A superb and rare photo of the Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 2000 Turbodelta
rally car.
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta was the base for the Alfa Romeo GT and the Alfa Romeo GTV.
The four-door Alfetta was sold in the USA from 1975 through 1977 under
the name Alfetta Sedan. From 1978 to 1979 a mildly restyled version was sold under
the name Sport Sedan. The four-cylinder coupe was available from 1975 to 1977
under the moniker Alfetta GT . Finally, the V-6 version was marketed from 1981
to 1986 as the GTV-6. Back to the GTV, it was a fastback coupé version of the
Alfetta, introduced in 1974 as Alfetta GT, initially available only with the 1.8 litre (1779 cc)
version of the Alfa DOHC four. For 1976, with the final phasing out of the
earlier 105 Series 1.3 and 1.6
litre coupes (GT 1300 Junior and GT 1600
Junior) and the 2.0 litre
105 series 2000 GTV, the Alfetta GT became a range, also available with
the 1.6 litre
(1570 cc) and 2.0
litre (1962 cc) versions of the same engine as the
Alfetta GT 1.6, Alfetta GT 1.8 and Alfetta GTV 2000. The GTV
designation was initially reserved for the 2.0 litre top version. In
1979, some minor revisions, including a revised engine with new camshaft
profiles and a change to mechanical-and-vacuum ignition advance, saw the 2.0 litre redesignated
the Alfetta GTV 2000L. Autodelta also produced a limited edition
turbocharged model, named Turbodelta, for FIA Group 4 homologation. This
version used a KKK turbo which pushed power up to 175 PS (129 kW).
The car also received a modified suspension layout. This was first Italian
production car with turbocharger. The styling of the GTV, while distinctive,
can be seen to share many design features derived from the Montreal supercar, as translated down to a
simpler and thus more marketable vehicle. Examples of this are the bonnet line,
which while briefer, still has 'scallops' for the headlights, and the tail
light clusters which resemble those of the Montreal. The door shape is similar, and in a
sharing of parts, both vehicles employ the same door handles. In 1981, the GTV
received a restyling, with grey plastic bumpers and all matt-black trim
replacing bright stainless steel, the 1.6 litre and 1.8 litre versions were
discontinued and the Alfetta 2000 GTV became the base coupé model as the
Alfa GTV 2.0. The Alfetta name was dropped, but the two-litre coupé retained
its type designation of 11636 for left hand drive and 11637 for right hand
drive. 15 inch
alloy wheels were now standard, as opposed to the earlier cars' 14 inch pressed steel or
optional 14 inch
alloy.
Later in the same year, the GTV-6, a version of
the GTV with the SOHC V6 2.5 L engine from the Alfa 6 luxury sedan, was
released. As a result the hood received a bulge to clear the top of the intake
and became its most pronounced feature. With Bosch fuel injection instead of
the six downdraught Dell'Orto carburetors in the early Alfa 6 installation, the
V6 was much easier to start and retained its state of tune much better. The V6
received rave reviews from the motoring press, which had previously lambasted
the same engine in the Alfa 6 because of the carburetor problems. It found its
true home in the GTV-6 where it could stretch its legs better than in the less
sporting Alfa 6 sedan, including winning the European Touring Car Championship
an unprecedented four years in succession (1982-85), the British Touring Car
Championship in 1983 at the hands of Andy Rouse, as well as many other racing
and rallying competitions. The fuel injection installation eventually made it
into the second series of the Alfa 6 as well. The GTV went through a number of
revisions, including a new gear ratios and an updated interior in 1984. A grey GTV6 is
featured for a short period in the James Bond movie Octopussy. Bond steals the
parked car while its owner uses a pay phone booth and makes haste towards
Octopussy's Circus. The GTV6 was driven to victory by Greg Carr and Fred
Gocentas in the 1987 Australian Rally Championship. South African models were
first assembled at Automaker's Rosslyn plant, located outside Pretoria. These early, 1973 models, were
manufactured alongside Datsuns. From 1974 South African Alfetta's were
manufactured at Alfa Romeo's own Brits plant. South Africa was one of two markets
to have a turbocharged GTV6, with a Garrett turbocharger and a NACA intake. An
estimated 750 were assembled before all production ceased in 1986. The South
African market also introduced the 3.0 L GTV-6, predating the
international debut of the factory's 3.0 L engine in 1987. Approximately
200 were built in South
Africa for racing homologation. To this day,
the GTV-6 remains the quintessential Alfa Romeo for South Africans. For the U.S. market two
limited production GTV-6 models stand out. The Balocco (named after the famous
Balocco race track in Italy)
in 1982 with a production run of only 350 cars. And the GTV-6 2.5 Maratona, of
which only 150 were built. The Maratona model included a more aggressive
aerodynamic trim package, lightweight Speedline wheels, clear engine view port,
sunroof, wood steering wheel, rear louvers and fog lamps. All 150 cars were
painted only in Silver. Callaway Cars, famous for their modified Camaro, Impala
SS and Corvette offerings modified about thirty GTV-6s between 1983 and 1986. In addition to
numerous small component upgrades, the Callaway GTVs included a much revised
suspension, larger brakes and a twin-turbocharger system, boosting performance
to near-exotic levels. A different twin turbo GTV was also built briefly for
the Australian market.
The racing
versions of the Alfetta GT and GTV were built by Autodelta, initially with the normally aspirated engine from
the earlier GTAm racer based on the 105 series coupe, for homologation under
FIA Group 2. In
this form they were rallied with moderate success in 1975, winning the Elba and Costa Brava
rallies overall, as well as winning the Group 2 category in the World Rally
Championship's Corsican event. The next year Autodelta shifted its focus to
circuit racing the Alfettas, which won the under 2.5-liter Group 2 division of
the European Touring Car Championship, scoring a remarkable second place
overall at the 24 hour race at Spa-Francorchamps, as well as an overall win in
the ETC race at Vallelunga. Despite such results, Autodelta's efforts with the
Group 2 Alfetta were desultory, and ended prematurely. At a single rally at the
end of the 1975 season, Autodelta also rallied an Alfetta GTV with a 3.0 litre V8 engine, derived
from the 2.6 litre
V8 of the Alfa Romeo Montreal coupé and sharing the same mechanical fuel
injection by SPICA. It had been suggested to produce 400 roadgoing versions of
this model for homologation but this plan was abandoned as well. In 1980 the
Alfetta GTV Turbodelta was already homologated in FIA Group 4, since the
required number of production cars had been built. A racing version was campaigned
in rallies, but once more the effort was abandoned after a single season,
despite scoring a win at the Danube Rally. In 1986 the Alfa Romeo GTV6 was one
of the fastest Group A rally cars. However FIA put it to Group B in the end of
1986, this made if from winner car to a car which was drawn away from rallying.
The GTV6 placed 3rd in 1986 Tour de Corse.
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects
a wonderful era of Alfa Romeo ‘s and automotive history in a wonderful
way. This is your rare chance to
own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca.
8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26 cm). It
makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
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