abitabilita' posteriore 1750 GTV

[Dana Loomis <dloomis@domain.elided>]

Last month I posted a list of changes to the Alfa Romeo model line in 1970
as they were described in factory materials from the time.  The change that
roused the most interest was "abitabilita posteriore maggiorata" (enlarged
rear accommonations) in the GT Veloce, which seemed to allow the 1750 GTV
and GTAm to continue racing in international competition for Touring Cars,
in addition to whatever benefits it had for rear-seat passengers.  

Exactly what was changed to enlarge the rear space was not entirely clear,
however.  Some said it was only the raised panel in the headliner, but John
Hertzman suggested the changes must have been more significant because the
rear parcel shelf and several pieces of sheet metal under the rear seat had
different part numbers in early and late coupes.  Someone else related how
he'd learned that the package shelf upholstery was not interchangeable
between early and late coupes, suggesting that the sheet metal pieces for
early and late cars were dimensionally different, besides having different
part numbers.

Now, for all those dying to know, I can provide some hard data.  The rear
parcel shelf on a US 1971 GTV is 1.5 inches shorter than the shelf in a
1969 GTV, and the area under the rear seat cushion is longer by the same
amount in the later car.  It makes sense; this woul provide an inch or two
more room for rear passengers.  And it had the advantage, perhaps
fortuitous, perhaps deliberate, of keeping the coupes in the Group 2
Touring Car class, where they had a long record of victories.

Dana Loomis
1971 1750 GTV

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