Alfa Romeo GTV (916) - Azzurro Nuvola
Discussion
My wife has bought this...
...you know the rest!
Two months ago she arrived home from work and stated:
"I've just seen a fantastic looking small sports car - it has a severe slash front to rear, tiny lights and the most incredible light blue paint"
Keen for any automotive challenge, I poured a glass of screenwash and fired up the automotive image search databases. After some cul de sacs of Fiat Coupe, MGF, Alfa SZ and I think even TVR T350, we found it - the Alfa Romeo GTV, in iridescent Azzurro Nuvola. Phew.
As the sore subject of ULEZ exempt fleet replacements are a regular Friday debate, I was somewhat surprised to find out the Twinspark flavour of the 916 was exempt. Sadly, this colour was the key - no attempted prodding to metallic greens, Zoe yellow or more populous colours was entertained. I read a few buyer's guides, although my stacks of AlfaOwner magasine and passing interest in the V6 versions over the years gave me a decently grounded starting point, and settled to occasionally strafing the market.
Last week one appeared at a dealer in Leicester. On the pricey end (twinsparks are always less than 2k, right?), but one steady stare from Mrs Spinakerr and our Saturday morning schedule was confirmed.
There was only one vehicle to take, of course...the 164.
Great seller, specialised in Jags but had a few Alfas and we struck up a good rapport.
The car was a bit of a contradiction. It may be easier to list the main points in classic Pros and Cons style.
Pros:
New gearbox.
New discs, pads, calipers and flexis all round.
New exhaust, cat back.
Generally rot free on floorpan and sills (from my ground level prodding).
Engine and ancilliaries in all working order.
Lusso spec with ivory leather, and blue interior (the 164 nodded enthusiastically at this)
Working air con. Yes, really.
Last owner 19 years with many, many things done and 70k on the clock.
Cons:
Tired suspension, nothing missing but spring pans, arms, bushes and springs all need doing.
Cat D as bonnet had been meowed. No crash damange evidence, respray is 7/10 but at least it looks OK at 5 paces.
Tyres are some disastrous unherd of hobnobs from the Ditchfinder General.
Evidence of previous water ingress in A pillar trims.
Some evidence of carefless jacking, but nothing that has seriously upset the sills or galvinised floorpan.
Oh and it comes with a stack of paperwork:
Anyway, forget the hard facts, check out that colour in the gorgeous sunlight!
The prospective buyer took it for a solid test drive, and all seemed well. Note the dealer arrive in a ratehr eye catching Maserati 4200:
I was surprised the suspension behaved as well as it did given the obvious age of the bushes, but the engine was in good health and the clutch & gearchange slick. When the air con froze us solid the seed was fully sown, and I couldn't stop a polite but firm negotiation to bring it down to a more realistic purchase price.
Deal done, I had the pleasure of following it all the way home. WIthout air con. In my black car with black interior.
Two hours later, the report was positive, but after this long day and searing sunlight, Glastonbury and beer now beckons... much more to follow, naturally!
To address some perfectly normal PH and Alfa questions:
1. Tyres will be binned with the slight dull alloys, teledials or other options under review.
2. Yes, it definitiely is ULEZ exempt. Believe me, we checked a few times.
3. The spoiler is staying, as the wife states it is perfect as a coffee rest in the morning when arriving at work. Plus I have form buying an ALfa with a spoiler, always thinking it will be removed and actually never do and then just accept it, like a wonky toenail, as something I won't be able to change.
4. No, its not the 3ltr V6. This will be dailied.
5. I know, since when did twinsparks cost more that 12 shillings and sixpence? In my day.. ten a penny...etc.
...you know the rest!
Two months ago she arrived home from work and stated:
"I've just seen a fantastic looking small sports car - it has a severe slash front to rear, tiny lights and the most incredible light blue paint"
Keen for any automotive challenge, I poured a glass of screenwash and fired up the automotive image search databases. After some cul de sacs of Fiat Coupe, MGF, Alfa SZ and I think even TVR T350, we found it - the Alfa Romeo GTV, in iridescent Azzurro Nuvola. Phew.
As the sore subject of ULEZ exempt fleet replacements are a regular Friday debate, I was somewhat surprised to find out the Twinspark flavour of the 916 was exempt. Sadly, this colour was the key - no attempted prodding to metallic greens, Zoe yellow or more populous colours was entertained. I read a few buyer's guides, although my stacks of AlfaOwner magasine and passing interest in the V6 versions over the years gave me a decently grounded starting point, and settled to occasionally strafing the market.
Last week one appeared at a dealer in Leicester. On the pricey end (twinsparks are always less than 2k, right?), but one steady stare from Mrs Spinakerr and our Saturday morning schedule was confirmed.
There was only one vehicle to take, of course...the 164.
Great seller, specialised in Jags but had a few Alfas and we struck up a good rapport.
The car was a bit of a contradiction. It may be easier to list the main points in classic Pros and Cons style.
Pros:
New gearbox.
New discs, pads, calipers and flexis all round.
New exhaust, cat back.
Generally rot free on floorpan and sills (from my ground level prodding).
Engine and ancilliaries in all working order.
Lusso spec with ivory leather, and blue interior (the 164 nodded enthusiastically at this)
Working air con. Yes, really.
Last owner 19 years with many, many things done and 70k on the clock.
Cons:
Tired suspension, nothing missing but spring pans, arms, bushes and springs all need doing.
Cat D as bonnet had been meowed. No crash damange evidence, respray is 7/10 but at least it looks OK at 5 paces.
Tyres are some disastrous unherd of hobnobs from the Ditchfinder General.
Evidence of previous water ingress in A pillar trims.
Some evidence of carefless jacking, but nothing that has seriously upset the sills or galvinised floorpan.
Oh and it comes with a stack of paperwork:
Anyway, forget the hard facts, check out that colour in the gorgeous sunlight!
The prospective buyer took it for a solid test drive, and all seemed well. Note the dealer arrive in a ratehr eye catching Maserati 4200:
I was surprised the suspension behaved as well as it did given the obvious age of the bushes, but the engine was in good health and the clutch & gearchange slick. When the air con froze us solid the seed was fully sown, and I couldn't stop a polite but firm negotiation to bring it down to a more realistic purchase price.
Deal done, I had the pleasure of following it all the way home. WIthout air con. In my black car with black interior.
Two hours later, the report was positive, but after this long day and searing sunlight, Glastonbury and beer now beckons... much more to follow, naturally!
To address some perfectly normal PH and Alfa questions:
1. Tyres will be binned with the slight dull alloys, teledials or other options under review.
2. Yes, it definitiely is ULEZ exempt. Believe me, we checked a few times.
3. The spoiler is staying, as the wife states it is perfect as a coffee rest in the morning when arriving at work. Plus I have form buying an ALfa with a spoiler, always thinking it will be removed and actually never do and then just accept it, like a wonky toenail, as something I won't be able to change.
4. No, its not the 3ltr V6. This will be dailied.
5. I know, since when did twinsparks cost more that 12 shillings and sixpence? In my day.. ten a penny...etc.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 24th June 19:45
It does look fantastic in this colour.Thanks everyone! So far so good - I managed a bit more of a poke about this morning before the sun reached Frank Herbert levels, and the list is building steadily of jobs to do.
Yes, teledials are top of the list, along with service items and mats, but some Alfa forum bothering shows the 16in versions, which I want for bigger tyre wall, are for a 156 and so need 10mm spacers. I have never used spacers. Has anyone suggestions for items that are actually decent? The 17in version for the GTV is pricey and I have very little time for bigger allows amid the wild wasteland of the roads we frequent.
Interior is a treat - if you can ignore the tired a and b pillar trims - great layout and the contrasting ivory leather (Momo seats, dontchaknow) wiht the dark blue carpets and trim is a soothing combination.
Cue 'back seats have never been used' useless used car guff.
Gearknob resembles the contents of a conpic jar, so that will be going shortly.
Naturally, various clips and screws are missing, but nothing essential to operation.
Last but not least, you know its going to be a satisfying first wash when there's this kind of dirt amidst the badges...
Everything works. Everything. Under the bonnet, aside from a noisy clackety start up of a probable variator or some such, it runs very smoothly. All fluids spot on after 3 hrs driving so far. The only drops were from the working air con compressor...water... phew!
Another year or so to go on the cambelt:
I drove it for 40 minutes today through all speeds on a nice open road and my wife is right - it drives superbly. Clutch is light, gears are absolutely lovely, steering sharp and there is not a single untoward sound from the suspension. Despite its age, I have to admit this little Alfa is smoother at low speeds on the London wastelands than the 164...
Yes, teledials are top of the list, along with service items and mats, but some Alfa forum bothering shows the 16in versions, which I want for bigger tyre wall, are for a 156 and so need 10mm spacers. I have never used spacers. Has anyone suggestions for items that are actually decent? The 17in version for the GTV is pricey and I have very little time for bigger allows amid the wild wasteland of the roads we frequent.
Interior is a treat - if you can ignore the tired a and b pillar trims - great layout and the contrasting ivory leather (Momo seats, dontchaknow) wiht the dark blue carpets and trim is a soothing combination.
Cue 'back seats have never been used' useless used car guff.
Gearknob resembles the contents of a conpic jar, so that will be going shortly.
Naturally, various clips and screws are missing, but nothing essential to operation.
Last but not least, you know its going to be a satisfying first wash when there's this kind of dirt amidst the badges...
Everything works. Everything. Under the bonnet, aside from a noisy clackety start up of a probable variator or some such, it runs very smoothly. All fluids spot on after 3 hrs driving so far. The only drops were from the working air con compressor...water... phew!
Another year or so to go on the cambelt:
I drove it for 40 minutes today through all speeds on a nice open road and my wife is right - it drives superbly. Clutch is light, gears are absolutely lovely, steering sharp and there is not a single untoward sound from the suspension. Despite its age, I have to admit this little Alfa is smoother at low speeds on the London wastelands than the 164...
tvrfan007 said:
Are you on 6 cars now or has something dearly departed ? 99, 900, 164, gtv, 75 and zt? Do you not like cars with names? 
I know you intended to release the 75 but not sure I follow the soap opera on the others! In for the win anyway.
Is 6 cars not normal? Oh... well... erm (shuffles notes, sips water...) the 75 is due to go once we find a person that will take it one with similar enthusiasm. The 164 is ULEZ ensnared, so will be heading for semi-retirement in the wilds of Dorset with a friend. The 99 will stay with us as exempt, the MG ZTT 260 is not leaving the driveway and is exempt, but the Saab 900 Turbo will be heading off to Somerset for some... work. Extensive, cutty, weldy types of work. That will take a long time.I know you intended to release the 75 but not sure I follow the soap opera on the others! In for the win anyway.
waynedear said:
That is indeed a pretty thing, I thing my gtv count is 9, 7 twinsparks, I had variator rebuild success twice with new spring and washer.
Made a removal tool from a ford focus bonnet hinge.
You probably know... Boot release in the glovebox.
I may be posting up questions here directly for you! I've seen this rebuild and the kit and am keen to have a go, maybe with a slightly earlier cambelt replacement if the noise gets worse. On startup I does dound more like a manifold ticking, towards the front of the engine, so some more investigation is required.Made a removal tool from a ford focus bonnet hinge.
You probably know... Boot release in the glovebox.
My wife pressed the GTV into duty the past two weeks for a few trips, and we're getting a bt more of an idea of the car. Immediate items include a fuel whiff in the cabin, but otherwise 'daily operation' at all speeds reports no issues. Significant heavy traffic on Friday as she was at the Hampton Court in blazing heat - coolant remained normal, fans behaved correctly and air con is still cold. Phew. A recent family wedding in the New Forest required two Alfas, naturally, followed by a convoy to a gig in Wasing forest estate.
For the fuel smell, Alfa forums pointed to seals at the fuel pump and breathers, which are in the boot, so I carefully uncovered some carpet. There has either been a batter or fuel leak here in the past, so I made an effort to clean up as much as possible.
At least its a decent battery, unlike every other used car. More trim unclippage later...
Not looking its best! Everything was tight except the blue 'spout' at the top left of the picture - a knowledgeable Alfa Owner member said if you moved this and it hissed, the breather was not tight. Sure enough, mine immitated the snake in the Jungle Book. Luckily, it had just worked itself loose - some careful pressure sured it back in tightly, you can see one a 'spot the difference' level the amount of blue tube visible in the top left has changed.
Everything else seemed vague in order, so I have it a quick clean and dust, and turned my attention to the engine bay.
It is at this point that my Cloverleaf luck wilted.
At purchase I noticed an intake elbow (60658050) had more cracks than a flat earther's manifesto on tectonic plates, so ordered a replacement from EB Spares (great people).
Having clocked the significant crusty bolts tired plastic for the convulted air intake assembly, I thoguht I would just take a few bits more apart to renew my shopping list...
In summary - the box is toast, al the brackets are hobnob level, ever screw is a mess and it seems to have been epoxied and bodged every which way. The filter is at least Alfa, but a quick tap released Gormanghast levels of dust.
When was the last time you saw a rusty filter?
Underneath of the elbow was even more ruined than the top!
Oh well, could have been worse. But I do wonder why someone spent quite so much time bodging this misery back together rather than spending £50 on a good used one.
I cleaned the intake butterfly with carb cleaner, used MAF cleaner on the (newish) Bosch MAF and noted down all the part numbers for eBay scouring.
I dispensed with those hideous clamps for Jubilee variants, and noted the new hose doesn't have the locator holes in the right place.
Luckily, this should all be quite a satifying rebuild and at least the car is running fine. I expect this will be the least of my troubles if this is any indication of the maintenance effort.
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 9th July 10:52
|https://thumbsnap.com/io4Wh75D[/url]Lovely looking car and colour OP. The maintenance it's had sounds like a slightly mixed bag of good and bad, as if somebody has prioritised an air-con regas over a thorough service. Nothing beats a game of roulette like a car purchase with nil paperwork. That's a very rare colour combination, no gloom!
Watching anything GTV related with interest as I am currently considering one of these (in V6 form) or an R129 Mercedes SL320. Two very different cars, granted. It will probably boil down to which presents itself soonest, in the right condition, at the right money, and without having to swap ends of the country to buy it.
I agree with your point on prices rising when years gone by these cars were for peanuts; the iffy reputation Alfa have been synonymous with for decades in the UK has guaranteed ruinous depreciation. Twin spark 156s for example were everywhere, picked up handily, drove so nicely and are now so scarce. I've owned Alfas, loved them all (they didn't love me) had petrol and diesel yet never the V6. Not even driven one. I could do with some convincing from the Alfa brigade that they are worth the considerable outlay over the 4 cylinders..
What's space like in the back of a GTV for a child?
Watching anything GTV related with interest as I am currently considering one of these (in V6 form) or an R129 Mercedes SL320. Two very different cars, granted. It will probably boil down to which presents itself soonest, in the right condition, at the right money, and without having to swap ends of the country to buy it.
I agree with your point on prices rising when years gone by these cars were for peanuts; the iffy reputation Alfa have been synonymous with for decades in the UK has guaranteed ruinous depreciation. Twin spark 156s for example were everywhere, picked up handily, drove so nicely and are now so scarce. I've owned Alfas, loved them all (they didn't love me) had petrol and diesel yet never the V6. Not even driven one. I could do with some convincing from the Alfa brigade that they are worth the considerable outlay over the 4 cylinders..
What's space like in the back of a GTV for a child?
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