2005 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon GTA

This particular example is a 156 GTA Sportwagon, making it all the more desirable (as we know, fast wagons are the best cars!) Delivered new to Japan, the car was imported to the UK and first registered here in 2018, with 01 July 2018 being the specific date of UK registration.

In the care of the vendor since 31 July 2018 at 71,127km, this rare low-mileage, Japanese-import GTA Sportwagon is fitted with the Selespeed automated manual transmission with paddle shifters, akin to the F1-style transmissions fitted to Ferraris of the period, and the Selespeed ‘box is reported to share components with its Ferrari counterpart.

It is worth noting that when the car was purchased, a full oil analysis and inspection was carried out, which showed no issues or causes for concern, and the car has always been well-maintained and ‘kept on top of’ by the vendor.

Whilst in the care of our vendor, the car has spent the majority of its time dry-stored at a professional storage centre, being used for occasional journeys and road trips.

In 2019, the vendor decided to carry out a significant programme of preventative maintenance on the vehicle, which was performed by Ned Kirkham at AutoLusso in Houghton Regis, including the following works:

- New ECU (including programming)

- Fitment of a Quaife differential

- Wizard exhaust manifolds and de-cat downpipes

- Fitment of a larger radiator, new water pump and timing belt, and extensive programme of gasket replacement

- Addressing issues with the central locking unit

The vendor reports that the suspension and brakes are unmodified, and a new set of high-quality matching Michelin tyres were fitted in September which have seen very limited use. A Ragazzon back box is also fitted, which the vendor reports is a great addition.

Also included with the vehicle is a plethora of spare parts, including the original ECU, a leather Selespeed steering wheel, an OE stereo unit, a cruise control stalk/cowl, MPH clock and a container of the correct engine oil. It also comes with a car cover.

Resprayed prior to the vendors ownership, the overall condition of this Busso-powered Sportwagon is very good indeed, and it certainly ‘comes up’ well with a little TLC.

That’s not to say it’s perfect; there are the typical signs of age-related wear such as stone chips, minor blemishes and the like, along with a scuff on the NSR corner, scuffs on the inner edge of the OSR arch, cracked headlight washer cowls, and other imperfections.

Looking along the flanks of the vehicle, there is no sign of any mis-aligned panels or major dents/damage, though the high-traffic areas such as the door handles are scuffed and dulled, whilst the tint is peeling off of the OSR passenger door window.

As far as we can tell, all of the badges and trims are present-and-correct, with no noted missing parts.

All four wheels were refurbished prior to the vendor taking delivery of the car, and remain in very good condition, wrapped in nearly-new rubber.

Moving inside, the well-appointed cabin of this hand-finished V6 Sportwagon is still plush and comfortable to this day, with well-laid-out controls and a general feel of being well-screwed-together.

The seats are in very good condition overall, showing only some light commensurate wear to the outer bolsters up front, and minimal wear in the rear. The carpets and over-mats are in useable condition, whilst up above the headlining is taut and well-secured throughout with no obvious staining or issues.

Elsewhere in the cabin, the high-traffic areas such as the steering wheel, door pulls, inner door covers and the surround for the Selespeed transmission controls display usage patina in keeping with the car’s age and mileage, though there are no known faults with any of the electrical systems, switches or displays within the vehicle.

A dash-top speedometer has been fitted to display the car’s speed in MPH, though a set of UK-spec instruments are present with the vehicle, and could be swapped over if desired.

In the rear, the capacious boot presents very well, with no heavy wear or marks noted during our inspection, and the load cover is present-and-correct.

Under the bonnet sits this GTA’s raison d’être - the sonorous (and frankly downright gorgeous) 3.2-litre Busso V6 engine, which looks simply fantastic, having been fettled, maintained and kept in top order throughout the vendor’s ownership tenure.

Looking around the engine bay, we could see no sign of any leaks or causes for concern, though we did note some AutoLusso upgraded silicone hoses, which are a smart choice for increased performance and longevity.

Out on the road, the automated manual Selespeed transmission takes a little while to get used to (think first-generation F1 gearbox) but once warmed up, the shifts are quick and smooth, and on downshifts the rev-matching is wonderful, courtesy of the upgraded exhaust system. After all, the engine is wonderful, but the sound is the real party piece of these GTAs, especially with an aftermarket exhaust system fitted.

Underneath, the chassis remains in very good condition on account of spending the majority of its life in Japan, and - again - we can see no cause for any concern here. The vendor states that they are not aware of any known mechanical faults.

The most recent MoT exam took place on 01 June 2022 at 74,873km and shows a clean first-time pass with no advisory items.

Included with the vehicle is a good selection of history and documentation from both the UK and Japan. As always, we’ve photographed everything that we’ve received here at The Market, and this is available to view at the end of the extensive photo gallery below.

For those looking for a quick highlight reel, however, please find a list below:

- V5 registered keepers document, showing one former UK keeper

- Full complement of Alfa manuals and handbooks

- Copy of the Registro Club GTA certificate, confirming the original specification of the car.

- Invoice for the replacement ECU by AutoLusso at a cost of £1209

- Invoice for the preventative engine works, major service inc belts, and differential fitment in 2019 at a cost of £5,362

- Invoice for a replacement alternator and other electrical diagnostics at a cost of £720

- Documentation from the storage company

- Various MoT certificates

- Invoice for the upgraded radiator unit and cooling system upgrades in 2019

- Invoice for a full set of Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres in September 2022 at a cost of £466

- Miscellaneous Japanese service history

- Condition report from the RAC, including oil analysis

- Two sets of keys

- HPI check

This is the point where we reiterate the fact that fast wagons are the best wagons. Offering practicality, pace and - in this instance - a sonorous soundtrack, there is no better way to blend usability with performance.

Offered for sale in good overall condition and excellent mechanical health, this 2005 Alfa Romeo GTA Sportswagon would make an excellent daily driver or addition to any Alfa enthusiast’s collection, and - even better - it is offered NO RESERVE, with a guide of £8,000 to £12,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.