At one point, we owned a GTV-6. Black on black cloth, ridiculous 17" wheels, transaxle and DeDion sitting next to the car, rusty but no rot. Bought at a decent price, but never got around to getting it on the road. Part of that was a lack of commitment to making new hydraulic lines, and part of it was the fact that we needed garage space, having sacrificed work and storage space to that GTV-6 and an Alfetta project for too long. Our Milano Verde, with its acquired taste styling, checks many of the same boxes as a GTV-6, but as a friend with five GTV-6's will tell you, the sense of occasion is much stronger in the Giugiaro coupe version of the Alfa transaxle platform.
The GTV-6 was offered in the US from 1981 to 1985, with the 84-85 cars being most desirable to most due to their incorporation of many Milano upgrades. Those later cars got thicker Milano sway bars, longer sway bars to match the Milano (meaning heavy duty Milano bars can be swapped in), and the isostatic shift linkage from the Milano. They also featured the same 4.10 rear end as the 84-85 cars. In contrast, this 1982 model would utilize Alfetta torsion bars and sway bars and a 3.42 rear axle ratio. The seats are Alfetta-style, which is not necessarily a bad thing, as they are quite stylish, if a little bit less supportive.
Today's search began as a favor for a buddy. He's on the lookout for a decent Alfa, preferably a Milano, for under $5,000. That sum of cash will still buy plenty of Milano - and even plenty of Milano Verde, if you have good manners. I choose to ignore how much 164 you could buy for that sum - a shame, but at the same time a blessing for 164 fans such as ourselves.
The GTV-6 - fundamentally a Milano coupe - somehow eludes any pretense of economic sense on the open market. Maybe it's the less sensible 2-door body style that invites less sensible sellers, or perhaps it's an inferior complex stemming from the lack of rear doors. Whatever it is, it results in listings such as today's 1984 GTV-6 project.
I have a 1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6 project car for sale. All of the parts are there including boxes of newer parts, it just needs some time, money, and love. The car is a dark grey/ black color, but it needs a repaint. It does not have the original engine, but instead has an upgraded 3.0l 24v engine from a later Alfa 164. This engine was in the process of being rebuilt with new pistons and camshafts, and everything is there to finish the project. The original transaxle is in the car, and I bought a second limited slip transaxle from a Milano Verde that was rebuilt by an Alfa shop in Washington state. It also has a second set of magnesium racing wheels.
I bought this car because I wanted to rebuild it and have an amazing car, but I honestly don't have the time or money for it right now. NADA puts the low value of this car at $10k, and with a better engine (including new upgrades) and a second rebuilt LSD transaxle, I think this price is fair even as a project. I'm not in a rush to sell, and I have a clean title in my name.
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We are not surprised to see mention of a 24V 3.0L engine swap in the ad. A friend of the blog has a very sorted 3.0L 24V swapped GTV-6, and it's an absolute monster at high speed and in corners. No, what surprises us is the lack of any evidence of a 24V engine whatsoever. See, the pistons have two valve-relief cuts, and the heads show only single camshafts. That said, the seller mentions that the build includes new camshafts and pistons, and we do see those! But, like we said, they're 12V units.
Ok, so can we pull this write-up out of a negative nosedive? Sure - there's nothing wrong with a 12V 3.0L GTV-6! Many even prefer the 12V timing belt drive to the more complex timing belt drive on the 24V. A spare 3.55 LSD from a Milano Verde is included with the sale, and certainly sweetens the deal. If the car is rust-free, it's certainly worth pursuing as a winter project, but the price needs to reflect the reality that it's an inoperable project with an unfinished engine build. We think there's potential with this one, 24 valves or not.
