I was looking at an Alfa gtv 6 and i was wondering if anyone could give me any info on the car at all. If it is good? bad? fast? reliable? thanks
Okay here is what I know about the model. Not at all everything ... but I'm trying to help. Early 2.5 ltr v6 engines suffered from head gasket oil leaks and also leaks around the sump/rear main bearing area. I believe for the head gasket there was some design change or something ... Early engines had a stupid Italian device that reduced tension on the rubber camshaft belt as the engine warmed up. The idea here is that the engine is expanding and putting too much tension on the belts. As we all know this is BS as no other manufacturer has this problem and thus the tension reducing device just caused problems. BTW: In my opinion Alfa Romeo are not very good at designing cam shaft belt drive systems. I owned an Alfa Sud which is also belt driven over head cam and the amount of wrap the belts have on the pulleys is close to marginal, saying that never jumped a tooth except when the camshaft(s) stopped turning . Plus I have also worked on a 3 ltr v6 Alfa Romeo engine and again bugger all wrap, so little infact that this engine jumped teeth on the dizi drive. When you look at Japanese engines they ensure huge belt wrap on the required pulleys and guess what they don't have trouble .... Early cars have a twin plate clutch and it is problematic. Replace with single clutch out of v6 75. Gear change linkage is cheap and nasty making gear change not as good as it should be. Remember gearbox is in the back ... Rust. The rear tailgate sometimes separates from the glass as the tailgate windscreen frame is tiny and thus flexs and helps the rusting process. Torsion bar front suspension ... which IMO is a pain for playing with spring rates. Rear suspension is a De Dion setup and car should handle pretty well and be extremely balanced. Would I buy one ... if I could find a good one absolutely. Fantastic engine that if healthy will rev its balls off and make all the right noices. Like all Alfas it is not a start line GP winner, more of a windy road crusher Good luck Pete's talking Alfa Romeos again EDIT: You probably should post the same question on www.alfabb.com ... will get a lot more detail.
thanks thats what i needed to know. its a good one that has been garage kept all its life and ill try to get it.
If you've got a line on a nice one, I'd grab it! The GTV6 is a blast to drive. Not lightning fast, but neither is a 308. As PSK said, it makes the right noises (and also makes the right hot oil smells). Be careful of the tranny synchros too...the 1st to 2nd shift can get crunchy. The example I had experience with was also prone to vapor lock on hot days after a spirited drive. Have fun!!
I just love the GTV 's. I have 2 of them, but both 2 litres. (check my profile for a pic) The GTV6 is offcourse more powerfull, and the hood is also cooler If i ever find a nice 1750 Bertone, a GTV6, a '77 spider i won't hesitate. Alfa Romeo Cuore Sportivo !!
pete is really spot on...the head gaskets will likely have been changed though...otherwise, i too love them and had owned several in my life...always thought they were under rated!
GTVs are icons. Great cars. However, here in the cold parts of Europe rust is an issue with cars that have seen moisture and salt in the winter. Maybe this is why the price of healthy GTVs is climbing. When does a car become a classic? When its price starts climbing instead of declining with age. Bertus, congrats on your GTVs. While I like the engine of the GTV6 I personally prefer the non-plastic look of the older GTVs.
I know of a 1981 GTV with 19K miles for sale in NJ. The price is a little high, but everthing is new on the car. Ken
I think this board is frequented a lot more than www.alfabb.com. Either that, or because Alfas are more affordable and reliable than a Ferrari, they spend more time driving than posting ... Pete's an Alfa Romeo owner and does post more here than there ...
I'm not putting the guys there down or anything but y'all would gave more information with out just giveing me a site and telling me to look. I was looking for exact personal experence from owners of the cars and thats what i got here and what i was expecting from the alfa chat.
Owe well ... can't talk for them other than it is pretty quiet over there . I have to admit I hardly look anywhere on that site but the 105 series section Pete BTW: My '71 1750 Series 2 GTV
looks really nice i think the paint looks great jk it should be a great car when your done good luck!
Thanks. Yep once painted I'll be one happy chappie 95% of an Alfa Romeo restoration is the body work the rest is easy ... they definitely know how to build in rust . Pete
To ferrarikid308, i have a 1984 gtv6 that i drive every day. i think you should go for it, you will not be dissapointed. The gtv6 is one of the last real Alfas, (before fiat took over). The shape of the car has aged gracefully. Show me another car that has been designed in the 70s and still looks semi modern. The first thing you a have to do is put the twinspark gearbox from the 75. (better gear ratios & LSD) Then the engine. the stock 2.5 is great but in this day & age it needs a bit of a freshen up. You can go all the way and put twin turbos. or just do a mild job, which is to wack 3.0L piston & liners in the 2.5L block. Get your heads decked to raise the compression, a set of hot cams, nice set of extractors, free flowing exhaust & a after market computer. This is what i have done and i put alot of people to shame.
