Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT, GTV and GTV6 (1974 to 1987)

Why people buy one

• The gearbox, clutch and differential sit at the rear in one transaxle, giving close to 50:50 weight distribution and fine balance.
• The De Dion rear axle with Watt's linkage keeps the rear wheels upright, and the front uses torsion bars and double wishbones.
• The GTV6's 2.5-litre V6, taken from the Alfa 6 saloon, gives about 160bhp, a famous exhaust note and, Hagerty UK says, can reach 150,000 miles with strict maintenance.
• The four-cylinder twin-cam engines are strong and reliable when properly maintained, according to Octane.
• A practical four-seater with a hatchback, and the GTV6 has a strong motorsport record in touring car racing.
• The AROC has a dedicated GTV6 Register and forum for technical help.

What to weigh up

• Rust is the most important issue, and Octane says repair panels are hard to source.
• The gearchange is notchy and vague even when new, and worn synchromesh is common.
• The inboard rear brakes are hard to reach, calipers tend to stick, and the solid rear discs can fade under hard use.
• Identity matters. Only 212 GTV6 3.0s were built in South Africa (Driven to Write), and about 30 to 36 Callaway Twin Turbo cars in the USA, so treat either claim with caution and ask for documented proof. Many GTV6s have also been fitted with a later 3.0 V6 from the 164 or 75, which is not the same as a South African 3.0.
• Interior trim is hard to find and velour seat facings can disintegrate.
• The Alfetta saloon, the Turbodelta homologation car and the later front-drive 916 GTV are not covered here.

Where they rust

• Sills, including the front of the sills under the trim, especially on sunroof cars.
• Front wheelarches, inner wings and the front suspension turrets.
• The scuttle panel and the A-pillars where they meet the windscreen.
• Door bottoms.
• Floorpans and jacking points.
• Boot floor, the rear edge of the tailgate and the area around the rear lights.
• Suspension mounting points front and rear, ideally checked on a ramp.
• Rear wheelarches.

Mechanical weak spots

• On the GTV6, ask for evidence of cambelt and tensioner changes, and blue smoke on the overrun means worn valve guides. Head gasket problems are known, and the engine should be fully warm before being worked hard.
• The Bosch L-Jetronic injection is generally reliable, but vacuum leaks and tired temperature sensors cause poor running.
• Hagerty UK says many cars have had the original twin-plate clutch replaced with the single-plate unit from the 75 3.0. A clonk from the transaxle usually means worn mounts.
• Worn suspension bushes, ball joints and De Dion location joints spoil the handling.
• Check the inboard rear calipers for sticking and leaks, and the front discs for wear.
• Electrical faults usually come from poor earths and later modifications, and Classic Motorsports recommends adding relays to the headlamp circuit.

At a Mathewsons viewing

• Check the chassis number and type plates against the V5C, and confirm the V5C capacity matches the car (2492cc for a GTV6 2.5, 2934cc for a South African 3.0). Alfa Romeo's heritage service can issue a Certificate of Origin from the chassis number.
• For a claimed South African 3.0, look for the bonnet bulge, deeper front spoiler and red striping on the bumpers and side mouldings, and six Dell'Orto carburettors in place of fuel injection (Driven to Write says only the last six cars were injected). For a claimed Callaway, ask for paperwork linking the car to the programme. Neither should be accepted on badges alone.
• With a torch, look at the sills, jacking points, floors, inner wings, front suspension turrets and the windscreen corners, and lift the boot floor to see the spare wheel area.
• Look underneath at the transaxle and the inboard rear brakes for leaks, sticking calipers and oil contamination.
• Open the bonnet to check the V6 for oil leaks, perished vacuum hoses and untidy wiring; if staff start the car, listen for knocks and watch for smoke, but do not assume it will be started.

Parts, specialists and clubs

Seen on Bangers & Cash

• 1970s Alfa Romeo GTV (Bangers & Cash series 6, episode 7, First shown October 2022)
• Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Bangers & Cash series 14, episode 8, First shown September 2026 on U&Yesterday)

Sources

• Buying guide: Alfa Romeo GTV6 (1981 to 1987) (Hagerty UK), 20 July 2022
• Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT and GTV buying guide (Octane), 24 April 2026
• Alfa Romeo GTV6: Buy one now? (Classic Motorsports), March 2016
• GTV6 Register (Alfa Romeo Owners Club UK), accessed 14 October 2026
• Con Velocita Extra Per Favore (Driven to Write), 13 May 2022
• Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 (AutoAdvisor), accessed 14 October 2026
• Classic car services: Certificate of Origin (Stellantis Heritage), accessed 14 October 2026
• Alfa Romeo Alfetta (Wikipedia), accessed 14 October 2026