Back in 1984, an Alfa Romeo was the “fastest locally produced car” sold in South Africa. It was of course, the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0, and it was a result of a collaboration between Alfa Romeo SA and Autodelta, the Italian firm's competition arm, and Alfa Italy.
The fierce on track rivalry between BMW and Alfa, forced the Italian automaker to create this “limited edition” model. Originally, Alfa’s GTV6 2.5 went up against the BMW 535i, but with a much smaller motor, and far less power, it couldn’t match the Bavarian.
Alfa figured than an extra 500cc would do the trick, and make them more competitive. It did, winning its debut race at Kyalami in 1983, and followed that with a stunning 1-2 in the Group One class of the Castrol Three-hour race at Killarney. But the secret to its success was its powerplant, and the story behind it.
Alfa Romeo SA imported the cylinder head casting, crankshaft, special pistons and sleeves from Autodelta - the components required for a capacity change and had larger valves made in Italy to South African specifications. Everything else was done in this country - including the machining of both block and cylinder head.
Alfa’s aim was low and mid-range torque instead of top end grunt, as aggressive acceleration out of corners was what they sought. The EFI of the 2.5 motor was binned in favour of six Dellorto RFP40 carburettors. The carbs were already being used on the Alfa Six sedan, but were rechoked and rejetted to suit the larger capacity and bigger valves.
The bore and stroke were increased from 88 x 68,3mm to 93 x 72mm, yielding a total displacement of 2934cm3. As a result, power jumped from 118kw and 213nm to 128kw and 222nm. While the 3.0 improved on the 2.5’s 0-100kph time of 10.8 seconds to 8.36, it was still slightly off the 535i’s time of 7.9 seconds. They were a dead head in the standing kilometre, both completing the sprint in 29.3 seconds, however its top speed of 224.2kph shaded the big Bimmer’s 220.7kph – but it needed its rev limiter shifted from 6,500 to 7,000rpm in order to achieve it.
Where this motor scored though – especially on track – was how it combined its enormous reserves of power with docile tractability – which made it an exceptional cruiser in the real world. The five-speed rear-mounted overdrive transaxle retained standard ratios, including the 4.1 to 1 final drive, but because the car was lower, and used wider and lower profile tyres, the overall gearing was lower. This combined with a superior power-to-weight ratio (up from 97.2 W/kg to 112.5W/kg) was the reason why it was so strong on acceleration.
Its brakes were said to be superb, running 269mm vented discs up front, and solid discs at the rear. One of the greatest strengths of the GTV6’s chassis, was the feedback it gave the driver. Its wide track and low stance gave a sense of immense stability and grip, as the driver sought to find its limits.
Everything from the powertrain – to the steering – to the suspension worked in perfect harmony to give a truly special and satisfying experience behind the wheel. It was easily distinguished by the aggressive power bulge on the bonnet, deeper front spoiler (which lowered radiator temperature by as much as 5 degrees Celsius), 15-inch Compomotive wheels, and red striping on the bumpers and side mouldings, whilst the interior had a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Recaro seats covered in Italian velvet.
All of these, together with its low, road-hugging stance conspired to give it the look of a proper race car. To race in Group One, Alfa Romeo had to homologate the model by building at least 200 examples, and this was done from 1983 to 1985, with it carrying a price tag of R29 495. These days expect to pay up to R250 000 for a clean 3.0. Thankfully, Alfa Romeo has kept its V6 tradition alive to this day, with its Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde super sedan.
Also worth a look: the Alfa Romeo Mx 5 and the Alfa Romeo Milano: A Glimpse into the Brand's Electrified Fu.
FAQ
Q: What does the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 cost in South Africa?
A decent Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 will set you back between R180,000 and R350,000 depending on condition, with pristine examples commanding up to R450,000 from collectors who know what they're looking at.
Q: Is the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 worth buying?
Absolutely, if you can handle the maintenance drama and find a solid example under R300,000, because this is South Africa's fastest locally produced car from 1984 with proper racing pedigree.
Q: How fast is the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0?
The GTV6 3.0 rockets from 0-100kph in 8.36 seconds thanks to its 128kW and 222Nm from the enlarged 2934cc V6 engine, making it considerably quicker than the standard 2.5 model.
Q: What makes the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 special?
This was a limited edition collaboration between Alfa Romeo SA and Autodelta specifically built to beat BMW on South African race tracks, featuring hand-built components and six Dellorto carburettors instead of fuel injection.
Q: Should I buy an Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 as a daily driver?
Only if you enjoy weekend spanner sessions and have a backup car, because while the GTV6 3.0 is absolutely brilliant to drive, it demands proper mechanical sympathy and regular attention to stay reliable.
Should You Buy It?
The best piece of South African automotive history under R350,000 is definitely the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0. This isn't just another classic Italian sports car, it's our fastest locally produced machine from 1984 with genuine Autodelta racing DNA flowing through its 2.9-litre veins. Yes, you should absolutely buy one if you find a solid example under R300,000, but budget another R50,000 for sorting out the inevitable niggles and keeping those six Dellorto carburettors properly tuned. The combination of 128kW, proper rear-wheel drive balance, and that intoxicating V6 soundtrack makes this a bargain compared to imported classics, plus you get bragging rights about owning the car that put BMW in their place at Kyalami. Just make sure you've got a good Alfa specialist on speed dial and realistic expectations about running costs.
