The two-seat G.T.Veloce

[JHertzman@xxxxxxx]

Back in July there was considerable discussion about whether the GT Veloce was
a two-seater or four seater and whether the thing in the back was a seat, a
package tray, or a facility for marital or extra-marital relations. At least
two people, Richard G. Ballantine and Dana Loomis (& probably others)
mentioned a 
a sticker in the middle of the rear seat (in a '74 in RGB's case and a '72 in
DL's case) saying something like "not to be occupied by passengers while
vehicle is in motion". But I do not recall citation of any official
explanation, nor mention of anything about a recall campaign.

While sorting some inherited (third-hand) papers from a late lamented
dealership I came across Recall Campaign # 80.10.47 dated July 17, 1972. The
gist is that AR has determined that "2000" series G.T. Veloce (model 115.01)
vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 207, as
Part S.4.4 requires that "seats not designated for occupancy when the vehicle
is in motion shall be conspicuously labeled to that effect." It goes on to say
that "The absence of the label in itself will not cause a malfunction of the
vehicle" (whew!) but that "Since there is no warning label someone might sit
there." Later it mentions "For your information the G.T. Veloce has always
been a two-seat vehicle and labeled as such on the loading data label located
inside the glovebox door".

A detail which differs from the recollection of both Richard G. Ballantine and
Dana Loomis is that the labels provided (two per car) is not a sticker in the
middle of the rear seat, but a double-faced sticker to be located in the
lower, forward area of each rear side window glass. The sticker shows, on the
inside, 

REAR SEATS ARE NOT DESIGNATED
 TO BE OCCUPIED BY PASSENGERS
 WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION

but shows from the outside 

ALFA ROMEO "2000" G.T. VELOCE
GROUP 2 TOURING CHAMPION 1971
EUROPEAN MANUFACTURER SERIES

This sticker (or its absence) could conceivably become the ultimate detail in
the authenticity concours. Wonder if the restoration stores have them in
stock?

A final trivia note is that the photo showing where to place the sticker was
taken inside an earlier car (without headrests), apparently a Giulia Sprint GT
Veloce.

Cordially,

John H.

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