2 minute read
June Car In The Room
June Car In The Room by Michael Thorne
1985 Alfa-Romeo GTV6
I had been thinking of another classic for some time. Something that could take more than two people and a suitcase, but didn’t look like a family sedan. It had to be well presented, driveable and a little different. I’d always liked the clean lines and performance of the GTV6 but they are rare and hard to find in New Zealand.
On the way to the Rangiora Muscle Car Madness in January, we were going to be passing through Leithfield, the home of Waimak Classic Cars so decided to go online to see what was in stock and to my surprise they had just listed a GTV6. Made an appointment to view the next day. It was well presented, started easily, no unhealthy noises or smoke, drove well with a good service history and Waimak Classic Cars organised transport to Rotorua. It was delivered to Rotorua first week in March on my return from the South Island. The Alfa’s first big adventure was the “Not The Spring Tour” to Napier, Masterton, Wellington, Taihape and home. The car performed well with good oil pressure and water temperature but the gearbox took some getting used to.
THE HISTORY Alfas have always been about looks and speed, but reliability was often compromised. By the late 1970s sales were being affected by these issues so Alfa’s solution was to add more ‘fab-looking’ fast cars to the range. It had already produced the GT and GTV versions of the Alfetta but in 1980 a more powerful 2.5L V6 was added to the range under the name GTV6. Originally fitted with six Dellorto carbs, in 1981 the V6 was fitted with fuel injection
for improved performace and tuning. Based on the Alfetta’s elegant Giugiaro design, the GTV6 featured a distinctive bulge in the bonnet to accommodate the larger engine and fuel injection unit. The Busso designed all-alloy V6 was considered by most to be the best V6 in production at the time. The transaxle transmission ensured a perfectly balanced weight distribution, making for superb handling. The GTV6 was the winner of the 1982 and 1983 European Touring Car Champs and a successful rally car.
THE TECHNICAL BITS
V6 SOHC Fuel Injection 2500cc RWD 160BHP (117kw) / 213 NM Top Speed 132mph (212kph) - 0 to 60 8.4 secs Transaxle transmission 5 speed manual (low gear ratios) 4 wheel ventilated disc brakes Rack and pinion steering Weight 1210 kg Electric windows - Air conditioning 19,400 were produced between 1980-1986
