Discussion
I just need someone to remind me that this is all a very bad idea and I'll be on my way, but...
The idea of a GTV6 came up the other day as a semi-usable classic. The idea is I'd only commute for six months of the year maximum (being on a bike the rest of the time) and I have a garage it could live in overnight. The downsides are those six months tend to be the colder, wetter six and it may have to be depended upon during that time. Would one, for example, stand a reasonable chance of restarting if it was left in an airport car park for a fortnight in December?
Just out of curiosity, what's the going rate for a mechanically mint GTV6 and can someone give an idea on running costs? Are parts still available and what are they like to work on yourself? Lastly, I prefer the looks of the Alfetta, but how would an Alfa 75 compare?
The idea of a GTV6 came up the other day as a semi-usable classic. The idea is I'd only commute for six months of the year maximum (being on a bike the rest of the time) and I have a garage it could live in overnight. The downsides are those six months tend to be the colder, wetter six and it may have to be depended upon during that time. Would one, for example, stand a reasonable chance of restarting if it was left in an airport car park for a fortnight in December?
Just out of curiosity, what's the going rate for a mechanically mint GTV6 and can someone give an idea on running costs? Are parts still available and what are they like to work on yourself? Lastly, I prefer the looks of the Alfetta, but how would an Alfa 75 compare?
Chris, I've been very tempted recently myself (swapping the 1750 for one). However the general consensus came back - "great engine, sublime noise, weird handling, crap interiors, poor driving position, rust worse than 105s!"
The advice was to get one properly inspected by someone like Alex Jupe and also to talk to him about any cars he knows of which are coming up for sale. Unfortunately they are still at the point where you could spend £15,000+ restoring one and it would be worth £7,500 if you could find anyone who wanted it.
That said I am sure there are plenty of solid usable cars out there for cheaper money, but just keep your eyes open when you look at it!
If you want a RWD Alfa V6 to hoon about it in, leave in car parks and so on you would be better with a 75. I know it hasn't got the looks but it has more go and seems a more durable and much cheaper prospect.
Sorry!
The advice was to get one properly inspected by someone like Alex Jupe and also to talk to him about any cars he knows of which are coming up for sale. Unfortunately they are still at the point where you could spend £15,000+ restoring one and it would be worth £7,500 if you could find anyone who wanted it.
That said I am sure there are plenty of solid usable cars out there for cheaper money, but just keep your eyes open when you look at it!
If you want a RWD Alfa V6 to hoon about it in, leave in car parks and so on you would be better with a 75. I know it hasn't got the looks but it has more go and seems a more durable and much cheaper prospect.
Sorry!
Chris71 said:
I just need someone to remind me that this is all a very bad idea and I'll be on my way, but...
The idea of a GTV6 came up the other day as a semi-usable classic. The idea is I'd only commute for six months of the year maximum (being on a bike the rest of the time) and I have a garage it could live in overnight. The downsides are those six months tend to be the colder, wetter six and it may have to be depended upon during that time. Would one, for example, stand a reasonable chance of restarting if it was left in an airport car park for a fortnight in December?
Just out of curiosity, what's the going rate for a mechanically mint GTV6 and can someone give an idea on running costs? Are parts still available and what are they like to work on yourself? Lastly, I prefer the looks of the Alfetta, but how would an Alfa 75 compare?
Rust is the number one concern. A bit of rain now and then will not hurt, but salt is a killer. If you have to drive on salted roads, always jet-wash the salt off afterwards.The idea of a GTV6 came up the other day as a semi-usable classic. The idea is I'd only commute for six months of the year maximum (being on a bike the rest of the time) and I have a garage it could live in overnight. The downsides are those six months tend to be the colder, wetter six and it may have to be depended upon during that time. Would one, for example, stand a reasonable chance of restarting if it was left in an airport car park for a fortnight in December?
Just out of curiosity, what's the going rate for a mechanically mint GTV6 and can someone give an idea on running costs? Are parts still available and what are they like to work on yourself? Lastly, I prefer the looks of the Alfetta, but how would an Alfa 75 compare?
They are good starters. As long as the battery is strong, it should start fine after a fortnight. So far mine has never failed to start on the first turn of the key, even after several weeks sometimes.
I'd say the going rate for a mint GTV6 is around £5k - £6k. Bodywork and trim are more important than mechanicals; the engine is robust and servicable.
Parts wise, most mechanical parts are available. Many body panels are no longer available. Trim is mostly secondhand and breakers only. Some specific parts are hard to find, like RHD headlamp units, brake pad retaining pins, rear driveshaft bolts etc.
I average 27mpg from super unleaded.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend using one for a daily commute. On sunny days, I sometimes drive to work in mine, but they are quirky cars, and will occasionally let you down. For example, mine cut out on me once returning from Auto Italia at Brooklands and would not start. It turned out that the bundle of wires to the air-flow meter had come loose, fallen on the exhaust manifold, shorted, and blown the fuel pump relay.
P.S. I might consider selling mine if you would like to make an offer...
Many thanks chaps - some excellent advice!
Hmm, if I had a bigger garage I'd definitely have one, but with room for two cars max it might be difficult to justify something that is firmly a fair weather weekend car and yet doesn't have the trappings of a full sports car. I'd love to be back in the '80s (before the rust set in) and use one as a daily driver, but a 4 seat fixed head coupe seems a little excessive for a toy. Unless it was a Lotus Excel with a galvanised chassis and GRP body?
As mentioned above, this is largely pipe dreaming. I'd love to have a look at an Alfetta up close (the last time I saw one I saw strapped into a baby seat in the back of it) but it would probably be a step too far for me. A 75 might be a little more realistic - rather more affordable for a contingency fund too.
Hmm, if I had a bigger garage I'd definitely have one, but with room for two cars max it might be difficult to justify something that is firmly a fair weather weekend car and yet doesn't have the trappings of a full sports car. I'd love to be back in the '80s (before the rust set in) and use one as a daily driver, but a 4 seat fixed head coupe seems a little excessive for a toy. Unless it was a Lotus Excel with a galvanised chassis and GRP body?
As mentioned above, this is largely pipe dreaming. I'd love to have a look at an Alfetta up close (the last time I saw one I saw strapped into a baby seat in the back of it) but it would probably be a step too far for me. A 75 might be a little more realistic - rather more affordable for a contingency fund too.
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