1969 Alfa Romeo GTV

[yoda]

I know there is a fair amount of Alfa love on here and I am no exception. After looking at cars on and off for several years, I finally took the plunge this weekend. I always wanted a 1960s Italian sports car and the budget wouldn’t stretch to a 330 GTC so this will have to do!

The car was sourced by Alfaholics in 2012 and built by them with most of the upgrades available at the time over the course of 2013. They stripped the shell, seam welded and then built it up with the following spec:

Alfaholics twin spark 200bhp engine with twin 45 webber carbs
All engine ancillaries inc oil cooler, catch tank etc.
Alfaholics lightweight radiator
Electronic ignition and all associated upgrades.
Alfaholics GTAm cam cover in burgundy
Alfaholics C pack sports suspension
Alfaholics 6 pot brake kit inc. all lines and pedal box upgrade with adjustable bias etc
Alfaholics Limited Slip Diff (track spec LSD)
Alfaholics Lightweight flywheel
Alfaholics Stainless steel exhaust
Alfaholics uprated rear prop
Alfaholics 15” GTA wheels
Titanium bolts
Titanium wheel nuts

The interior is largely original and has great patina. The running gear is obviously not but a lot of fun. The car hasn’t been used much in the last 5 years so needs a good service and setting up. I also have a list of cosmetic jobs to work through to get the car how I want.

Looking forward to tinkering and had a nice day cleaning it up with my son. Happy days.

[jjeffries]

Very, very nice. A stock GTV is a joy, but one so competently hot-rodded like that...will be incredible. Lucky you! John.

[Tp81]

Feroz,

Congratulations the car looks lovely. Making me jealous with the twin spark, the work that has been done is perfect. Good health to enjoy.

Look forward to seeing some updates on the car as your get to know it.

Tom

[hot66]

Very nice Feroz

[Bootsy]

Looks wonderful and what a great spec

[Magnum]

Wow, fantastic.....what a great specification and done by the best!

I've got a lovely 1750GTV (series II) with a patina filled older restoration. I do find it a little underwhelming compared to my 911s - I can't quiet work out why, but I think it's a sensory thing, coupled with the driving position which I can't seems to get right.

In any event I have many thoughts on up-speccing to a similar specification to yours (over the medium-term when funds are available) which just sounds brilliant.

All the best with the journey, keep us updated as you go and please, please let us have your thoughts on the driving experience?

Best wishes

[markm]

Very nice Feroz, love that.

[KS]

So you got it. I take it Graham Eddy's PPI went OK, then. Lovely car!

[alfacat]

Absolutely lovely, Sprint GTs and GTV look great in white.
Hope you & yours love every moment of your ownership.

All the best
Ian F.

[210bhp]

That does look tasty. Congrats and enjoy.

Regards
Mike

[Gary71]

Nice work Feroz, that sits so well on those GTA wheels.
Hope it's as sweet to drive as it looks

[964RS]

Looks cool mate

[richkaz]

Looks great to me.
Of all the classics that I've ever owned, it's only the Italians that ' speak ' to me and leave such a lasting impression.
Alfa's are great and I hope yours has a good chat sometimes soon. Well done.

[yoda]

Thanks all for the kind comments. It certainly is a looker and the interior is a lovely place to be - I love all the little details on the dash and around the car. I am planning to change the seats for something more period looking and would have loved an old wooden wheel but the ones I have tried weren’t as comfortable to use.

I’ve not had the car long so will reserve judgement on the driving and ownership experience until I have more seat time. Having said that, I have done about 400 miles in it and first impressions are good. There is more drama than an old 911 - the lumpy ideal, raspy exhaust and low seating make it feel very sporting. Once the engine is on the boil, it absolutely flies along and I forget this is a 50 year old car. It’s a lot more effort to drive than my 911 in terms of concentration and I was physically tired after driving back from Cornwall to London (I took the scenic route!). That may be in part due to the Yokohama track tyres fitted which offer great grip but make the steering heavy. I test drove it on Bridgestone road tyres which felt much nicer on the road and will probably switch back. The gears are stacked quite close and overall the car feels much shorter geared than my 911. Works well with the power delivery on A / B roads if you keep it on the boil but less well as a motorway cruiser. Road tyres with a taller sidewall should help this too. Overall, so far so good. Looking forward to getting a few things sorted and putting more miles on it.

Yes Keith, I bought it! Graham was very nice to deal with and gave the car a thumbs up so thank you for the recommendation.

I called Alfaholics to book it in for a service and set up but they seem very busy and don’t expect to be able to do anything for 3-4 months! Can anyone recommend a specialist (ideally within striking distance of London) to get some work done in the mean time?

Regards

Feroz

[Lightweight_911]

.
So you've finally taken the plunge Feroz - looks like a good spec for your first Alfa.

Yes, tyres, seats & steering wheel can make a big difference - often the first things I change when I but a 'classic'.

Although more expensive than many of the alternatives, Pirelli CN36's really suit the 105 Series Alfas for road use.

I haven't any personal experience but Ian Ellis in Sussex (Plumpton Green nr Burgess Hill) has been around a long time & specialises in the 105 Series models.