2004 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA 3.2 V6 Selespeed

Highlights

• Charismatic 3.2-litre Busso V6

• Q2 limited-slip differential

• Uprated 330mm front brakes

• ST XA coilovers and a Wizard Exhausts catback system

• Original "Jet Fin" 18-inch alloys refitted

Overview

The 147 GTA is one of Alfa Romeo's most charismatic hot hatches, and frankly, one of the more charismatic hot hatches full stop. Flared arches, a triple-binnacle dash, twin centre-exit pipes, and a 3.2-litre, 24-valve Busso V6 sending 247 bhp through the front wheels. It was never going to be a wallflower.

This particular example originally rolled off the boat in Japan and was first registered on 01/10/2004, supplied through an authorised Alfa Romeo dealer in Tokyo, with the dealer's pre-delivery inspection sheet, the courtesy first service at 1,023 km and a string of subsequent annual and shaken inspections all neatly preserved in the original Maintenance Note booklet. Imported and UK-registered as NJ54 AOH on 19/10/2021, it then began its second act on this side of the world.

And the second act is the fun bit, when the car was treated to a set of considered upgrades. There's an ST XA coilover kit (Carnoisseur supplied, lowered stance immediately obvious in the photos), the suspension has been polybushed, a Q2 limited-slip differential bolted to the automated manual gearbox, an uprated 330mm front brake setup peeking out behind red four-pot calipers, and a Wizard Exhausts catback system installed to liberate the Busso's signature howl. LSD plus coilovers plus bigger brakes plus a specialist exhaust; pretty much the enthusiast's wish list, ticked off and invoiced.

It's a lovely looking thing too. Black paint over two-tone tan and black ribbed leather, factory Bose audio, GTA-branded stainless sill treads, rear privacy glass, and the original "Jet Fin" 18s back where they belong. Lift the bonnet and the engine bay features the signature Busso polished chrome intake plenums and red 'GTA 3.2 V6' cam-cover.

Round it out with two keys on an Alfa Romeo enamelled leather keyring, the original zip-around document wallet, the full Japanese literature pack (including the rare GTA supplement), the original UK sales brochure, the dealer Launch Activity Guide, a timing belt just 9,000 miles ago and an MOT running to 11 March 2027 with no advisories, and you've got a Busso-engined hot hatch that's been thoroughly looked after on both sides of the planet.

History and documentation

• First registered in Japan on 01/10/2004, first registered in the UK on 19/10/2021

• Service history: Dec 2004 @ 1,023 km (dealer pre-delivery and first service), Oct 2005 @ 6,663 km, Oct 2006 @ 13,056 km, Sep 2013 @ 54,500 km (cooling system overhaul including radiator, hoses and thermostat), Sep 2015 @ 61,000 km (two-year shaken), Jul 2016 (Selespeed and clutch-related work in Yokohama), Aug 2021 @ 70,719 km (UK acquisition service including MOT, full service, timing belt and oil), Oct 2023 (Wizard Exhausts catback fitted)

• Modifications include ST XA coilover kit (Carnoisseur invoice 13/08/2021, £845.10), Q2 limited-slip differential (eBay receipt 10/09/2021, £460), Wizard Exhausts catback system (invoice 09/10/2023, £780), seller-reported polybushed suspension and a 330mm front brake upgrade with red four-pot calipers

• Documentation pack includes the original Alfa Romeo zip-around document wallet, the full Japanese owner's literature pack with the GTA-specific supplement, the original UK sales brochure and the dealer Launch Activity Guide

• Two keys with an Alfa Romeo enamelled leather keyring

• Five recorded MOT tests on file with corroborating mileage progression

• Current MOT expires 11 Mar 2027 with no advisories

• HPI clear

• Timing belt completed approximately 9,000 miles ago, with supporting invoice

• Current mileage is 53,318 miles (85,808 km), which may increase slightly before the auction ends

Interior

• Two-tone tan and black ribbed leather upholstery presents in good order, contrasting smartly against the black dashboard

• Iconic Alfa hooded triple-instrument binnacle and signature offset centre stack present and correct

• Driver's seat outer bolster shows creasing and crazing to the black leather consistent with age and use, while the tan ribbed centre panels remain in fine fettle

• Tan leather door cards retain their sculpted form without sagging, an area often problematic on cars of this age

• Headlining is clean and free of staining throughout, although the seller notes that there is a little sag and it could do with re-gluing

• GTA-branded stainless sill treads fitted to both sides

• Factory Bose premium audio system with branded speaker grilles in the door cards

• Aftermarket Sony double-DIN touchscreen head unit fitted in place of the original radio

• Period Blaupunkt CD changer remains fitted to the right-hand side of the boot

• Dashcam fitted to the windscreen near the rear-view mirror

• Dashboard plastics intact with no cracks, fading or sun damage

• Boot area presents in clean, unmarked condition with factory carpet trim and rigid parcel shelf intact

• All electrics, gauges and switchgear are reported as fully functional by the vendor

Exterior

• Finished in metallic black

• Bodywork is described by the vendor as in good condition for the age, with some lacquer peel noted on the lower section of the passenger door

• Panels present straight and glossy with consistent panel gaps across the wings, doors, tailgate and bumpers

• Signature flared rear arches, body-coloured side skirts and twin centre-exit exhaust tips all present and correct

• Quadrifoglio (Cloverleaf) badges fitted to both front wings, with chrome 'GTA' script on the offside rear quarter

• Alfa Romeo scudetto grille with chrome bars and centre badge in clean condition

• Twin projector headlights remain clear with no obvious yellowing or condensation

• Lowered stance from the fitted ST XA coilover kit is immediately apparent

• Original "Jet Fin" 18-inch silver multi-spoke alloys refitted, presenting cleanly with no obvious kerb damage on the visible faces

• Red four-pot brake calipers visible behind the spokes, covering the 330mm front discs

• 225/40 R18 tyres fitted all round with healthy tread depth

• Locking fuel cap fitted, with a Japanese-language unleaded warning sticker still in place inside the filler flap (a charming nod to the car's origin)

• Rear privacy glass intact and uncracked

• No apparent signs of significant corrosion visible

• Overall, it’s a fine looking thing

Mechanical

• 3.2-litre Busso V6, 247 bhp and 221 lb ft of torque

• Six-speed automated manual gearbox driving the front wheels

• 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds

• Top speed of 153mph

• Q2 limited-slip differential

• Uprated 330mm front brake setup with red four-pot calipers

• ST XA coilover kit and reportedly polybushed suspension

• Wizard Exhausts catback exhaust system

• Timing belt completed approximately 9,000 miles ago, per the vendor

• Recent Yuasa 5000 series battery fitted

• Vendor reports the car drives well, the brakes pull up as they should, and the exhaust sounds the part

• No known mechanical faults reported and nothing flagged as needing replacement

• No upcoming maintenance noted by the vendor

Summary

JDM-sourced, UK-honed. That's the story here, and it's a story you don't often see attached to a 147 GTA. On one side of the file, there’s the original Japanese paperwork. On the other, an enthusiast's wish list of upgrades: a Q2 limited-slip differential, ST coilovers, 330mm front brakes and a specialist Wizard catback to set the Busso loose.

It's MOT'd to March 2027 with no advisories, and has a recent timing belt so it’s ready for an Alfa enthusiast to pick it up and enjoy from the get go.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located near Swansea, South Wales.