Whenever I looked, this unidentifiable car was taking up the same spot in an obscure residence lot. Finally, I got up the gumption to find out just what this thing was. After taking some pictures and doing a quick Wikipedia check, I found my answer. What could just as easily be mistaken for a Datsun Z car or perhaps even a Jaguar XJ turned out to be the even more obscure Alfa Romeo GTV6. Following the original GTV, the GTV6 was made from 1981 up until 1986. Little distinction between model years makes it difficult to tell which this example could be.

 

The look is nothing short of 80's panache. Sharp geometric lines and the general aerodynamic wedge shape were design influences of the era. Rear quarter vents lend some rear-engined exotic flair to an otherwise front engined car. An angular rendition of a power bulge graces the hood, topped off with a stylish block of black plastic. Chunky safety bumpers and hefty weather seals at every window seam are other, more unfortunate styling cues from the 80s.

 

Shamrocks on the front fenders may seem out of place on an Italian thoroughbred such as this. After all, it runs on spaghetti and meatballs, not beef and cabbage. In fact, the 4-leaf clover was a symbol of Alfa Romeo's racing team- signifying, what else, luck. What a humbling logo for a racing team. Surely the omnipotent Ferrari Racing team has little need for luck when it comes to matters of speed.

 

Aside from the clover, speed came by means of a SOHC 2.5 liter V6 to power the coupe. Behind it, a driveshaft routed nearly 160 horsepower to a rear twin-clutch transaxle. The state of the art transaxle allowed near perfect weight balance, which, when coupled with an equally advanced suspension, gave the GTV6 handling characteristics of a much better car. Some of these features weren't commonplace until years later.

 

The proud owner of this GTV6 is likely an enthusiast. To anyone else, a car like this would be too far from practical. Obscure European sports cars typically require parts that are not only tough to find, but could be tough to budget, especially while in college.

 

Alfas are no longer sold here in the US. The sporting Italian brand's image was tarnished by reliability issues and further vexed by poor marketing, leading to their retreat in 1995. Now Fiat-owned, could the Alfa Romeo brand once again pound American asphalt perchance? Until then, their legacy survives with enthusiasts that strive to keep cars like this GTV6 beating the streets.