Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV Coupe

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Launched in 1963, the 105 Series Giulia GT Coupe was the long-awaited replacement for the gorgeous but dated 101 Series Giulietta Sprint.

It was styled in just two months by a virtually unknown 22-year-old who worked on it in the evenings during his national service. That man was Giorgetto Giugiaro, on contract to Bertone, who went on to become one of the most famous car designers of all time. Rightly regarded as an all-time classic, the Giulia Coupe was to remain in production very little altered until 1977.

The underpinnings were taken straight from the recently introduced 105 Series Giulia Ti saloon, sharing the same five-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension, coil-sprung live rear axle and all round disc brakes. Initially only available with a 1.3 or 1.6 litre twin cam engine, it was offered with a 120bhp 1750cc unit in 1967 and a 132bhp 2-litre unit from 1971. With a top speed of 121mph and a 0-60 time of 8.9 seconds, the 2-litre was a delightful sportscar that offered a seductive blend of performance, handling and style.

Supplied new by Bouts of Wolverhampton in October 1972, this GTV comes in striking Bianco Spino white (a refreshing change from the usual Alfa Red), with a black vinyl interior and an excellent Webasto sunroof. It has had just five owners from new and the 73,850 miles displayed is believed to be genuine. The vendor acquired the car a couple of years ago from a pair of brothers who between them had owned it for 25 years and had reputedly always kept it in a heated garage – hence the remarkable state of preservation today.

The vendor states that the car is structurally excellent with no signs of any previous welding underneath. He also states that the engine is quiet with excellent oil pressure, and that the gearbox is quiet and precise. A limited slip diff is fitted as standard. Last year the car was treated to a thorough service and overhaul with many parts renewed including brake calipers, discs, pads and braided hoses; exhaust, clutch, battery, fuel sender, radiator, headlights, ignition system etc.

Flying through its MOT in November with no advisories recorded, it comes with many receipts, old MOTs and tax discs plus two sets of keys. Unusually sound and original, this car looks and drives like an Alfa should and is only reluctantly for sale to fund the purchase of a much more brutish and lairy sportscar from Blackpool. Hmmm, we know which we would rather have…