5 Things You Didn't Know About The Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider "916"

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The #AlfaRomeo "916" GTV and Spider made quite a splash upon their introduction in late '94, and their stunning #Pininfarina design seems to have hardly aged at all, almost three decades later. Just over 80.000 units were sold, and good survivors have been on Alfa collectors' radars for quite some time now. But I guess you didn't know these five little factoids about these cool #Youngtimers
The GTV and the Spider were, as much of the Fiat Group's output was in the 1990s, based on the Fiat Tipo's platform. However, fitting the Alfa's bespoke multilink rear end instead of the Tipo's simple trailing arms required the interposition of a sturdy yet light subframe. It was die-cast in one aluminum piece thanks to a technique called "thixo-molding."
In 2003, the GTV and Spider's front end was restyled to align with newer Alfa models. I bet you didn't notice that the new bonnet also had very slightly enlarged headlight cutouts. The Spider "Monoposto" show car from 1998 was the last complete project overseen by Walter De' Silva as head of the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo before joining the VW group later that year. The GTV and Spider share the same platform and wheelbase, but Pininfarina was asked to produce a Spider model with a 50mm shorter wheelbase during development. The GTV and Spider were the last Alfa Romeos ever manufactured at the Marque's historic Arese factory near Milan. In 2000, the assembly line was transferred wholesale to Pininfarina's facility in San Giorgio Canavese, where production continued until 2004.
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Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
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Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 www.amazon.com/dp/1656632500

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6 окт 2021

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Комментарии : 131

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

As one viewer correctly pointed out, I should have been more precise in the way I worded the segment about the GTV’s subframe manufacturing: the complex parts where the springs and arms attached were indeed cast in one piece per corner, but the three rectangular sections uniting them were welded on. Sorry for the mistake!

@markobajt9261 2 года назад

The sound of the Busso gives me goosebumps

@giulianoilfilosofo7927 2 года назад

My father bought it for my older brother back in the day when he became associate of his legal office in Milan. I still remember his face filled with joy when he saw it, sat inside it and turned on the engine.....nice times.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

That’s a cool story! 👍

@TheRealCoyote 2 года назад

I think the most "forgotten/unknown" fact about Gtv & Spider is the fact that the rear suspension is designed to incorporate passive rear wheel steering. I have met even owners who did not know this. With initial turn in the rear wheels turn in opposite direction to the front wheels, and as the suspension loads up they are "forced" to straighten. This is how they achieved a keen, sharp turn in despite of the FWD compromise. And as an owner I can say it does work, it is a wonderfully involved driving experience. The best upgrade for a Gtv/Spider is to add a limited slip differential to help pull the car out of corners faster.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

That's a cool insight, thank you! I knew about the passive rear steering, but forgot to mention it in the video.

@TheRealCoyote 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata Thanks. Nice video by the way, I forgot to say.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

@@TheRealCoyote Thank you!

@simonhodgetts6530 2 года назад

The 916 is very affordable right now, and a bonafide classic. Silver or graphite with a red leather interior please!

@portnaluinge 2 года назад

I passed an early Spider last week - the first I’ve seen in a long while - and was really struck by how well the shape has aged. It looked every bit as modern as any other car, but few are as elegant.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Indeed. These cars are true design classics, looking almost as fresh as new even after so much time… In the best Pininfarina tradition!

@lonebiker931 2 года назад

Despite being a bike guy, I had 2 gtvs. A 2.0 twin spark and a 3. 2 v6 lusso. I loved these beautiful cars. My best from Greece. 👍🇬🇷❤️🏍️

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Thanks for sharing! Appreciation from a bike guy is possibly the best compliment any car can receive :) Glad you enjoyed those cool cars!

@lonebiker931 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata grazie my friend. You know actually I bought the first 3.2 gtv in Greece, red alfa color back in 2004. I also had a 147. But I'm hoping that alfa Romeo will soon release a new coupe. 👍👍👍

@mattw8332 2 года назад

Having watched this, I now want one! A GTV that is.

@JethroBronner 2 года назад

I’m going to have to get a 916 on my channel soon. They’re such great looking cars. I actually had a 1999 V6 GTV when I was 18 so I have very many fond memories of them.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

I'd love to see a 916 on your channel, that's a great idea!

@richardholland7653 2 года назад

Please please let's see the 916 on Jethros channel! Can you fit one in your garage along side porco rosso?

@lynnhooley7608 2 года назад

Two of my favorite Channel producers right here! I am so blessed

@g00dfeeling 2 года назад

I fell in love with cars because of the GTV. One of the most beautiful cars ever.

@isaactamente 2 года назад

"Grazie" for another great video, Matteo!

@konstantinosbouramas5941 2 года назад

Intrestingly, I bought a 30k miles 1996 Lusso 916 Spider a while back after years of dreaming about the car but the Pininfarina badge on the side of it is the newer one. I never could have even thought there was a distinct one for those built in the Arese plant. Surely, I have to find one of the originals soon enough. Thanks Roadster Life for dedicating a video to the amazing 916s

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

That's interesting! Its previous owner must have swapped the badges for added Pininfarina kudos , I guess. The earlier badges were barely noticeable on dark-coloured cars.

@paullacey2999 2 года назад

Another beautiful Alfa Romeo that has not dated the slightest.When I see the occassional one it brings great joy.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Couldn't agree more!

@richardholland7653 2 года назад

Great video as always. The 916 is one of my all time favourites - the lines are beautiful and mine still a head Turner especially with the roof down.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Right on! Thank you!

@artsmithdrums 2 года назад

Nice video, love these cars and my 916 Spider is a keeper.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Right on! Which year and version is it?

@artsmithdrums 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata 1998 - Early Phase 2 Lusso with the Twin Spark 2.0L engine.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Cool. Perhaps my favorite model: with the better interior and the thin chrome trim in the “scudetto” 👍

@artsmithdrums 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata yep, Proteo red car with a tan interior

@patrickhenz996 2 года назад

Thanks for the video, a pleasure driving this GTV !! You might like to check out Pininfarina's earlier Audi Quartz. Very similar design.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Well, it's no coincidence: the Quartz was designed by Enrico Fumia, the same man who penned the GTV/Spider for Pininfarina ;)

@petrhavlicek393 Год назад

I and my brother love all Alfa Romeo car´s!!!

@sainta2667 2 года назад

Brilliant video

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Thank you! More on this format coming very soon :)

@alfagtv100 2 года назад

Lovely work, as always. Thanks very much

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching!

@marchutchings8834 2 года назад

I have got to buy another alfa before cars turn electric. Just one last time for old memories. Hey Marko, yes the Busso gives me the goosebumps as well.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

By 2027 all Alfas will be electric, but I think the brand can survive even this dramatic shift, if the cars will be fun to drive, priced right, and be gorgeous to look at. After all, the Giulia's "normal" engines (not the Quadrifoglio's V6, of course) already aren't very special. Good, but not remarkable. If we want a soul-stirring engine, thankfully we still got the classics to enjoy :)

@gearhead9828 2 года назад

I didn't really like the 916 when new, but they have grown on me. Thank for this interesting video! Ciao 🙋‍♂️

@paulwlynch 2 года назад

That Busso engine sound is just glorious.. Another fantastic and informative episode Matteo..

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Thank you!!!

@seancain7305 2 года назад

Another great film... love this channel :-)

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Thank you very much for your kind words and your appreciation 👍

@therushden 2 года назад

Anyways learning, with Roadster Life. 👏

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Thank you! I've planned more such vids in the future... Next week it'll be 5 things about the 164 ;)

@aggie3344 8 месяцев назад

Great content as always

@Matteo_Licata 8 месяцев назад

Thank you!

@fhwolthuis 2 года назад

Very interesting, I didn't know these facts!

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Thank you! That's what Roadster Life is for :)

@TABRO284 2 года назад

I thought the rear subframe was made in several parts. I would say the two outer parts are cast and the three bars connecting them are welded on. You can clearly see the welds.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Yes, I should have been more precise in the way I worded it. The three bars are indeed welded on, as those were simpler extruded rectangular sections. Thank you for the clarification.

@judethaddaeus9742 2 года назад

I’m one of those who prefers the Series 3 version, but I didn’t know they headlight cutouts were larger than on previous cars. Interesting!

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

I never liked the "series 3" front end: it seems forced to me, but tastes are individual :)

@judethaddaeus9742 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata It is a little forced putting a more complex curved, softer-looking bonnet, bumper, and grille on the front of an existing, more geometric design. But I think they pulled it off quite well. And I appreciate how it cleaned up (to my eye) the former four grille look by replacing it with 3 larger, bolder, more organic-looking grilles. The original design sold much better, though, and I’d still love to have one for my own. It’s a classic in its own right.

@mlodykonieczko5770 2 года назад

Very interesting, thanks :)

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Glad you liked it!

@through_changes 2 года назад

A gorgeous pair! Not only beautiful but really potent in a curvy open road. Really high standards of road behavior. For those few who are willing and crazy enough to track them, I have to say a few things... Rear suspension is a poem but the front one does not follow accordingly. The result is that its very difficult to find balance at the extraordinare limit and one has to spend a lot of time and money to fine tune... I would love to own one of the latest ones GTV with the 24v busso!

@tjw8t1 2 месяца назад

As an American with experience importing cars from Japan, I am very excited that these are now over 25 years old and can be imported legally.

@Matteo_Licata 2 месяца назад

Yeah, I’m pretty sure some examples will find their way Stateside soon enough

@roasthunter 11 месяцев назад

I've owned three over the year, all Alfa Red GTV, a 2.0 T-Spark 1998 model I bought in 2000 with 20,000 miles on the clock, I sold it a couple of years later for something more practical. A 3.0V6 I bought in about 2006 and sold in 2008 when I moved house and needed to thin the fleet. Then in 2012 I bought another 2.0 T-Spark 1999 on a T plate. I still have the car today but thinking of selling it.

@robertmenghini.Lambomad 2 года назад

Brilliant thanks

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it

@yaroslavbozhdynsky 2 года назад

Very cool video.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

@michelinstarschallenger8626 2 года назад

The car is clearly on my to buy list!

@kelemenkaban2505 2 года назад

Front wheel drive.... but still sexy. Both of them. Which is a feat not all designers can pull off. And the sound of the Busso.... Such a nice treat for myself on this grey afternoon... Thank you Matteo.

@solheifets4304 2 года назад

FWD is an incredible drivetrain mate

@CraigMilesYoutube Год назад

Love my 1996 GTV. Really need to get it out of the garage, and on the road again. Just wasnt a good car, when I had a child :-) Didnt want to sell it though.

@Matteo_Licata Год назад

Cool that you managed to keep the car, hope you'll get it on the road again soon!

@BanjoLuke1 2 года назад

Good video. This is an interesting car and always brings a smile. I am shocked at how low the production numbers were, but also see why that might have been. The Tipo was a good car, but not a good starting place for an Alfa. I love FWD, but I am not sure it suits the aspirations of this model. To my (unschooled) eyes, there was a lot of the aira of the Fiat Coupé in the Gtv. To me, that is a plus... The Coupe is beguiling. But... Any suggestion of proximity between an Alfa and a Fiat can damage the "Alfaness" of a car. Park d next to one another, one sees few similarities between Coupé and Gtv.... It is more on the essence, the aura. For me (and I know this is illogical) the crime of these cars is that they are not the 116 or the 105/115. That is a highly Neanderthal outlook and I am embarrassed to admit it... But it is so.

@Tourist1967 2 года назад

Still looks good - although I was always lukewarm to say the least on the rear light cluster.

@johnphaceas7434 2 года назад

I am truly surprised only 80,000 were made over 10 years, there must have been a disproportionate number sold in Australia given how often I see one out and about here in Perth. Always seems to be a couple for sale at any given time as well. I much prefer the hardtop to the convertible, in black, with red leather and the 3.0L Busso and teledials and no rear wing please.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

I think it's simply because people have taken good care of them and many are still around. I think the number of surviving GTVs will, sooner rather than later, be higher than surviving 156s or 166s

@lascar007 2 года назад

It would be interesting to know if the original hood and front bumper fit on the restyled 3.2 version... Would be a great mod, to keep the original Pininfarina design and have the latest improvements

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

In theory, they do… But I have never heard of anyone ever trying :)

@CarLos-yi7ne Год назад

Yeah, it can be done: just swapping the bonnet and frontbumper. It is been done . 👍

@GreasyFingers 2 года назад

Thanks for another great production. Now the question of questions: is the 2l Twin Spark to be preferred over the V6?

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Good question! I believe there's no good or bad choice between the two, but it depends what you do with the car and what are your expectations. The Busso sings like Pavarotti and has the kudos of being a 100% pure-blood Alfa Romeo engine. On the other hand, the 2L Twin Spark was one of the best engines in its category and likes to rev. Change the belt and check the oil regularly, and it's a dependable unit too. The 2L TS GTV/Spider doesn't sound as nice nor goes as fast as their Busso-powered brethren, but it's cheaper to run and, on the twisties, it's got a bit less weight on the front wheels, making it a tad more agile. Less power also means less wheelspin out of tight corners too!

@richardholland7653 2 года назад

I have a 1999 twin spark 2.0 spider. I deliberately bought the TS over the busso because the stiffness of the frame in the soft top suits the less powerful and lighter engine... some say the busso engine is too much for the spider and perfect for the gtv. Personally I love the sound of both engines and if i could afford it I would buy a gtv v6 to sit next to the spider on the driveway. BUT very happy with ts. It really does love to rev.

@GreasyFingers 2 года назад

@@richardholland7653 I owned the 2l TS in a Spider in the late nineties and after all these years I’m still in love with it. The moment when the variable intake switches and the change of sound that goes with it …

@richardholland7653 2 года назад

Too true! Feel a road trip coming on.

@jamesmurphy1389 2 года назад

Don't be daft. Would you rather have an average looking girl friend or a pretty one?

@elioboezio7107 2 года назад

I had a GTV 2.0 Twinspark for several years - a lovely car - but I always felt from the styling that it should have had a mid-mounted engine in place of the rear seats... sort of a modernised Ferrari Dino!

@CarLos-yi7ne Год назад

They are as beautiful as impractible.. But I will keep my GTV V6Turbo anyway! 😁😁 240 horses atm and on the way to 280-300hp. 👌

@wickiezulu 2 года назад

Wished the GTV/Spider featured a more Alfa Romeo Vivace headlight treatment (basically a no quad-headlights similar to other Alfas at the time), otherwise indifferent to the rear tail-light treatment although would love to see what alternative styling proposals were considered for the GTV/Spider as was the case with the Fiat Coupe, which included proposals with a few more promising rear end treatments in place of the existing "Swiss cheese" style rear.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Interestingly, the rear "lightbar" wasn't what the designer, Enrico Fumia, originally wanted. But he was asked to repeat a full-width taillight arrangement to emphasize the "family feeling" with the 164.

@wickiezulu 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata What was Enrico Fumia's original intention for the GTV/Spider's rear end? Did his vision end up finding its way to any other production or concept cars?

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

It wasn’t anything radical, but it had two separate elements, in a more traditional way. I’ve seen the pics in his autobiography, but not elsewhere.

@wickiezulu 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata Interesting. Was his original tail-light treatment approximately akin to the rears of the 1991 Alfa Romeo Proteo or 1996 Alfa Romeo Issima?

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Kinda like the Proteo, if you will.

@joseantonioarandagarcia9966 2 года назад

What a beatifull spider! And absolutelly gorgeous coupé! Despite I'm a roadster guy (like Matteo) I've to admit that white the roadster is nice, the coupé is sinply gorgeous. Maybe the roadster sould look even better whit the shorter wheel base that they evaluated.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

I prefer the GTV myself. Looks more “complete” as an object.

@joseantonioarandagarcia9966 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata Maybe I’ll sketch how it would look as a modern coupe of the Giulia. I think the architecture would made even more cool !

@SferaChannel 2 года назад

❤️❤️❤️

@marcbrasse747 2 года назад

That rediculous central back view mirror is where design skids off the road. For the same amount of aerodynamic drag you can have 2 proper mirrors. Nothing more thenen butch trickery. The rest was good though. :-)

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

It was done for aesthetic purposes, rather than aero: it is a nod to the 1970s 33TT12 sports prototypes.

@tempessst 2 года назад

Are they decently reliable ? Cause i'm shopping for my first car, and I really want an Alfa Romeo. Can't decide from a 159 or a GT or the GTV. Also can't decide which engine; the diesels or the petrol. Great video, really enjoyed it, keep doing you man your channel is one of a kind !

@tempessst 2 года назад

@@ProjectExMachina Yeah I agree with you, I don't have lots of money to spend probably like 5000 euros at most, so i'm looking at the cheapest options. What do you think is the most fuel efficient engine, after what i've found it's either the 1.9 jtdm or the 2.0 jtdm, but if i'm going diesel i want that 5 cylinder 2.4

@tempessst 2 года назад

I'm talking about the 159 there, cause if I buy an Alfa Romeo it would be the 159 because of the looks alone, I honestly don't even care that they're fwd; the most important thing for me is that the car should be rwd, but after seeing a 159 2.4 jtdm in grey with THE red leather interior for 4.900 euros i cannot ignore that

@Tourist1967 2 года назад

For reliability and fewer horrible surprises, I'd be inclined to go for the 159 - or even a late face-lifted 156, with the GT in third place. Just make sure the timing belt's been changed according to schedule!

@Tourist1967 2 года назад

Another thought - check out Italia Autos on RU-vid. English chap, mechanic, knows his Alfas. He has done videos on the 159, 156 and GT.

@Saughassy 2 года назад

Absolutely it is. I have two of them since 10 years.

@marcobusch 2 года назад

I always had divided feelings for this Spider design.

@delahayenator 2 года назад

Had silver GTV pre facelift 3.0 24v with black interior. Like the 156 and most other models never liked Alfa’s facelifts. Took away the distinct character with the beautiful designed Alfa heart on the first series in case of the GTV. Very nice and quick cars especially with a bit more robust shockabsorbers. The factory seemed to mount something that was like a bicycle pump, not suited for the heavier nosed V6. And they are really cheap, at least they were for a long time.

@derMenix 2 года назад

Einfach stilvolle Wagen❣❣❣

@kamran102 2 года назад

Great car. I own a Spider.

@Matteo_Licata 2 года назад

Cool! Which version?

@kamran102 2 года назад

@@Matteo_Licata A dark silver Phase 2 with TS engine 🙂

@martins1279 2 года назад

Love GTV

@tonimunozgonzalez 2 года назад

Ciao Matteo, you missed a key point, if you allow me to say it. The design of this Alfa GTV was base on Pininfarina's 1981 Audi Quartz project. Greatings.