Description
A true Italian thoroughbred. Featuring a hand-built Busso-designed 3. 2 litre V6 developing some 247BHP, this is no ordinary 147 and to those that know, this is something rather special. Imported from Japan in 2021 and consequently rust-free, this diminutive super car has covered less than 47, 500 miles from new and comes with comprehensive Japanese service history as well as some substantial bills from Kinghams Alfa Romeo of Croydon including a full cambelt service in January 2022 (£3870 alone). Currently my daily driver, it is huge fun and benefits from a highly optioned specification to include semi-automatic transmission with F1-style paddle gearchange, dual climate control, BOSE sound system and multi-spoke alloy wheels with as-new branded tyres. And, of course, it comes with an exhaust note to die for. Interested? You`ll need to fight me for the keys first!
Launched at the Turin Motor Show in 2000, the 147 was a compact 3 or 5-door hatchback introduced to replace the ageing 145 and 146 models. Voted European Car of the Year in 2001, it was praised for its styling and came initially with a choice of 1. 6 or 2. 0 litre petrol engines and a 1. 9 litre diesel variant. Specification was similar to its bigger brother, the 156, with a choice of either manual or semi-automatic Selespeed gearboxes. Given the popularity of the high-performance GTA version of the 156, itself launched at the Frankfurt Show in 2001, it was no surprise that Alfa introduced the 147 GTA at the Paris Motor Show in October 2002 to take on the likes of VW`s Golf R32 and Ford`s Focus RS. The development that went into this model was extraordinary. From the lightened aluminium alloy rear subframe to stiffer springs and dampers, thicker anti-roll bars, a quicker power-assisted steering rack, a 4-pot calliper Brembo braking system with ventilated front discs, ABS and of course, that engine. Assembled by hand at the Maserati Research Centre at Modena and shipped down to the Fiat Group factory in Naples for installation, this was the largest of Giuseppe Busso`s legendary all-alloy V6 ever produced with a displacement of 3179cc and 10:5:1 compression ratio developing some 247BHP at 6200RPM. An absolute masterpiece in it`s own right and the very soul of a GTA. A reinforced 6-speed manual transmission came as standard for those wanting that authentic track feel could opt for the semi-automatic Selespeed paddle-shift gearbox. The original 147 bodywork was subtly enhanced with revised front bumper with air ducts, a canard-style chin spoiler, deep body-coloured and vented side skirts and rear roof spoiler: the overall car was longer and wider than a stock 147 but sat some 30mm lower. Interior specification was similarly high with high-backed sports seats with custom fabric, a 3-spoke steering wheel and a revised dashboard whilst the GTA came with a long list of options to include multi-spoke alloy wheels, a Q2 limited differential, the Selespeed transmission and multimedia system. Weighing in at just 1360KG, the 147 GTA was lighter than its 156 stable-mate and as such could reach 60MPH in a fraction over 6 seconds. Over a 2-year production run, some 5029 GTA`s were built, of which just 1004 benefitted from the Selespeed paddle-shift transmission. Currently around 150 examples are on the road in the UK with a similar number on SORN.
Our car dates from November 2004 and was imported into the UK from Japan in August 2021. It was subsequently first MoT`d the same month at 59, 939kms and registered in the October to a gentleman in Egham, Surrey. Early bills consist of consumables including a new battery, tyres and number plates but the real investment came in January 2022 with a visit to Alfa Romeo specialists, Kinghams of Croydon. Instructed to undertake a full health-check, a decision was taken to replace cambelt, tensioner and stretcher together with all fluids and source (from Italy) and off-side window switch. After receiving an invoice for £3870, the car returned to Kinghams a couple of weeks later for a replacement transmission sender unit, a further £496. The GTA was subsequently enjoyed as a second car for the next 2 years covering around 3, 000kms annually and having benefitted from a full interim service in September 2024 at 66, 857kms was sold to a lady in Waterlooville, Hampshire. She retained the car as a daily driver and after a fresh MoT and new tyres, sold the Alfa after just 12 months to a gentleman on the Isle of Wight. Once again enjoyed as a plaything, the car remained on the island for 9 months before moving to West Dorset in July 2026 to join a small private collection of classic, sports and super cars. Only an expensive engine rebuild on a classic Porsche 911 forced the sale of the Alfa after such a short period of ownership and we were ready to acquire. Currently my daily driver, mileage is currently just 76, 000kms (47, 500 miles).
The GTA presents just as can be seen in the photographs. This is a rare Selespeed model and not only comes with desirable factory options including the BOSE sound system and multi-spoke alloy wheels but has been upgraded with a Q2 limited-slip differential and Eibach coil-over suspension. Panel-fit is excellent whilst Alfa Red paintwork, recently ceramic coated, is overall very good with just a few age-related blemishes including a scuff on the offside rear arch and a little lacquer peel on the roof (reflected in the asking price). The 17” optional multi-spoke alloys are very clean and shod with newly new Bridgestone and Kumho rubber whilst all glass, trim and brightwork is excellent. The cabin features sculptured heated sports seats with two-tone Black and Grey ribbed cloth, Black carpets and matching doorcards. Other than slight wear to the edge of the drivers` seat bolster, all is in very good order. From the driving seat, the 3-piece binnacle is home to a full set of dials and gauges whilst the ice-cold climate control and BOSE audio systems sit alongside. Turn the key and the all-alloy twin-overhead cam V6 fires into life sounding as epic as only a proper Italian thoroughbred can. Select 1st in City Mode and the GTA will pull away smoothly with gentle driving ensuring low-rev changes through the gearbox (up and down) typical of a traditional automatic in an urban setting. A heavy throttle will encourage longer changes between gears and a different driving style. But the real fun to be had is when City Mode is turned off. Now the flappy paddles on the back of the steering wheel come into their own giving the driver total control. Response is instant (some say quicker than a Ferrari) and the car transformed into something very different. “Insanely brilliant” bordering upon” positively dangerous” are two of many euphemisms used to describe the GTA in manual mode: it is a handful. Blindingly quick, tactile, beautiful yet practical, this is a car that deserves respect and many consider it the best Alfa Romeo of the past 25 years capturing the soul, spirit and passion of the brand. Unsurprisingly, it was the GTA Selespeed that was used in racing and with the recognised upgrades to Q2 differential and coil-over suspension (dramatically reducing torque steer) making it virtually unbeatable. You only have to read the extensive number of online reviews to appreciate how revered this bonkers little car really is. Currently, I am using it as my daily driver and nothing excites me more than the trip to work each day. I have seriously contemplated undertaking some light detail work and keeping it for ever but the lanes where I live are best suited to a four-wheel-drive for 6 months of the year and long term, I fear the Alfa will start to suffer. Hence, if you feel brave enough, come and have a chat.
The car comes with a full Book-Pack with Handbook and extensive Japanese history together with UK history from the past 5 years including the receipts from Kinghams Alfa Romeo from 2022, old MoT Cerficates and a current one to October 2026. A new 12-month Certificate will be issued at point of sale. The Alfa benefits from a current V5C and 2 sets of keys.
Utterly mind-blowing and a sure-fire modern classic.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today. We are happy to take a reservation fee to hold a vehicle but as a dealership, we don`t operate a structured distance selling scheme.
Sorry but a Reservation Fee has now been paid.
