Alfa Romeo GTV6 | Spotted

The V6 Alfa Romeo doesn't have long left - time for a classic?

PH is driving the new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quarifoglio this week, so keep your eyes peeled for a review in due course. It isn’t hard to be excited about a freshly revised, slightly more powerful Giulia, because since 2015 the Quadrifoglio has been everything - and probably a little bit more, in truth - we’ve always wanted from a flagship Alfa four-door. Fast, exciting, stylish and occasionally irritating, the Giulia is emphatic proof that it’s not just the Germans who know how to do super-saloons. 

But it can’t last. This most recent update must be the final, given Alfa’s declaration of being an EV-only brand from 2027 - and with a battery-powered Quadrifoglio coming before that date. And that’ll mean no more twin-turbo V6, a motor that’s been central to the Giulia’s appeal over the past few years. Which will be bad enough, but an Alfa Romeo with no V6 at all will be very strange indeed. Like Honda without high revving four cylinders, Aston without a V12 or Ferrari without a flat-plane crank V8, it’ll mark the end of a very long and significant chapter of automotive. Not all the V6s have been glorious, sure, but it’ll be sad to see the configuration go. 

Handy, then, that Alfa Romeo sought to get a V6 into pretty much everything back in the day. From hatchback to convertible and estate to coupe, the commitment couldn’t be faulted. We’re now at the point, moreover, where any handling flaws are likely to be overlooked given the majesty of the Busso engine. Who cares about the keenest front end when there’s that sound to think about? But there’s an alternative, don’t forget, a car from further back in the history books that really made the most of the powertrain with rear-wheel drive: the Type 116 GTV. Seldom seen nowadays as it went out of production more than 35 years ago, it remains a legendary Alfa Romeo. Notable for introducing fuel injection to the V6 (and transforming it from the carb fed version, by all accounts) and romping to rally and touring car titles across Europe, the GTV has always held a special place in the heart of the Alfisti.

They won’t come much more special than this one, either. A one-owner car from new in 1982, the gent who owned the GTV was sponsored by Alfa Romeo during his career as an international downhill skier. Having become so enamoured with the GTV during his time as an ambassador, he bought his own when he relocated to the UK in the 1970s. But not just any old GTV6 - thanks to his connections at the factory, our downhill skier (and bonafide legend, by the sounds of it) managed to secure options like air con and electric windows that were denied to regular UK buyers. Once finished, he drove it back to the UK from Italy. Like a boss. 

Now, more than 40 years later, this Alfa Romeo’s solitary owner is parting with it. The selling dealer suggests that they couldn’t believe what they were seeing; having been kept in a warm garage (on carpet!) all these years, the GTV has been incredibly well preserved. It has stood the test of time fantastically, even the interior showing precious few signs of wear. There can’t be many better examples left out there, and none with such a charming history. 

As a reminder of all that’s great about rear-drive, V6-powered, classic Alfa Romeos, it looks a winner to us. It would be one for sparing use now, given the condition, but what an event every drive promises to be. And you just know every car fan around will love seeing it. The plate is included, it’ll be freshly serviced by the selling dealer, and the asking price is £25k. A Capri with this sort of mileage (and more owners) is easily another £10,000 again. None of us will likely be as cool an owner of this Alfa Romeo as the original downhill skier, but at least we’ll look it. And this V6 won’t be going anywhere come 2027.

SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO GTV 2.5 V6

Engine: 2,492cc, V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 160@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 152@3,200rpm
MPG: c. 25
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 1982
Recorded mileage: 57,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £24,995

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