This 1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6—a beautiful and practical everyday classic with a honey of a V-6 engine—is now for sale on eBay. And for a 38-year-old car not known for durability, it’s looking good. The owner did a fair amount of work to get it ready for the road, but projects wait for a new owner.
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It’s true, as the vendor says, that “this is a really nice survivor.” Alfa Romeos of the 1980s are seldom encountered in a condition this good. There is indeed little rust, and what’s there needs to be dealt with quickly.
Shop now for Alfa RomeosNearly Ready to Run
The GTV-6 is often seen in red, but silver works, too.
The odometer shows just 41,377 miles. The car was recently tuned with a new air filter, spark plugs, valve adjustment, oil change, brake fluid flush, and new driveline couplings and bearings. A new clutch disc was also installed—a big undertaking. The timing belt and water pump were replaced not long ago. There are five new Pirelli P4 tires—one for each wheel plus the spare.
The leather interior is in overall good condition, with some seam splitting.
The Alfa Romeo GTV6 looks good in its silver and black livery with black leather interior. A closer inspection reveals some paint chips, scratches, and bubbling. The seats look good, but the owner says the seams are starting to come apart.
The most significant issues are a bad second-gear synchro, vibration at 2,000 to 3,500 rpm, and some localized chassis rust that’s visible in the undercarriage shots. But the car is fundamentally sound, which is a relief because the GTV and four-cylinder Alfetta models can be prodigious rusters.
Alfa Romeo GTV6: A Finicky but Rewarding Sports Coupe
American buyers shouldn’t have too much trouble importing this car. It was originally sold in California and still sports its original catalytic converter. It’s located in Vancouver, not far from the US border.
The V-6 engine transforms the car.
The Alfa Romeo GTV6 can trace its origins to the Alfetta (“Little Alfa”) model (Type 116) introduced in 1972 as a stylish five-passenger fastback coupe. Giorgetto Giugiaro is responsible for the striking design.
Alfa built more than 400,000 of all variants. Variations stayed on the market until 1987. The Alfetta used the same twin-cam engine as the Spider convertibles, but it was set up differently, with a De Dion tube rear suspension and a rear-mounted transaxle. The formula made for good handling, but you were out of luck if you bought a Spider for a parts car. Ask me how I know.
Initially, Alfettas had a 1.6-liter engine, but this was soon increased to two liters. In 1980, the car was restyled, and the GTV6 with a 2.5-liter V-6 was introduced with around 150 horsepower, and eventually 186. A hood bulge allowed the larger engine to fit. In 1984, this car’s model year, the GTV6 got an updated interior and new gear ratios. Critics liked the it a whole lot better than the Alfetta.
The car has low mileage, and was imported from California to Canada.
The really hot version of this car is the 230-horsepower twin-turbo conversion built by Reeves Callaway. These rarities are not for the faint of heart, and reach 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, compared to the 8.5 of the stock GTV. Only 35 were made.
eBay has an abundant supply of parts for the 1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6. It should come in handy if you want to drive this Alfa daily, which is an exhilarating prospect.
