Dial “916” For Style
Produced between 1994 and 2004, the GTV and Spider “916” are perhaps the most collectible Alfa Romeo models of the modern era.
And it’s easy to see why: their design looks every bit as fresh and attractive now as it did a quarter of a century ago.
Add to the mix the lusty “Busso” V6 engines or the characterful Twin Spark 16 valve four cylinders, and the cachet of being the last Alfa models ever manufactured at the historic Arese site, and it’s no surprise that prices for good survivors are firming up.
Genesis
The story of the Spider and GTV began in late 1987, shortly after Fiat’s takeover of Alfa Romeo and the successful introduction of the 164.
Interestingly, the project’s initial codename was “169,” following the Alfa Romeo numbering scheme inaugurated with the “101” assigned to the Giulietta in the 1950s. Since Fiat had been doing the same, Alfa’s new owners decided that all future Alfa Romeo projects should instead use the “900” series of project codes that had, until then, only been used for the Alfasud and its derivatives. Consequently, the GTV and Spider were reclassified as “916” during development, and the practice of using “900-something” codes for Alfa projects continues to this day.
