Every country has its iconic cars, the ones that put it on the mark as a predominant builder of a certain genre. For America, it’s clearly muscle cars and trucks; for Germany, luxury models and highway cruise missiles. In Italy, the sports car was its calling card, and while the likes of the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Dino were the headliners, the Alfa Romeo GTV was the car that the every day enthusiast could own. The GTV shown here is a project that the seller knows he won’t get to, and while it needs a full assortment of work from body repair to an engine rebuild, it’s also offered with a reasonable starting bid of $7,000. 

Like its contemporary the BMW 2002, the GTV’s appeal lies in its overall packaging. The Alfa was generously equipped Jaeger gauges, bucket seats, a wood-trimmed dash, and more, but it was the willing drivetrains and slick-shifting manual gearbox that made drivers become lifelong fans of the brand. The GTV went through several iterations related to engine displacement but every era was clearly intended to be a joy to drive on backroads while also being able to step up to track days with ease. The seller notes he has owned this Alfa for about eight years and in that time, hasn’t done much with it other than keep it in storage with other projects.

Now, while I highlighted the upscale interior that came with the GTV, this one is missing some of that magic. The seller notes the fact that there are plenty of resources for spare parts for vintage Alfas, and he’s not wrong. However, after spending a year thinking I was going to restore a 1988 Milano Verde, I can confirm that the parts are not exactly Chevy Corvair-cheap, nor are they plentiful. The good news is the deep enthusiast network for these cars means you will likely be able to source the hard-to-find bits that aren’t readily available on Alfa parts websites. This GTV is missing its dash but the seller does have the gauges.

The 2000 GTV featured a 1962-cc engine and SPICA fuel injection on U.S.-market cars. It pushed out a respectable 130 horsepower and that engine is truly the magic that makes Alfas so special. However, they are also known for having rust issues, so close inspection of the chassis and underside is essential to any pre-purchase inspection, although the seller does claim that its in good shape. It may seem like a lot to ask for $7,000 right out of the gate to bid on this GTV, but these cars have held their values well and are still sought after once complete. Find this project Alfa here on eBay and located in Miami, Florida.