When a car is clearly a total project – but a desirable one – is it always worth rescuing? That’s the question I pose to you in the case of this claimed matching-numbers 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV coupe that is listed at no reserve. Not much is provided in the way of information, but there are plenty of photos which seem to indicate this Alfa has been left outside for quite some time. In restored condition, there’s always demand for this sporting two-door, but there’s a thin line between parts car and restoration candidate. Which one is it? Check out the Alfa here on eBay with bids to just over $2K and located in Northford, Connecticut.
I had little doubt this Alfa was somewhere near my neck of the woods, as it looks like any vintage European car does if left outside for decades. The bodywork is rough, and while the rust doesn’t look full-blown, I suspect it is hiding in numerous places throughout the body and chassis. The fenders and where the bumpers attach look suspect, and the trunk not latching down securely could mean the trunk floor is gone. Fortunately, the Alfa does appear by and large complete, with factory wheels, lenses, and glass all present – with the exception of the driver’s window, which I hope was just rolled down to make it easier to push the car out of wherever it was hiding.
The interior is better than I expected, as it appears largely complete and even retains some of the factory wood trim. Now, I’m aware it likely needs complete replacement, but it’s still in better shape than I expected considering the exterior. Other photos show that the front buckets will need a complete do-over, as the upholstery is trashed. The back seat may be salvageable, but of course, if any of the cabin has been sitting in water or otherwise stored damp for decades, you wouldn’t want to use it anyway. The dash is obviously cracked, but fortunately, photos seem to indicate the door jambs aren’t rotten – a place where water can collect if left to stand outdoors for decades.
The matching-numbers engine could certainly provide all the justification one needs to restore this GTV, especially with SPICA fuel injection and a racy 130 b.h.p. on board. These cars had sporting pedigree right out of the box, and to this day remain desirable specimens for track use as well as just running free on some canyon roads. The driving experience alone is what keeps rough Alfas like this one from becoming parts cars, and while the appearance is certainly rough, the no reserve auction may leave enough room in the budget to pick away at it for years to come. Would you restore it, or use this GTV as a parts car for a more road-ready specimen?
Rust doesn’t look full blown?? The door is falling off from rotten door jambs. Expect the worst with the rust and overall condition. can’t understand how someone could let a car like this rot to the ground. Parts car unless someone thinks its worth the coin to bring it back. Good luck.
Stay safe and get a tetanus shot
Cheers
GPC
I was being an optimist and thinking the hinge was just broken. :-D
That right rocker looks to be sagging too. Pretty extensive rust. Worse have been brought back, but it is a LOT of work. And some of the sheet metal you’ll need won’t be available. Ask me how I know!
“Taps taps taps…… taps taps taps…. taps taps taps, taps taps taps, taps taps taps….”
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/b1b1934b-b104-450b-b1c9-22710d9e99ad
Poor old girl! Such a pretty car. My former owner and boss had a 73 in this color when I worked at the Alfa dealer. He had his son who worked in the shop install a turbo and intercooler from a Saab 900 Turbo and a 2nd fuel system using race fuel. Modified the Spica fuel injection to cope with the boost. Man that car was pretty and fast! I later saw it for sale after he passed. I had tears because I wasn’t in a position to buy it.
Wow! It will take someone with superb metal skills or lots of money to get this back to a great car again. Good luck!
Any bets on how much would be left if this one was put into a strip tank?
Parts only – maybe a garage art for the shell…
Suggestion. I have seen cars like this striped and then cleaned up and the body applied to a roll cage space frame that was fabricated to replicate the factory mount points for suspension and drive train. You must be DIYer because no way to pay for this and only a few shops are capable (Holman Moody, etc). The engineer I saw do it then put in racing seats and drove it to work everyday (at Marshal Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL). Look up Rocket City Rednecks off of cable TV archives. When you have time and skills money is secondary.
There is no such thing as a matching numbers Alfa Romeo, post 1959. From the 101 series onwards, no factory records were kept of engine numbers, so the best you can do is verify the capacity and series which should reflect the time frame of the chassis number. On a 2000GTV, why worry anyway?
And this car has bigger issues……I think MCH is correct. This car could be restored, all parts are available, but it would be more economical to start with a better shell.
Waterlogged for sure. Hurricane car? A few good parts left. On the other hand, it IS duct tape colored, so…you know…
Ended: Apr 14, 2020 , 11:50AM
Winning bid:US $3,700.00
[ 42 bids ]