V6 Survivor: 1985 Alfa Romeo GTV6

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Alfa Romeo enjoys a long history of motorsport success, and its GTV6 continued that trend. It proved to be an outright contender in both the World Rally Championship and International Group A Touring Car competition. This 1985 example hails from that era, and is a genuine survivor that its new owner can enjoy immediately. It has avoided many of the issues that can befall these classics, and its V6 under the hood could be its highlight. The seller has listed the Alfa here on eBay in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They set their BIN at $26,500 with the option to make an offer.

Alfa Romeo introduced the GT to its Alfetta range in 1974, with the svelte two-door Coupe remaining in production until 1987. The 1980 model year brought a mid-cycle restyle, with the GTV6 joining the party later that year. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1985 and immediately makes a positive impression. The White paint holds a healthy shine, with no evidence of major flaws or defects. The panels are straight, and the seller’s comprehensive image gallery confirms that this classic has avoided the rust that often plagues these classics. The floors are solid and clean, as are the lower extremities and the area around the back window. However, calling this Alfa perfect would be wrong, because the close-up shots reveal deterioration to the taillight lenses and some bumper warping. Neither shortcoming is severe, and if potential buyers consider this a genuine survivor, those problems are acceptable. The GTV6 will score points with some potential buyers courtesy of the first owner’s decision to order it with the factory sliding sunroof. The lack of interior moisture damage suggests that the seals are in good order, and there is no rust visible in the sunroof recess. One of the beautiful 15″ alloy wheels is missing its center cap, but the wheels themselves and the glass are in good condition.

The GTV6 revealed its sporting credentials via its mechanical specifications and drivetrain layout. The engine bay houses the glorious 2.5-liter V6 that sends its power to a five-speed rear-mounted transaxle. Four-wheel disc brakes provide the stopping power, while the company mounted the rear brake discs inboard to reduce unsprung weight. The four-wheel independent suspension provides tenacious grip in the turns, and with the transaxle giving this classic almost perfect weight distribution, this GTV6 is ideal for spirited motoring. The V6 delivers around 154hp and 157 ft/lbs of torque, and with the car tipping the scales at around 2,800 lbs, it is easy to see why the GTV6 enjoyed competition success. There is plenty of good news for potential buyers, with the seller confirming that this Alfa has been meticulously maintained. It runs and drives extremely well, ready to provide its new owner with immediate classic motoring pleasure.

Apart from rust, the other issue that often plagues classic Alfa Romeos is interior trim deterioration. Age and UV rays can exact a heavy toll on plastic and cloth, but this GTV6 has avoided the worst of those problems. The most obvious flaw with this car is the multiple cracks on the dashboard. This is a common issue that can be challenging to repair. Removing the dash and tackling a DIY approach using a product like Polyvance is an option, as is spending around $180 on a molded cap to hide the issue. Beyond that, this interior has no pressing needs. The Gray velour trim on the body-hugging bucket seats is in remarkable condition, and there is no significant carpet wear. The back seat looks excellent, as does the headliner. A modern stereo occupies the spot typically reserved for the factory radio, while the new owner also receives air conditioning and power windows.

It is said by some that you can’t consider yourself a genuine motoring enthusiast unless you have owned an Alfa Romeo. I don’t subscribe to that theory, because I consider myself an enthusiast but have never parked one in my garage. However, having slipped behind the wheel of a GTV6, I can confirm that they are exceptionally rewarding to drive, particularly on twisting roads where the V6 sings as the driver swaps cogs to extract the best from the vehicle. The seller’s BIN on this 1985 example sits close to the top of the market, and might be slightly optimistic. However, its rust-free status and their willingness to consider offers make it worth more than a passing glance.

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Comments

  1. Scott

    Nice example. I almost bought an 84 Maratona new. Was falling apart on the test drive. It was beautiful, but I think I dodged a bullet.

    Like 2
  2. alphasudMember

    I always loved the wheels on these. However they are metric and only one tire is available if they are available. Otherwise a real survivor. I had 2 Milano’s and a 164LS. Drove them everywhere and never had one let me down. When my friend tried to convince me to buy a E30 BMW I said no I want something more unique. Was glad that I did because they are so entertaining to drive and with an engine note from a Busso V6 the radio never got turned on. Every day was a redline experience.

    Like 9
    • Stan StanMember

      Alpha some 6pots sing a great tune for sure 👍

      Like 3
  3. ACB

    The rear suspension is not IRS; it uses a de Dion tube which has the benefit of keeping the wheels always parallel. That’s why it was favored by some of the trans-Atlantics (such as Iso and Monteverdi) which used torquey V8s but the advantages were real even with lower outputs.

    Like 5
  4. bobhess bobhessMember

    Spent a year as service manager at the Alfa dealer in the early ’80s. These cars went out the door pretty quick and didn’t come back for anything but routine maintenance. Test drives were a bunch of fun.

    Like 10
  5. Geronimo

    Does it use a timing belt?

    Like 1
    • Jim

      It has a timing belt and it is an interference type engine, so maintenance is critical

      Like 4
  6. Paul in MA

    I had one of these back around 1988 when I was younger after driving a beat up ALFA Spyder for a few years. The GTV 6 drove beautify. Being a young guy in his early 20s, I wanted something more flashy like the convertible was. These GTV6s are so tasteful and drive great.

    Like 6
  7. Tim

    Nice car ; too much $$ IMO

    Like 1
  8. whilst

    I see no sunroof.?

    Like 1
    • BimmerDudeMember

      If you enlarge the photo from the right front you can see the sunroof outline.

      Like 1
  9. KCJ

    Girlfriend had one, their no Ferrari yet always was fun to drive, comfortable, handled well,I won’t mind having it,just not sure about getting any mechanical issues

    Like 1
  10. t-bone bob

    This listing ended on Tue, May 13

    Like 0

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