Re: V6 Production Numbers?

["David R Johnson" <johnsnd@domain.elided>]

On Apr 17,  5:30pm, John Hertzman wrote:

I would like to express my thanks to those who responded on the subject of
GTV-6 production numbers.  John Hertzman as always is a fountain of knowledge.
 It appears that my GTV-6 is one of 22,381 examples produced, a fairly small
number by most mass production company standards.  How many currently survive
is anybody's guess.  I certainly have not seen many on the roads in the midwest
(one in the last 8 years, to be precise, in the Chicago auto show parking
lot!).  I saw far more when I lived in the UK, but most were probably of the
4-cylinder Alfetta variety.

I also learned a few other interesting tidbits from John H, for example I did
not realize that the Alfa 6 was built alongside the GTV-6 for so many years.  I
was also surprised to find that the Giulietta Nuova was so similar to the 75.
 I am assuming then that it was a transaxle car?  John states that it came with
"1.3, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 sixes", and I am guessing that this must be a typo,
since I'm pretty sure all these engines (with the possible exception of the
2.0) were of the 4-cylinder variety.  I don't believe the 1.3 was available in
the UK, and this may be a continuation of Alfa's history of selling
small-engined economy models in less well-developed countries.  They certainly
sold a 1.0 or 1.1 Alfasud in Greece, for example, while the smallest UK 'Sud
engine was 1.2 litres.  The bodyshell of the Giulietta Nuova was IMO very dull,
and not at all befitting an Alfa.  I much prefer the Milano/75 styling, which I
felt succeeded at being both attractive and different.

As for whether my car will ever be a classic, time will only tell, but the
GTV-6 is not the most durable Alfa ever produced and with a fairly small
production run and Alfa's departure from the US it seems likely that the rarity
is increasing quite rapidly.  There is also much to like about the car and
admire about its design.  So I just need to hold on to it for another 15 years
or so!

Keith Walker also responded with an Arna spotting, and I agree with his
assessment that "with Japanese design and  Italian build quality and materials
they really didn't stand much of a chance".  What were the managers thinking?
 ("I know, lets market a sporty car combining the weaknesses of both our
companies!").

Many thanks,

Dave J.
1982 GTV-6

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