By skyforbes 
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When a car is clearly a total project – but a desirable one – is it always worth rescuing? That’s the question I pose to you in the case of this claimed matching-numbers 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV coupe that is listed at no reserve. Not much is provided in the way of information, but there are plenty of photos which seem to indicate this Alfa has been left outside for quite some time. In restored condition, there’s always demand for this sporting two-door, but there’s a thin line between parts car and restoration candidate. Which one is it? Check out the Alfa here on eBay with bids to just over $2K and located in Northford, Connecticut.
I had little doubt this Alfa was somewhere near my neck of the woods, as it looks like any vintage European car does if left outside for decades. The bodywork is rough, and while the rust doesn’t look full-blown, I suspect it is hiding in numerous places throughout the body and chassis. The fenders and where the bumpers attach look suspect, and the trunk not latching down securely could mean the trunk floor is gone. Fortunately, the Alfa does appear by and large complete, with factory wheels, lenses, and glass all present – with the exception of the driver’s window, which I hope was just rolled down to make it easier to push the car out of wherever it was hiding.
The interior is better than I expected, as it appears largely complete and even retains some of the factory wood trim. Now, I’m aware it likely needs complete replacement, but it’s still in better shape than I expected considering the exterior. Other photos show that the front buckets will need a complete do-over, as the upholstery is trashed. The back seat may be salvageable, but of course, if any of the cabin has been sitting in water or otherwise stored damp for decades, you wouldn’t want to use it anyway. The dash is obviously cracked, but fortunately, photos seem to indicate the door jambs aren’t rotten – a place where water can collect if left to stand outdoors for decades.
The matching-numbers engine could certainly provide all the justification one needs to restore this GTV, especially with SPICA fuel injection and a racy 130 b.h.p. on board. These cars had sporting pedigree right out of the box, and to this day remain desirable specimens for track use as well as just running free on some canyon roads. The driving experience alone is what keeps rough Alfas like this one from becoming parts cars, and while the appearance is certainly rough, the no reserve auction may leave enough room in the budget to pick away at it for years to come. Would you restore it, or use this GTV as a parts car for a more road-ready specimen?