Alfa Romeo GT V6: Spotted

A stunningly beautiful Alfa coupe that was actually a stop-gap

The definition of the word stop-gap is: "a temporary way of dealing with a problem or satisfying a need." After the Alfa 147 was released in 2000, Alfa Romeo needed something to hold the fort until the 156 replacement arrived in 2005. With that the executives had to think quickly, to build something that would sell but not be expensive to develop. The answer? Look through the back catalogue.

Bertone, wanting to replace the soon to be defunct Punto cabriolet, came up with Alfa GT. Taking the 156's wheelbase provided enough room for five passengers and plenty of boot space, then costs were saved by fitting 147 components including the front wings from the GTA, the bonnet save for some detailing, the front bulkhead, the steering column, the pedal box, the heating ventilation system and most of the dashboard. Unfortunately for Bertone, Alfa Romeo decided to have the GT built at the Pomigliano plant alongside the 147 and 159. Now the result should have looked like something out of Dr Frankenstein's laboratory, but the Alfa Romeo GT was voted 'Most beautiful coupe' in the 2004 World's Most Beautiful Automobile awards.

The 3.2-litre Busso V6 engine was first introduced in the 156 GTA, finding its way into the 147 GTA and then to the GT as well (it stockpiled 5,000 engines to be used past 2005), before being replaced by a GM-designed V6 for 159 and Brera. Some journalists have said the V6 is a little too potent for the GT's chassis and, while certain later models were fitted with a Q2 differential, bizarrely Alfa opted not to fit any V6s with them from the factory . Fortunately, the owner of this car has retrofitted a Quaife limited-slip diff, which they say "totally transforms" the handling.

This model is only showing 60,000 miles, with a new cambelt and water pump fitted recently as a precaution (because there was some confusion about intervals once upon a time). Howmanyleft shows there are 314 V6 GTs in the UK and, while it might be outclassed dynamically on the road by a rival, surely the noise and enjoyment from that V6 will make up for it.

Speaking of rivals, there aren't many once you discount the obvious German alternatives from BMW and Audi. A Nissan 350Z is in budget with similar mileage, as is a VW Scirocco if you fancy something a bit newer. Both have their merits, certainly, but for something rare, distinctive and in possession of one of the world's great engines, the GT is definitely the one to go for.

SPECIFICATION - ALFA ROMEO GT V6

Engine: 3,179cc, V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 243@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 213@4,800rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2005
Recorded mileage: 60,000 miles
Price new: £27,300
Price now: £8,500