1972 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV

Built in Milan on the 31st May 1972, ‘XJB 931L’ is a left-hand drive Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 that’s been in the long-term care of two cadres, both of whom have clearly adored it.

Supplied to new to Mr Aurelio Ambrosio Dotti on 5th December 1972, it stayed with him and his family until being restored in 2001, a year before it arrived here. 

The seller became the first – and only - UK owner after the importer in 2003 and used it regularly around London and even further afield across Europe. Always garaged while it’s been with him, it has been treated it to some subtle updates to help it better meet the rigours of 21st century life.

It’s a real looker, too. Finished in Olive metallic, it sits on a set of silver Cromodora alloys and is described by him as being “in excellent mechanical and good cosmetic condition.”

Olive metallic is an unusual, and unusually attractive, colour for the GTV and is our new favourite hue. It’s believed to be the original colour too, according to an email from Alfa Romeo in Italy when it dug into the build specification. 

The shutlines and panel alignment are still good, which is reassuring given it received some new metalwork in the mid-noughties. The paint shines well, and while it isn’t without its issues (of which more anon…) it still presents very well.

Part of that visual impact is the lowered and uprated suspension, which lends it a wonderful stance, a stance that also relies on the presence of a set of gorgeous 14-inch, five-spoke Cromodora alloy wheels. 

Later reproductions of, we think, the 1970s magnesium jobbies, they are in a good condition, albeit with the usual scuffs showing to the front pair. Tyres are matching 185/70R14 Pirelli P3000s, but they’re 21-years-old now and age-perished, so need replacing. 

Nonetheless, we never get tired of explaining that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

Speaking of which, this curation even extended to having the rear light clusters re-silvered, work that restored their intensity. All the exterior lights have been tested and are “working effectively”. 

The chromework is good-to-very-good, with only light pitting and the odd small sport of rust, and other nice touches include Vitaloni mirrors, a pair of black and silver numberplates, and good lamp lenses all round. 

The seller is a meticulous man, both in the way he looks after his cars and the way he describes them.

His summary of the GTV’s flaws is, therefore, comprehensive and honest: “Please note that there is some paint and a small amount of bodywork required to make the car perfect. There is corrosion around the passenger door handle, and the outer sills at the front and rear. 

“There is some light damage to the front edge of the bonnet, and at the bottom edge of the front valance. There are various small paint chips, small dents, some paint defects on the driver’s wing including some chip and rust to the trailing edge, and small cracks in the paint to the rear wing edges.”

The door pins on the nearside have worn too, and a pair of replacements are included in the spares. The two repair sections you’ll need to restore the offside door are also included. Please see the photo for details.

The interior benefits from having been retrimmed in what we are told is the correct Alfa Romeo vinyl material. A rich tan colour, it suits the car’s coachwork perfectly. Free of blemishes much less wear and tear, the seats are nothing short of stunning.

They are also very comfortable and supportive and operate as they should, including the extending headrests on their wooden racks. Retracting seat belts have been fitted for comfort and safety, an upgrade that is sensible given the adage ‘period safety equipment gives period accident injuries…’. 

Other modifications are equally well judged. The steering wheel, for example, is a delightful Moto-Lita item that is as lovely to behold as it is to, er, hold. Wood-rimmed, it also picks up the design of the trim across the dashboard and centre console. 

The rear parcel shelf has been replaced with a cloth covered version that includes cut outs to accommodate a pair of speakers in a discreet fashion.  

The instruments have been replaced with ones that show miles per hour and have their descriptions in English. However, purists will approve of the fact the originals have been retained and come with the vehicle. (The rest of the instruments “function perfectly, and the windscreen wipers are excellent.”)

A Toad immobiliser system is fitted, and it comes with two working transponder key fobs.

Modifications aside, there is an awful lot to like in here. The dashboard is excellent and *cue fanfare* hasn’t been altered to accommodate a radio, so is still virginal and pure.

The heating system is said to be “working well, with the two-speed fan bringing warmth into the cabin nicely” and if you need fresh air then the “windows, quarterlights and rear windows all open and close as intended.” 

As for the not-quite-so-good bits, the carpets are presentable, but do show their age, so we can see the new owner will probably want to replace them.

The headlining, which is thought to be the original, is in good shape being taut and undamaged, but it is stained. 

As for actual faults, the rear demist element doesn’t work. 

The boot contains a steel spare wheel plus the jack and Alfa Romeo tool kit. It’s got a good carpet in there too, although we do see some light surface rust that could do with being dealt with sooner rather than later. 

The Alfa also benefits from some well-judged mechanical upgrades.

First, the engine was rebuilt by Jamie Porter and treated to higher compression pistons, a lightened flywheel, a balanced crankshaft, and fast road cams. 

Twin Weber DCOE 45 carburettors were fitted, and care was taken to set them up correctly. They inhale through a pair of Ramair free-flow air filters, and exhale through a stainless-steel Alfaholics exhaust system. The headers have been wrapped to keep the engine bay temperature down and reduce noise. 

And that reduced decibel count allows you to fully enjoy the Good Stuff. The seller reports that the “sound of the twin-cam engine being fed by twin 45s and a sports exhaust is wonderful, and the performance is very enjoyable. Driven gently the engine is tractable and well-behaved, idling nicely at 850 rpm. Let it rev out to 6000rpm and beyond though and it’s a different beast!”

The fuelling is backed up by an improved ignition system. An MSD ignition controller and coil operates from the original points, the distributor itself having been rebuilt and mapped by Bob Dove.

Power is nothing without control though, and just as much care has been taken with the suspension, which is an Alfaholics fast road kit comprising uprated springs, bushes, an anti-roll bar, and Bilstein dampers. 

Slightly lower than stock, the seller reports favourably: “It is a firm but supple ride, coming into its own on fast sweeping country roads.”

The standard cooling system has been treated to new hoses and uprated clamps, an “excellent Optima Redtop battery ensuring cold starts are never a problem”, the braking system has been “totally overhauled” including a new master cylinder and rebuilt calipers. As for the clutch, the seller reports that it “shows no signs of wear and works perfectly”.

He goes on to say that “mechanically the car is in extremely good health. The engine is strong and pulls very well in ‘fast road’ tune. The transmission is excellent, with smooth gear changes (yes, including up and down into 2nd!), and the brakes are very good”. 

As you can see in the video, it starts and idles perfectly – and we’re still debating whether the engine noise and induction rasp is better than the exhaust note or vice versa. Perhaps you’d like to chip in with your opinion?

The engine bay itself is neatly presented without being prissy. Perfectly judged then, which won’t come as a surprise by now, surely?

The underside looks solid but would benefit from being re-undersealed. The seller has left it as it is as he’s keen to show the car off warts ‘n’ all, so resisted the temptation to put a quick coat on to hide its patina.

The history file incudes the original instruction manual plus extensive paperwork that includes receipts for servicing and parts, information that has been collected through the seller’s time with the car, and “hundreds of photos of work carried out over the years”.

The Alfa doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

The Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 is one of those rare cars that drives and goes as well as it looks; while some manufacturers prioritize a car’s performance over its looks, or its aesthetic appeal over its dynamic ability, Alfa Romeo refused to compromise with its 105-series.

And this one is especially appealing thanks to that stunning Olive metallic coachwork and retrimmed interior – and that’s without factoring in the sort of mechanical upgrades most of us would carry out if we were lucky enough to be able to afford to buy one.

Which brings us neatly to the question of money. We think this one, lovely as it is, will only fetch somewhere between £18,000 and £22,000.

Why so low? Simply because the seller is as pragmatic as he is meticulous and acknowledges that there is some work for the new owner to do and is happy for this to be reflected in its value.

He’s had it for over twenty years, so if you emulate him (and who wouldn’t want to look back on a couple of decades with this in their life?) then time is on your side; simply sort the rust now and do the cosmetics as and when money and motivation coincide.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in East Grinstead, West Sussex. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.