.0L engine produced a maximum power of 186 PS at 6700 rpm and a maximum torque of 265 Nm at 4300 rpm. The power was transmitted to the road by the rear wheel drive (RWD) with a 5 speed Manual gearbox.
Today
Values in the used car market vary between RM30,000 for a ‘we need to work on this car the next few months’ to a lofty RM60,000 for a fully restored GTV6 2.5 as you see in this brochure below. Is it worth the asking price? Well, this is car that says ‘willing buyer willing seller’ and that’s that!
However, it is GTV6 3.0L that will be the one to own. Even overseas sellers are asking between RM180,000 to RM220,000 which sounds a little too much. Join the Alfa Romeo Owners club in Malaysia and you will be advised by a group of like minded passionate owners on what and who to see to get your Alfa running sweet.
