Alfa Romeo GTV-6 1986

(Bought January 20, 2013 from Mountain View, CA)

My Impressions


Pluses: This car has been extensively and tastefully modified. It has 3 liter engine (26,000 miles after rebuilt), S Cams, Pandora Box, rebuilt transmission, and performance suspension. It has Stebro center and rear, leather re-upholstery (very very nice high quality tan leather), refinished wine glass Speedline wheels, and aluminum coolant return bottle. The body has no rust; nothing in the hatch, shock mounting, inner fenders. The paint is very good, not perfect but no flaking, no bubbling, (a couple of small parking lot dings). It also has power steering (wasn't sure if I would like it but boy, it works great) from a Milano. It has a higher CFM radiator fan from the Milano. It also has upgraded AC condenser and takes R134 freon.

Minuses: It needs a new fuse box (provided by the seller). The fuel filler neck hose leaks pretty badly (already fixed using a couple of Gates hoses). The brake pedal feels a bit strange (I think I need a new master cylinder). The power window mechanisms need cleaning and lubrication. The dashboard has large cracks but they are cover with carpet dash cover. This is not my first Alfa so I view these problems as minor annoyances that must be sorted out.

Neutral: The rear seat is gone. In its place, there is a very nice parcel shelf. It has a custom shifter, extra long with nice Momo polish metal shift knob. It takes a while to get use to but not bad at all; shifting is really fast when the shifter is so close to the steering wheel.

Driving Experience: My experience with it is still pretty limited but so far it gave me a big smile; great sounding engine and exhaust. The engine is free-reving. Transmission is smooth and not grinding on second (with slow upshift and double clutching downshift). So far, no rattling or squeaking noises from the suspension or chassis (I'm hopeful that it will stay this way since it is pretty cold here). There is also no vibration at all (my 10 years old said how come this car is so much smoother than our 65 TI).

Here are some photos. I took them right after Passport Transport dropped it off so it was dirty with a bit of snow flakes on it.

Pre-Purchased and First Day Images

For about 18 months, I've spent a couple of hours a night here and there to perform the following tasks to this car:
  1. replacing fuel filler neck,
  2. replacing the vacuum host for the brake booster,
  3. replacing the fuel box,
  4. installing the rear seats,
  5. relubing passenger's window regulator,
  6. replacing injectors with reconditioned ones,
  7. replacing all the fuel hoses and fuel filter,
  8. cleaning the inside of the rocker panels,
  9. replacing the brake booster and proportioning valve,
  10. reparing the wiring of AC compressor,
  11. recharging the freon,
  12. upgrading the ECU and AFM to Euro Spec,
  13. installing Stebro downpipe,
  14. replacing brake pads,
  15. installing dash cap,
  16. replacing the original wheels with Schmidt TH Line,
  17. replacing leaky fuel injector rails.

The pictures of the current state of the car can be founded below.

Maintenance Record

(Mostly Done by Me with Some Help from Friends)

March 2nd, 2013
(00261 miles)
 Replacing intermittent speedometer with a rebuit unit (00261 miles on odometer)
Replacing fusebox
Adding headlight relays
Replacing fuel filler hose
Flusing radiator
Changing oil+filter (Amsoil 20W50) and sparkplugs (NGK Iridium)
Changing transaxle oil to Redline 75W90NS
Replacing distributor cap and rotor
May 26th, 2013
(00648 miles)
 Changing wheels to Schmidt TH-line
Adding Cibie foglights with relay and switch
Replacing Bosch combo relay
Replacing brake booster, vacuum hose, and proportioning valve
with Wilwood adjustable (a bit of hydraulic plumbing)
April 20th, 2014
(01491 miles)
 Replacing leaking power steering hose
Collapsing front and rear bumpers
Replacing left tail-light circuit
Recabling passenger's power window mechanism
August 3rd, 2014
(02027 miles)
 Replacing the leaking fuel rail
Replacing injector hoses
Replacing all fuel lines and filter
Replacing Bosch fuel pump
Cleaning Aux Air Valve
Replacing broken clock (Rebuilt by Rob Steele)
Installing used tan leather back seat (bought from AlfaBB)
May 17th, 2015
(02474 miles)
 Adding starter and main circuit relays (fixed intermittent starting issue)
Replacing rear brake pads
Replacing A/C relay and charging A/C
Cleaning out sunroof drain and lower splash shields
October 5th, 2015
(Did not record the mileage)
 Repairing minor surface rust by right rocker panel (Anderson Bodyshop)
Applying rubberized coating behind the rocker panel body kit for protection
March 15th, 2016
(03394 miles)
 Changing oil + filter (Amsoil 20W50)
Replacing gas tank check valve
March 12th, 2018
(04985 miles)
 Reparing cracked right front shock tower, strengthened both sides
(wonderfully done by Terry Worick Restorations)
April 14, 2020
(06124 miles)
 Changing oil + filter (Amsoil 20W50)
Retrimming the rear bumper filler
May 22nd, 2022
(07704 miles)
 Replacing failed brake M/C
Flushing the brake system with Bosch DOT5.1 fluid
Adding a long spring between the two in-board calipers to stop rear
E-brake mechanism from sticking
Installing black silicone intake hose, original air box, and K & N air filter
June 14, 2023
(Did not record the mileage)
 Installing a reconditioned dashboard (from Just Dashes)
July 6, 2024
(08710 miles)
 Performing valve adjustments, replacing water pump, timing belt,
all drive belts, and all coolant hoses (with help from MarkToro from AlfaBB)
Rewiring cooling fan
Changing oil + filter (Liquimoly 10W60)
July 23, 2024
(08717 miles)
 Replacing tie-rod ends, performing wheel alignment,
and raising the car by 4cm.