156GTA versus GTA

[borrani]

Why is that modern GTAm pic right hand drive? Which european countries (besides the UK) are still RHD?

Steve S.

[Vsix]

that one link is not GTAm here its is, it was made by N-Technology (autodelta)

http://www.motorbox.com/Auto/Magazin...50.html?mmc=49

[HenryKrinkle]

yea sorry about that, the literature seems right but the pics obviously arent, I just grabbed the first link I saw not in Italian, there are a few out there about the same car just type in GTAm Alfa under a search engine.
here's one you'll have to run through Babelfish..

http://www.mitoalfaromeo.com/html/gtam.html

[GiuliaSprintGT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by borrani Why is that modern GTAm pic right hand drive? Which european countries (besides the UK) are still RHD? Steve S.

[Max Banks]

Nice shots!

Here's a press shot taken of the 2 GTA's at our Alfaholics trackday in 2003. The 1600 GTA is of course my father Richard's, the 156 GTA was a press car that Alfa UK lent us for our trackday for publicity purposes. They were returning the favour of them borrowing Richard's 1600 GTA for the Alfa Romeo stand at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to help promote the new line of GTAs.

That 156 GTA was thoroughly abused my my brother and I that day, and the bumpy nature of Castle Combe showed serious flaws in the car's damper settings as the body control was appalling. This no doubt contributed to the reason why the car did not keep up with similar opposition in track tests with the magazines!

However, I personally wouldn't care if a Golf R32 etc. could get me round a second quicker or so because i'm sure it would have been a far more sterile experience!!! Wrestling that 156 GTA beast round the track trying to tame the lack of body conrol while it pitched from wild understeer to oversteer makes you feel like a bit of a hero!!!! If it wasn't for human ability in the car (not fancy 4WD or computers) it would have been well and truely stuffed into the armco.... that car puts hairs on your chest!!!! Oh and that v6.... truely magical.... raises the hairs on your spine everytime!!!!


p.s. My brothers 3.0 GTv was far more composed on the circuit damper wise and despite having 30 bhp less posted a similar lap time as a result!!!

[JudgeDredd]

I still want both. In a perfect world, I'd have the 156 GTA for everyday use, the GTA for weekend fun, and Mrs. Dredd would drive a 156 Sportwagon.

[spiros94]

The old gta can't be compared with anything but 156gta is a fantastic car!

[JudgeDredd]

I think they're both fantastic. I was reading some Alfa book put out by Quattroruote, the Italian car magazine, and in it they stated that the original 156 GTA weighed 1140 Kg. I guess it's gained some weight since then since now it's up to 1440 Kg.

[Enrico]

The 156 GTA has got some M3 vibes but is not a well designed/composed sports car (loosy brakes, hyper sensitive steering is a turn off)...but the GTA engine is fantastic. The engine is so entertaining and so willing that you will forgive it anything. Most Ferrari's doesn't sound as good as this glorious six pot.

[JudgeDredd]

I agree with Enrico, the 156 GTA sucks. I'll be glad to take one off anyone's hands for say, $5000. I'll even pay for the shipping.

[Enrico]

It's a marvelous engine to behold. A deep tone and agressive bellowing and immediatly infectious. The engine would be the reason to buy this car allthough I do not like skirts and
plastic.
But on a first testdrive you will not lost your heart because handling takes time to adjust to.
It lacks indeed good body control and the 156GTA doesn't have good communication of chassis and steering which connects you to the car. FWD handling of the GTA it quite poor.
4 cilinders are much nicer and lack of traction. But the 156 GTA certainly has character and passion. You cannot help liking the 156GTA.

[Max Banks]

Who else is loving SPIROS's avatar!!!!

[JudgeDredd]

Max, yeah, that's too funny. ^5 Spiros.

[ar1750gtv]

Can any of our Euro freinds give us driving impressions of the 147 GTA?

[jamieandthemagi]

I saw that site a while ago & luved the nose to nose shot so much I thought I'd try & replicate it with GTA & an SZ



and then got arty whilst both cars were there !