Ferrari Quebec, Montreal's flagship dealer in Italian exotics, has had one of its busiest years thanks to the rapidly growing Maserati lineup that now takes up significant floor space in its 45,000-square-foot facility. It's neither a Ferrari nor a Maserati that brought me to their Jean Talon location this past week, however – it was actually a third member of that Italian trifecta of automotive performance, Alfa Romeo, that found me stalking not the showroom but rather the extensive warehouse space just behind it where all manner of classic treasures are to be found.
Nestled amongst pristine 70s-era Ferraris and 50s Fiats (Jean Daniel Bienvenue, the salesperson who accompanied me, indicated that the dealership's owner has a hard time saying no to antique Italian treasures) sat an uncommonly preserved 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV. For those not familiar with the 2000 GTV, a word of explanation: the Gran Turismo Veloce was based on the 105/115 series of coupes that date back to the 1960s. Differentiating the 2000 GTV from the standard two-door Alfa Romeo was the inclusion of fuel injection rather than carburetors, along with a unique grille, available alloy wheels, and special exterior lighting.
The Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV was also noted for its spirited performance, and the smoothness of its mechanical fuel injection system is immediately apparent when Jean Daniel fires up the coupe's 2.0L, four-cylinder engine. The 130 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque are a perfect match for its one-ton curb weight, and the GTV's idle is throaty and sufficiently rich through its single-exit exhaust system. The fact that this particular model still maintains its injection is somewhat of a novelty – not known for its reliability, the system was frequently swapped out by Alfa Romeo drivers seeking a more predictable ownership experience.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV on sale at Ferrari Quebec isn't a trailer queen – the car shows signs of an older restoration – but paint is generally quite good all around, the car is mechanically sound, and the interior is very well preserved for its vintage. This 2000 GTV is a definite driver, a coupe that is meant to be enjoyed on the kind of open two-lane country roads where its siblings made such a mark in international racing and rallying for so many decades. It's just modern enough to be comfortable and safe, and just classic enough to have a distinct Italian personality you simply can't find in a newer automobile.
