These vehicles won four consecutive European Touring (stock) Car titles, however out in South Africa the touring cars were running to different regulations with a 3.5 litre / 213 cui class cut off as opposed to the 2.5 litre 152 cui class cut off as used in much of the rest of the world.
In order to race competitively against BMW which ran 3.5 litre engines in South African Touring Car Races ALFA Romeo in South Africa approached Autodelta the competition arm of ALFA Romeo who obliged by supplying enough parts developed for a rally programme to build around 220 2934 cc / 179 cui carbureted V6 engines which were assembled and tuned in South Africa.
The outcome was a vehicle that in 1983 beat BMW to win the South African Touring Car Championship and in mid 1984 was declared the fastest South African assembled vehicle with a top speed of 139 mph / 224 kph.
With that ALFA Romeo Montreal inspired NACA duct in the bonnet and deep spoiler this 3 litre GTV6, belonging to Richard an acquaintance from 'The Nostalgia Forum', is quite easy to distinguish from its 2.5 litre brethren.
My thanks to Richard for bringing his pride and joy to the Bristol Italian Auto Moto Festival.
Hope you have enjoyed todays Springbok edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
I think a few of those made it to the US shores. Nice looking car.
ReplyDeleteThe US had at least three unique to the USA market GTV6 models JC, the 350 red Balocco SE and 150 silver Maratona which were essentially cosmetic special editions and with the same 2.5 litre /152 cui motor there were also 36 Callaway Twin Turbo models some of which were upgraded to twin turbo spec with Callaway Parts by ALFA dealers.
ReplyDeleteSo far as I know the only other 3 litre 183 cui GTV was a one off rally competition car with a V8 upgraded from the ALFA Romeo Montreal.
I wish we could have chatted at Bristol, Art - I'd have given you a run in the car to show you that it goes even better than it looks! I was there in 2012 also and probably in 2013 - So please find me and introduce yourself.
ReplyDeleteRich