The year 1986 would be the swan song for the Alfa Romeo sports coupe in the US market. The GTV6 became known for its entertaining handling, superb balance with its rear mounted gearbox and V6 engine with an exhaust note from the gods. These coupes represent a good bargain for those looking for a cheap thrill. This GTV6 for sale in Texas appears to be one of the last of its kind and comes with an interesting backstory.

1986 Alfa Romeo GTV6

As the story goes, Craig Morningstar, former Public Relations Director for Alfa Romeo explains it this way. "Our dealer in the Modesto area went out of business and we had to buy the car back. It was returned to our west coast point of entry Long Beach and sat outside on the docks. It was almost two years later when I convinced famed automotive journalist T.C. Browne to purchase the car. I told him it would be the last one ever sold new in the United States. Sadly, from sitting out in the southern California sun the paint had baked off the roof, the dash was cracked,etc. ect. T.C. demanded those items be put proper as factory new. Curiously he asked Alfa to re-paint the roof portion black. I agreed and we painted the roof black, replaced the dash and performed all service updates. This car is the only Alfa authorized original two tone paint scheme." The car was later sold to Squadra Nuvolari and eventually to the third owner, John Labella in Los Angeles, Ca. John put the car up for sell on auto trader in August of 2011. I have been the proud owner of a 1979 Alfa GTV since 1983 and always dreamed of owning a GTV6. When I discovered it on auto trader I was surprised and elated to find one in such good condition, and with so few miles, believing at the time that none existed. I flew to L.A. the next week and and drove it back to Austin, Texas on the sweetest road trip I have ever taken, and I have taken a few. In order to properly restore the 79 GTV, I am offering this car for what I think is a very fair price. Now is someone's chance to own a classic, low mileage GTV6 in mint condition. This car drives, handles and looks like a new GTV6. It is truely a head turner and I never take it out that someone doesn't doesn't come up asking about it. Always garaged, it comes with the original window sticker and all receipts. The front rotors have been replaced with high performance rotors and stainless steel brake lines. All maintenance by Alfa Milano,Inc. of L.A.

It's fairly easy to find a good GTV6 for sale in the $7,000 to $12,000 range. The price of this particular car took me a little off guard as it is at the very top of the range. While it has low mileage and a unique history, I have seen higher mileage GTV6s in similar condition having covered more distance. With such low mileage, it would be a shame to use a car like this on a regular basis and given its relative lack of exercise, it's a relative risk in terms of parts failure going forward. If a few thousand dollars were taking off the asking price, it could be enough to move the metal.

-Paul