If I had to choose one vintage car that could do it all – take me to track day, behave itself on a tour, accommodate me comfortably, and collect admiring looks along the way – I’d choose an Alfa GTV. This model is the 2.0 liter version, with a five-speed manual. It’s listed here on eBay with bidding sitting at $8100, reserve not met. No word on its running condition, but given its tidy demeanor, I’ll bet a new owner could drive it away from Farmingdale, New York. Alfa developed a decades-long relationship with the design house when Franco Scaglione penned three concept cars under assignment from Alfa, now known as the BAT series (Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica). So impressive were the results, that by the time the ’70s rolled around, Bertone had styled several models including the Giulietta Sprint and Sprint Speciale, the Montreal, and the 2600, among others. The GTV was the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro, and to my eyes it’s an ideal blend of restrained elegance and sporty eagerness.
Alfa designed its all-alloy, twin-cam, four-cylinder “bialbero” engine in 1954, placing the first version in its new Giulietta. Fast forward a couple of decades, and this GTV received a more powerful 1962 cc four, a jump in displacement over the 1750 also on sale. US-delivery vehicles were equipped with SPICA fuel injection; output was about 130 hp. A five-speed manual brings power to the rear wheels and four-wheel disc brakes manage speed in the corners that you’re not going to be able to resist.
The magic of the GTV – really, most Alfas – is how this one car attends to so many needs, including those of the occupants: the cabin is not fancy, but it’s appealing nonetheless. The instruments are where they should be – as part of a redesign from prior years, the dash was changed to house those gauges in a hooded cluster. The seats are supportive without being narrow. The gearshift falls to hand properly. This GTV arrived near the end of production for the US – our regulations prevented its import after 1974.
The evolution of the GTVs design occurred over years, involving gentle modernization of the early 1950s Type 705 and 101. Even within the GT series, nuances exist: the stepnose has fans, the rare GTC is intensely collectible. Speaking of collectible, values have strengthened over the years for nearly every version of these sporty Alfas. Prices run from the mid-$20k area for a car that might need work, to well past $40k for very fine examples. Rust is the bane of Alfas, so a personal inspection might be in order. If this GTV is as rust-free as it appears, the bid here is low.
Good taste and a good choice. The reintro of the 5 speed gearbox at the time was mind blowing in some motorhead groups.
And too, good back story as always Michelle.
Like nearly all foreign cars of that time, this one has a certain cachet to it. Now most non-US cars, especially those from Europe, seem to all look like Hyundais, Alfa non-excepted. On this car, they don’t show the whole instrument panel and dash for some reason.
The only car I viewed in today’s list of Barnfinds. Beautiful inside & out. Timeless styling. Would love to hear more from people who have owned and driven these.
An acquaintance of mine who rallied seriously (AlCan etc) owned two of these, a ’67 and a ’73. He was deciding to sell one and I asked him which he would let go of, and he said the ’67. The comfort level of the ’73 was a notch higher and he claimed the car behaved just a hair better in rough conditions.
…restrained elegance and sporty eagerness…
Excellent writing frau Michelle Rand for a superb classic
very nice
I had several ’50’s and ’60’s Alfas, all bought used and near the end of their life. I had a pair of Guilietta Sprint Coupes (one a Veloce) and always wanted a GTV like a co-worker had. At one point I looked at a very used GTA but it had been raced and bent so many times that most of the aluminum panels were beyond repair.
Agree with you on the 105 Alfa Michelle, a great allrounder. The absolute best value might be the 2000 Berlina if you don’t have enough to pay for a good Bertone.
And if money is less of a problem, a Zagato Junior with an engine upgrade. Everyone loves a Bertone though!
Nice Bertone Robust lines her brother (GTC convertible ) variant “GIULIA spring GT coupe” interesting nice little car . Italian touch. refine .
Very cool, very James Bond. Unfortunately have heard too many horror stories about Alpha. When a brand new Dodge Hornet, basically a Tonale gets all glitchy it’s off putting.
Very cool, very James Bond. Unfortunately have heard too many horror stories about Alpha. When a brand new Dodge Hornet, basically a Tonale gets all glitchy it’s off putting. But for a person with the time and money…
You can say that again (almost. First post must have been “glitchy”)
You can say that again (almost. First post must have been “glitchy”)
There’s no such thing as an “Alpha”.
U are correct jealtb. Alfa though similar to the first letter of the Greek alphabet it was made from initials A.L.F.A. in Italian (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili)
I still find this to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
They are a interesting drive once you buy one you have to have another one, I like the 69, 67 1750 gtv
Totally agree. I prefer the 1750 over the 2000 engines.