In theory, a vehicle like a BMW M3 should be very capable of managing the commute during the week while proving very capable on the track on weekends. The Nürburgring is littered with M3s driven down from England for that reason. We think that the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA, which saw itself lumped with cars like the BMW M3, aimed for something different. Its purpose was to emphasize the look and feel of something like a BMW M3 in a way that made for a more remarkable experience on the road, leaving plenty of on-track performance on the table.

Starting with the handsome 156, Alfa Romeo added 17" wheels, a lower suspension, and aggressive bodywork to get to GTA form. The engine is the 3.2L variant of the Busso V6 - the last to be produced in the Arese plant, not far from where this example is offered for sale. Suspension tuning is altered, with revised sway bars, springs and shocks. Like most in the 156 range, the front wheels are driven, and that limits the track appeal for many.

Our favorite detail on this example is the Selespeed automated manual transmission. While we have trouble warming up to any automatic, the automated manual has some allure. The Ferrari F1 systems, introduced on the F355, offered a way to experience F1 technology in a road car, clunky though they were; the Selespeed system offered up that Ferrari and F1 experience in a humble Alfa Romeo.