2000 GT Veloce (1971–1977)
Tipo: 105.21, 105.22 (right hand drive), 115.01 (USA).
Engine: 00512, 01500 (USA).
The Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce (also known as 2000 GTV) was introduced in 1971 together with the 2000 Berlina sedan and 2000 Spider. The 2000 range was the replacement for the 1750 range. Once again the engine was rationalized throughout the range. The engine displacement was increased to 1962 cc with a change of the bore and stroke to 84 mm × 88.5 mm. Oil and radiator capacities remained unchanged. The engine produced 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) at 5500 rpm with the SPICA fuel injection, which, once again, was only fitted to cars destined for the United States and Canadian markets, with carburetors retained for other markets producing officially the same power.
The interior trim was also changed, with the most notable differences being the introduction of a separate instrument cluster, instead of the gauges installed in the dash panel in earlier cars. Externally the 2000 GTV is most easily distinguished by the following features:
- Grille with horizontal chrome bars, featuring protruding blocks forming the familiar Alfa shield in outline.
- Smaller hubcaps with exposed wheel nuts.
- Optional magnesium alloy wheels manufactured by Cromodora or Campagnolo of the same size as the standard 5. 1/2J × 14 steel items, styled to the “turbina” design first seen on the alloy wheels of the Alfa Romeo Montreal.
- “Turbina” refers to the wheel’s resemblance to a jet engine inlet.
- The larger rear light clusters first fitted to United States market 1750 GTV’s were standard for all markets on the 2000 GTV. USA market rear turn signals were red instead of yellow on non-USA models. The side marker lamps were larger and did not have a turn signal flash feature.
From 1974 on, the 105 Series coupé models were rationalized and these external features became common to post-1974 GT 1300 Junior and GT 1600 Junior models, with only few distinguishing features marking the difference between models.
The last GTV model year was 1974 for the USA. According to Marco Fazio of Alfa Romeo, the very last 1974 model year USA models were actually produced in early 1975. They could not meet 1975 USA safety and emissions regulations and thus they were brought in as model year 1974 despite carrying 1975 certificates of origin. 37,459 2000 GTVs were made before production ended.
In 1972 FIA rules changed so the 2L GTV could not race with aluminium doors and boot lid in FIA events. Source Alfa Romeo parts manual, FIA documents and Steve105.
Production ceased in 1976, though it continued until 1977 in South Africa at the Rosslyn assembly plant with a further 25 2000 GTV’s (all right hand drive).
