Fantasy Junction

Description

1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
s/n AR3025233
Red with Tan Interior

Designed for Bertone by Giorgetto Giugiaro early in his long and illustrious career, the GTV was an immediate favorite from its introduction, initially as the Giulia Sprint GT in 1963. The restrained elegance and perfect proportions of these cars have aged beautifully and the cars survived for over 10 years with relatively light cosmetic changes but significant mechanical upgrades, including the eventual fitment of fuel injection and a 2.0 liter engine. The initial specification, which included 5-speed transmission and Alfa's excellent alloy twin-cam inline-4, remained relatively unchanged.

This GTV is a particularly nice example that is structurally excellent and appears never to have had any metal work. Apparently a longtime California car, this example appears to have been here since 1976. The current owner of this car bought it in Santa Barbara in 2012, having covered about 15,000 miles sine being restored. He then set about resolving the miscellaneous open items that remain or crop up after a restoration, turning this car into an extremely well-resolved car from a mechanical standpoint, which in conjunction with its structurally fantastic and original nature, place this example in a very select group of cars. He has covered an additional 4000 or so miles, bringing the total mileage since restoration to just under 20,000.

According to the previous owner, the restoration included the following work: the engine was completely rebuilt with 10.5:1 high compression pistons, HP3 cams, ported and polished Stage II head from Sperry Valve Works, and high performance fuel injection pump. The internal components of the engine were balanced and all wearing components replaced. Stainless steel headers were fitted, the radiator recored, and the transmission rebuilt with new bearings, seals, and synchromesh. The driveline was also rebuilt, including driveshaft and wheel bearings. The brakes were renewed with new rotors, pads, rebuilt calipers, and braided steel lines, and the suspension rebuilt with new ball joints, bushings, adjustable HAL shock absorbers, Shankle springs and sway bars, and adjustable upper control arms. The cosmetic aspects were included as well, including bare metal, windows-out repaint and restored interior.

In the last 4000 miles and three years, the following work has been performed: all new fluids, new driveline seals, new driveshaft and center support bearing, new lower ball joints, steering box adjusted, wipers adjusted, new alternator, engine tuned including valve adjustment, resurfaced flywheel, new plugs, new distributor and rotor, recored radiator, new clutch slave cylinder, new front brake rotors and pads, rebuilt front calipers, new shocks, new tires, and new accelerator cable. Invoices for this work are included and total approximately $13,000.

The car is cosmetically excellent, with high quality paintwork over a very straight and solid body that appears never to have been welded or repaired. The spot welds and original sheet metal appear undisturbed throughout. The gaps and fit are good, likely on par with how these cars were delivered new. The paint is in excellent shape, with minimal signs of road use in the form of a few touched up chips. The bright trim appears to be original and has light swirls but no major deterioration to the finish or dents. The glass, lights, and lenses are excellent. The more complex grille featured on later GTVs has been replaced with black mesh grilles more consistent with the 1971 appearance of the car, giving it a more purposeful and menacing look.

The interior is in beautiful shape. The car retains its original dashboard in excellent overall condition, with one hairline crack only. The center console, which often shows wear and aging, is in excellent shape, as are the instruments, switches, and woodwork. The seats were reupholstered in leather and are excellent, and the car has high quality German square weave carpets throughout, which bring the interior upmarket and are similar to those used in Porsche 356s and the Mercedes 190/300SL. The rear seats were replaced with a custom enclosure that is trimmed in matching carpet. The door panels were renewed and are excellent, as is all chrome and trim.

The engine compartment is tidy and representative of a well-maintained driver with minimal soiling present from road use. The structural elements are excellent, including the outriggers on either side of the transmission tunnel that often show cracking and subsequent reinforcements on high mileage cars. The spot welds in the jambs are also present. The fuel injection system has been retained in this car, and high capacity air filters have been fitted as has an electronic ignition system. The trunk was restored and is extremely clean and structurally excellent. The rear tail panel is excellent with no evidence of prior collision or corrosion, another testament to this car’s superb original structure. This impression continues underneath, where the original floors and rockers are still in place, with a crisp appearance to all the seams and spot welds. There is soiling present from normal road use but the structure itself appears to be completely original and is fantastically solid.

The car is a superb driving example and is among the best-driving four-cylinder Alfas we have encountered in recent memory. The chassis is probably the most noteworthy aspect, with a balanced, tight, solid feel that encourages swift, confident driving. It is firm with well-controlled body movements, minimal body roll, and plenty of grip, transforming the car into an impressively capable sports car that does not require the driver to treat the car excessively gingerly like most classics. The engine is well-tuned, retaining the injection system that was featured on these cars, which gives a nice linear responsive feel to the motor, but it still crackles on trailing throttle and produces plenty of induction gulp and roar noises that ensure the motor still has plenty of character. The gearbox is excellent overall, with effective synchromesh on all gears, and some of the typical scratchiness when shifting into second. The brakes are effective and the steering is tight and responsive.

This is a superb opportunity to acquire a truly great-driving GTV that has been thoughtfully upgraded. Structurally original and excellent throughout, this car has obviously been kept in a stable climate and used principally in fair weather. It comes with its original owner’s manual as well as a stack of invoices from the recent mechanical work.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608