1980 Alfa Romeo GTV6

The Alfa Romeo GTV was in production from 1980 to 1986. It is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe styled by Giugiaro, which utilises a transaxle. The car is an extensive facelift of the previous Alfetta GTV.

The Alfa Romeo GTV was launched in 1980, as a replacement for the existing Alfetta GTV 2000L. The changes were mostly cosmetic; with grey polyurethane bumpers front and rear, a lot less brightwork, and 15” wheels replacing the 14” wheels of the Alfetta GTV.

Further changes included grey plastic vents and side skirts, new single unit taillights, and the discontinuation of the 1.6-litre variant. The overall effect was more impressive than the sum of its parts; changing the delicate 1970s gracefulness of the Alfetta GT into a sharper, blunter, harder-edged design which suited the 1980s to a tee.

In late 1980, Alfa Romeo launched the GTV6. As its name suggested, this was a V6-engined version of the new GTV 2.0, using the new Busso engine from the Alfa Romeo 90 saloon. Unlike in the Alfa 90, this engine was fed by Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection rather than the six downdraught Dellortos of the saloon. The engine, now more tractable, reliable and easier to keep in tune, necessitated a large bonnet bulge. This made the once svelte GT into something of a bruiser cosmetically.

In 1984 the dashboard was revised, moving away from a central instrument binnacle with just the speedo ahead of the driver in favour of a more conventional layout.

A number of 3.0 GTVs were built toward the end of production for the South African market, while you’re unlikely to find one in the UK several owners have replicated the effect using the 3.0 from a 75 V6 or a 164.

The Alfa Romeo GTV was discontinued in 1987. It was not directly replaced.

The Alfa Romeo GTV shared its 2.0 engine with the outgoing Alfetta GTV. That means it uses a 1962cc twin-cam four cylinder. Also shared are its front engine, rear drive layout, its transaxle and its all-round disc brakes. The GTV6 used a 2.5-litre variant of the Busso V6, as also seen in the Alfa Romeo 90 executive saloon.

Like the previous Alfetta GT, the Alfa Romeo GTV has a somewhat Latin driving position. But if you can squeeze yourself in, it’s worth it. The GTV 2.0 is beautifully balanced with a great engine, and only a slightly woolly gearchange lets the side down. The GTV6 is a little more nose heavy, but that V6 howl and the extra power more than make up for the handling deficit.

Not only do the inner wings, bulkead and tailgate areas rust as on the earlier Alfetta GT, but this car’s skirts and polyurethane bumpers mean that there are plenty of areas where water can be trapped – places that can rot unhindered until it’s too late to rectify. Make sure you check as much as you can get to.

Most electrical faults -– and it’s a 1980s Alfa, they’re not unheard of -– can be traced to poor or corroded earths.

While purists and driving enthusiasts prefer the lighter balance of the GTV 2.0, the market as a whole prefers the Alfa Romeo GTV6 because of its beautifully throaty Busso V6. The GTV6 thus commands a price premium over a GTV 2.0 in equivalent condition.

The best rivals of the era would be the Lancia Beta Volumex or the Ford Capri V6. If neither floats your boat, have a look at the BMW 628i and the Opel Monza. The Porsche 924 wouldn’t be a bad call either.