Vehicle Description

The Alfetta GTV is a 4-seater fastback coupé designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign. Introduced in 1974, similarly to the saloon it was initially available only with the 1.8-litre (1,779 cc) version of the Alfa DOHC four. These engines featured a chain driven 8-valve twin overhead cam cylinder head of cross-flow design. For 1976, with the final phasing out of the earlier 105 Series (GT 1300 Junior and GT 1600 Junior and 2000 GTV), the Alfetta GT became a range; the 1.8 was discontinued in favour of the 1.6-litre (1,570 cc) Alfetta GT 1.6 and 2.0-litre (1,962 cc) (128bhp) Alfetta GTV 2.0. At the same time some updates were introduced, such as a new front grille with horizontal slats and two series of vents beneath it. The GTV was distinguished from the 1.6 version by twin chrome whiskers in the grille and GTV scripts carved in the ventilation vents on the C-pillar.

The Alfetta introduced a new drivetrain layout to the marque. Clutch and transmission were housed at the rear of the car, together with the differential for a more balanced weight distribution, as used on the Alfetta 158/159 Grand Prix cars. The suspension relied on double wishbones and torsion bars at the front and a De Dion tube at the rear. The rear de Dion transaxle found on the Alfetta and derivatives- GTV, 90 and 75- provided these cars with excellent weight distribution. The advantages to handling were noticed in contemporary commentaries by motor testers such as Vicar. The transaxle design, in combination with a Watt’s parallelogram linkage, inboard rear brakes and a well-located de Dion rear suspension, resulted in excellent traction and handling. The front suspension design was also unusual in that it incorporated independent longitudinal torsion bar springs acting directly onto the lower wishbones and with separate dampers.

In 1979, some minor revisions, including a revised engine with new camshaft profiles and a change to mechanical-and-vacuum ignition advance, saw the 2.0-litre redesignated the Alfetta GTV 2000L. The styling of the GTV, while distinctive, can be seen to share many design features derived from the Montreal supercar, as translated down to a simpler and thus more marketable vehicle. Examples of this are the bonnet line, which while briefer, still has ‘scallops’ for the headlights, and the tail light clusters which resemble those of the Montreal. The door shape is similar, and in a sharing of parts, both vehicles employ the same door handles.

This particular vehicle was first registered on 1st October 1979 in Alfa Rosso red with grey velour cloth interior. It has 6 former keepers and since the mid 90’s was kept in the Northumberland area. Extensively restored in 2007, the car’s documentation shows a photographic record of a bare metal respray with rear wheel arches and arch interiors, rear valance and door repairs with new metal let in, new front wings and new bottom sills. Receipts for this work exceeding £4,000 are with the paperwork. In 2012 the then owner (from 2004) passed the vehicle onto his grandson who fitted Colombo and Bariani fast road camshafts (supplied and fitted by Alfatech in Whitley Bay). He seems to have had problems with tuning the engine and sold the car to tandb classics in 2014 as a non-runner. Amongst the paperwork are x8 MOTs from 1990 and invoices from 1995 onwards.

Since acquiring the vehicle we have carried out a fairly comprehensive recommissioning to include the following:-

1. Removal of cylinder head and replacement of bent valve, check for warping, re-shim all valves and replace head gasket. New alternator.
2. Reconditioning of Dellorto DHLA40 twin carbs by Eurocarb including new seals and gaskets.
3. Replacement of fuel tank and fitted electronic ignition.
4. Removal and recondition of entire De-Dion rear axle including entire new clutch and slave cylinder, new rear discs and pads, new handbrake cable, new springs and shock absorbers, new gearbox seals and driveshaft donut, new anti rollbar bushes and new inner and outer driveshaft boots.
5. Cromodora Alloy wheels (5) stripped and powdercoated. 4 New Goodyear Eagle Sport tyres.
6. Full service and MOT passed on 14th September 2018.

While an older restoration, this vehicle remains an extremely useable classic. An iconic shape from the 70s, in order to ensure everything works the car has been driven some 300 miles since the MOT and is started regularly and now available for a new owner to enjoy. The twin ast road cams along with the twin Dellorto carbs and electronic ignition mean this car feels quick even by todays standards. Following an Alfa Romeo tradition of producing performance saloon cars the near 50/50 weight distribution means the car handles as well as it drives.

Car is located by Kinross, just 20 miles north of Edinburgh on the M90 motorway. To arrange a viewing or for any further information please contact Ross Blyth by email or call. Delivery available UK wide on terms to be agreed

Vehicle Specifications

• Milage: 105,000 mi
• Condition: Used
• Exterior Color: Red
• Interior Color: Grey cloth
• Transmission: Manual
• Engine size: 2 Litres
• Status: Trade
• Country: UK
• Region: Scotland
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Previous Owners: 4
• Doors: 2
• Metallic Paint: No