Alfa Romeo 2000GTV

TIPPED BY: DONALD OSBORNE

‘They’re fabulous to drive – so much better than the Spiders, better balanced, and better than the Alfetta that succeeded them,’ says Osbourne. ‘They’re also much more useable than earlier Giulia Sprints and GTS.’ These cars had a longer life in the UK market, as did their earlier siblings, but in America the 2000 GTV was only sold in 1973 and ’74, and it matters to US buyers that the car is a proper Us-market version and not an import. In the UK, we have the equivalent excess of demand over supply, but caused by a lack of surviving right-hand-drive examples. Hence steadily climbing values for many years now.

Why not choose a less expensive GT Junior, such as a 1600cc model? For two reasons, says Donald.

‘They were never sold new in the USA and so fall into that category of “cars you have to explain”, which is rarely good. But mainly it’s the gearing – they’re not comfortable cars for long journeys because they’re revving so fast at highway speeds. For everyday driveability, a 2000 GTV is a much better bet.’

And what about colours? Not red, perhaps. Donald would advise looking for dark green or dark blue, with a tan interior.

‘They’re elegant cars. It’s a perfect design, yet they appeal to people who know nothing about design. They seem to fit that definition of beauty as being something that makes people feel calm. It has enough surface interest to keep your eye entertained but it’s not a complex shape, and the proportions are perfect. Until you meet one, you have no idea they’re so small. I love the stance too – it’s like a handsome bulldog.’

What must we pay for this good-looking canine? Our price guide puts the concours / dealer price at £32k. However, Donald advises that he’s seen a bump in values this spring, and we have seen several advertised well beyond that, with one vendor of a 18k-mile example asking for £60k. Spending £35k on a smart and honest 2000 GTV seems reasonable in today’s market.