Alfa GTV first drive in 2 and a half years of restoration work!

My very first drive in my Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 after 2.5 years of ownership and 2 years of solid underside restoration work. A significant moment for me. Some people do this kind of work in a matter of months or even weeks, but due to work and family commitments this restoration process has taken me a very long time indeed and 90% of all work carried out has been done through the night when my family are in bed. Sometimes we have to make time by doing whatever is necessary to reach our goals, in my case, the goal was to create the car I’ve always wanted. Needless to say, at times it has been very tough but little by little I got there in the end!
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[@_RicksGarage]

Update: The Alfa is now with Gus at Alfa Tune. Thank you all for the kind works, positivity and suggestions. Much appreciated 🍀 🇮🇹

[@fredsalfa]

I had my GTV V6 3.0 for almost 10 years. I miss it now after seeing you drive one again.

[@_RicksGarage]

Haha maybe time for that nostalgic purchase! Now is the time before they go up in value. Most are already way over valued/priced

[@fredsalfa]

@@_RicksGarage How much are they worth now ? I live in Australia so there almost 2-3 times more expensive over here.

[@steverichmond3903]

Congratulations Rick! the car is an absolute belter, a real credit to you!

[@alanbeggs3172]

One happy man! Congratulations on a top job.

[@autoazure]

Gorgeous car, just love it to death! Well done to you for all that work and determination!

[@_RicksGarage]

Thank you Jim

[@carsportivochannel2273]

Hey Rick Great job with the GTV, it sounds and looks great. Know the feeling about the car. I have ovned my gtv for 12 years now and it still gives my a smile. It's the one on my KZbin channel.

[@DoctorDARKSIDE]

Sounds so good - congratulations, top work Rick and enjoy it!

[@matthewyates9191]

Hi Rick Matt from SportsItalia. Cutting out under power we had the same on a TS we swapped the engine. Clean the earth on the bottom of the gearbox and check the battery terminals. One was cracked on the TS and did the same. Well done by the way

[@_RicksGarage]

Hi Matt. Much appreciated. I have a battery isolator fitted directly to the battery at the moment which may be causing a contact issue. I will pass your info into the garage anyway 👍🏼

[@MrOlcaymeral]

Congratulations Rick. The GTV looks amazing. Happy to see you so excited and happy. Wish you a lot of fun.

[@bishbashbosh-j6z]

well done him.

[@salvofarnia8046]

Stunning Gtv. Worth the wait, beautiful job.

[@TheTriprecorder]

Thanks for sharing this. Once again you motivate me forwards to get my GTV off its axle stands and on the road.

[@porsche356a]

All Rick's neighbours curtains are twitching and they are muttering 'Oh sh!t the guy with the noisy Alfa is back!'. Great to see your raw excitement here. Can't wait to hear you giving the beans down the East Lancs!! Well done Rick!

[@_RicksGarage]

Haha correct! Thank you mate, much appreciated 👍🏼

[@jami7772]

Matey this is a testament to your hard work and dedication. That engine note is so sweet and creamy. Great work! Your reaction says it all. Congratulations fella ... ' nice and easy '

[@_RicksGarage]

Much appreciated Sir, thank you 🙏 👍🏼

[@Jimmy-ej4nd]

Seriously pleased for you mate. Hell of a journey and learnt a lot from your vids.

[@steelman200870]

That was fab Rick seeing the joy on your face driving your GTV for the first time.... 😀 Don't think I was as excited driving mine for the first time... was praying nothing was going to go bang orfall off! 🤣 Your GTVs paintwork looks incredible as well! 😍

[@_RicksGarage]

Thanks Rob. I was quietly shitting myself inside 😂😂

[@ganz7ful]

Brilliant mate. I know that feeling, its the best feeling ever, you want to pinch yourself. Happy for you mate 👍

[@sergiopipolo2292]

Congratulations All the effort and time put into it paid off 👍

[@JorgZiggy]

Great Job Rick! Lets hope she gets her mot! 🙏🏻

[@nzach1982]

Well done mate, slow on catching up, car looks and sounds amazing!!!! 🙌🏽👍🏼

[@_RicksGarage]

Cheers bud 👍🏼

[@djlosmi]

So exciting! Awesome look and sound :)

[@916gits]

Rick so great to see you hitting the road with your GTV. These really are such beautiful cars, this is now a very very sweet example thanks to the sweat from your brow and some late nights. Enjoy your time off and who knows perhaps you will get a birthday surprise from the Specialists. My GTV V6 (Ph1) has almost the exact same hard cut issue when pushing on accelerating [particularly noticeable when exiting round-abouts..] I've still no idea why and have barely used the car because of it. I will be watching this with peeled lids as I'd like to know what the hell is going on for both of our sakes.

[@_RicksGarage]

Thank you for the comments my friend. Much appreciated. The car is currently with Gus at AlfaTune and he says power suddenly cutting out at around 4000rpm is typical of a faulty Mass Air Flow sensor on these cars. As soon as I know more info and get to the bottom of the issue I shall let you know 👍🏼

[@916gits]

@@_RicksGarage youre welcome Rick and thank you for the content. Alfatune will get to the bottom of it I'm sure. Looking forward to the first proper worry free and road legal drive for you

[@mattdewsbury]

Goooo on lad !!!! Spot on that Rick, videos have been top draw !!! Plenty in the tank Sir !!!

[@_RicksGarage]

Hahaha thanks Matt

[@adriansealeaf4474]

Looks amazing that, I've just bought a gtv v6, needs a little work, but hope to see you out in it, I only live in Billinge

[@_RicksGarage]

Small world eh! Bet you was shocked when you recognised the surroundings in the video haha. Welcome to GTV ownership! You can contact me via email any time which can be found in the video description 👍🏼

[@adriansealeaf4474]

The bottom end is knocking on mine, the rest of the car is really quite good, can't wait to get it sorted

[@TABRO284]

Awesome, what a car! I am really happy to see you driving it. Sounds just like mine. Not sure what to make of that jerking, seemed to happen when you used the clutch? There is a switch on the clutch peddle but I dont know what it does. Video was good the engine sound came across really well. Happy Birthday as well

[@markblake4425]

Brilliant video brilliant car good on ya lad

[@andrewfinney6649]

Great work Rick - visiting StHelens in 2 weeks might give you a shout?

[@_RicksGarage]

No probs. If I’m available then I’d be more than happy to make your acquaintance 👍🏼

[@Art_Vandelay_Industries]

Wow, nice looking and sounding GTV. I love the red leather and the exhaust note (wizard?). I have the exact cooling issue you've described on my 156 2.5 busso. Could you briefly describe how you solved your issue? Installed some resistors? Would help a lot. Also i love what you do, restoring this beauty. I'd love to do the same to my 156, but i fear i lack the space and knowledge. I wish you a lot of joy with your car and stay save on the road.

[@catvisimo]

absolutely fantastic looking

[@paullloyd1276]

Well done you nowt beter than duin your own car sound sweet

[@mattturner2989]

Amazing car. Had the same 'surge' problem on a 156 v6- felt like someone hit the brakes hard for a second whilst accelerating? Turned out to be a throttle body problem. I cleaned the connector on the TB, and also the wiring connector from the accelerator pedal behind the gearbox. Not sure if all is wired up the same on a GTV, but maybe worth looking into. I think it happens because the signal to the TB is lost for a fraction of the second, so the butterfly valve snaps shut, cutting the power.

[@_RicksGarage]

Thanks Matt. Something else for me to consider 👍🏼

[@simonezerjeski6801]

I had something like this on a 2.0 TS spider, i just forgot to connect the battery pole correctly, so the ecu got no power. Maybe it is just a bad connection.

[@jayjonas]

Hola guappa!

[@ganz7ful]

Wonder if you get a cable TB conversion - i presume you are fly by wire resulting in surge.

[@_RicksGarage]

The car has covered 130 miles today, has surged 3 times, always on hard acceleration. Fortunately we got home without a hiccup however this evening the car cut out and is now completely failing to start. I’m suspecting a crank sensor but at this stage it really could be anything. The car is going into AlfaTune to be properly diagnosed ASAP

[@darrenward2926]

Really thought you going to alfatune goodluck on the mot :)

[@_RicksGarage]

I did initially but he’s too busy at the moment and I didn’t want to wait. If I can’t fixed any of the issues then It will indeed go to Guss at Alfa Tune

[@_RicksGarage]

Update: the Alfa is now at AlfaTune 👍🏼

[@bcr1973.]

Looks great Rick! No error codes?

[@_RicksGarage]

I didn’t take my code reader to check before dropping the car off but I’m sure the garage will have a look.

[@bcr1973.]

@@_RicksGarage but no check engine light came up when it cuts?

[@_RicksGarage]

@@bcr1973. nope, No EML. It did put on the ABS and handbrake lights for about 3-4 seconds before they went off again.

[@fredsalfa]

Just a guess with the surge issue, it could be your MAF ? As I had issues with mine. But it was more a constant lack of power rather than a sudden surge like yours. Maybe related like a loose connection or something? Just a guess.

[@_RicksGarage]

Yes, whatever it is it’s definitely something electrical. In my experience with MAF sensors, symptoms are more of a hesitation and loss of power rather than sudden power loss as you said. Could be anything at this stage. Hopefully the shop will get to the bottom of it

[@olivergrafton5811]

The MAF went on my GTV starting with gaps in the power band over a couple of weeks then a trip with a sudden loss of power and engine stall. AA took their time locating the issue but when they unplugged the MAF it started and ran (fully enriched) with no problem. Obviously I got it replaced immediately and it's been fine since. Hope the garage are able to sort the little niggles and you have a lot more fun to come!

[@_RicksGarage]

I had the ABS and handbrake lights come on for about 3 seconds as if the ignition had just come back on leading me to believe it is an electrical power issue. Maybe a bad earth somewhere perhaps

[@hanswieringa9911]

@@_RicksGarage Hi Rick, I have a similar GTV. I have had a problem with brakelight and ABS light at same time teasing me at the dashboard. It has never affected engine power supply, but I ended up replacing ABS pump unit block to solve the issue. Maybe worth diagnosing your ABS pump unit, but in my experience not related to you engine power disruption.

[@donatellolei1827]

air mass meter

[@paullloyd1276]

Whats it like after saab

[@_RicksGarage]

I recently sold the Saab in favour of a brand new car currently on order. It was the best car I’ve owned to date but ultimately it was just an excellent family workhorse and something I was never enthusiastic about. It was great to drive but obviously it didn’t feel eventful like the Alfa does. Chalk and cheese really. Fantastic dependable motor though 👍🏼

[@paullloyd1276]

@@_RicksGarage i have convertable and estate my alfa put on hold 12 yrs neil at italia auto got mine silver one when get it back got to do all bushes and then drive to mot yip e one day lol what was light fr n back