1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV

Imported from Pennsylvania in 2017, this delightful Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV appears to have had just the one owner in the USA – and the garage that listed it for export was the very same one that had sold it new back in 1974.

‘CDM 291M’ therefore has pedigree, something it’s maintained as the seller became only the car’s second registered UK keeper when he purchased it through us in 2021.

Wind the clock back to 2018 and the invoices on file show that Alfaman Services recommissioned it, work that included some welding before putting back on its feet with a set of new Campagnolo alloy wheels. 

The engine was rebuilt too with the GTV’s mechanical US-spec fuel-injection system sensibly ditched in favour of twin Dellorto DHLA 45 carburettors.

More recently it was serviced by Richard Drake, an independent Alfa Romeo specialist, in June 2025 at which time the rear differential seal was replaced.

And, on perhaps a shallower note, let’s not forget that the pairing of bright red coachwork with a tan interior is perhaps the most attractive colour combination of them all.

And, as you can see, the resprayed paintwork still has a helluva shine to it, something that’s only possible because it lacks the rust and dents we’d expect to see on an Italian car of the era. 

In fact, Our Man describes the paint as “very solid”, only singling out the slightly-misaligned boot lid for criticism. Even he’s happy to admit that everything else lines up beautifully – and given how stark the shutlines are against that red coachwork, any that didn’t would stand out prominently.

You’ll struggle in vain to find any dinks or ripples either. The brightwork is excellent with almost no pitting or tarnishing, and even the rubber door and windows seals are also still plump and pliable. 

It also sits with a impeccable stance thanks to the carefully calibrated ride height and a set of wheels whose offset brings the outer edge of the tyre into perfect alignment with the lip of the wheelarch.

Both elements are, we suspect, a byproduct of the quest for sublime handling and a decent ride, proving the engineering adage that if it looks right then it probably is.

The 14-inch, GTA-style alloy wheels are in fine fettle too with no scuffs or scrapes or other signs they’ve been rubbed along the kerb. They also sport decent centre caps plus shiny bolts and Alfa Romeo valve caps.

They are also fitted with a set of matching 195/70R14 Falken Ziex ZE310 tyres, which have been correctly installed with the yellow marking next to the valve. This is incredibly rare to find and made an otherwise gloomy Friday morning just that little bit more bearable. 

They were also made in 2024 and only put on in early 2025, so they still have a very good depth of tread left on them.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

Other encouraging signs include a sticker in the window proclaiming membership of the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club UK, which is never a bad sign, plus problem-free lamp lenses, badges, and glazing.

The tan vinyl interior is every bit as impressive as the coachwork with nothing more than a little softening and creasing to the driver’s seat, a lightly patinated nearside door card, a worn handbrake gaiter, warped veneer on the centre console, and a hole in the offside rear quarter trim betraying the car’s age.

The rest is in the sort of condition that allows you to appreciate the inherent loveliness of its design without being distracted by broken plastic, cracked vinyl seats, or worn carpets. 

And there is an awful lot to like in here including the shapely seats with their unique wooden headrest supports, a deep-dished and wood-rimmed steering wheel, cowled Veglia instruments, and a heavily canted gearlever topped with a simple white-on-black gearknob.

The individual rear seats are deeply sculpted and look equally fabulous, and all four occupants enjoy the benefit of seatbelts.

The headlining is undamaged and still taut, and the top of the dashboard is free of any obvious sun damage bar a short section of seal on the offside edge. Aftermarket floor mats have been fitted, and lifting these uncovers only a slightly stained carpet.

The boot is a good size with the correct floor covering. This hides a full-size spare steel wheel and a solid floor that has developed only a smattering of surface rust to be taken care of. 

The tool kit is stored in an aftermarket bag, and the wheel brace appears to be brand-new.

NB: The American air-conditioning system has been removed. 

As the video demonstrates, the four-cylinder engine bursts willingly into life and revs freely with an appealingly gruff exhaust note. 

There is some vibration at idle, although the engine bay offers so much space that working on the engine would be a joy compared to the contortions required to work in modern engine bays. 

Not that it will necessarily come to that because the seller tells us that he’s generally only pottered around Norfolk in it, so it may not need anything more than a damned good thrashing at high revs for a few miles; after all, an ‘Italian tune’ became a cliché for a reason…

It’s also nice and clean under the bonnet, although few would accuse you of being overly fussy if you were to invest a few pounds in replacing the rusty coolant hose clips.

You might to investigate the fuel gauge too, which doesn't work, and check the clutch, which makes a tapping noise when the gearbox is in neutral and the clutch pedal isn’t depressed.

The underside has been well protected by underseal, and this appears to have remained intact and is still doing its job. The exhaust system is in good shape too, and we spotted a set of bright red Koni dampers, further strengthening our suspicion that someone’s gone to a great deal of trouble to get the GTV handling properly. 

The alloy sump has only very minor damage to a few of its cooling fins, something that’s pretty much unavoidable given how low the engine sits and shouldn’t be a problem. The suspension and steering bushes all seem to be in good shape too, and there are no obvious oil leaks.

The Alfa Romeo does not have an MoT certificate, and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar a marker for being an imported car.

The history file includes the receipts from Alfaman Services for recommissioning the car plus more recent ones for things like tyres and servicing. 

There’s a Reassignment of Certificate of Ownership from the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in there too, plus a V5 Registration Certificate in the seller’s name as well as a few other bits and bobs including photos of the Alfa being repainted.

The Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV is a rare example of a classic car that drives and handles as well as it looks; while some manufacturers put the emphasis on either looks or performance, Alfa Romeo refused to compromise and somehow managed to deliver it all.

Which makes the range so popular that prices of the 105-series have been rising steadily for a while now; we sold this very car five years ago for £35,000 and we suspect the virtual hammer will fall this time somewhere between £37,000 and £42,000.

If so, that would be a small but satisfying increase in value, something we suspect you’ll also benefit from when the time comes to pass it on to its next custodian.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.