[alfa] 115.01 serial numbers and build-dates

["John Hertzman" <johnhertzman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John Burrows notes the listing of 1975 US 2000 GTVs in D'Amico & Tabucchi, contrary to ARI listings which end in 1974, cites the introduction of the 49-state Alfetta GT in 1975, and asks "Anyone care to shed any light on why D'A & T have a 1975 US GTV?"
 
I won't to pretend to shed light, other than a "Hey, they're Italian, you want rigorous accountability head north  -" Alfa, and ARI, certainly were not loath to diddle numbers on occasion, serial number ranges were not necessarily linear or otherwise logical, and the explanations (if any) for anomalies are often shrouded in the mist of time. That said, I note that by ARI's papers the first 49-state Alfetta GT had a starting production date of May 1975 (and the first California Alfetta GT had a starting production date of November 1975) both leaving gaps for a 1975 115 GTV. D'Amico & Tabucchi also list substantial numbers of the various GT Junior models 115.03, 105.30S, 115.34, and 115.05 in 1975, noting that the hull, dashboard, seats, grill, and various details other than engine displacement were shared with the 2000, so running another few thousand 2000s would not have been difficult.
 
Just to cap the "How in hell do you explain THAT?" thread I will mention that there is a single 1973 USA version 1750 GT Veloce with a serial number lower than the lowest 1972 USA version 1750 GT Veloce, and a single 1973 USA version 1750 Berlina with a serial number lower than the lowest 1971 USA version 1750 Berlina. Presumably there was a reason for building these two cars, presumably an otherwise unused (why?) number was attached, but I doubt that anyone felt it essential to record the logic.
 
John adds of the cars now seen as '75s "the conventional wisdom is they are just 1974's that sat on the lot and the local DMV made the mistake with the model year when they were registered in 1975." It is equally possible that '75-built cars which could not meet '75 regulations were listed as nominal '74s by ARI and dealers.

Cheers

JonH.
Raleigh NC

164
Milano
MBz C 230 K
various 115 projects
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