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The Green One
The old cliché about Alfa Romeos is absolutely true: you don’t look for an Alfa, the Alfa finds you. This couldn’t be more true with the Olive Green Metallic GTV that popped up for sale in late 2011. I was not in the market for another Alfa, and I certainly did not have the space for one, but the color immediately grabbed my attention. I love a red Alfa like as much as the next guy, but I’m a sucker for all the pop colors that were available on GTVs, Montreals, and many other sports cars from the ‘70s.
The GTV was located in the Netherlands but was originally a US-spec car sold in California where it spent most of its time. In 1994 it was taken to the Netherlands where it was barely driven. In fact, it still has its American tires with more than 7mm of tread left. The ad also indicated that it had factory A/C which also meant that it had rare factory original green glass to help keep the cabin cool. All in all, it looked like a solid, original, and well maintained GTV in a rare original color that would make a great daily driver.
I decided it was time to bring this GTV back to its home in California. Sight unseen, I wired the full purchase amount to the seller and crossed my fingers.
About a month later, the GTV shows up on our shores and Manuel and I go to pick it up. Upon first inspection everything looks great. The paint was and is even more beautiful in person. The seller had even kindly included a little surprise in the glovebox. This GTV turned out to be pretty much as described by the seller. I have been driving it for about a year now, and it has proven to be a fantastic, reliable daily driver GTV that I can take on spirited canyon runs with my fellow Alfisti on a Sunday morning and then drive in the evening for a stylish night out with my wife.
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