1983 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6

We are delighted to bring to market what has to be one of the best examples of a GTV6 in existence anywhere. This is a matching numbers car and has had a substantial amount of expenditure lavished on it in recent years including a full engine rebuild and new paint which includes the underside.  As a result the car presents as new. It has travelled just 120,000 kms from new and only 20,000 kms during the time the recent work was conducted. Rightly so, it has won awards at shows of significance and is simply magnificent to drive and experience that legendary ‘Busso’ soundtrack.

As early as 1968, Alfa Romeo started work on the successor to their highly successful 105 series model which was a tough act to follow.

The goal was to provide significantly more room for four people with their luggage, while delivering a completely modern design with sporting dynamics. A challenging brief.

Giorgetto Giugiaro’s striking Alfetta fastback wedge design directly resulted from those opposing inputs, and its stunning looks are as beautiful today as they were some fifty years ago when they were first seen in 1972.

Alfetta “little Alfa” in Italian, derived its name from the nickname of the 1951 Formula One Tipo 159 Alfetta which also paired a transaxle layout to De Dion tube rear suspension.

The rear de Dion transaxle (clutch and transmission) provided the new Alfetta with excellent weight distribution and lower centre of gravity, with these handling advantages widely acknowledged. The transaxle design, in combination with a Watt’s parallelogram linkage, inboard rear brakes and a well-located De Dion rear suspension, resulted in balanced traction and handling. The front suspension design was unusual in that it incorporated independent longitudinal torsion bar springs acting directly onto the lower wishbones and with separate dampers. Overall, it was a sophisticated and progressive set-up and one that delivered outstanding results when the Alfetta went into competition. During its life, it won events and championships across the globe both on track and in rally guise. They continue to successfully compete to this today in classic race events.

When launched the Alfetta GT was powered by the 1.8 litre version of the Alfa DOHC four (taken from the previous 105 series cars). In 1976 this was discontinued in favour of 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre options. Over the subsequent years a number of updates were made to both engines and the appearance of the cars.

In late 1980 Alfa Romeo coupled the cars excellent handling with its legendary V6 ‘Busso’ engine and the GTV 6 2.5 was born. The bonnet received a bulge to clear the top of the intake and became a defining feature. With Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection replacing carbs, the V6 was easier to start and retain its state of tune. The V6 received rave reviews and it found its true home in the GTV 6’s striking body where it could demonstrate its ample capabilities underlined with its race successes. Indeed, it won the European Touring Car Championship an unprecedented fours year in a row (1982-85), the British Touring Car Championship in 1983 along with many other events across Europe. Incredibly it placed third in 1986 in a round of the World Rally Championship and at this point it was competing against the might of the Group B cars. More locally ,Colin Bond successfully campaigned the famous yellow Alfetta GTV6 at Bathurst and other significant events and as late as 1987, Greg Car won the Australian Rally Championship with one. By this point the GTV6 cemented its position as an Alfa Romeo legend and its affection within the Alfa Romeo community is enduring.

Our car; chassis 3003167.

As confirmed by its original sales documents our car was delivered new in October 1983 to John and Barbera Stibbard and sold through AA & M Johns, the Alfa Romeo dealer in Newcastle NSW.

We can only describe the current condition of this example as truly stunning in every respect and we feel you would struggle to find a better GTV6 in Australia or indeed anywhere else.

These cars are rare, and most are tired and have lacked attention. By contrast, this has an incredible history, and the most recent owner has lavished much attention and investment to make an already good car a truly great one.

He spent a considerable amount of time sourcing one before finally buying this car in 2018 from a family who had owned it for over 25 years. We believe the car has 4 owners in total.

The current owner is a known Alfa Romeo collector and in 2018 embarked on a sympathetic restoration of the car including a full engine rebuild by known specialists which included renovation or replacement of all key ancillary parts. The engine has been confirmed by Alfa Romeo as the correct and original as fitted when new. Other items attended to included but not limited to new brake pads and rotors, wheel bearings, belts and water pump all of which make the car a perfect driving example.

The interior was in excellent original order, however, retaining the original upholstery the seats internal bolstering was refreshed. They are now incredibly comfortable, and the ‘net’ head rests are a particularly appealing feature. Overall, the interior now presents as virtually new, and it is a lovely place to be.

The instruments are fresh without any hint of age and all the dash is without any cracking at all. The air-conditioning unit works perfectly after being completely rebuilt. Every electrical item works as it should and even the clock keeps perfect time which reflects the exacting standards of the car’s current owner and his approach in ensuring this car really is ‘spot on’.

Owing to some minor sun fade to the roof it was decided to treat the entire the body to new and correct Rosso 530 paint, and where necessary plastics were refinished including the distinctive side skirts. The quality is excellent, and the colour really catches the eye.

Whilst the engine was out, additional cooling fans in front of the radiator were installed, the cross member was refreshed and painted and subsequently, the radiator core was replaced. As a result the engine bay and ‘Busso V6’ is a visual treat and is spotless.

The wheels have been refurbished and wear the correct profile Pirelli rubber. This includes the spare wheel too. The boot is as expected like new, and the boot floor and wheel well are almost factory fresh. The underside of the car is clean and in excellent order.

Turn the key and the car starts with a familiar Alfa Romeo growl. Blip the throttle and the V6 provides its familiar appealing tone. Out on the open road this car is exceptional. On the day this provided one of the most memorable and rewarding road tests we have ever conducted.

The engine currently boasts an increased capacity at around 2.8 litres providing a useful lift in torque and power. This really does translate when you experience this car. Not only does it pull well below 3,000 rpm but after about 4,000 the car really does come alive and the tone of the V6 really is magical. It just pulls and pulls with a spine-tingling soundtrack.

Ordinarily the gearbox’s on GTV’s can be a little vague, however with this example it is precise and easy to work very quickly through the gears in complete confidence. Likewise, the brakes and steering are incredibly good, inspiring confidence when you want to push on. And in this car, you will want to do exactly that. It’s a marvel to drive and will not fail to put a smile on your dial.

There are all the original owner’s books with the car including, service coupon booklet, instruction manual, owner’s manual, service inspection booklet and even the original manual for the stereo along with the sales brochure and dealer workshop manual.

Included is a typed letter from the dealership to the first owners congratulating them on their purchase. You could not want for a more complete set of original documents with a car.

There are folders of documents including invoices for over $50,000 of work along with detailed and very useful information for the cars technical specifications and history. We are informed there were many more invoices that were simply not kept.

It was recently driven to the 2023 Alfesta over a four-day period by one of Australia’s most respected Alfa Romeo collectors, regular invited judge and authority with the marque and he commented “It is not surprising that we have surviving Alfetta GTV 6 coupe’s in Australia, but a specimen of this quality is now exceptionally rare…. I was not expecting the immaculately presented GTV 6 that greeted me when I arrived in Brisbane”.

Not unsurprisingly the car has received awards at notable Alfa Romeo show events.

This is one well sorted ‘matching numbers’ car and of collector’s quality. It is also a driver’s delight and begs to be taken out in the hills for a spirited drive. Whilst it is not the least expensive GTV6 it is without doubt one of the best you will find with everything done to an exceptional standard. Given the investment made it represents good buying and will deliver the new owner many happy and rewarding driving experiences. As good as it gets.