This is the only Group C GTV6 ever to compete and 1 of only 2 surviving Group C/A Alfa GTV6’s in Australia, in original, as raced condition. Competed in ATCC Endurance races including Bathurst 1000 82-86, Sandown 500, Surfers, Wellington etc.
This car was also the first GTV6 imported to Australia (in 1982) as the pre-release Alfa Romeo Australia press car. Upon finishing its role as a press car, the car went to Gulson’s in Canberra where it was readied for the 1982 Bathurst 1000.
Has competed in Historic Group C racing for the past 4 years, 3 Litre Class winner last 3 years – best 3 litre car by far eats Capri’s (and Torana’s) for breakfast.
The car on its way to a class win at the HRCC Winter Historic Meeting at Queensland Raceway in 2004 which included an epic (victorious) battle with the ex-Dick Johnson/John French XC Falcon.
History
The Dulux GTV6 was Australia's first GTV6 being imported in 1982 by Alfa Romeo Australia as a press car. The car was used by the press for road tests and can be seen in Modern Motor and Wheels articles from 1982.
Ray Gulson (the Canberra Alfa dealer) purchased the car at the completion of its press car duties and readied it for Bathurst 1982.
For both 1982 and 1983 the car ran in Group C trim although not built or developed to anywhere near the extent allowed by the Group C rules of the period. In 1984 and the start of the Group A era Ray decided to put more into developing the car. The engine was rebuilt and Ray sourced factory race components through sources in Italy and the USA.
The car competed in Group A endurance races through 1985 and 1986 before being retired at the end of 1986. It the only GTV6 to compete in both the Group C and Group A eras.
At Bathurst in 1982 in "Stefan" livery
Current
After Ray retired the car in 1987 the car was unused and spent a long stint in the Bathurst Museum in as raced condition. The car was then purchased from Ray Gulson in 1990 by a long time Victorian Alfa Club member who campaigned the car in mainly Alfa Club events, the occasional Winton 6hr and in what was the beginning of Historic Group C racing.
Fortunately, the car was left in its original (1986) state with minimal modification nor was it "restored" meaning most of the car is original and in as raced condition.
In 2002 the car was purchased by the third and current owner. With the Group C category soon to be 5th Category (historic) the current owner set about making sure the car was exactly as raced and met Group C regs for 1984, the last year for the Group C category and the selected year for its Historic Certificate of Description.
It has since competed in the newly Historic Group C/A races in Victoria, NSW and Queensland at the major Historic Race meetings.
The car at the Eastern Creek Winter Historic Meeting in 2004
Logbooks and C of D
The car has full CAMS Historic papers - Historic Logbook and Certificate of Description.
The car is logged as a Group C car and is presented in 1984 specification. It is eligible for all 5th Category/Historic events.
It is also eligible to logged as a Group A car although it would mean going through the whole C of D process again.
It was decided to log it as a Group C car as it was the only GTV6 ever to compete in the Group C era.
Specification
Apart form the usual GTV6 spec the car has the following original as raced components:
- 2.5 Litre SOHC V6 - original hi-compression engine as raced with Carrillo rods, factory race cams, custom built stainless steel headers, collectors and side muffler, oil cooler - around 270 BHP
- Factory close ratio straight cut geabox, triple plate Sachs clutch, balanced and tailshaft with uni's and bearings, setup for oil cooler on diff/gearbox
- Factory alloy front lower wishbones, spax shocks, 36mm front torsion bars, big rose jointed sway bar
- 120L aluminum "Bathurst" fuel tank
- Front - 4 pot Lockheed calipers on new aluminium hats and AP rotors, Rear - 4 pot Lockheed calipers, dual master cylinders and balance bar
- 16 x 9 inch wheels running 255/570/16 Dunlop Bias ply slicks
- Original instrumentation.
Is fitted with a Cobra Suzuka seat and Willans Harness.
Performance
Current Lap times are as follows:
- Phillip Island - 1:50 flat
- Sandown - 1:25.5
- Qld Raceway Short - 1:01.63
- Eastern Creek - 1:48.48
3 Litre Champion for past 3 years, outright podiums - eats Capri's (and Torana's for lunch)
This is a great car to drive and race.
Right : Slipping under the Murray Carter XE at Sandown in 2004.
Some Results
Bathurst 1982 - 19th 136 laps Qualifying Time 2:45
Bathurst 1983 - 17th 141 laps Qualifying Time 2:39
Bathurst 1984 - 22nd 131 laps Qualifying Time 2:37 - 5th Group A car
Bathurst 1985 - 16th 148 laps Qualifying Time 2:33 - 3rd in Class
Bathurst 1986 - DNF