Freddie Mercury once sang that "time waits for nobody." Not even sexy Italian coupés: the last Alfa Romeo GT rolled off the Pomigliano production line well over a decade ago.
However, we can safely say that time has been very kind to this Alfa model, the last one styled by Bertone and to be available with the classic "Busso" V6 engine. It's high time to revisit this modern classic, discovering five things you probably didn't know about the Alfa Romeo GT.
Deceiving appearances
The GT's project code, 947 C, identifies it as a straight 147 derivative, much like the carryover dashboard and panels. However, the GT's surprisingly roomy cabin results from its 50 mm longer wheelbase, obtained using the 156 Sportwagon's platform rather than the 147's one.
Different angles
The Alfa Romeo GT's swoopy profile owes much to Bertone's insistence for a specific windscreen rather than the existing 147 item that Fiat's bean counters initially specified. Taller and with a more upright angle, the 147 windscreen would have dictated a less sporty roofline, compromising the GT's look quite substantially. Money well spent, that's for sure!
"Gran Riserva" engines
The most coveted version of the Alfa Romeo GT came equipped with the venerable "Busso" V6's final incarnation, a Euro-IV compliant 3.2 liters rated at 240HP, all singing together like angels in heaven. These top-of-the-line models remained on sale until late 2007, yet the V6 production line at Arese shut down in December 2005... Meaning some GTs have V6 engines that could be a year older than the cars themselves.
The Cabrio that never was
Shortly after the GT's launch in 2003, Bertone built in its workshops this convertible prototype, hoping to convince Fiat's management of the idea. Fiat's higher-ups weren't interested despite the car's rather obvious charm, and this prototype wasn't shown publicly until 2011. Together with the former Bertone collection, it's currently on display at the Volandia museum near the Malpensa airport. As the folding roof's mechanism was never actually engineered, the car was, and will always remain, roofless.
Sunset in Japan
Alfa Romeo announced the end of GT production in August 2010, and it seems the last batch of cars went to Japan. These were 60 identical cars, painted red and with tan leather interior. Marketed in the Land Of The Rising Sun as the "Quadrifoglio Oro," these GTs wore gold cloverleaf badges like the late 60s GTs, 18" alloy wheels, and red brake calipers. Under the hood, there was a 2 liters JTS engine sending its 166 HP through a Selespeed five-speed transmission.