GTV VIN -- last post I PROMISE!

["Tony Sims" <simstony@domain.elided>]

John wrote:

> ...those customers who were willing to buy a GT Veloce in 1975 were
> quite willing to accept 1974 performance in a "1974 model year" car >made 
> in 1975. If that seems odd, go read some old road tests. All else >equal, 
> would you rather have 150 hp with better fuel economy, or 111 >hp with 
> poorer fuel economy?
I actually pondered this when thinking about how "pure" this 1974 car is 
compared to others of similar vintage.  The GTV has few "emissions controls" 
-- a vapor canister in the trunk, the oil vapor separator system, and of 
course the Spica injection -- and none that reduce the performance of the 
car in stock or close to stock condition (OK Weber fans, stop grinding your 
teeth and go for a drive in a well tuned Spica car -- I don't think we're 
giving up anything). It has no cat converter, no air pump, and light 
stainless bumpers.

I once owned a 1974 Ford Capri with the 2.8 V6.  I liked the car, but it had 
huge safety bumpers, a crap carb, and far less power in relation to its 
displacement.  They're pretty similar cars on paper -- front engine, rear 
drive, solid axle, manual trans (4 speed in the Ford), 2 door coupe.  It 
would be fun to drive one now as a comparison to my GTV.  From the 
perspective I have now, I can't imagine how anything but price would have 
persuaded someone to choose the Capri over the GTV, but I don't know what 
Alfa's reputation was in the USA in 1974.  I wish I'd been more aware of 
Alfa in 1979 (I was all of 19) when I bought that Capri!


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