1982 ALFA ROMEO GTV6 INIEZIONE 2.5

This 1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Iniezione is a wonderful original example of the Giugiaro-designed sports coupe, presented in a rare colour combination and benefitting from a full mechanical restoration and upgrade. Under the bonnet is the famous ‘Busso’ 2.5-litre 60-degree V6 with 158bhp, which is driven through the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transaxle giving near perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The odometer displays 42,990 km, though this is not warranted.

First registered in South Africa in May 1982, this GTV6 2.5 has more recently found its way to the UK, and was re-registered with the DVLA in June 2016. It was then purchased by a well-known tuning parts vendor and transaxle Alfa Romeo specialist, who set about restoring and upgrading the car, using it as a demonstrator for his performance-enhancing parts.

The car’s mechanical components were fully refreshed and upgraded between early 2019 and summer 2020 – an endeavour which was clearly successful, as it was rewarded with a front cover feature in the October 2020 edition of specialist Italian car magazine Auto Italia. A full summary of its restoration and upgrades is included at the bottom of the listing.

Finished in the period-perfect hue of Olivo Verde metallic, this GTV6’s bodywork is in great condition considering its age. It was originally a South African car from the dry, salt-free area of Johannesburg, hence the excellent unrestored condition of the body shell, and the fact it still sports the factory inner wings with all the spot welds clearly visible. Recently detailed, the finish presents very well, with only a few minor age-related blemishes, including scratches below the driver’s door handle and very slight flaking at the bottom of the driver’s-side B-pillar. The exterior trim – including the bumpers and the recognisable plastic bonnet panel – is in good order, and the light lenses are free of any chips or cracks. The car rides on a custom-made set of 15-inch alloy wheels, replicating the design of the Compomotive TH Turbo items of GTV6 BSCC touring cars, and they are unmarked. The original alloys are also included.

In the cabin, the seats are upholstered in brown fabric with chequered brown and white centres and brown vinyl backs and sides, and show no signs of undue wear or damage. Ahead, the original steering wheel has been replaced by an aftermarket OMP ‘deep dish’ item with blue stitching, which is in great shape. The trim also presents very well, with the only issue noted by the seller being a small hole in the driver’s door card, just below the door pull. There are no known electrical faults, and there are no warning lights shown on the dashboard.

This GTV6’s last service was carried out by the UK’s leading transaxle Alfa Romeo specialist Alex Jupe Motorsport at approximately 42,000 km. This including re-torquing of the heads, and an oil and filter change, as well as the rectification of a small snagging list, at a total cost of just over £3,000. Prior to this, the car was fully stripped down and rebuilt by specialist Chris Snowdon, who fully rebuilt the engine and gearbox, before extensively refurbishing and modifying the suspension. This included the fitment of Quantum Racing One.Zero dampers, upgraded springs, uprated torsion bars, and a lightweight adjustable front anti-roll bar.

Its most recent MOT test was conducted on 19 May 2020 at 42,320 km, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories. All four wheels are fitted with Vredestein Sportrac 3 tyres, which are in very good condition and have covered only a few hundred miles since they were fitted.

The car will be accompanied by a folder of documents including its V5C, its South African registration certificate, supporting import documents and invoices for its parts and maintenance. Furthermore, the seller is supplying the copy of Auto Italia Magazine which the car appeared in in October 2020. The car also comes with its original set of five alloy wheels, including the spare, plus the original steering wheel, GTV6 mats, Alfa Romeo car cover and two sets of keys.

The ‘Type 116’ GTV6 chassis was honed for racing and had considerable success. Underneath its skin, this model is a treat for engineers and has a rich history in motorsport; winning the European Touring Car Championship from 1982 to 1985, against Audi, BMW, and Jaguar. It also won the BTCC with Andy Rouse, and was later plunged into rally success in Group A guise with French ace Yves Loubet, winning its class four years in succession from 1983 to 1986 in the Tour de Corse. With a 128mph top speed and beautifully balanced handling, it is enough to bother any 1980s sports car rival.

Presented in fantastic original condition and fitted with a range of high-end suspension components, this gorgeous 1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Iniezione is a wonderful example of the breed. Benefitting from a recent engine and gearbox rebuild, this honed modern classic is a compelling example of the GTV6 and it is sure to delight and surprise its next owner in equal measure.

Summary of restoration work and upgrades:

• Engine strip down and rebuild using new pistons and liners, new big end and main bearings, and new gaskets and oil seals.
• Cylinder heads rebuilt with valves re-lapped, heads refaced and new head gaskets fitted.
• New cam belt, water pump, all fluids.
• Reconditioned radiator fitted with Alex Jupe Motorsport cooling fan kit.
• EB Spares tubular exhaust manifold and full stainless steel exhaust system.
• Gearbox removed, stripped down and rebuilt with new synchromesh and oil seals as required.
• New gearbox mounts.
• Prop shaft rebuild with all new 'doughnuts', centre bearing and centre mount.
• Suspension strip and rebuild to fit new CSR 27mm front anti-roll bar, 105 series caster ball joint conversion, rebuilt lower arms with new bushes and ball joints, poly-bushed upper inner arm joints with race extended pin upper ball joints (this alters the geometry, adding rising rate camber).
• 30mm uprated torsion bars.
• Reproduction Auto Delta aluminium height-adjustable torsion bar mounting beam.
• Quantum One.Zero adjustable racing shock absorbers with custom mounts.
• Standard De-Dion rear axle with Alfa SZ front ball joint.
• Spherical ball joint Watts linkage and centre pivot.
• 300lb/inch rear springs on height-adjustable platforms.
• Rebuilt brakes with new discs all around, checked and tested rear brake callipers and new front callipers.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.