Track Car? 1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
The seller of this 1979 Alfa Romeo GTV states, “I’m selling as a ‘not for the road track car'”. The visuals are confusing with the “Polizia” banners displayed across both quarters – is this supposed to be a track car, a police pursuit vehicle, or just a mashup open to interpretation? Whatever the intention, this Alfa is intriguing enough for a closer look. It’s located in Las Vegas, Nevada and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $9,000. There is a make an offer option too.
The listing text for this Alfa is light, really a little too light for what it is. The engine isn’t identified but a GTV would be a 128 HP, 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder powerplant. It is claimed, “This car runs fantastic and is ready for the track today. The motor runs perfect and the transmission shifts like new“. It is also stated that this Alfa is equipped with a “Ferrari-Like” exhaust system. OK, beyond all of that, it looks like a pretty stock set-up so I don’t know how much hot-footing around a race track one is going to do. A five-speed manual transmission channels power to the rear wheels.
Besides the aforementioned “Polizia” proclamation emblazoned on its flanks, there are some typical race-car features such as bumper removal and a plexiglass rear spoiler and quarter windows. It also appears as if the door glass has been removed while the rear glass has vertical restraints to keep it in place.
The interior shows more race-car activity with a roll bar, racing seats, and the removal of upholstery panels and other trim parts. The fuel tank, which is mounted right behind the rear seat area, appears to be exactly that, a fuel tank and not a fuel cell. The dash and instrument panel show as original though some pieces of trim around the steering column have been removed. A full race car environment? Not really.
It is mentioned that there have been some suspension upgrades like Koni shocks, Shankle rear springs, and front sway bar along with steel braided brake lines as well as the inclusion of GTV6 torsion bars, hubs, and brakes. But the underside shows that “Ferrari-Like” exhaust system appearing to be pretty restrictive. I cannot attest to the makeup of the tires as being appropriate for the track, but they definitely look like high-performance summer skins. The big question for me is what racing class would be appropriate for this Alfa? Or maybe it’s more for just performing some hot laps. Here’s a video but I still can’t tell what this car’s decided goal in life is (yes, it sounds pretty good). And with that thought, what’s your assessment, race-ready or maybe a bit more of a fun-time poser?
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Comments
This looks more like a “stripper” than a track car, and 120 bhp isn’t going to be “hot-footing”, more like “warm-ankling”
Looks like someone’s track day special on a budget. This one is Italian flavored. The only big problem I see is that fuel tank. The groups I’ve run with would want some type of bulkhead between a non fuel cell type stock tank like that and the driver area. Maybe the foam system lets it comply with some group’s rule book. I’m not sure how safe I would feel on the track in that car with that setup. 🤷🏽♂️ Otherwise it looks like it would be pretty fun to hoon around a smaller, tighter track in.
Stripping the interior and throwing in a cheap bolt in rollbar doesn’t make it a race car.
I have one of these rollbars in a GTV-6 that I purchased. It hasn’t been remotely legal for 15 years in any race class. While the interior has been stripped the tar like insulation has been left. When this heats up it becomes a gooey mess without the carpet in place.
Battery hold down not really there, shock towers aren’t reinforced and there is really to much to list.
On the plus side the shell looks decent and isn’t completely rusted out.
I see these pop up every once in a while and I have seen some decent track Alfetta’s go for 5k, this one would struggle to make 2500
In Vegas, i see a Ferrari in the garage.
59 Caddy and a Ferrari in the garage don’t seem to fit with this car.
Exhaust could go straight out under the rear axle.
I wouldn’t take it on the track without a fuel cell and bulkhead/firewall between the cockpit and it.
Don’t know a race organization that would let this car on the track with the fuel tank where it is or without it being a fuel cell and a firewall as stated. SCCA doesn’t require full racing fuel system for it’s track days but I’d bet if they saw this one they wouldn’t let it on the track.
“This car is so much fun it’s ridicules!”
Couldn’t have said it better myself-
seen from a cars sales point, or a 1960s tv star:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6PqrTZsho0
it makes sense to advertise any way U can… let the nxt guy deal w/the limited restoration, collect what $ U can~
I had one of these when I lived in Malta which made it a right-hand-drive not to mention an outstanding car on that little island. We would take it to Italy about twice a year where it blended into the landscape until they discovered the steering wheel was on the ‘wrong’ side. Those beautiful Italian highways were an opportunity to let it out.