1998 ALFA ROMEO GTV 2.0 TWIN SPARK
ENGINE 1970cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 148bhp@6200rpm TORQUE 137lb ft@4000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 130mph 0-60MPH 8sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 30-34mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, five-speed manual MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 53,094 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The four-cylinder Twin Spark engine revs freely, has a pleasing rasp and screams all the way to the redline once it surges past 4000rpm. And since the Twin Spark engine is much lighter than the Busso V6, you get beautifully incisive handling when you chuck the GTV at your favourite set of corners. The ride is a little firm but not too uncomfortable, and the steering pleasingly direct. This particular example exhibits no rattles or undue vibrations through the suspension or drivetrain. As is customary of Alfas of this era, the brakes are a bit grabby and sudden, but there’s no tramlining. This car has clearly been loved by its past custodians. We could only find a few minor scratches on the body, plus some stone chips on the nose. There is some bubbling on the driver’s door mirror surround and a minor scratch to the offside rear flank. There’s also evidence of minor kerb damage to a couple of the wheels, though the Pirelli P-Zero Nero tyres have plenty of life left in them. Sadly, a previous owner has misguidedly fitted a few aftermarket bits and pieces, including extra badges on the bootlid and a ‘carbon fibre’ fuel filler cap that looks nothing like carbon fibre. Thankfully, all are completely removable and replaceable.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
There are more aftermarket additions inside, including a very shiny – and truly awful – gearknob. However, they could be rectified easily, quickly and cheaply enough. The carpets could do with a good shampooing, but there are no major faults to the interior, other than a little creasing to the leather seats and the usual minor side bolster wear. The headlining is excellent and all the electrical items work. Only an inoperative driver’s door handle lets the side down.
UNDER THE BONNET
It’s a little grubby under there, with a plastic cam cover that’s in need of a good clean. However, we could find no corrosion and no leaking fluids. A dive into the reassuringly thick paperwork file reveals plenty of service stamps and workshop receipts. Highlights from the latter include an air conditioning re-gas in 2015, plus fitment of a new radiator, cam belt and exhaust in 2012.
THE CCW VIEW
Finding good, low-mileage GTVs is difficult these days – which helps to explain the price being asked here. You’ll probably want to lose the aftermarket addenda, but this has solid potential for concours displays. If you’re more of a driver than a polisher, then this still delivers – it feels mechanically tight and it has the bills to back it up. It’s perhaps strong money, but you’d be hard pushed to find a similar specification car on the open market. Well worth a look.