1981 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV GTV6 review from Hong Kong

Everything even not imagined:

- the A/C was replaced from pump to evaporator, to condenser.

- the interior was in poor shape, esp the deep pile carpet which kept dirt.

- the interior lights were dim at best.

- the headlights corroded at mounting and adjusting points and had to be replaced: very dear!

- electrical connector are under-engineered from factory and had to be soldered at critical points for reliability: coils terminals, temp sensors (I once had a no-go at traffic jam and had to be towed, turned out to be a loose connection at the resistor)

- ignition amplifier is definitely misplaced at the nearside front coz this introduced all sorts of, again, electrical mal-contacts and affected reliability.

- Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection components are unreliable at the main system dual relay set, causing intermittent no-start and problems. Believe me, it took me the whole 7 years of ownership to figure out and I finally replaced the dual relay set with my custom buit set to cure the problem. Too bad, I took a modified Motronic system from a 164 and discarded the ignition module in the meantime.

- The OE powered window is only malignantly powered to drive you mad by driving the wire drums at useless speeds, at best, or all together, to drive the window immobile at all.

- Gas strut for the rear hatch lost interest in itself and packed up at 75000 miles. Dear unit at GBP45 for parts alone.

- rust at the front screen bases at corners, appearing at an early time of ownership. Forced me to completely strip the body for rebuild this year.

- door trim panels got damp and replacement is non-existent from the dealers.

- short and tiny hoses at the fuel injectors invite problems at age, esp if driven at traffic often. Replacement a must for safety.

- slow starter motor.

- slow screen wiper.

- No rear screen wiper, considering the rakeness of the rear screen, makes no sense in design concept.

- ill engineered in ergonomics, esp the ape-driver position, causing bad back at "Gran Tourismo Veloce" dsitances of travel.

- excellent mileage at a consistent 29 miles per Imp. Gallon.

- again, badly made in transmission dept, due to the propshaft rotating at engine speed and the rubber (rubbish) couplers.

- styling-wise, an absolute head-turning and sexy beauty, esp with full Zender body kit, painted in red (Alfa Rosso #530) or silver. I never had a more beautiful car than the GTV6.

- Much involving driving, the engine note is sweet at all revs, that is, if you can tolerate the rumbling from the propshaft. The engine begs to be thrashed and it can be good at 80 phm the whole day if you use synthetic engine oil and add an oil cooler.

- This car asks to be driven not just by an automobile enthusiast of the marque, but by a competent auto hobbyist or a professional who maintains and monitors his cars regularly and sympathetically.

- Do not buy an Alfetta GTV, and esp GTV6 if you are looking for a garage to take care of her. Do it yourself competently, instead, and reward in driving pleasure is immeasurable.