LOT 128
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Coupe VIN. ZARAA669XB1001296
Sold for US$43,680 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 128
From the Ernie Boch Jr. Collection
Originally owned by the legendary Mario Andretti
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Coupe
Originally owned by the legendary Mario Andretti
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Coupe
The Audrain Concours Auction|4 October 2024, 17:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Coupe
VIN. ZARAA669XB1001296
VIN. ZARAA669XB1001296
2,492cc SOHC 'Busso' V6 Engine
Bosch L-Jetronic Fuel Injection
154bhp at 6,000rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
Independent Front Suspension w/Torsion Bars, Rear de Dion Axle
4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes
*Originally owned by motorsport legend Mario Andretti
*Fabulous styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro
*Renowned for its sublime chassis and sonorous V6 engine
*Attractive Grigio Nube Metalizzato over beige leather
*Exceptionally well-preserved in original condition
*Unmodified, with 36,000 miles shown at cataloguing
*New clutch and gearbox rebuild in 2020
*Offered from a prestigious private collection
THE ALFA ROMEO GTV6
Alfa Romeo's rather staid-looking Alfetta saloon arrived in the early 1970s as the big brother to the new compact Alfasud. Despite its conservative appearance, the Alfetta was a sneakily good performer thanks to its advanced chassis with transaxle gearbox and well-located de Dion rear axle. Despite a troubling propensity to rust, the Alfetta sedan was nonetheless an impressive platform, providing the basis for the utterly gorgeous new Alfetta GT and GTV coupés, which were penned by the great Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Introduced in 1974, the coupe launched initially with just one engine, a 1.8-liter twin-cam four-cylinder. However, this 1779cc unit was soon dropped in favor of the 1.6-liter Alfetta GT and the two-liter Alfetta GTV in 1976. The range was further mildly revised in 1979, while Alfa's motorsport skunkworks Autodelta went much further in engineering a two-liter turbocharged version with 173bhp, 400 of which were homologated for competition use.
Alfa found the sweet spot in 1980, when they shoehorned the 2.5-litre V6 engine from the executive-class Alfa 6 into the Alfetta coupe. Easily distinguished from the smaller GT thanks to a noticeable bulge in the bonnet that was necessary to clear the intake for the fuel-injection system, with 156bhp and 157 lb.ft. of torque at its disposal, the GTV6 could reach 60mph in 8.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 130mph. Despite its larger engine, the GTV6 still boasted near perfect weight distribution and offered sublime handling.
The GTV6 was more expensive than both the Ford Capri 2.8-litre and the Porsche 924, which made them a rarity, even new. But the Italian character and fabulous V6 made every it worth every penny to those in the know. Jeremy Clarkson is among them, as he splashed out on one, which is quite the complement!
THE CAR OFFERED
These days, well-preserved GTV6s are quite thin on the ground, so when any great example comes to market, the Alfisti perk up like meerkats. Sure to pique the interests of the Alfa enthusiasts in more ways than one, this outstanding 1981 example is a highly original car with extensive recent servicing, that also happened to be the personal transport of one Mario Andretti. Documents on file dated 5/13/81 and addressed to 53 Victory Lane, Nazareth, Pennsylvania, show this car (identified by its VIN) was a factory demonstrator assigned to Mr. Andretti for his personal use. At that time, it was noted as a new car, with 175 miles on the odometer.
While it is unclear exactly when it was sold, it was acquired by a neighbor of Mr. Andretti's, who kept it in their care for years. The accompanying Carfax Report picks up in 1988, noting the car had 15,000 miles and was still in the greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania area. Subsequent readings show the car had 34,930 miles in 2008, and just 34 additional miles in 2011. In 2020, it was acquired by the previous owners from the estate of Andretti's former neighbor.
Subsequently, the GTV6 was treated to comprehensive servicing, with invoices on file totaling nearly $7,000. Work included fitting new tires, removal and rebuilding of the transaxle, fitting a new clutch, new rear brakes, engine tune, and fluid services. Since the extensive work, the car has covered limited miles, having been on display in a significant collection. Presented in excellent condition, it is believed to still wear its original Grigio Nube paint and original tan interior.
Considered among the most engaging driver's cars of all time, the GTV6 is rapidly catching the attention of collectors. This superbly preserved example adds another layer of desirability thanks to one of the greatest names in motorsport history, Mario Andretti.
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