It's a classic Italian fastback that has all the right looks and makes all the right noises. It's our autoTRADER.ca Find of the Week this week, a 1976 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT
The Alfetta GT was based on the Alfetta sedan that Alfa Romeo launched in 1972. It was named for the Tipo 158/159 Formula 1 car that raced from 1937 until 1951. It was one of the most successful racecars ever made, taking 47 wins in 54 Grand Prix entered. The Alfetta - or little Alfa - name there referred to the 1.5L eight-cylinder engine that powered the racer. It was small but produced over 400 hp by the time it retired.
The Alfetta sedan was built from 1972 until 1984 and saw duty with police and politicians as well as regular buyers.
In 1974, a sporty version was unveiled. It was a two-door, four-seat fastback coupe. The designer was Giorgetto Giugiaro from Italdesign, the man who penned such classics as the original Lotus Esprit, the Volkswagen Golf, and the Maserati Ghibli.
The car had a distinctly Alfa nose, with the company's barred grille shield flanked by quad headlamps. It was long and low, at least for what was supposed to be an affordable offering. The profile borrows strongly from the Lamborghini Espada.
The Alfetta GT was launched in 1974, two years after the sedan. At launch, it came with a 1.8L four, but that engine was short lived. In 1976, the Alfetta coupe gained two new models. The 1.6L four badged the GT and the 2.0L dual-overhead cam engine that was badged the GTV.
While the exterior styling was one of the better cars to come out of the mid-1970s, the interior is a different story. There's a big tachometer in front of the driver...and then little else. The rest of the instruments are in a large centre pod, with the climate controls below.
Our Find of the Week is a nicely modified example of a GT. It has the GTV's 2.0L four cylinder, modified with larger valves, performance camshafts, and an overhauled fuel injection system. It has a big front splitter and front fender flares that give a period racing look. They'll hold wider tires too.
It also comes with spares, including an extra hood and hatch, a driveshaft, and even an extra gearbox and engine. Plus electronic copies of the repair manuals that can be lifesavers when it comes to servicing a classic.
If you're looking for a hot Italian classic, this Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT, for sale in Calgary, AB, could be yours.
You may also like
