1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6 – Auction Car of the Week

There are many aspects of this job that I love. If I can even call it a job that is. Let’s be honest, writing about classic cars isn’t exactly work, at least not as far as I’m concerned anyway and I feel truly lucky to have been able to turn my passion into a career. Well, until AI takes over the world that is and I finally have to learn how to plaster properly, but I digress. One said aspect is seeing all of the unique and special vehicles that pass through this wonderful site, whether it be across our auctions platform or via our classifieds, it’s always great fun to partake in a little virtual car spotting. From John Dodd’s The Beast and the Stevens Cipher to a Lancia Delta Integrale Evolution II Giallo Edition and BMW’s 635CSi Observer Coupé (to name but a few) we see a lot of rare metal pass through these virtual garage doors. We are the World’s largest classic marketplace after all, so you can imagine our surprise when the second South African homologation special Alfa Romeo GTV6 to come up for auction at Car & Classic popped up for sale – one of only around 200 ever built. I tell you what, they’re like buses these things.

And it’s that exclusivity that sets these particular Alfa Romeo GTV6 models apart. Already an eminently good car thanks in large part to the legendary 3.0-litre Busso V6 engine nestled under the bonnet – a move by Alfa Romeo in conjunction with its now obsolete competition wing in order to spank all comers on the track – there were only around 200 ever produced as part of the FIA’s homologation rules. The near perfect 50:50 weight distribution may also have played a part in the car’s motorsport successes and inherent popularity amongst petrolheads the world over, too.

From James Bond to Jeremy Clarkson, endorsers of the GTV are numerous and distinguished and it’s clear to see the draw of such a beautifully drive-able car. Add in that rarity factor and you have an incredibly alluring mix for any classic car fan. The ‘Alfa’s most powerful production sports car’ handle no doubt didn’t hinder this rep either. The engine alone would be worth the price of admission but when you combine that with Giorgetto Giugiaro’s typically period body then you’re on to a proper winner, quite literally.

The car we have available here, amazingly, still retains its original red paint job. It may be starting to thin in places due to the amount of times it’s no doubt spent with the angry side of a polishing cloth but this is a rust-free car, thanks to it’s clearly cherished life in the dry, sunny South African climes so we can forgive a bit of thinning paint. It is almost 40 years old after all.

But despite its age, that glorious V6 still delivers and while a few of the original 186 horses may have bolted we still reckon its good for a six-ish second 0-60 dash. And if not, well, who cares. The sound of Giuseppe Busso’s swan song is enough to sooth all but the most savage of petrolheads, us included.

The car’s originality extends to the interior, too and this here, ladies and gentlemen, serves as an abject lesson in leaving things the hell alone. If it ain’t broke and all that. The factory black velour upholstery and netted headrests are in excellent condition overall with only a few areas of wear and a general patina that is in keeping with the car’s four decades of honourable and dedicated service.

What we have here, then, is a window back to a very specific point in time where cars were built and tweaked not to merely kowtow to marketing data, or trends, but in order to evoke a certain feeling or to be competitive and this Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 is a pure celebration of that ethos. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it.