The Awesome Alfa Romeo 156 GTA

[@Matteo_Licata]

It's been rightfully pointed out in the comments that the cylinder liners didn't actually change from the 3.0L engine to the 3.2, as the 93mm bore size remained the same. That's been a mistake on my part, and I'm sorry!

[@paullacey2999]

Still utterly beautiful even now😍

[@Matteo_Licata]

It sure is!

[@stephanvelines7006]

A 156 GTA Sportwagon is such a beauty : ) great video, as always

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@seventysevenfiji]

The way that that "BITCHIN'!" came out, straight from the heart... 🤪🤣

[@ThePhilosopher01]

Im obsessed with the 156 GTAm.

[@d333my]

I love my 156 GTA saloon (berlina). It still looks fresh and turns heads today. Lighter metallic colours show the body lines best. The development and assembly link with Maserati makes it even more special. Brilliant video.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you, I’m glad that you enjoyed the vid, given you are lucky enough to have one of these beauties in the garage 👍 Congratulations and wish you many more years of driving enjoyment from it!

[@oliveroneill1388]

Great work once again

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@aggie3344]

Beautiful car and another brilliant video

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@asr1143]

it aged so well, still so pretty.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed!

[@stephanvelines7006]

Love it, so sad they couldn’t carry the engine into the 159 / Brera…

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed. While the GTA was being launched, the Arese engineers were already working on the GM-based V6 for the 159/Brera. An unloved engine that had no problems of its own, but had the impossible task of replacing a legend...

[@lynnhooley7608]

Thank you Matteo, and Stephane Was that the GM 3800 V-6? buona giornata a tutti

[@downesy68]

@@lynnhooley7608 no the GM engine used in the 159/Brera was a 3.2. They were actually made in Australia by Holden then sent to Italy for completion by Alfa.

[@stephanvelines7006]

@@lynnhooley7608 the 3.2 JTS was part of GM / Holdens high feature engine series. Lacklustre, lazy they don’t suit an Alfa Romeo despite the revisions undertaken by Fiat Group. To be fair, it also didn’t help that the Tipo 939 (159, Brera, Spider) weighed as much as a mountain… better take the 1.8 TBi or the 2.4 JTDM (5 cyl. diesel). The 2.2 JTS is also a huge disappointment…

[@mikegan73]

Great video, I had to watch it a second time, love the 156.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!!!!

[@through_changes]

Alfa 156 GTA!. When the numbers, don't tell the whole story! Having been in more than one many times, I have to say that besides the stunning look, lles a very competent and emotional car, that the performance numbers do not give away the feelings it generates! It urgently needs some updates on the deferential and suspension (brakes too for the early production) and then it becomes a timeless tourer of beauty and style! 1,8 lock to lock steering column with an extra cooling system just for steering! How special is that? Can not get over the death of Giuseppe Busso just a few days after the Arese plant was closed. It is just too much...

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

Ciao Matteo. Another fascinating video. I think this was a great period in Alfa’s relatively recent history. They seemed to have a great looking range of cars: 147, 156 and the GT that I luckily owned at the time. The GTA was always ‘the one’ with that glorious engine. How poignant that Giuseppe Busso world sadly pass away just days after his greatest creation died on the production line. Take care mio amico.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Indeed, Alfa’s last “golden era” is much closer in time than most believe! Cheers from Turin 👍

[@jaimegonzalez661]

An engine that it's a true work of art. Keep up the great work, Matteo !

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thanks, will do!

[@gearhead9828]

The front brakes were soon upgraded to 330mm diameter, as the 305s were rather weak. Fantastic car, great video! Ciao 🙋‍♂️

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you for letting me know, I didn’t have that piece of information

[@endless551-E36]

My 156 GTA is produced in Dec 2002 and it still have 305mm brakes. There are not bad per se, stops as hard and sharp as 330mm but fades quickly when pushed on race track. On the road it has never caused me any braking concern during spirited drives in the hills.

[@johnphaceas7434]

My '02, like most early GTAs, has had the 330mm Brembo upgrade done by a previous owner. The only downside is that the space-saver spare won't fit over the front brakes. So if I ever have a front puncture, I'll have to change two tyres so I can put one of the rears on the front, and the space-saver on the rear. But because mine originally had the 305mm Brembos, at least it has the space saver in the boot - I understand the factory didn't even provide a spare for the later cars, just one of those cans of goo...

[@anakondase]

The GTAs are for the most part well taken care of around here. They became collectables instantly. The sad bit with that is that they are rarely seen on the roads. I wanted a GTA back when I got my 156 but they were to pricy for me at the time and I did like the facelift better. Now they're even more expensive than they were back then.

[@michaeloreilly657]

Busso V6. Like the Grandfather's Clock. 🎶 It stopped short, never to go again, When the Old Man died.

Another iteration of 156 GTA story and both are great, the 156 and this video. Keep up the good work 😎

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@AC-busso]

Busso per siempre 🇮🇹🍀🔉🎵 Grazie Giuseppe, RIP

[@kobuserasmus2934]

Beautiful car, I had the privilege to drive a friend's GTA sedan soon after they were launched here in South Africa.

[@Matteo_Licata]

How was the drive then? I have to admit I have never driven a GTA myself

[@adamwalsh4794]

I had the privilege of owning a 156 GTA for 18 years, before it sadly went beyond economic repair. Loved that car.

[@Matteo_Licata]

What ultimately wrote it off? Was it rust or an accident? I’m curious now

[@adamwalsh4794]

Dropped a cylinder liner and needed engine rebuild.

[@johnphaceas7434]

@@adamwalsh4794 A shame, as it would be economic to rebuild the engine nowadays.

[@jamesmartinwyatt]

Nice review! I bought a 156GTA SW new just as the 159 came out - for a 33% discount! It cost me less than a 316 would have at the time, but was much-criticised in the press then, good to see them appreciated now. It grounded out everyhwere on the standard shocks, but felt better made than the early 2.5V6 I had previously owned. It did the family car / fun car thing extremely well, and while I missed RWD after a few years racing Caterhams, traction was actually pretty good, much better when I added a Q2 diff, strut brace and upgraded shocks. The lower limits of these cars made enjoying them on the road much more accessible, it was a very fun if dynamically flawed thing. It did shock other (mostly German) marques at times - I think some owners read too much into the poor press reports - very much like the 987 Boxster S I have as a second car now, it was faster than it felt when revved out. Just like the Boxster the hugely flexible engine meant you could smoothly leave it in any gear pottling about. A great car! My last 3 daily drivers (currently an Alfa - once bitten eh) have all had >500bhp and RWD and been acclaimed in the press, but their limits are so high, on a typical B road I think the GTA put more of a smile on my face. Maybe my expectations are just higher now 🙂

[@Matteo_Licata]

Wow, that's great to hear! Thank you for sharing your ownership experience with me, much appreciated!

[@johnphaceas7434]

Thank you for another outstanding video Matteo on the car closest to my heart. My GTA is my 4th Alfa, and 3rd Busso 156 and is without question the greatest car of the more than 20 cars I've owned over the last 35 years. While it is no longer a "fast" car by current standards, it leaves everything else in the dust in terms of style, class, feel and most of all - that incredible and unmatched soundtrack. I never thought I'd find one, given maybe only 126 were officially imported in Australia, so when I stumbled on mine I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Very cool. Thank you and wish you many more years of enjoyment from your GTA!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Agree with others here - the 156 GTA Sportwagon is a stunner. Although I like the Giugiaro facelift, I think the original front end suits the GTA much better. I’d have one in a heartbeat!

[@briankay4713]

Perfect combination of Alfa style and performance (and sound of course) these are quite rightly revered amongst Alfisti.... Those Teledial alloys too ❤️❤️ Excellent as always Matteo 👌

[@delahayenator]

Ultimate version production Busso and the 156 is the best handling fwd car Alfa ever built.

[@aryanalfa2444]

Amzing still, one of few models wherebthe sportwagon looks even cooler

[@elefantinoverde5832]

It´s, again and again, a real pleasure to watch this Video´s from you, Matteo. Thank you also for this great one about a stunning car. The fact, that Giuseppe Busso died, shortly after the end of production of his engine, was new for me and sounds sad and "fascinating" (i think you understand how i mean this) at the same time. I´m looking forward to the next Video. Best wishes from Germany

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you, glad you enjoy my work so much! Cheers from Italy 👍

[@1practicaljoker]

Another great video!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Great looking and sounding car !

[@davidpeters6536]

A very good friend had a 156 but it was a diesel. A beauty no doubt and I recently complimented an owner on his (in Bangkok) excellent condition black 156.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Most 156s sold were diesels, in fact: after all, the model was the first to use common rail direct injection, which vastly improved performance and refinement.

[@1BCamden]

Beautiful

[@benzinapaul7416]

My favorite post 2000 Alfa by far. I had 15+ pass through my hands as a used Alfa dealer in England but I ran a Sportwagon for almost 2 years as my personal car. It was Blue Gabbiano with the Le Mans interior - Black leather with blue inserts. What a car it was, a friend had an E46 M3 and it could keep up despite the apparent 90bhp power deficit. I kept it stock, must admit didn't feel the need for the Q2 diff, the 147 GTAs I also sold did feel twitchier and more susceptible to torque steer so more in need of the diff upgrade. Great cars and would love another but here in the UK they are suffering from floor corrosion and they are not a cheap car to maintain.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Wow, what a wondrous-looking thing it must have been that Sportwagon GTA in blue with the LeMans interior... Very cool!

[@afroditasimeonovic7825]

Hvala Tvorče sto postoji ljubav zvana Alfa

[@Pat_RickX]

Busso V6....nothing more to say. The ultimate 6cyl.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed. One of history’s great engines

[@downesy68]

Absolutely. I’m lucky enough to have one in my GT. The numbers don’t tell the story. You have to drive one to understand.

[@F1Kamel_1992]

The Alfa 156 GTA looks amazing in all four corners and never in doubt the 3.2 litre V6 sounded like heaven but also handled very well both on public road and on the track. 😍❤💯👍

[@Matteo_Licata]

No doubt!

[@brunotulliani]

I really love that GTA M. Too bad it never made it to production. Thank you for another great episode. Take care.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Looks fantastic indeed that GTAm! Thank you!

[@johnphaceas7434]

There are a couple of specialist firms that will happily upgrade your "vanilla" GTA to GTAm spec for a price.

[@cameronthomson6141]

Such an awesome Car. We never got the sport wagon version here in Australia unfortunately. I agree with you about the GTA badge not really fitting the car though. Should have been called a 156 GTV, in my opinion, but I can see that this would have clashed with the GTV that was still on sale at the time. I rescued a 147 GTA about 5 years ago now and have thoroughly enjoyed the 3.2 Busso V6 (except for the timing belt service cost😅) She still needs plenty of work cosmetically but shes been my daily the whole time. - Looking forward to the video about the Baby GTA soon.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool! Yes, I’m definitely covering the 147 too, soon. I didn’t know Australia never got the Sportwagon, by the way.

[@fabiocene]

Grande auto, grande video. Bravo!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Grazie!!!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

It looks beautful and mean at the same time !

[@rabit818]

GTA headlamps similar to VW Golf… synchronicity The station wagon is a beauty

[@italianduded1161]

FORZA ALFA ROMEO 😍😍

[@dipling.pitzler7650]

Visiting this year's Padua Motorshow for classic cars I noticed a lot of Alfas and AR parts; expensive though! On the contrary of the general though that in the country-of-origin cars ought to be moderately priced. So, anybody interested should act now while young timers like the 156 are still somehow available.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Right now in Italy everything “classic Alfa Romeo” is red hot, with prices to match. Well, the upside of those high prices is that it encourages people to pay for proper restorations and repairs rather than cheap bodges.

[@cancracker]

Even though the 156 and 147 were a great market success, somehow Alfa Romeo missed the chance to capitalize on that with the following models. I wonder if the decision to replace the 156 and 166 with something in between, the 159, has something to do with that.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed. Alfa’s sales numbers dropped sharply within a few short years, as the customers they conquered no longer found what they wanted in the range. A crying shame indeed

[@ironfist768]

Does anyone know if the Facelift version came with a V6 option? From what i remember seeing in Wikipedia, the V6 engines (2.5) were offered up until the end of the 156's production in 2006, but i haven't found any post 2003 (facelift) cars with V6 engines and i was curious about that.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The 2.5 V6 was regularly offered on the facelifted 156 at least until 2005, but it's true that those later V6s are very rare. By then, far fewer 156s of all types were built, and the V6s were a minority. They exist, but there aren't many around.

[@ironfist768]

@@Matteo_Licata I see! Thank you for the reply and congrats for the great content of your channel. It's great for us fans of Italian cars!👍

[@Brisbane2024]

The 156 GTA was still my dream but unfortunately completely out of my reach. Therefore I bought an 156 1.9 JTD, with most of the same great 156 features but much less running costs. Of course, the differences between both cars are big, but I still love the nice shape and driving of my 156 JTD from 2000, now 22 years old.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Most 156s sold were diesels, and one can easily see why: the model was the first to use common rail direct injection, which delivered the power and refinement you know so well :) Wish you many more years of driving enjoyment from your 156

[@mauromolinari99]

Everywhere i found this numbers: 156 GTA Sedan 2973 Cars (2625 with manual transmission) 156 GTA SW 1664 Cars

[@Matteo_Licata]

The numbers I used come from the Alfa 156 book published here in Italy by Giorgio Nada Editore. Are they right? I don't know. But the book was written by a known author with the support of Alfa's archives, so I tend to believe them more than any website.

[@norwegianzound]

I ordered a 2.0 T-spark in blue in 1998. Got a call from the dealer in Dublin that my car had arrived. Went to the dealer to be presented with a red 1.8. When I expressed some dismay, they explained it was the only one they could get, so I could take it or leave it. Needless to say I have never had the pleasure of owing an Alfa Romeo.

[@Matteo_Licata]

That's unfortunate. I can understand though, and I would have probably reacted the same way!

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

I was tempted to cover the GTA I saw at one of the workshops I visited. But I have to keep to my

[@Matteo_Licata]

I didn't know you had established a firm age limit to the cars you'd cover in your videos!

[@dough740]

One of the best looking Alfas ever produced - understated, but if you know, you know. Almost a Q car. Given what Giugiaro did with the Sprint, how did they get it so wrong facelifting the 156?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Well, it’s a matter of taste. Some like the facelift more, even though I’m not one of them. Giugiaro simply did what the Alfa managers told him to: put the Brera prototype’s nose onto the 156.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Where was this filmed? I need to go there! I thought the GTAm prototype only still existed in old photos 😮 Another thing I’m curious about, is the production figures. Sources I found all claim about 1670 GTA Sportwagons were made. And be careful when talking about MacPherson suspension, there are lengthy discussions about this and the outcome is that it’s technically most correct to call it a Camuffo type suspension (originally developed for the Lancia Beta), even though Alfa itself refers to it as MacPherson for the sake of simplicity.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I’ll try to answer all your questions best I can: First, I filmed the cars at Alfa’s Arese museum, where the GTAm prototype is preserved. Second, the production figures come from a book about the 156 that’s been recently published here in Italy. Third, here in Italy even Fiat Group engineers that worked on the things usually call that rear suspension a McPherson, so that’s what I’m sticking with. However, Sergio Camuffo does deserve more credit and recognition than he usually gets, so if some people use his name for that rear suspension design, all the better for it :)

[@davidorama6690]

It’s hard to believe that the 156 is almost 25 years old.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed. Seems like yesterday that I was marveling at its engine bay as an engineering student… Now it’s a classic car!

[@drmnishikawa]

Hope you can make a tribute video for the late Mauro Forghieri.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I'm not sure about that, as I would need appropriate footage to go with it, which I don't really have.

[@maz124s]

Fantastic video, although i still would love to know its production process, i see mention that its engine was assembled / modified by Maserati as well as production of the extra body pieces by Maserati in Modena also is this correct or was main production still at the same location of the normal Alfa. 156 on maybe a seperate production line?

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! The Maserati connection cited on some websites is mostly bogus: the engines were built at Arese and the cars rolled off the Pomigliano d’Arco factory just like all other 156s

[@maz124s]

@@Matteo_Licata Fantastic thank so much for your reply hopefully one day we also get to see production/ assembly photos i have never seen any of these for the 156 GTA or 147 GTA models

[@rodsalvador3608]

wish we could get this in California =(

[@Matteo_Licata]

Just wait a few more years for these to turn 25 years old and become eligible for import ;)

[@florentinmayon2703]

Planning on doing a similar video about the 147 GTA? 👀

[@Matteo_Licata]

Yes I will. Had the chance to film a 147 too at Arese, so it’s coming :)

[@florentinmayon2703]

@@Matteo_Licata ah! Really looking forward to it then :D

[@BanjoLuke1]

This was a very, very, very rare car in the UK. I'm not sure I ever saw an estate/break. It is a wonderful thing... But I have mixed feelings. The ubiquity of the entire 156 range somehow stole from Alfa in the UK the "rare and quirky" image that their cars had enjoyed for decades. There were so many Alfa 156 models on our roads that it became an Italian Opel Vectra. This is still an excellent car, but as you say, the "A" in the title is a piece of linguistic artifice. So much on this caris right... But a worrying number of things are not quite right. Great video... But sadly a car that was not quite great.

[@peterkleinveld9705]

The Alfa 156, Alfa's last hoorah sales wise. Alfa has been on live support most of the last decade now (much like Lancia). Even the Giulia, probably Alfa;s best build car, but nobody wanted it or could afford it. The Stelvio and Tonale are mere shadows of what Alfa stood for.

[@CenzoL]

and I still have mine since new ... all black, and only 103k on it.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Very cool, it must be a real beauty 👍

[@CenzoL]

@@Matteo_Licata yes, well looked after and still a thrill every time I drive it, after nearly 20 years owning it.

[@laurentlajoux5199]

I am desperately looking to buy one and rebuilt it totally as a GTam with 3,7 litter involvement... If somebody can help?

[@johnphaceas7434]

Once you find your base car Autolusso in the UK can upgrade the standard GTA to GTAm spec for a set price, though I understand it is not cheap.

[@ciastohiro9700]

3.2 and 3.0 have identical cylinder liners.

[@ivangreco8874]

Grandi auto

[@normaluser5755]

I hate that Alfa Romeo did not continue this design with the new Giulia. It could be an original and gorgeous car, but we got a BMW M3 clone instead.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Although I’ve grown to like the current Giulia’s design, I fully agree with your sentiment: the Giulia should have been a much more original, better-executed design. De Silva and his team did much better in their time, indeed.

[@normaluser5755]

@@Matteo_Licata I'm not saying that it's an ugly car. It just lacks any originality and uniqueness for me. It has the exact same dimensions, shape, position of the door handles and many other things as the BMW M3.

[@peterstaykov9670]

🧡🧡🧡☀️☀️☀️👍👍👍

[@andreamaccioni8871]

We should change the name in Gran Turismo Appesantita, sorry but the wrong use of badge from Italian managers are amazing just to sale more with out any clue what the history ment, thats probably one of the reason of Alfa Romeo fails. Maintening a strait line on names and continuity of cars development should be more productive. that only my 2 lira, because i am italian in the blood.