It’s a timeworn standard in the automotive sphere that any dyed-in-the-wool petrolhead needs to own an Alfa Romeo at some point in their lives. And there’s a very strong case to be made for ticking that box with a GTV6-shaped flourish. This, after all, is the model that James Bond drove in typically effervescent style in Octopussy, that Jeremy Clarkson effusively champions as one of the best cars he’s ever owned, that took the versatile early-seventies Alfetta platform to racy new places.

This pretty coupe was designed from first principles to be a lithe and agile little mover: the platform featured a rear-mounted transmission and clutch along with De Dion tube rear suspension, a Watt’s linkage and inboard rear brakes – all of this was designed to optimise front/rear weight distribution as well as maintaining a low centre of gravity and low moment of inertia. What this meant in real terms was that the Alfetta handled like an absolute champ, and things were knocked up a notch in 1980, when the model received a facelift as well as being treated to the option of a 2.5-litre ‘Busso’ V6 engine. The resultant package was badged ‘GTV6’, the fuel-injected six-pot borrowed from the Alfa 6 saloon and necessitating a sizeable bonnet bulge to house it in the smaller coupe.

The GTV6 found copious successes in the world of motorsport, thanks to the eager V6 grunt providing the perfect accompaniment to that poised and balletic chassis, but where this model has always really shone is as a grand tourer. With its combination of tautness and cosseting comfort, along with a beautifully appointed interior, it’s a car that would be equally at home on the race-track as it would leaping across Europe in a single bound. If you’ve always idly fancied an Alfa, a GTV6 is a great place to start. And if it’s specifically a GTV6 that you’ve been hankering after, then this particular one is the one that you want…

The first thing most people remark upon with this car, if they know their Alfas, is the unusual spec. It’s very uncommon to see a GTV6 in Europe that’s finished in white – the UK brochures list the domestic choices as Black Metallic, Charcoal Metallic, Silver Metallic and Alfa Red… and in addition to this car’s Bianco Capodimonte finish, it also features the full executive-spec leather interior instead of the Euro-spec cloth/velour options. The answer is that this was originally a South African car. Registered in August 1982, it was used sparingly throughout its life and fastidiously maintained, before being found by its current owner. He’d been on the lookout for a GTV6 in excellent condition, and a friend pointed him towards this example; it only took a cursory inspection to confirm that this was the one – very low miles, perfect condition, all original… the only question mark was the fact that the speedo wasn’t functioning at the time, although it’s obvious from the condition of the car (backed up by the history file) that the mileage is genuine. So the car was imported to the UK and correctly registered three years ago, with this owner being the car’s only UK keeper.

Over the course of his tenure, no expense has been spared in the upkeep of this stellar example, and today it presents the dream-scenario of what a GTV6 should be: correct, pristine, usable, and with a sprinkle of unusualness to make it a talking point among its peers. 

It’s important to follow the paper trail with imports if at all possible, and thankfully everything is present and correct with this Alfa. The paperwork shows four former keepers in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the early service history is fully stamped; the sheaf of documents also includes an official South Africa vehicle clearance certificate from October 2017, followed by papers from the DVLA and HMRC detailing payment of taxes and duties and authorisation of UK registration.

More recently, the no-expense-spared mantra is confirmed by the receipts carried out for work in the UK; an itemised receipt from October 2018 shows over £425 spent on fixing the speedo (using parts sourced from Germany), an electric window regulator (sourced from Greece) and assorted other works. A subsequent bill from January 2019 shows over £1,700 spent at marque specialist Day & White’s on assorted electrical and operational fixes.

In addition to all of this paperwork, the original owner’s manual is present along with the South African-market maintenance handbook, service book, plus the manual for the aftermarket stereo.

This Alfa’s interior is in fabulous condition, with the original leather trim wearing a gentle level of patina but remaining complete, supple and undamaged. The seats are firmly bolstered, both fronts recline as they should and the rear feels as if it’s hardly ever been sat in. The original wooden gear knob and dash trim are present, with just a little lacquer peel to the latter. Given the car’s early life in sun-baked climes, there are one or two inevitable but minor cracks to the dashtop, although the overall appearance is both period-perfect and pleasingly fresh. The beautiful dash design places the prominent rev counter in the centre, and the odometer is showing 53,686km – which equates to around 33,000 miles. The switchgear is all in correct condition and everything operates as it should. The original steering wheel is in place, with a firm and solid rim with no signs of crumbling or cracking. In place of the original stereo, there’s now a modern Pioneer head unit with accompanying speakers, but this is the only deviation from stock.

Inside the boot, everything is pleasingly solid and dry; the spare wheel is a matching alloy, the factory jack is in situ, and the battery is a recent item. The tailgate strut is strong and holds the boot open without issue. And the unusual leather-trimmed box you can see in the boot is in fact a removable custom-built armrest and storage container, crafted by a former owner – if the driver so desires, it can be fitted over the transmission tunnel between the front seats for additional stowage, with the leather neatly matching the seat trim.

The principal boast of this GTV6, aside from the unusual paint colour, is the fact that the bodywork is entirely rust-free and completely original. Thanks to its early life in South Africa, it’s been largely spared the vagaries of harsh winters and gritted roads, and consequently it’s totally solid. Additionally it’s evident that the car’s never suffered a crash – all of the panels sit straight and true, and everything is perfectly aligned (and rot-free) underneath.

The seals are all decent and the door shuts are clean and solid, which all speaks to the car’s little-used nature. As for that paint, it’s as deep and lustrous as it was when it left the factory all those years ago, beautifully showcasing the crisp coupe lines. Every panel is perfectly straight and dent-free; indeed, the only blemishes worth noting are a few very minor chips between the rear number plate lights, and a small scab on the driver’s side rear quarter that’s been touched in at some point.

The original Campanatura Benzoni alloy wheels are all in superb condition, and wear quality Continental tyres with decent tread. All of the exterior details are exactly as you’d hope too – the badges haven’t faded or gone missing, the bumper corners haven’t been scuffed… everything’s exactly as it should be.

It’s immediately obvious from the condition of the engine bay that this is an unrestored low-mileage car that’s been properly looked after. It’s very clean under the bonnet, but not because it’s been steam-cleaned or artificially prepared – simply because this is how neat a 33k Busso is. Everything engine-wise is completely stock, and it received a major overhaul in 2015 including new piston rings, rod bearings, valve guides, cam followers, plus a new timing belt, plugs, filters, and water pump. The radiator fans have been renewed, as has the ignition unit, and the result is an engine which always starts first time (whether hot or cold), idles correctly, pulls strongly through the gears, and makes a frankly fabulous noise under acceleration. Two years ago it was again treated to a new timing belt, plugs and fan belt.

The transmission is precise and confidence-inspiring in its operation, and the chassis consumables have been kept on top of; all four CV boots have recently been replaced, and the brakes have been refreshed thanks to refurbished calipers, new pads all round, new hoses, and a new handbrake cable. The rear suspension now sports tight new bolts, and the offside steering arm has recently been replaced followed by a full wheel alignment. Perfection is the watchword here – the spec is all-original and nothing has been left to chance or allowed to degrade. When the owner says that no expense has been spared in keeping the car tip-top, the evidence is clear to see.

This is an Alfa Romeo built for adventure. While looking at 1980s Alfas can generally be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of quality, history, solidity, originality or dependability, all of those concerns are absent with this car: its history is guaranteed and assured, the mileage is low, the service history is supremely reassuring, and the spec is all-original. So with the usual concerns dispelled, the buyer is free to let their imagination run riot and use this car as intended.

Yes, it would be tempting to keep this GTV6 pampered and used sparingly – its extraordinarily low mileage and pristine condition would make it the ideal tool for scooping trophies at concours events, or sitting static in a high-quality collection of classics. And if that’s what a buyer wished to do, they’d find absolutely no regrets with this car. But on the other hand, this perky Alfa is ready to play… 2020 has been a fairly bleak year in a number of respects, but one thing it really has amplified to positive effect is our ability to dream, and dream big: imagine finally going on all of those epic road trips you’ve always dreamed of, up to the North Coast 500 or down to Monte Carlo, taking in the occasional track day on your otherwise sublimely comfortable cruise. This GTV6 would be the perfect car to complete that scene, wouldn’t it? A fabulous example of a desirable classic, almost as-new in its condition, designed to be at once cosseting and playful. 

It’s not just a car, it’s a lifestyle. And isn’t it such a compelling and desirable one?