One of the risks associated with buying older Italian classics is that rust can sometimes be a problem requiring significant cost and effort to address. However, this 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV has avoided those issues and is a rock-solid survivor that presents well for its age. The car runs and drives nicely, and is ready to provide its next owner with a rewarding driving experience. The seller has listed the Alfa here on eBay in Pleasanton, California. Bidding currently sits at $30,600, which is below the reserve.

Giorgetto Giugiaro enjoys a well-earned reputation for designing some of the most beautiful production cars on the planet during his time at Bertone. He is the man responsible for penning the lines for this 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV, a timelessly elegant classic. The seller is sparing with information about its history, making it unclear whether it has undergone restoration at any point. Its Desert Beige paint exhibits a few minor imperfections upon close inspection, but it retains a warm shine and no major problems. Since this is an Italian classic, the first question many will ask is whether there is rust. The news on that front is positive, because having spent its life in California, the excellent array of listing images confirms that this beauty is rock-solid. The panels are straight, and the trim is in exceptional condition for its age.

Italian classics have developed a reputation for featuring sweet small-capacity engines, and the 1973 Alfa 2000 GTV is no exception. Tipping the hood forward reveals a 1,962cc twin-cam four producing around 129hp. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, and with a curb weight of under 2,500 lbs, the GTV is a surprisingly energetic performer. Potential buyers will welcome the news that an Alfa specialist has always maintained this beauty and that it is in excellent mechanical condition. The seller includes this YouTube video of the car in action, and the engine sounds as crisp as it would have when it left the factory. It seems that flying in and driving home is a realistic option for the winning bidder.

Apart from rust, classics like this Alfa can also suffer from deterioration of interior trim due to long-term exposure to harsh UV rays. That isn’t the case with our feature car, because the Black vinyl-upholstered surfaces are in excellent condition. The dashpad is crack-free, and the splashes of woodgrain show no evidence of deterioration. The gauges feature crisp markings and clear lenses, and the only visible aftermarket addition is an AM/FM radio with door-mounted speakers.

Some classics are what I call “an acquired taste.” They don’t enjoy immediate mass appeal, but slipping behind the wheel can unlock an entirely new world of motoring joy. Such is the case with the 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV. It will happily cruise for hours at legal open road speeds, but pointing these cars at a piece of twisting bitumen will provide the owner with an almost unrivalled slice of engaging driving pleasure. The fact that this Alfa has avoided the common rust problems that many consider a hallmark of Italian vehicles is not to be understated, as rectifying such issues can be expensive. If you have ever owned a GTV, did you enjoy the experience enough to consider pursuing this one further?