Experiences with an Alfa- Romeo 2000GTV

Experiences with an Alfa-Romeo 2000GTV

IT WAS in the summer of 1972 that our Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV was traded in for the then newly released 2000 GTV. Externally there was little difference in the two models except for the model flash on the back. Internally, the Milan designers had followed policy and the improvements were subtle but telling. The increased torque from the bored out engine (the engine has a stroke longer than the bore, rare in these days) made relaxed driving in traffic much better. The limited slip differential helped no end on wet and slippery roads; it also changed the handling qualities and fast cornering on wet roads was quite exciting after the 1750’s habit of lifting and spinning its inside wheel. The heated rear window, standard on all 2000s sold in the UK, cured the rear-view blindness which, once condensation had built. up in the 1750, took ages to clear even with the windows wide open.

With 38,000 miles on the clock a run back through the log shows that no fault stopped the car on any journey and it never failed to start. A run through the service adjustments show that at 800 miles a wiper blade had a faulty edge, a vibration at 2,500 made the dash rattle, the mirror was loose as the plastic stay that stops it vibrating was broken, the wires under the dash were loose and the radio suppressor was not functioning. At 2,300 miles the boot-lid catch stuck and took 30 minutes at Alfa’s headquarters in the Edgware Road to free it. The 3,700-mile service put right the indicator return switch which was mal-functioning. At 4,690 the ignition lock came loose and had to be reassembled, using Lockseal to make sure it did not happen again. At 18,000 miles the fan blades suddenly started to touch their cowling and it was found that an engine mounting had snapped, letting the engine settle to the near-side onto a rubber blade. A local engineer removed the parts, welded them, and to date the trouble never recurred.

Oil consumption has remained constant. One pint is put in between each 6,000-mile service. Fuel consumption ranges between 30 m.p.g. when used hard in town, to 28-29 m.p.g. on long motoring journeys in England. On one 3,200-mile trip through France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and Holland this came to 21-28 m.p.g. but most of the motoring was at 100-110 m.p.h. cruising or high-revving, low-gear driving in the mountains.

When the car was new, the tyres were Dunlop 185/70 HR14 SP radials Formula 70, which for most of their life gave a good performance. However, the road-holding became more exciting from 16,000 to 24,000 miles and when the front right tyre burst from a damaged side wall at 24,700 miles it was time for a change. The Dunlops had 9 mm. when new, and on removing them the front had 3.8 and 4 mm. and the rears 4 and 2.2 mm. The new tyres revolutionised the road-holding. They are Goodyear G800s 165 SR14 radials (HR should be fitted but there were none available and the SR are safe to consistent running at 113 m.p.h.). It took over 1,000 miles to get used to the idea that the back did not hang out on every wet roundabout. After 14,000 miles there is still 6 mm. of tread left out of the original 9 mm.

The 2000 is still going well, its interior and upholstery are still smart and the bodywork polishes up well.:—M.J.T.