OK, so as some of you know I was looking for a GTV6 (I've looked on an off for years really, here and there). Anyway I found one recently, just aroudn the corner from where I now live!
When I first went and checked it out, I thought, nah, it's a bit too shabby as I had it in mind to buy a mint gtv6. After looking at a few I discovered that people 'think' their gtv6's are mint, but they are not even close, and consequently they want silly money. Now anyone reading this who had one of these cars I looked at, please don't take this the wrong way, how does one price a gtv6 these days, I mean they are thin on the ground now and carsales would have you think they are worth up to 35k.... ::)
So, before people ask, no, I'm not about to disclose the price, but lets just say itreflected its condition.
So to the car, it's not mint. What it is though, is a car with a full history from day 1, straight, rust free (except for a 5c peice bit of rust on the hatch at the base of the window). The paint is on its last legs, I mean it's pretty thin in places and has lost it lustre. The tires are hard since its done 10,000km's in the last 10years of ownership.
Mechanically the thing is a gem, solid box, smooth revving, and drops no oil.
I got to the point where I decided that it's too hard to find someone who looks after a car the way I like them looked after, I'd be better off buying an honest example. The fact this car has been sotred mostly outside for the last 10 years and has no rust to show for it gives me a good feeling. I can work with a straight car that needs a lick of paint, at least when applied, I will know whats under it. Interior is passable, just. It's not mint, and sadly the dash is cracked. This was probably the reason I wanted a mint car, as I like a neat interior. That said, it is neat, if a little battel scared, and I guess I'll have to live with it for now.
I have just picked up a set of 5 Ronals to go on the car. It has koni yellows in the rear and reds in the front..hey anyone know if alfa90 shocks are the same as gtv6 (I have yellow koni alfa90 shocks).
So enjoy, and feel free to comment.
Hi Mike,
Nice find, it looks honest and straight and even though you say the paints not great it looks nice in the photos. 2 things though
1. Silver GTV6s only came out with a black interior (someone correct me if Im wrong) and yours is tan, so could you get silver with tan?, only thought that came out with red cars (tan or black interior)
2. What year is it ? obvouisly a one piece dash facelift but the badge on the back has GTV6 in lower case like the early split dash cars did, moot point I know but anyway.
Looks like a nice car enjoy
Cheers
Pep
Hi Mike
Congrats on your new purchase.
Your new GTV6 looks like a good example, and as you put it something you can work with.
The konis are the same in the 90 as the GTV6.
My question is what year is it ? I guess 85 by the lack of rust and the front badge.
The front Alfa Romeo badge should be smaller if it's an 84.Larger 85 on so I think the rear script badge has been changed to an earlier one.
I have a silver '87 GTV6 with the black interior and have never seen a silver GTV6 with the tan interior.
Contact CentroDocumentazione@alfaromeo.com to find out the production info etc.
John.
looking good mike! i like silver with tan actually..
id measure the compressed length of the rear shocks. i think 90/75 shocks are a bit longer than gtv6s so may not be ideal, particularly if the car is dropped...
jesus how big is your garage... :P
Hi guys, thanks for the comments.
I'll see if I can answer them. It's an 11month 1983. It's interesting becuase I don't see any documentation in the notes about the interior being changed to tan. Actually now I think about it I knwo of 3 other cars in tas that are silver with tan interior, an option perhaps? I also like the tan, I always liked the red cars with tan and I have a soft spot for silver...looks like I am desined to own a lot of silver cars! I'll check out that website and let you know the results.
Perhaps the car has the wrong grill badge on it?
My garage is 7*10, just big enough for 3 cars and work bench space, or two cars and room to move.
Oh one other tid bit, going through the documents, it appears to have done an original 130.000km's, with a large chunk of that donein the mid nineties. The car was ex vitoria and I recall one of the reciepts saying the owner was an Alfa club member and so getting a reduction on the bill. The car has had scary money spent on it over the years at the iltalian job and Benincas. Lots of engine burnt valve type work! Clutch is new with about 3000km's on it. It had the original exhasut on it all be it with a holed middle can. I had it replaced with a two in, one out can, and whilst not for the purists, it was ecconomical and has not affected power or note that I can tell. I was undecided about whether to keep the exhuast stock or tickle it, but for now, a quiet car is rather nice, unlike my others!
I have sent my chassis number to the email you provided John so lets see what they come back with.
some lovely ladies in that garage mike...whats your address, i think i missed that one!..that interior is the best colour imo far better than the black, congats
Franck, what rims are on your gtv6, they look great. I live in Tasmania. The car has been in Tas for some 10 years now, ex melbourne car. If you like the 'little' lady' in the background, check out these photos, she has erm....balls! More at Alfa bb under engine conversions.
GTV6 may get a supercharger in the not too distant future, but there is something very refreshing about a stock classic, so the jury is out for now.
that looks fantastic!! there is nothing sexyer than an engine/engine bay like that....maybe miss Belluci qualifies as well! ;)
the wheels on my car are enkei they are a light weight rim 17diameter, i wanted charcoal, but could not be done and since the usuall dificulties in obtaining wheels for gtv6's as i was told should consider myself lucky to have these. i must say that the retailer really went out of his way to find what i wanted.
Quote from: Mike on December 15, 2009, 11:02:52 AM
More at Alfa bb under engine conversions.
GTV6 may get a supercharger in the not too distant future,.
...thank god, makes me feel normal again... 8)
makes you fell normal cuase you like to boost Alfa motors? Don't worry about feeling normal, take YOUR money, buy YOUR car and make YOUR mods and enjoy them...bugger the knockers :-)
Some impressing work there Mike.
Couple of questions for ya:-
1 Is that a Lucas alternator?
2 The radiant heat from the exhaust is a potential brake fluid boiler (as I am sure you know). Would it be an idea to ditch the booster and tranfer bar and settle for a tandem cylinder and reservoirs on the RHS of the car thereby eliminating the heat issues and loosing some weight?
Just an idea.
MD
Quote from: Mike on December 16, 2009, 12:26:01 PM
makes you fell normal cuase you like to boost Alfa motors? Don't worry about feeling normal, take YOUR money, buy YOUR car and make YOUR mods and enjoy them...bugger the knockers :-)
makes me feel normal becauses a) one cant just do with one Alfa at any given time (see signatures of posters.. ;D), and b) once one owns a bunch, not necessarily all of them should remain "unimproved"..
i have to remember, if in need of defense material for alfa madness justification purposes - refer the Mrs to the Alfa bulletin board.... :D
Good luck with it all Mike, cant wait to see the twin charge in person one day!
Quote from: MD on December 16, 2009, 09:37:26 PM
Some impressing work there Mike.
Couple of questions for ya:-
1 Is that a Lucas alternator?
2 The radiant heat from the exhaust is a potential brake fluid boiler (as I am sure you know). Would it be an idea to ditch the booster and tranfer bar and settle for a tandem cylinder and reservoirs on the RHS of the car thereby eliminating the heat issues and loosing some weight?
Just an idea.
MD
The Alternator is just the stock 2ltr alfetta jobbie, I pulled it down inspected, replaced brushes and rebuilt. I think from memory they supply 55amps?
Yep I've considered the removal of the brake booster to the other side of the car. I kinda figured it would be an upgrade at some point. Ihave to draw the line as to what I do up front, and at this stage I' just like to get the motor running properly. I have seen the conversion, remind me, where do they relovate the brake booster to?
Quote from: Mike on December 16, 2009, 11:12:20 PM
Quote from: MD on December 16, 2009, 09:37:26 PM
Some impressing work there Mike.
Couple of questions for ya:-
1 Is that a Lucas alternator?
2 The radiant heat from the exhaust is a potential brake fluid boiler (as I am sure you know). Would it be an idea to ditch the booster and tranfer bar and settle for a tandem cylinder and reservoirs on the RHS of the car thereby eliminating the heat issues and loosing some weight?
Just an idea.
MD
The Alternator is just the stock 2ltr alfetta jobbie, I pulled it down inspected, replaced brushes and rebuilt. I think from memory they supply 55amps?
Yep I've considered the removal of the brake booster to the other side of the car. I kinda figured it would be an upgrade at some point. Ihave to draw the line as to what I do up front, and at this stage I' just like to get the motor running properly. I have seen the conversion, remind me, where do they relovate the brake booster to?
Ah yes understand. They do tend to multiply! I very rarely leave my cars standard, theres always something that the bean counters removed from final product that can be improved upon. That said I see a lot of mods that make your skin crawl, taste can not be purchased...
Quote from: JOHN G on December 15, 2009, 01:25:04 AM
Hi Mike
Congrats on your new purchase.
Your new GTV6 looks like a good example, and as you put it something you can work with.
The konis are the same in the 90 as the GTV6.
My question is what year is it ? I guess 85 by the lack of rust and the front badge.
The front Alfa Romeo badge should be smaller if it's an 84.Larger 85 on so I think the rear script badge has been changed to an earlier one.
I have a silver '87 GTV6 with the black interior and have never seen a silver GTV6 with the tan interior.
Contact CentroDocumentazione@alfaromeo.com to find out the production info etc.
John.
John I contacted the email you suggested for information on build of the car and here is what they had to say:
"According to our documentation files, the chassis number ZAR 116C0003003227 and the engine number AR 0012397 originally correspond to an Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 RHD, manufactured on the 17th June 1983 and sold on the 29th September 1983 in Australia.
The body colour is metallic light grey."
It is nice to know I have my original engine for the car as well (I am sure most do anyway). I have replied back asking whether they are able to tell me the trim colour of the car as well. Does anyone on this forum know how to read the chassis number on the car? I assume one of the combinations of numbers would refer to the trim pack.
Mike
I was enquiring if it is a Lucas alternator as I cannot make it out from the photo. I have had Lucas stuff totally self destruct and put holes through my bonnet from the shrapnel !!
The other killer is revs and if you plan to do some big ones, you may care to slow down the alternator speed by a pulley upsize- you know the deal.
Finally I am suggesting to not use a booster at all. Just get the M/C bore and pedal leverage ratio right and your brakes will be much more responsive with heaps better feel.
Quote from: MD on December 17, 2009, 09:31:40 AM
Mike
I was enquiring if it is a Lucas alternator as I cannot make it out from the photo. I have had Lucas stuff totally self destruct and put holes through my bonnet from the shrapnel !!
The other killer is revs and if you plan to do some big ones, you may care to slow down the alternator speed by a pulley upsize- you know the deal.
Finally I am suggesting to not use a booster at all. Just get the M/C bore and pedal leverage ratio right and your brakes will be much more responsive with heaps better feel.
I don't like the sound of that!! I'll check. I only plan to run 6500rpm. The engine will make 400hp at 6500rpm on 23psi based on my numbers (+-). That will be enough I think. I have been carefull to avoid revs to keep things safe for the engine.
As for the brake booster removal, I know it';s done on the track a lot but I'd want to crunch a few numbers to convince myself that the pedal force required would not go up. I really want the car to be nice on the street, which means no unsprung clutches, no hard brakes and no silly cams. But I certainly will look into it as I would dearly like to remove mass from the front of the car.
Anyway, we digress, I should either start a new thread on the GTV twin charge, or just direct people to the Alfa BB forum for the whole 40+ pages (good bed time reading...will put you to sleep!).