Early GTV6

Paul Newby · April 05, 2016, 02:43:34 PM

There is a Feb 82 built split dash GTV6 for sale in Tasmania on Carsales: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Alfetta-1983/SSE-AD-3948055/?Cr=2

It looks pretty original but needs a full restoration.

GG105 · April 07, 2016, 06:48:44 AM

In February next year my GTV6 will be 35 years old, the youngest of them nearly 30.

When I bought my Giulia 1300 TI in 1992, I thought it was an old car and it was only 22 then. If I had then bought a 35 year old Alfa it would have been a 750 of some sort or the larger 1900 or 2000. My point is that a 35 year old car today doesn't seem that old and being more durable and capable than a 50s car, lasts longer. Consequently, we tend tqo expect more of them, like a/c that works.

Between the introduction of the Alfetta, Sud and the 156, a period of around 24 years, if you use the European release dates rather than when they came to Oz, Alfa produced some deeply flawed motor cars. Charismatic perhaps, but flawed nevertheless and they all had their different issues.

If not at the top then near the top of the list in this respect is the GTV6. I won't list their quirks here, we all know them, basically one of the worlds great engines, in a lovely looking car with a terrible gear change, awful ergonomics and appalling build quality. Compared with 105s they, justifiably, get little respect and have low values.

The Tasmanian car in the ad Paul has listed probably won't be restored, it certainly would not be economic to do so at present. It will likely either be parted out, modified or turned into a race car. If it were a 105 people would be all over it, marvelling at its originality.

This is a shame but it is reality. Values are low and parts availability is poor. The oldest 105s are over 50 now and have been cherished for a long time, at 35, GTV6s sell for for pin money, look at the value of an early 80s 911.

I don't expect this will change much over time, they are simply too flawed, but they are a lot of fun and its nice to have bought one back from almost certain death.

David Mills · April 07, 2016, 09:44:43 AM

Quote from: Paul Newby on April 05, 2016, 02:43:34 PM
There is a Feb 82 built split dash GTV6 for sale in Tasmania on Carsales: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-Alfetta-1983/SSE-AD-3948055/?Cr=2

It looks pretty original but needs a full restoration.

The car for sale is owned by my son and is referred to and pictured in my post no.6 on this thread. He has owned it more than 10 years after being introduced to the split dash GTV6 I bought in 1982 when he was still a pre schooler. I think the car is better than his description on Carsales and it is registered (Special interest) and drives well. Just a little unloved in recent years!

Well, that's my view and I will encourage him to provide more info in the ad.

bronzeoz1 · August 06, 2016, 10:43:30 AM

Hi, I just purchased one of these early split dash models. The roadworthy was just completed at Monza Motors in Bayswater. Can someone give me the paint code on these early red ones. I'll post photos once I get some decent shots of it. Mines got the 2232 chassis no. if anyones interested

Cheers, Andrew

carlo rossi · August 06, 2016, 12:48:27 PM

I think split dash stopped in March 83 ( build date) and from april 83 the series 2 started
you have to reference build date because compliance can be up to 2 years different
This also included changes to the gearbox ( isostatic 4.3) and I believe shorter torsion bars battery in boot
electronic ignition different cams and inlet tracts( half pipe ramtubes)they quote 96kwover the previous 89kw
and they started dipping bodies for rust protection ( about time)

aggie57 · August 06, 2016, 02:48:33 PM

Quote from: carlo rossi on August 06, 2016, 12:48:27 PM
I think split dash stopped in March 83 ( build date) and from april 83 the series 2 started
you have to reference build date because compliance can be up to 2 years different
This also included changes to the gearbox ( isostatic 4.3) and I believe shorter torsion bars battery in boot
electronic ignition different cams and inlet tracts( half pipe ramtubes)they quote 96kwover the previous 89kw
and they started dipping bodies for rust protection ( about time)

The early straight dash cars didn't have isostatic and had the long torsion bars. They arrived late '84 with the 75 based chassis.

GG105 · August 06, 2016, 06:54:32 PM

Andrew, congratulations, how about starting a thread with your car's story. Does it have its build plate? What is its spec?

Carlo, as I've said before and Andrew's car verifies this, I believe all the split dash cars were built in 1982, in batches as they were unique and only sold in small numbers in RHD markets. This makes sense as there were only 35, 50 or whatever. My recollection when researching my first split dash is that these cars were all sold in 1982 and sales proper with complianced cars didn't start until mid 83.

ARA had data cards for every car sold, I've seen them. Does anyone know what happened to them? I can't believe they were destroyed.

Garibaldi · August 06, 2016, 11:16:00 PM

Quote from: bronzeoz1 on August 06, 2016, 10:43:30 AM
Hi, I just purchased one of these early split dash models. The roadworthy was just completed at Monza Motors in Bayswater. Can someone give me the paint code on these early red ones. I'll post photos once I get some decent shots of it. Mines got the 2232 chassis no. if anyones interested
Cheers, Andrew

The paint code should be AR501.

aggie57 · August 07, 2016, 04:50:43 AM

Alfa never intended to fit straight dashes to RHD cars. Whereas LHD GTV6's were straight dash from the start.

It was only when the British importer refused to sell the split dash cars and fitted their own local hybrid version that Alfa changed their mind. And yes, the first 75 based cars were sold in Oz early '85 but were built from late '84.

carlo rossi · August 07, 2016, 02:55:32 PM

Yes back then it took alot graft and corruption at both ends to get a car here under 12 months
Containers were just starting
mine has iso gearbox series 2 dash and seats
dont know which torsion bars
built May 83 compliance june 1984
so when people say from this date can we be clear and work on build dates as aggie says
the one he quotes is over 12 months apart in dates
also different air cleaner air intake and distributer
and Dipped sounds like I missed out on 75 chassis
does that make my model the last Real Alfa before Fiat ??
only stirring but someone will bite

bronzeoz1 · August 31, 2016, 11:04:13 AM

Quote from: GG105 on August 06, 2016, 06:54:32 PM
Andrew, congratulations, how about starting a thread with your car's story. Does it have its build plate? What is its spec?

Carlo, as I've said before and Andrew's car verifies this, I believe all the split dash cars were built in 1982, in batches as they were unique and only sold in small numbers in RHD markets. This makes sense as there were only 35, 50 or whatever. My recollection when researching my first split dash is that these cars were all sold in 1982 and sales proper with complianced cars didn't start until mid 83.

ARA had data cards for every car sold, I've seen them. Does anyone know what happened to them? I can't believe they were destroyed.

bronzeoz1 · August 31, 2016, 11:09:42 AM

Hi,

Specs as far as I know it came with a sunroof, twin side mirrors & aircon. I'm not sure about the build plate but it does have some weird Australian compliance place with a ton of numbers which I dont understand. I've introduced myself (attached link: http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=16193.0).

Cheers

carlo rossi · September 02, 2016, 11:00:35 PM

Ok its turns out mine has the long torsion bar model with no bulge for gearbox which
everyone says means mine does not have a iso gearbox *( cant imagine the difference mine is brilliant)
but it has series 2 airbox and collector , seats and dash
so mine might be a 1 1/2 series in english terms or italian terms what ever is on the shelf series ?
It has been long accepted that the split dash lasted a lot longer in left hand drive because they hadnt started making the LH drive
full dash yet and had again whatever is left over

GG105 · October 05, 2016, 06:37:42 AM

There still seems to be some confusion about LHD GTV6s. All LHD GTV6s had the one piece dash. The early ones didn't have the Recaro interior, the US cars had leather.

GG105 · October 28, 2016, 08:06:42 AM

A brief update.

A few months ago in order to avoid a tradie swerving into my lane, I locked the brakes up and hit the kerb, damaging both nearside wheels. Fortunately, other than alignment, no suspension damage. Wheels and alignment have now been fixed.

While we were there we decided to fit front balljoint risers to raise the front roll centre and reduce the tendency of the front end to fall into corners. This is an old Alfetta mod that works well.

During the rebuild we balanced the tailshaft carefully but there is still a vibration so...out it comes again. This is a mission on an early GTV6 because they have the longer torsion bars and dont have a removable cross member like the later cars. There is some concern that the vibration may be in the engine, possibly from someone fitting a different flywheel. In these engines the crank, flywheel and harmonic balancer are all balanced as a unit. Changing one component can upset this.

We checked the crank and bearings when the engine was stripped, no wear on either crank or bearings so the crank is ok. We're hoping it is in the tailshaft. If not, we will consider our position. I'll post some photos shortly.

John