Many potential buyers find classics with a long-term ownership history difficult to resist. Cars that have spent years with the same person have generally been treated respectfully, which is one aspect that helps them survive. That makes this 1972 Alfa Romea 2000 GT Veloce attractive. This fifty-year-old gem has spent its entire life with its original owner, but the time is right for it to find a new home. It is listed here on eBay in Ormond Beach, Florida. The seller set their BIN at $49,900, although there is the option to make an offer.

The history of this car will provide reassurance to potential buyers considering some of the weaknesses of Alfas from this era. The seller indicates it has never spent a night outdoors, remaining hidden in a garage when not prowling the streets. They had the car professionally refinished in its original shade of Gray around twenty-five years ago, and it still presents superbly. The paint shines deeply, coating panels that are straight and true. The greatest battle many Alfa owners face is with rust because these cars have a reputation for dissolving like a soluble Aspirin at the first sign of moisture. This Italian gem has avoided that fate, with the supplied photos showing no evidence of corrosion. The trim and glass are excellent, and the period-correct BBS wheels suit this Alfa perfectly.

It can be fascinating to examine vehicles from different regions to ascertain how manufacturers extract the best from their performance offerings. American companies generally feel there is no substitute for cubic inches, while the Japanese favor forced induction and advanced technology. Many Europeans utilize smaller multi-valve/multi-cam powerplants, although it is true that there are exceptions to all of those rules. This Veloce is typical of most Italian classics from this era, featuring a DOHC 1,962cc four that sends 129hp to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. With a curb weight of 2,425lbs, its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 16.4 seconds is impressive. However, these cars are more at home on a winding road than on a drag strip. Their low weight and excellent balance allow them to reward the driver with an engaging motoring experience. The news with our feature car appears nothing but positive. It is a fully-documented vehicle with 100,000 miles on its odometer. As the seller rightfully points out, that figure equates to only around 2,000 miles per year, which is exceptionally low. It has always been appropriately maintained by the book by an Alfa specialist, and it runs and drives well. If the new owner wants to fly in and drive this baby home, that should be possible.

Apart from rust, the other acknowledged weakness with older Alfas is interior trim components prone to deterioration. It is not uncommon to open the door of one of these little cars to find the carpet littered with plastic shrapnel, but this car looks surprisingly good. The dash cover conceals a crack in the pad, but the rest of the dash and the console look excellent. The owner added cloth upholstery on the front seats to cope with Florida’s humidity, but the back seat retains its Black vinyl. The carpet and wheel are excellent, and the only visible aftermarket addition is a CD player with door-mounted speakers. Although it isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, the factory air conditioning would be welcome on hot days.

Cars like the 1972 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce don’t appeal to every enthusiast. While they will happily potter around like any vehicle of this size, they come into their own by rewarding anyone willing to put some effort into their driving. If the new owner points this car at a twisting ribbon of tarmac, they will experience one of life’s great motoring pleasures. This car is a one-owner classic that appears to need nothing, and although the BIN is hardly pocket change, it isn’t unprecedented. Values are climbing slowly, meaning the buyer must be prepared for long-term ownership if they are considering its investment potential. I can think of many things worse than owning a classic like this for years. Can you?