ALFA ROMEO ALFETTA/ GT/GTV

REKINDLING A FAMOUS MODEL NAME THE ALFETTA WAS INTENDED TO MODERNISE RATHER THAN REPLACE THE 105 SERIES

The Alfetta GT was intended to modernise rather that replace the 105 Series GTV, however the result was a car significantly different in character and design.

Rekindling a famous Alfa Romeo model name, the Alfetta began life as a sedan then in 1975 a two-door hatchback GT joined the range. Although the 105 Series already was using a 2.0-litre engine, the Alfetta reverted briefly to a 1.8-litre.

In 1977 the twin-cam 1.8 made way for the familiar and more powerful 2.0-litre, with 90kW and slight improvements to acceleration and top speed.

The Alfetta dashboard was modular and designed with an intent to make the car feel trendy and modern. However, swapping modules when adapting the dash for right-hand drive markets resulted in a layout that was clumsy and impractical.

Alfa fitted its new GT with rack and pinion steering, front torsion bars and independent rear suspension. To assist with weight distribution, the five-speed gearbox was mounted adjacent to the differential.

The remote selector action made changes indecisive and hard to achieve with the same precision as in earlier cars. Weak synchromesh caused crunches on down-shifts and the condition worsened as the clutch and transmission deteriorated.

Early GTs sat on steel rims and skimpy 165 section radials. Wider alloys and lower profile tyres that put an extra 20-30mm of rubber on the road helped to alter the ‘nervous’ handling of early cars. Increasing front tyre pressures slightly was said to reduce understeer.

1981 brought an unhappy restyle dominated by lumpy and hideous polyurethane bumpers. They were meant to protect the car from damage in collisions at up to 8km/h but minor bumps below this speed saw mountings break and components crack.

Far better was the news from 1980 of a 2.5-litre GTV6. These could be identified by a mid-bonnet air-intake and 15 inch alloy wheels. A tough car that could be made to perform well; GTV6s ran at the pointy end of Australian and European Touring Car events and in 1987 was the last rear-wheel drive car to win the Australian Rally Championship.

Mechanically the V6 used a stronger diff, gearbox and drive-shafts. Interior changes at last grouped major instruments in front of the driver.

With either engine, the Alfetta-based GTV was a practical car. Rear legroom wasn’t immense but two and even three people could fit for short journeys. Some cars spent their lives with the back seat folded flat to provide a generous luggage platform.

GTV2000s remain available in decent numbers but they haven’t matched the growth enjoyed by 105 Series cars. Prices paid currently peak in the low $20,000s with the GTV6 climbing at a faster rate and reaching $40,000. Quality is essential as these cars are very easy to over-capitalise.