The Story of My Alfa Romeo GTV
I bought my Alfa on May 26, 2018—just three days before my daughter was born. I told my wife right away that one day, our daughter would inherit it.
I’ve always had a strong connection to cars, especially Italian ones. So it’s no surprise that my first, second, fourth, and fifth cars were all Italian. The Alfa Romeo GTV, which I found in Brno, Czech Republic, became my fifth car—a weekend toy and a passion project.
Many people, given Alfa Romeo’s reputation, ask: “Why an Alfa?” But those who own or have ever owned one understand completely. And to those who laugh or doubt it—try driving one before you judge. Sure, some models weren’t perfect, but despite their flaws, they always found their fans. After all, even other carmakers stumble now and then.
Anyone who studies Alfa Romeo’s history will be surprised to learn how much the brand contributed to the automotive world and what it once represented among its peers. It’s a shame that despite great models like the Giulia and Stelvio, the brand has been struggling in sales in recent years.
Childhood Dream
I first saw a GTV when I was 11 years old, in a small Slovak village called Hriňová. It was bright red. At first, I thought it was a Ferrari. When I came closer and saw the Alfa badge, I said the classic line to myself: “One day, I’ll own a car like that.
The distinctive design of the 916-series GTV/Spider by Pininfarina—loved by some, disliked by others—captured me completely. For many people, it takes time to appreciate its lines, but once they do, it’s pure love (like my unnamed mechanic friend 😄).
Nearly twenty years later, I finally made that dream come true. I naively thought I could pick the perfect GTV without needing any major investment. I was wrong. One of my main conditions was a 3.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine designed by the legendary Giuseppe Busso. As the saying goes—if it’s a weekend car, make it a proper one.
At that time, there wasn’t a single GTV with this engine for sale in Slovakia. Later, I found out that only about 6,500 units of the 916 GTV were ever made with the 3.0 V6. That made me want it even more—it was becoming a rarity.
The Search
After months of searching, I found two offers in the Czech Republic. One was red with a black interior—exactly what I wanted. The other was silver, rather plain in the photos, and had a tastelessly modified front end to mimic the facelift version. I closed that ad immediately, imagining all the potential issues.
I called the owner of the red one, but after our conversation, I had to pass—burnt seats from cigarettes, high mileage, and a full engine rebuild needed. With a newborn at home, that didn’t seem wise.
I wasn’t tempted by cars from Germany either—I just didn’t feel like going through the import hassle. That’s when my father convinced me: “Brno is close, go see the silver one.” So I did—and it turned out to be the right call.
Despite the unfortunate facelift imitation, it was clear the car had been cared for. The interior looked almost new, the engine ran beautifully, though the clutch was stiff as a rock. The owner even had the original hood, bumper, and a pile of spare parts. After a week of thinking, I decided to go for it.
The Restoration
When I brought the Alfa to Bratislava, I told myself I’d just drive it for a while and not worry about restoration. But of course, I couldn’t resist—I started returning it to its original look right away.
I’m not a mechanic, so it was challenging. Thankfully, with help from two close friends—both brothers and skilled mechanics—everything went smoothly. They understood my desire to restore it to factory condition. Within a few months, the Alfa was looking like herself again. The original hood and bumper were repainted—but a month later, I had to replace the bumper anyway. I hadn’t realized it came from a 1.8/2.0 TS version and was missing the oil cooler vents. That was my first faux pas. Luckily, I found the correct bumper in Slovakia.
Upgrades and Community
In 2019, the Alfa got original 17-inch “Teledial” (Baroque) wheels. I drove all the way to Ostrava to get them, but it was worth it—they completed the look.
In 2020, I replaced the timing belt, brakes, front shocks, and even found an original Alfa Romeo cassette radio by Clarion on eBay. I won’t mention the price—let’s just say it doesn’t play Apple CarPlay, but it works perfectly and brings me joy every time I use it.
In 2021, I bought a rare set of Zender Siena R18 wheels with polished lips in the Czech Republic. They suit the GTV beautifully, giving it a true retro youngtimer vibe—or maybe even a future classic from the ’90s. That same year, my son was born.
In 2023 came the latest upgrade—a new CSC Italy exhaust tip, to emphasize that legendary V6 Busso growl. It looks stock, just slightly larger.
Life with the GTV
Every year, I take the Alfa to gatherings of Alfa Romeo enthusiasts. “Alfisti,” as the owners call themselves, are a massive community. On the road, we always wave or flash our lights at each other, even if we’ve never met.
One of the biggest events is Alfacity in Hungary—a weekend summer festival with hundreds of cars and thousands of people, from vintage classics to brand-new models.
In Slovakia, several clubs organize Alfa meetings all year round. I’m a member of Alfamania.sk, and I’ve even helped organize some events. At the latest meet in Lednické Rovne, over 160 cars gathered—including visitors from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. I love that my wife and kids sometimes join me for these events—it makes it even more special.
Final Thoughts
Owning an Alfa GTV is pure joy for me—not only because of the car itself but because of the incredible community behind it. GTVs are rare, and many people don’t even know such a car exists.
It’s always a special feeling when people turn their heads on the street, give me a thumbs-up at traffic lights, or come over to chat in a parking lot. It reminds me that this car really is something unique.
Anyone who buys a GTV with a V6 engine today can be sure of one thing—its value will only go up. But selling mine? That’s not even on the table. I didn’t buy it as an investment. I bought it for the joy it gives me every time I take it out for a drive.
And that drive—behind the wheel of this car—is my perfect form of therapy.
Today, after more than seven years and about 12,000 kilometers, it still makes me smile every time I see it in the garage. And it’s never once let me down.
Key Modifications
- Restored original front bumper and hood (reverted facelift imitation to stock)
- Added 17” Alfa Romeo Teledial (Baroque) wheels – OEM spec
- Upgraded to rare Zender Siena R18 polished rims (2021)
- Installed CSC Italy exhaust tip (2023) for enhanced Busso V6 sound
- Replaced timing belt, brakes, and front shocks (2020)
- Fitted original Clarion cassette radio – authentic 90s interior touch
Style & Character - Model: Alfa Romeo GTV (916 series)
- Engine: 3.0 V6 24V “Busso” – naturally aspirated, 220 hp
- Design by Pininfarina – bold wedge shape, polarizing yet timeless
- True Italian youngtimer with growing collector appeal
- Balanced between retro charm and sporty weekend performance
Notable - Fifth Italian car owned by the same enthusiast
- Purchased in 2018, just before daughter’s birth – a future family heirloom
- Restored with the help of friends and passion, not a workshop
- Regular participant in Alfamania.sk meets and Alfacity Hungary festivals
- Driven only ~12,000 km in 7 years – meticulously maintained
Instagram: @ juraj_bakos
Car: Alfa Romeo GTV (1999)
Engine: 3.0 V6 24v (2959cm3, 162kw/220PS)
Transmission: 5-speed manual
