Exceptional 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA with 39K miles and £13K in upgrades

For sale: 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA with full service history, 2 former keepers, desirable modifications and only 39K miles. Very rare Cosmo Blu metallic with black leather interior. This car has been expertly maintained with all the right upgrades for fast-road use – without compromising its everyday comfort or reliability. Over £13,000 has been spent in the past two years. In exceptional condition throughout. An appreciating classic, and one for the enthusiast. £13,495.

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The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA was one of the last true Alfas. Endowed with a 3.2-litre, 24-valve version of the legendary ‘Busso’ V6 second, it was a seductive, Italianate counterpoint to fast, pumped German sports saloons. Bursting with character and charm, it had looks to die for and soundtrack straight from the 1965 Targa Florio. In standard form, the substance didn’t quite match the style. The sweet balance of lesser-engined 156s gave way to a slightly nose-heavy stance, harsh ride and lack of finesse. This particular example changes all that: every aspect of the car has been optimised and improved. As result, it’s one the best available on the UK market.

The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA had been on my radar for a very long time, and I finally found a good one at Hollybrook Sportscars in Northern Ireland.

As sold, it was in excellent condition throughout – with 35,000 miles, two former keepers, full service history and bills. It was in a lovely, rare colour too: Cosmo Blu metallic, which is a very classy, understated alternative to silver or black.

At 33,100 miles in December 2013, the previous owner had already had the following carried out:

– Rebuilt brakes all round with new pads and discs front and rear – including the 330mm upgrade to the front

– Koni FSD shock absorbers all-round

– Q2 differential

– Powerflex polyurethane stub axle bushes

– Driver’s window regulator and switch pack

– Full service – including all fluids, plugs, filters, belts and tensioners

– New metal-impellor water pump

– New badges all-round

– New OEM gearknob

– New coil-pack on the number 1 cylinder

– New sill covers

– New key

– Strip, sandblast all four alloy wheels

– 4 new Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres

This work totalled £6,285.33.

At the time of sale in April, the car had covered less than 2,000 miles since this investment.

I paid £10,950 for the car, and immediately had the following work completed by specialist, JRC Auto:

– Wizard cat-back exhaust system

– Powerflex polyurethane exhaust rubbers throughout

– Strip, clean and waxoyl underside and Dinitrol cavities

– Four-wheel alignment

– Fuchs Titan Race Pro S 10W-60 Ester fully-synthetic oil with filter change

– Air conditioning service and recharge

As soon as I got the car home, I booked it in to Alfa Aid in Maidenhead, where the following was carried out:

– Full front-end respray to the bumper, bonnet front wings and blended doors/sills

– Remove corrosion on front wings

– Eibach Pro springs and anti-roll bars

– New front lower wishbones

– New rear top mounts

– New radiator lower transfer pipe

– New thermostat

– New pollen filter

– Full four-wheel alignment

– Repair driver’s seat with new side bolster cushion (lower section) and trim – address wear to upper section

– Drill out and replace snapped exhaust manifold stud

– Uprated PIAA headlight bulbs

– Upgraded PIAA silicone wiper blades

– Replace faulty column stalk (for on-board display menu access)

The cost of this work exceeds £6,800 – and I have all the bills to prove it.

The car’s current specification is considered as its impressive.

Over £13,000 has been spent since December 2013 years bringing this car up to its current condition. In that period, it's only covered some 5,000 miles.

All work has been carried out to an extremely high standard, and the car has been properly and professionally sorted. Cosmetically, structurally and mechanically, this GTA is A1: it presents fabulously, and drives beautifully.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

First, there’s that engine – a howling, cultured masterpiece of engineering with razor-sharp throttle response; excellent low-down torque, and turbine-smooth pull at the top-end. They don’t make ‘em like this any more; and indeed, Alfa doesn’t.

If you know cars, you’ll appreciate that ‘Busso’ V6 is routinely voted the world’s greatest example of the configuration. And in this form, it represents the final, most sophisticated evolution in the long-running line. Just look at those polished, chrome intakes: it’s a work of art. 250 bhp and over 220 ft/lb of twist are more than enough to ensure the car is real-world fast. It’s always been meticulously serviced – it doesn’t smoke, hunt, miss or consume oil or water.

The mileage of just 39K is genuine, and this engine feels incredibly fit and strong. It’s pretty good on fuel too: an average of up to 28MPG is easily achievable. The water and oil temperature gauges remain rock-steady, and the soundtrack through the Wizard, cat-back exhaust is just glorious – rich and sonorous below 4000rpm; quiet at a cruise, and hard-edged to the redline. That system is very well fabricated, liberates extra power, frees up breathing and saves significant weight.

Second, the 6-speed box is a joy to use – it’s slick, tight and tactile. The retro-fitted Q2 LSD is an essential upgrade, which really sharpens the handling balance. For someone who’s more used to rear-wheel drive, it’s a revelation in a front-driver. Just when understeer starts to build, you simply put your put in and marvel as the car tightens its line. Amazing. The diff itself locks up nicely, and predictably – aiding traction in slower turns, and allowing surprising playfulness redolent of a Peugeot 205 GTi.

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES

Ah, and then there’s the ride and handling. The regular 156 GTA came in for some criticism by the press at launch. Many journalists felt it nose-heavy, and lamented the crashy ride. That said, they loved the immensely quick rack.

This car runs Koni FSDs with Eibach Pro springs and anti-roll bars, which transform the car. It’s wonderfully taut, precise and alive. The body control feels expensive, helped by the polyurethane bushes – in only the right places – and new front lower wishbones and rear top mounts. The geometry has been carefully set up to produce a fluid, confidence-inspiring drive. There are no nasty noises, harshness or vibrations, and the car is comfortable when you want it be; controlled when you need it most.

You can really attack roads in this car, and rapidly find yourself covering ground with effortless speed. Unlike standard GTAs, the brakes are more than up to the task, thanks to the 330mm front brake-disk upgrade. The stopping power is huge, and immediate. There’s lots of feel, no fade and they’re easy to modulate.

WHEELS AND TYRES

The gorgeous, 17” ‘teledial’ wheels have been refurbished and are as new. Tyres are virtually new Michelin Pilot Sport 3 all-round – 225/45/ZR17 91Y front and rear – which provide plenty of grip and low rolling resistance.

BODYWORK

Mechanically, this car is on the button with a fully-stamped service history and upgrades that tick all the right boxes. Cosmetically, it’s just as good. I’d never describe any car as immaculate, much less one that’s 12 years; but the bodywork and overall condition are exceptional.

All panels align perfectly with tight gaps, and no dents, scratches or scrapes. When I bought it, there was minor corrosion on each front wing – where the bumper sides and wheelarch meet. This was expertly removed, and required a full front-end respray to the bumper, bonnet front wings and blended doors/sills. The quality of finish is outstanding.

Crucially, there’s no rust: the wings, windscreen surrounds, bulkheads, sills, floorpans and undercarriage are all free of corrosion.

Compared to the current generation of sport saloons, the 156 GTA is sharply-hewn and compact. The car has a lovely, aggressive stance – but there’s delicacy in the sensuous curves and overall dimensions. To anyone who loved watching the likes of Gabriele Tarquini thrash his BTCC racer in the early 1990s, the look this car will hold special appeal.

INTERIOR

Inside, the seats, carpets, rooflining and trim are all unmarked and unworn. That’s testament to the car’s build quality; but also to the care of its previous owners. To purists, the all-black leather is the trim to have. The seat inserts and door cards are ribbed leather too, which really add a touch of class. It’s an evocative place to be.

As you’d expect of what was Alfa’s range-topping 156, this GTA has a high spec, including Bose Hi-Fi, heated front seats and ice-cold climate control. All electrics work as they should, and the overall ambience has a lovely, classic Alfa feel. Everything from the seat bolsters and air vents to the hooded instruments has a uniquely Italian and Sixties-inspired sex appeal.

SUMMARY

Good 156 GTAs are thin on the ground; great examples even rarer – most have been neglected or abused. This must be one of the very best remaining. It’s in exceptional condition throughout, with all the right work completed to ensure it plays the back-road warrior as much as the pampered garage queen. It’s significantly improved over a standard car, and in my view, far more nuanced, tactile and involving than the later 159 3.2 Q4 – or Giulietta QV. It’s also an eye-catching classic – with wonderful Italian flair. The mileage and ownership are low; there’s a full service history from new (main dealers and recognised, independent specialists); every MOT is present. The car needs nothing, and its provenance is unmatched. Tax and MOT have over 6 months remaining. Cheaper 156 GTAs are available, but I’m confident you won’t find better. £13,495.

For more information, contact Richard. No timewasters, please.