This 147 GTA has had just one owner from new...
... fancy being the second?
After the relatively barren years at the end of the 20th century, the explosion of new hot hatches early in the '00s was manna from heaven for enthusiasts. There was something for everyone, from cheap and cheerful Clios to the first R32-badged Golf; Ford created another RS icon, the Civic Type R made a whole new legion of Honda fans, and BMW offered up some rear-drive, straight six sophistication. Nobody knew quite how good they had it.
Then there was the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, the Italian exotic of the new breed. It was never as deft to drive as lighter front-drive hatches or as secure as the four-wheel drive ones, but it over-delivered on style, sound and sense of occasion. Any Alfa Romeo with that engine in its nose is special, but the 147 - beautifully designed both inside and out - really ranked as one of the greats. A quarter of a century later, the very best examples of those hot hatch heroes are now commanding mega money. The Focus RS Mk1 is on offer at anything up to £40k, with none on PH less than £20,000; there are Mk4 R32s for sale at £30,000; even supercharged Minis can be £15k and more.
A one-owner GTA, then, could be a huge amount. As combustion engines wind down (certainly for the mass market), there’s interest in the most exciting examples from days gone by - and they come little greater than the Busso. The GTA has always been a rare performance flagship, and never more so than 20 years after production ended. There’s all the romance attached to the Alfa Romeo badge. Plus a mileage that, if not miniscule, then isn’t very much at less than 90k.
And yet this one’s for sale at £14,995. Some way from the Brave Pill bargains of a few years ago, if still a lot of fabulous Alfa motoring for the money. Arguably the GTA never quite captured the imagination of enthusiasts like some of its contemporaries, which will account for less drastic appreciation; a fast Ford or a Golf will resonate here more than an Alfa. But it means that the GTA looks hugely appealing, the three-door supercar (or so we like to call it) for the price of a new supermini.
With its grey paint and two-tone leather inside, it’s every inch the Italian thoroughbred. The history is said to be comprehensive and the MOT history is encouraging; a 147 GTA will go through tyres like a newborn does nappies, so it’s hard to worry too much about those advisories. Indeed this one has had so many there was an MOT fail for tyres being mounted incorrectly. But there’s certainly nothing to cause alarm.
Furthermore, some modern rubber - and perhaps the aftermarket Q2 diff - might lessen the GTA’s wayward tendencies a little. Some additional spend on top of the £15k could really bring the best from a 147, even more so than with those rivals that had more hardware from factory. It’s never going to be cheap to run, but then it is at least a pre-2006 car. And the very best engines never have been. Now more than ever, the Busso will definitely rank as one of those.
SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA
Engine: 3,179cc V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 250@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@4,800rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: 287g/km
Year registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 88,684
Price new: £22,520 (2003)
Yours for: £14,995
There is a place for one of these in my Lotto win stable for sure. Diff, lowered, bring the wheels out, exhaust, intake - job done.
The PH'ers example I saw at the Dover Ferry terminal few years back may read this and I hope he posts a pic of his gorgeous grey/blue one
There is a place for one of these in my Lotto win stable for sure. Diff, lowered, bring the wheels out, exhaust, intake - job done.
The PH'ers example I saw at the Dover Ferry terminal few years back may read this and I hope he posts a pic of his gorgeous grey/blue one
It was very funny, great launch once he'd been 'returned to normal '!
Looks in amazing condition (no underbody pics mind) for a 20 odd years old car, very nice.
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