By Dean Larson

Photos: Seller, eBay

The Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 is one of those rare cars that achieves a perfect visual balance. From tip to tale, and any angle in between, the GTV 2000 is flawless in stock form. But like an air-cooled Porsche 911, its immaculate shape lends itself to certain modifications, especially so when cues from its racing heritage are embraced. Boasting a no-expense-spared build in the style of early ’70s touring cars, this 1971 Alfa Romeo GTAm tribute car is quite possibly the raddest on the market.

For us uncouth Americans, it can be easy to get lost in the ever-changing Alfa Romeo naming conventions of Giulia Sprint GT, GTV, GTV 2000 and GT Veloce. But put simply, the 1971 2000 GT Veloce traces its lineage through the Giulietta Coupe (a small two-door from the late ’50s and early ’60s) with a shortened wheelbase. Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the basic design for Bertone, which would be shared among all 105 and 115 series coupes from 1963 to 1977.

The early Giulia Sprint GT started out in 1963 with a 1,570 cc version of Alfa’s aluminum twin-cam four-cylinder, good for 105 hp and 113 mph flat out. Power was up slightly to 108 hp by 1965 in the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, good for a proportionate 2 mph gain on the top end. But in 1967, Alfa debuted the 1750 GT Veloce with an increase in displacement to 1,779 cc, good for 120 hp, and improved road manners with the addition of a taller final drive gear. Series 2 1750 GTVs also benefitted from a new dual-circuit braking system.

But Alfa’s top dog in the model range came in 1971 in the form of the 2000 GT Veloce. Once again, displacement was increased in the same twin-cam four-cylinder, now up to 1,962 cc and 130 hp. The rest of the engine was much the same, and U.S. export models were once again fit with SPICA fuel injection, as started in the 1750 model. Around 37,459 2000 GTVs were built, with production ending in 1975.

The stock 2000 GTV was an apt performer, but the company’s racing division, Autodelta, prepared extensively modified versions of the GTV and Giulia Junior for track duty. These cars were designated GTAs, instead of GTs, with the A denoting Alleggerita, Italian for lightweight. The GTAm was the most extreme of these, based on the 1750 and 2000 models. It featured a steel chassis with loads of lightweight aluminum and plastic parts to reduce weight. The completed car came in at just over 2,000 pounds and made up to 240 hp in race trim. Bulging fenders were added to cover the wide magnesium wheels, and the exterior trim and bumpers were removed to shed weight.

Alfa’s line of 105 and 115 Series Coupes were some of the marque’s most successful racing cars, netting six European Touring Car Championships from 1966 to 1972, along with a few major victories in Group 2 rally racing. This stellar combination of competition history, strikingly good looks and the ubiquitous Alfa Romeo soul, has made 105 and 115 Series Coupes quite desirable, especially when modified in period racing configuration, like this GTAm tribute car on eBay.

With build receipts totaling $133,000, it’s clear that this Alfa was built with no expense spared, completed at Vintage Underground in Eugene, Oregon. The build is based on a 1971 GTV with extensive GTAm-style modifications done. A 2.0-liter, twin-spark engine was sourced from Alfaholics and is paired to a Quaife six-speed sequential transmission. GTA brakes and suspension were added to handle the increased performance, and the car rolls on 13-inch Alfaholics magnesium wheels with Avon rubber.

The car was completed in 2014 and has been driven just over 7,000 miles since. It’s listed here on eBay for $95,000, meaning it’s far from the cheapest Alfa you can buy today, but it’s certainly one of the coolest.