Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT


The Alfetta GT had a slightly shorter wheelbase than the saloon, but retained the same mechanical layout which included a twin-cam 1.8 litre engine and a rear trans-axle. The coupe bodywork was instantly recognisable as an Alfa Romeo, the trade mark grille adorned the front.

The design came about as a result of joint labours of Giorgetto Giugiaro and Alfa's own design team, the Alfetta GT being one of the most beautiful cars to look at, and because of a combination of slightly less weight and uprated suspension the GT felt tauter than the sedan, rolling less and in particular having lost most of that slightly annoying sway of the Alfetta.


What was disappointing however was that the driving position had not been modified - this being often criticised by motoring journalists of the day. The addition of a quite brilliant mechanism to raise and lower the height of the driving seat (pushing or pulling a lever while remaining in the seat) had unfortunately done nothing to cure the basic problem of misplaced pedals.

Mechanically the GT was identical to the sedan - the same rear axle/transmission arrangement, same engine, same gearbox and final drive ratios and so on, but the wheelbase was 4 inches shorter. The excellent aerodynamics, incorporating a pronounced front spoiler and tiny rear one on the lift-up tailgate resulted in a claimed 5 m.p.h. improvement in top speed (roughly 116 m.p.h.).


The interior of the Alfetta GT was well appointed and featured a rather curious centrally mounted speedometer. This proved a bone of contention with motoring journalists and enthusiasts alike, the big and lonely tachometer placed directly in front of the driver, ideally placed, you might say, for judiciously controlling the willingness to rev of the 140 bhp, twin overhead camshaft, 1,779 cc engine.

The problem was, in the Alfetta GT's home turf on European roads, ever changing speed limits were rife making the speedometer the most critical instrument in ordinary daily driving. Thus, the set up necessitated a deliberate, lengthy removal of the eyes from the road to see it. As a sporting and affordable Italian car there was only one real competitor at the time, that being the Lancia Beta coupe which at least has a driving position designed for human beings. Production of the Alfetta GT continued until 1976.