Can a proper sports car be front-wheel drive? And no, that doesn’t include hot hatches or anything with a useable set of seats in the back, so dispel any thoughts of the Integra Type R. Not that you’re left with much, anyway. The Peugeot RCZ R springs to mind: a punchy and stylish sports coupe that’s pleasing to drive, if lacking the finesse of, say, a track-honed hot hatch. And despite Matt Bird’s glowing used review of the Lotus Elan M100, it is, of course, devoid of “those lovely moments of balance” a rear-driven layout provides.
But, ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you call them, providing there’s a quality to explore on a twisty road or even if it simply looks the part parked on your driveway. Both of which this stunning Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 delivers in spades, particularly the latter thanks to a Pininfarina design that has aged impeccably. Alfa released three iterations of the GTV, including a more substantial facelift in 2003 that rounded off the front end. This 1999 car is a phase two, retaining the sharper front that just works better with the angular rear. It’s a proper stunner, and a proper-looking sports car.
Then there’s the engine, a 3.0-litre, 24V V6 Busso in all its chrome inlet glory. Although a more powerful 3.2-litre motor would launch with the phase three facelift, it was built to Euro 3 standards and featured three catalytic converters as opposed to just one in the car we have here. So a freer-flowing exhaust should sound better and with fewer components to go wrong, which is quite important on a old Alfa. On this 3.0-litre car, you’re getting a respectable 220hp managed through a five-speed manual gearbox. Performance was pretty decent, too, with 62mph coming about in 6.7 seconds. Busso cars weren’t exactly featherweights at 1,415kg, but what they lacked in nimbleness they more than made up for in noise.
Saying that, the GTV benchmarked pretty well against the competition (another mention for the Elan M100) when it launched in the mid-'90s. Well, the lighter 2.0-litre did. As is the case with many Alfa V6s of this era, all that extra weight over the front axle - an axle that also had to put the power down to the tarmac, let's not forget - they weren’t quite as agile as their four-pot siblings. However, owners claim that a Q2 differential transforms the driving experience. It’s an expensive upgrade, admittedly, but one that supposedly dials down the GTV’s tendency to understeer.
If there were any GTV to get into the sweet spot, it’d be this one. Talk about the perfect spec: Rosso Red, immaculate black leather interior (tan versions look mega, though it’s not to everyone’s taste) and a Cup-style boot spoiler which, the seller claims, was a rather expensive factory option. And while an aftermarket stereo has been fitted, the original cassette and CD changer are included in the sale should you wish to revert back to its original spec.
It really is a very pretty-looking thing, isn’t it? That’s partly down to some ‘remedial paintwork’ that’s been carried out at some point in the car’s life, and the seller claims there are some imperfections upon close inspection. Not that it’s easy to spot, mind, and something that’s potentially easy to overlook given the rest of the car looks to be in good order, not to mention a cam belt change last year. With 47,355 miles tallied, the seller is asking for £8,995. It wasn’t that long ago you could pick a GTV V6 up for peanuts, but they’re fast approaching modern classic status - especially those with a Busso up front. Better get in before it falls on the radar of the collector brigade, eh...
SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO GTV 3.0 V6
Engine: 2,959cc V6
Transmission: five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 220@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 199@5,000rpm
MPG: 24.1
CO2: 278g/km
Year registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 47,355
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £8,995
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