V6 in a 105 GTV???

[JHertzman@xxxxxxx]

In AD7-432 Nick Tangney asks:

>>Does anyone know if anyone has attempted to drop an alfa V6 into a 105
series GTV?  Or..... has anyone else looked into it and thought better
of the idea? How about a power steering system on a 105 - anyone tried?<<

Yes, as recounted a few times in past digests Hans Milo, an accomplished
mechanic/artist/magician in things Alfa, did a superb job of stuffing a
carbureted Alfa 6 engine and transmission into a 1973 GT Veloce. The Alfa 6,
of course, being the sedan with front ZF gearbox which preceded the use of the
V6 in the transaxle cars. Both the transmission and the different oil pan, as
well as the carburetors, simplified the job, by which I do not mean that they
made it simple- just a lot less difficult.
 
Hans' conversion included a rack-and-pinion steering gear, which is half of
the answer to the second part of Nick's question; a power steering rack and
pinion system in a 105 chassis would be quite practical IF one had a place for
the pump, which could be a problem in a 105 V6.

But why stop there? Don Black sold an Autodelta-prepared 2.5 liter Tasman V8
to a hotrodder named Leon Greff who used it in a tube framed GTV dragster-
(does anybody know where it is now?) And the Montreal was a V8 in what was
essentially a GTV chassis with a kustom body; a Montreal-engined GTV would
essentially be a "Stealth" (or Q-ship) lightweight Montreal. I have seen
photos of an Allison-engined Opel coupe, and there have been Rolls-Royce
Merlins installed in a few street machines. The history of big engines in
little cars goes WAY back.

On the other hand, why does one buy a GTV? Is it because one wants a nose-
heavy, understeering, rubber-burning ponycar? Nice as the V6 Alfas
unquestionably are, there are other nice things about the relatively light,
agile, simple, basic four-cylinder cars which can get lost in a hurry if one
improves them too much.

Your money, your choices.

Cordially, 

John H. 
Raleigh, N.C.

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