Shed of the Week: Alfa Romeo GTV

GTVs don't often avoid tin worm - but most GTVs haven't been cared for like this one

Well. Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more affordable, low mileage, and apparently solid Alfa GTVs left, up comes another one to surprise you. And for the more cynical ones among you who might wish to cast aspersions on the notion of a trustworthy Alfa GTV, there’s an actual video walkaround (and crawl under) to ease your worries.

The videographer’s phone didn’t have a very good mic on it, so you’ll have to crank up the volume in parts, but it’s totally worth it because yer man in front of the camera really knows his stuff and presents his knowledge in a generous and open way. Watching this will save you the bother of reading Shed’s usual blather about common faults and suchlike, whilst also allowing Shed to nip off to the pub a bit earlier than normal.

Of course, we’d often be wary about giving much credence to an owner’s own review, even in a video where he’s pointing out all the areas where it might go wrong, but a bit of light sleuthing based on the phone number plus the presence of plenty more Alfas in the background soon revealed the vendor to be none other than Neil Carter out of Italia Autos. Go to his website and you will find some extremely positive and genuine looking reviews, which basically categorise him as an honest and stand-up guy who repairs Alfas and sells Alfa parts for a living. He’s clearly passionate about the brand, and reviewers compliment him on his no-quibble (and often no charge) approach. If you were an Alfa owner living within striking distance of Walsall it looks like you’d be well ahead of the game buying from this chap.

Neil hasn’t paid Shed to say any of this, it’s all there on the site. Make your own judgement. On the strength of these reviews, and based on his uncanny ability to sum people up by the cut of their jib, though, Shed would happily buy at distance from this source, and that’s not something he’d say about every used car establishment.

This GTV looks very presentable in Blu Vela with black leather. You can imagine what a difference a couple of bright new boot/bonnet badges would make. Fifteen quid or less online for one of them. All the other bits and bobs that you might want to look at are covered in the video, along with likely costs.

The only other nugget of information you’re missing really is the MOT history. The current ticket runs to September and the advisories on the last test amounted to a bust number plate bulb, a deteriorated front number plate (obviously rectified since), a worn rear disc brake, and corroded coil springs all round. Eibachs are about £45 each, but cheaper alternatives are available. Other than that, there is no mention of corrosion anywhere in the 13 years’ worth of tests covered on the MOT checking site.

Keeping the brownness off your underside is a thorny question for many of us, especially those of a certain age. As Neil says on his Facebook page in answer to a GTV owner’s question about how to keep his underside clean, the trick apparently is lots of rust converter then lots of stone chip prevention. Sounds a bit painful, but you’ve got to bow to the man’s superior knowledge. Bowing probably being the order the day with that lot on.

Here’s the ad.

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Cambs_Stuart

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