GTV Spider (Type 916) 1995 - 2004

My history of Alfa Romeo ownership started with this car back in 2007. My search began mid 2006. I had my heart set on a Vella Blue car with or without an Aerokit. Having visited and test driven many cars throughout 2006, they were either in poor condition for the price or, had too many mechanical floors that would need to be addressed.

Always in the background within Autotrader searches was this car a few miles away from me. Having decided to either buy on condition and history rather than colour, or give up altogether and a buy a Fiat Coupe, I visited one last car. 

The car looked much better in the metal (and plastic) than in the photos and the history file was extensive. The deal was done and I was the 3rd owner of the car.  

Soon after purchasing the car I joined Alfa Romeo Owners Club and the Alfa Owner forum. The car was in daily use covering 10,000 miles a year. My first AROC event with the car was Gaydon 2009 (pictured above). Note that the car still has its 16 inch teardrop wheels and amber side turn signals (both of which I still have). 

Over the years, care and maintenance has not been bad. Everyone has heard the old cliches about Alfas, but this car proves them wrong. 

The only niggle I had initially in the first few months of ownership was a recurring airbag warning light. This was eventually traced to the drivers side seat belt pretensioner despite the diagnostics suggesting passenger side squib ring??

The first jobs were new badges front and rear to replace faded ones (when they were readily available from Alfa Romeo).

Over the years i've had sections of the exhaust changed, the underside protected, clutch slave and master cylinders replaced, radiator and thermostat changed and the 17 inch Teledial wheels refurbished a couple of times to get the colour correct.

The most recent expense was the Meta alarm system unlocking but not locking. This was solved with a refurbished unit and 2 new fobs including the all important red code card.  

In 2022 I was able to source and buy a Clarion radio/CD player (with green illumination) to complete the original look of the interior. These are becoming quite rare and expensive now as back in the day they were taken out, thrown away and replaced by much better units. 

As with many 'modern classic' car owners I have a good collection of spares for the car while they are still available. I feel that items like headlights, rear light, steering rack, car mats and many others are worth buying while I can.

I have collected items relating to the 916 GTV. 1/18 and 1/43 scale models of the car, original bulb kits, Zender gear knobs, Zender pedals, toolkits and plenty more. 

Some would say (my wife) its a bit of an obsession.

If you see me around, come and say hello and I will happily try to answer your 916 GTV related questions. 

I try to attend as many shows as possible but juggling family commitments, with MG Car Club events and AROC events means I don't always have the chance to use DV02 as much as I would like. 

The Alfa GTV was announced in 1994. It was very similar to the 1991 Proteo concept car. It was then produced between 1995 and 2004 in both GTV and Spider variants. The original engine choices were a 2 Litre Twinspark and a 2 Litre V6 Turbo (for the Italian market to negate tax). This lineup was soon joined by the renowned Busso 3 Litre V6. 

DV02 TFJ is a Phase 2 Lusso model. Phase 2 refers to the revised interior, chrome front grill and body coloured side sills, while Lusso (Luxury) refers to the Momo leather seats and automatic climate control. 

• Designed: Pininfarina, Turin, Italy
• Built: 2002, Pininfarina, San Giorgio Canavese, Turin, Italy
• Engine: 4 Cylinder in-line DOHC 2.0 Litre Twin Spark 1970cc
• Power: 150 BHP
• 0-60 MPH: 8.2 seconds
• Price new: £19,600