Best Busso V6 is the middle generation 3.0 12V that went into the 75 and early 164. Organic sounding, throaty at lows, creamy exotic at highs, *telepatic* throttle response, 90% torque at idle, pulls predictably all over the range, plenty of power (nice compromise between early/modern), ...

Its the best V6 ever made! I drove rally’s with a 75 3.0 V6 and never have i any probleem with the engine, it has 220 hp en 240 nm of torque. I also drove with a ford sierra cosworth 4x4 in group a8 and with a Volvo 242 turbo and the engine in the alfa was the best! Never broke and the lowest amount of fuel……! The Volvo was the best car for a rally and i have the most fun in the alfa!!! Great engine, shit gearbox and handling but the most fun, so i think the best engine is the busso V6, greats from the Netherlands , ramon

I think it’s far better to have an older car that you can push to its limits on the road, like these two, rather than a newer sports car where you rarely reach the limit, other than on a track. They both sound fantastic, without any sense of the sound being artificially created, that is the way of so many newer performance cars.

Best placement of a Busso is in an SZ. I love "Il Monstro".

I've got a 916 GTV with the 3.0 24V engine. When I bought the car 8 years ago it came with a sports exhaust, straight through type with very little flow restrictions, which made it very load. Recently was finding it to loud to live with, so I've just converted it back to a standard exhaust system. The difference now is like day and night. I can now hear mechanical noises coming from the engine, throaty gulps of air from the induction system, and it sounds fabulous.

I’ve had 7 alfas and loved all of them , and surprisingly reliable and the best cars I’ve owned .

A few observations if i may having owned two 916 3.0 24v models.....this engine might not be the most powerful but it simply has THE most natural and linear feel of any car ive owned (350Z HR, E60 M5 v10, Maserati GT-S 4.7 to name but 3)...no torque holes and a nigh perfect throttle response (the 3.2 GTA is much the same and feels notably punchier!). However the 916 3.0 NEEDS bilstein dampers, eibach roll bars, Q2 diff and 330m front brakes as a MINIMUM to be enjoyed and enjoyed safely. The ride is never going to be great owing to the placement of engine and distribution of weight but it can be made SO much better with these essential tweaks. Next up is to powerflex the whole thing, esp the rear and consider eibach springs for less pitch and roll which the car does suffer alot if you want to push on through bends and not just cruise with acc blasts. Then get a CDA and Wizard full exhaust with Alfaholic cats so that it howls properly (most exhausts for it just increase a rather dull gruffle-y note) and goes abit better... sure it will never have the sonorous intake sounds of the old 2.5 12v but it does add a whole new dimension. With all the above done its a great car and very intoxicating, the way these Alfa's make you feel behind the wheel is special, euphoric almost and cannot be explained to those whove never experienced it as such.

I've had a 916 GTV for 20 years. It had 3k on the clock when I bought it and when I took it off the road 5 years ago I'd put 220,000K on it. I've had a lot of welding done and is now a totally rust free car. Should be back on the road soon and I'll never get bored of Driving it. Saying that I'd love a GTV6 🙂

The looks alone and the fact that it’s rear wheel drive would make me go for the older car every time. And if you weren’t worried about keeping it 100% original it would be pretty easy to swap in a 3 litre version of that engine and there’s plenty you can do to tweak the suspension. But even in stock form a good example would be a delight to own.

When I had my '81 GTV6 and would open the engine to show it off, people would often say "WOW! that is the biggest windshield washer tank I have ever seen" These days I still have one Busso in the stalls, a '91 164S which is the 3L 12V version.. You gotta have at least one!

I had a 916 3.0 with the aero pack, in that Silver, lost track of how long ago that was. It wasn’t the best car dynamically or speed wise, but, I loved the soundtrack and the looks were and still are fantastic. Definitely a head turner. While in traffic on a high street a random stranger stuck his head through the window and asked “is she naughty?” So I blipped it to 3.5k “oh she’s naughty” … he had a huge smile and wandered off. If I’d had space it would definitely have been a keeper, anyone got the car ending in HLF? Would like to go hunting for tunnels again! I’m not fussed about outer limits of a vehicle as it’s so rare to ever get near them, but styling and character can be enjoyed at a lot less than ten tenths. Preeety caaar.

I remember test driving an early GTV6 and subsequently bought a secondhand 75 V6 with the same 2.5 litre engine and absolutely loved it. Totally reliable, we took it down to the south of France (detouring to take it down the Mulsanne straight) and my wife and I drove from Gruissan to Calais only stoping for fuel and to feed the kids - almost 700 miles - awesome. Replaced it with a 164 V6 3.0 followed by a 164 QV 12V which still ranks as one of the best cars I've ever driven let alone owned. A 166 3.0 24v followed and was terrific but an elderly lady saw it written off and I bought a 916 3.0 24v which had been well sorted - suspension & powerflex bushes plus a Raggazon exhaust which I intended to keep for a year but kept for 6! Wish I'd kept it but was tempted by the last Busso engined Alfa - the GT 3.2 24v. Added a Quaiffe diff and spent a fortune on it - the diff transformed it and it was incredibly practical but if I could have one Busso Alfa it would be the 164 QV 12v. Amazing performance, terrific handling that reminded me of the various Sud tis and Sprints I had years earlier - it seemed to shrink around me and the engine and exhaust made the spine tingle. Forza Quadrifoglio Verde

I had a 1985 GTV6 and loved it...loved the engine and the whole car. Was my daily driver and I time trialed it 5 or 6 times a year with the Alfa club. Then I had both a 3 liter and a 2.5 liter 75 (Milano in the States) and the 2.5 was a much nicer engine to drive. The 3 liter had great torque, but didn't love the rpms the way the 2.5 did. My last Busso was the 3 liter (190 hp) in the 164...and at last the engine had the revs of the 2.5 and the grunt of the 3...and was actually the best of all. This was the 2 valve version. If Alfa hadn't left the USA market I probably would still have that car...it really was a fun car and I used it to teach high performance driving with the Alfa club. My students would get out of the car and look underneath...they couldn't believe it was front wheel drive. It was all in how you set the tire pressure and understood the transfer of weight in the turns. Jack, every time you get in an Alfa you smile. Very much the way that Maserati Biturbo had you laughing as you drove it. Enjoyed this video enormously, thanks.

Had a sprint clover leaf in the early nineties, one of my favourite cars i have ever owned, in the 40 odd cars i have owned, loved it ❤

I had a 916 GTV V6, and I love Jack's content, so of course I clicked instantly. I loved mine, and I'm going to be boring and say what they always say: I wish I hadn't got rid of it. The V6 was just magnificent, so torquey and eager to take off in any gear. And the sound, nothing else like it. Had so many comments made on that car, its looks and sound - certainly more than any other car I've had. I loved the handling, the gear change and the steering, but then I haven't driven nearly as many cars as someone like Jack, so I have less to compare it to. They're really good quality cars too, and quite reliable, actually. If I had the space, I'd buy another.

The year Michelle Mouton won the Rally de Portugal, me and my friend were following the rally to watch stage by stage going little before the rally cars with a press badge through the conection roads and it was an experience I never forgot. The car we were in was an Alfa GTV6.

KZfaqs, algoritm gladly send me this video. And finaly a car show that propperly warms up the car before revving. And a presenter that carefully shifts gears in these older cars.

There may be a best "BUSSO" but the GTV6 has always been one of my favorite Alfa's. The car is a little timeless and it still looks crisp and current.

I've got the 916, with the "Mediterranean" engine, the 2 lt V6 turbo benzina. Everything is stock and like some other commenter said, with stock exhaust you can enjoy intake sounds (with a very slight hint of turbo hiss in my case). I'm a huge fan of n/a engines and I drive a 4200 for a few years now, but this V6 sings even in it's small turbocharged form. Great sounding car with even greater design, considering the Tipo platform.

How have I only just discovered this channel?! Jack, your reviews are fantastic, with a great choice of cars. Keep up the great work!

Always been a fan of the early GTV6. Sounds incredible. Another great vid. Keep them coming.

I've had a few busso Alfas, and I think the GTV6 was the best of the them. It was much more raw and engaging (well, the gearbox requred lots of attention to shift smoothly), and was a real pleasure to drive. It was my daily driver back then and I wish I hadn't sold it for peanuts as it would be worth so much more now! Happy to see your review and bring back some of the GTV6 nostalgia!

GTV6 FTW, that sound is spine tingling. Not just the exhaust but the induction sound as well 👌 Thanks for sharing

I own a 916 GTV V6 like the one in the video since 2015. I even use it as daily from time to time for a period of months. What I love about this car, besides the glorious engine is how much rock solid reliable is for it’s age even for daily use. Not even a single mechanical failure since the day I bought it. Another think is the excellent steering wheel feedback. It comes very close to the feedback that I get when I drive my Integrale. Great video, great comparison between the two Gtv generations

I've had the pleasure of owning many of the 2.5lt and 3lt V6 and loved them all. My first adventure was an early Alfa 75, then and Alfa 90, Another 75 but with an automatic ( 3 speed was horrible) then another 75 and my last one was an Alfa 164 3lt. The raspiness of the V6 is unmistakable an the best sounding V6 in the world. As for which one I lo ed the most was my first 75. RWD and awsome handling. Would love to get my hands on another one day. Thanks for the comparo and keep up the great work. Lets get the influenzo up and runni g soon. Cheers from down under 🇬🇸

I had a GTV6 in grad school it the late 80's at NC State University. All the buildings were brick and canyon like. I loved winding out the car in 2nd gear just to hear the exhaust,

Very nice video. Always love to learn about older cars. Keep up the good work.

Ownership was a nightmare, but OOOOH the sound of the V6 brings back memories

Alfetta GTV6 for me please! The 916 is lovely, but I’d have a RWD transaxle job over FWD any-day.

A dear friend had a 75, known as Milano here in the states, back in the early 90's. A fantastic car to drive with that oh so happy V6 just working away on a song! Today we have Stelvio Q4 and it definitely retains the organic feel that you talked about. It is very Italian and alive! It is always a joy to drive and even moreso if given the opportunity to stretch it's legs and straighten out a bit of country road. Thanks for the great video!

Everyone should own an Alfa in their lifetime and the Top cover from the RAC...........

I drive a alfetta gtv (a 2.0 because im 18 and cant afford a gtv6) and the weight balance is so nice. And I absolutely love it.

I remember "...that smile on my face", even when I only owned the 156 2,5 24v. That sound, a wooden steering wheel and gear lever, red leather........ One day I was following a 911 on the Autobahn from Bremen to Hamburg. Anytime he had to brake, I could close up and scream near the rev limiter through the traffic. I bet it looks and sounds amazing for all the others, when this old Alfa was chasing that 911. 70km later, the Porsche driver was slowing down on the right lane, smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

Connoisseur passionate video, very interesting! We had all the bialberos and the Bussos at home, since the 60s, and I even learnt to drive as a teenager on the 2.5 GTV6!... Great memories of dad and son connection, learning to double pedal and double clutch, and to drive by the sound of the revs...

I am torn here as I like both but that Alfetta GTV is stunning!!!! Here is a good one for you in the future , a Alfasud Sprint V a VW Sirocco MK1, both very pretty cars.

Brilliant comparison episode. For me it would be the GTV6 just for sheer vibe. Thanks again for an excellent video.

Another winner Jack, great video! Miss my Busso cars, more than any other cars I’ve ever owned. My favourite iteration was in the 75QV and the SZ, fabulous cars with an iconic engine.

Great video again Jack. Your description of the Busso is very good as it’s so hard to put into words what makes them special. You just have to drive one for a while to understand. I have an even later Busso than the 916 as I own a GT with the 3.2. In fact my GT was built two years after the last Busso rolled off the line and they were still being made 3 years later, right up until 2010. The GTV6 has always been a hero car for me, and the one Alfa I’ve always wanted to own. Sadly, the prices have now probably gone beyond my reach but at least I can still enjoy that Busso magic.

My GTV-6 was also a 1981. So happy to see you include one in a video. A fabulous car. Good power. Sounded incredible. Handled beautifully. A joy to drive. But I left mine outside. Oh well.

Great vid. The early car is one of my all time favourites. I ran a 85 GTV6 for three years. Just wonderful. It went wrong, a lot, but on a good day, it was very special. The feel, noise, character. Up there with the XJR and F355 as my personal favorites I've owned.

Great comparison video

Nice one Jack, those later GTVs look outstanding value, irrespective, both sound awesome.

Good to see the excitement in your face when introducing these 2 cars Jack! Think the GTV6 sounds best for me. Both great cars to own & enjoy! Thanks Jack, any Italian car is a good car to review! 👍🙏

Always a great video, thanks Jack.

Thanks for posting. Love these Alfas . Really wanted Gtv6 back in the 80s

I think I would have to go for the earlier car because in 1981 it was, in my opinion, more impressive amongst its peers

Great comparison video Jack. The older 2.5l GT6 is just 'more Alfa'. You aren't going (as we say) Sealion yet !!! Looking forward to the 308 updates!!!! Cheers.

I had the use of a GTV6 while I lived in Canada for a couple of years, lots more fun than the Detroit fare and Volvos which abound there - of course it had a cat which muted the sound and performance but the heart was still there. Concur with your observations Jack.

I have had a 2 litre version of the GTV as shown in the video (dreadful gearbox) and a 2 litre 147 selespeed and currently have a 3 litre 24v spider. silver with red momo interior which I have owned it for about 17 years - It is mechanically sound - It has powerflex suspension , ragazzon stainless exhaust and alfa "wooden" wheel (from memory from a 164) etc but just has got never used. Paintwork is now sadly shot - all sound but needs respray. only got sub 50k miles - always my "holidays and high days car" but not used for some years. Prior to watching your video I was in two minds whether to keep or move on. Having watched your video my mind is made up - it's a keeper. Thanks for the inspiration - first thing tomorrow I'll make a start on bringing it back .......... !!

Great vid Jack! Love my GTV6 and the sound it makes - probably a car I will never sell! Great work, keep it up!

‘Verwegen Studios GTV6 sound’ from 1.35 is THE best 2 mins of GTV6 sound💚🤍❤

Ahhh... brings back some fun ol memories!! Had two GTV6's back in the early 90s. Great fun to drive. Nice one Jack

A fair review, really more of two Alfas, rather than the first and last Busso (which were neither of these). I’ve owned three and currently running the 3.2 in my GT. And I’d certainly agree with a lot of your sentiments on this engine Jack. The 2.5 felt revvy but the 3.2 just pulls harder and harder. A Busso is a living breathing thing. One of the world’s greatest engines.

Love the first gen Busso in the GTV6, one of my all-time favorite cars. Great video!

Both Jack !! Great video Congrats

I ADORE the exterior looks of the 1980s Alfa. So exquisite..

Hi Jack, the Silver one with the 3.0 engine really appeals to me the most. I would drive it anywhere, anytime. Nice video with great sounds and drives. Thanks.

Having driven/owned several Busso equipped alfas, i prefer the old ones in terms of sound. They sound more raw, angry and eager. Can’t deny that the increased power of the 24v engines was nice though. Had a 12v 164 and a 24v 164 at the same time once and the 12v felt more playful and sounded even better. It had a really good pull even at high speeds. And i find them very reliable indeed, never had any issues despite high mileage and frequent ”spirited” driving.

The GTV6 is on top of my dream list. Absolutely love them Cheers.

worth waiting for. Nice review and very interesting. I don't know about your old 3.2, but when you talk about the 2.5 and 3l being linear.......in my 3.2 after about 4.5k, there's a definite kick of power, as it rushes for the red line. likely a mapping thing, trying to get more power out of the extra capacity.

All ways great videos bud 👍

I had two Alfa 75s (while I was in Germany as company cars), first one destroyed in an accident and the second was fine until it needed a new cylinder. Both had 180 HP (time was 1989/1990), were really throaty, and fast. Great cars.

Nice video. I have GTV6's since 1995. The one i have now is taken apart to be restored. I saved up all the parts from the parted 3 otherones i had. The seats of the 1983-1987 issued ones are the best seats i even sat in. The best is to keep the original exhaust system because it then still has the original sound of a trumpet orchestra. Beautifull sound. When shifting to from first to second, take out of first, put it in frnt of the second gear and the put it in second gear. The roadholding is super because of the De Dion set-up. When you keep the tyres on a good pressure, parking is a less hard job. And yeah, it is not a racer but a tourer (gTv...). It is a spartanic car but a delight to drive. As soon as my cow barn is converted to a workshop ( that is in proces now), i will start the restauration. It is my lievelings car and i will never sell it. I mis the driving in it. Regards from a Dutch in Belgium.

I am fortunate enough to have freinds who are Italian car enthusiasts, and for my late birthday present I got to drive a 75 2.5, and WHAT AN ENGINE! I can't emphasis how much of a screamer it was, with a modified exhaust which just let the thing scream all the way through the rev range upto the limiter, change gear and go again! Best sounding car I've ever heard! Naturally being an Alfa I didn't finish the day with the the crank bearings becoming in happy, Buring the exhaust and spitting oil out the back, but the few laps where in forgettable.

You came up once and I watched and liked your EB110 documentary. Next you come up as a suggestion for the GT4 and I really enjoyed it and subbed. Now we're looking at Alfas and it's it's a great format. I reckon a binge is coming on and I'll be looking for cool British stuff like Lotus and Jaguar and would love to see you cover 80s/90s Japanese. Maybe you have but I don't know until I binge. Great channel. Don't know your name yet but well done.

In the Alfa 6 it had 6 single chocke Dellorto's. The SA only GTV 6 3.0 L had the same set-up

So much more character in these motors than so much of todays cars and with electric coming ever closer , if my copy book was up to it would love to get one

Thank you for this cool Video👍 I had the 164 2.0 V6 Turbo 😎😍

Love your tests. You focus on the important stuff. I always thought the Triumph Stag was the best sounding stock engine. The Busso is ever so close. What a beautiful noise. The GTV sounds and looks better than the later car..

Hello Chris, very interesting presentation as you know big Alfa Romeo fan…,👍🏻🖐🏻

I would prefer the alfetta gtv6 by looks and like the 3.0 liter v6 from the later gtv. So i would suggest to take the best of 2 worlds and make one great car

GTV6 transaxle layout hard to beat..Gives perfect weight dutribution and not front loaded. I had a 2.2 ltr JTS Spider and that felt very front heavy too. Beautiful looking just like the GTV6..

The red Alfa, Sings like Pavarotti! Wat a Fabulous Car. I drove that particular Model from Munique to the South of France. And we crossed Spain into Algarve, in the South of Portugal. A fantastic car, driven during an entire month. Thank you for this great, interesting Vídeo

I yearned for a GTV6 when I was knocking around in AlfaSuds but just couldn't stretch to one. Gorgeous cars.

Still have my 156 V6 after 8+ years, it's a 3.0 conversion. I believe a 166 engine was dropped straight in by the previous owner. I've since put a decent exhaust and stainless manifolds instead of the silly pre-cat manifolds. Had it way longer than I ever expected, prior to the Alfa I tended to keep a car for only a year or so as I got bored. Even to this day it's an amazing car to drive and will likely never get boring. What's said about the engines here is correct, they're amazing and there's few out there quite like it for ordinary money.

If you set the automatically generated subtitles, when the engine revs it says [music] - instead of [engine noise] as typically shown by the AI algorithm when confronted with engines. It's like the "organicity" you are talking about had a digital counterpart, as if the machines won't be able to really "understand" it, but they feel it's there. As you said, these engines feel alive. I have a 2 liters 1975 GTV (the bialbero) - it has no counterbalancing shafts - and when you rev it you feel it in the body of the car, at idle speed it massages you with a syncopated, smooth pulse. Oh, it's terribly shouty over 100 mph, and the dashboard is squeaking and creaking, it's not very fast as todays sportscars, however, even with 2 cylinders less (and 150 kg less) - it's a pure joy. As Chapman once said, less is more. That's as well why it's almost impossible to find a GTV6 in original conditions for a non speculative price. Every year they substantially increase in value, and turn heads now far more than they did in their own age. A fun/money ratio hardly improvable, unless you go extreme and buy yourself a Lotus. But the GTV seats four people - quite decently if they're no giants - and you can carry a Labrador dog in the trunk, or four big suitcases, and leave for a long journey. A cruise speed around 80 mph allows still decent economy, which for a car of that age is really quite something, and more or less allows every day driving. My personal favorite car in the snow: balanced like Excalibur, no TC, it's permanent drift mode with fingertip control. All you need is snow tires to enjoy the absence of beeps and other electronic driving disturbances. The front wheel drive GTV is still an enjoyable car - it reminds you the old one - and it feels good until you try the old one. Then you know. Driving the original GTV is like a wild intercourse on the grass, at Woodstock, while Bob Dylan is performing live with his guitar. The "improved" GTV feels more like playing with a sex app while listening a boy band covering the song, in your headphones. If you like to drive without wearing a preservative, definitely should go for the classic one.

Jack love the way you talk about the car like its a person and you attempt to be as diplomatic as possible so as not to offend the car .Absolutely enjoy your videos !

Never had an Alfa but now I wish I had!

Jack old mate, I have to say this, I watch and have subscribed and you seem like a good bloke to have a beer with but as far as cars go you definitely have the masochistic streak.Cheers matey.

I had the 2 litre GTV back in the day. It's still my favourite car, although it needed a gearbox rebuild (not that expensive at the time) and eventually it succumbed to the usual Alfa rust. To me, the Alfetta shape is just so much more stylish than the 916.

Always loved both GTVs but the Earlier model is just gorgeous. Loved it since I raced one in my XR3i back in the late 80s looked stunning, sounded amazing and went like shit of a shovel back then compared to my 3i.👍👍

You ain’ a true petrolhead until you’ve owned an Alfa. I owned 21, and i’m broke but happy 😊 Greetings from Sweden.

Very nice comparison! ...and it always fun to watch one of your videos. Never mind all the technical and historical details. Regards to your personal opinion...it has a certain value. Thank you

I grew up in an Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT 1.6 (the speedometer is in the middle of the dashboard and the tachometer is in front of the driver), so the GTV6 gives me chills, but the newer one is also very sexy… 🇮🇹🐍🚗💨💨🇮🇹

A month ago i bought 166 3.0 V6 220 hp! Since i crashed my 159 1.9 JTDm in a heavy rain i use it as a daily driver for the moment! 200 km (about 120 miles?) every day to work and back, no problems at all, great sound and enough power for everyday car! They will go up in value! Not many of them are made and are becoming quite rare!

the older one for me Jack, so pretty, timely and unique.

There's also aesthetics. The first one is lovely. Reminds me of a Lancia scorpion, i keep wanting one, but yet to pull the trigger. My Healey is much older but still beautiful.

Great comparison. Love that engine

Love the red one. Looks so iconic.

That old Alfa is nice looking this channel is making me have some respect for cars I always thought were junk.

This channel is hard core Italian. Regards from Poland.

Oh man, I love your films Jack, but we really need to get you double-de-clutching, especially on the classic cars. They are so much happier being helped down the box and it sounds fabulous as well.

Thank you for this video. I have a GTV6 in my model collection, their styling is amazing. Are you aware that another channel called Alfa Driven Diaries has ripped off some of your footage for one of their videos on the GTV6? The joke is on them though as they show you driving the Alfasud Coupe lol.

Both lovely motors. Loved to soul of the earlier car. I think the 12v VR6 in my Corrado gives the noise a close run for the money of the later car, but not the early one. That one sounds sublime.

Here in South Africa, in the early 80's, we had 3.0l GTV6...the car was homologated for Group One racing... the 2.5 V6 was modified with parts from Auto Delta in Italy...they were GREAT cars...😍

Had a 1985 model GTV6 2.5. It was a great car, I had a Harvey Bailey handling kit fitted which made it really nice, gear change was a bit odd, you just had to give it time. Above all it needed to be looked after properly.

stumbled upon the video in my search for a gtv6. Ik have a 916 GTV 3.0 v6 and am looking to add a 116 GTV6 to the lot. great and informative video! p.s. the 916 has adjustment for reach. It ranges from: too far all the way to way too far... But you get used to it. Seating position is heaps better with the electronically adjusted seats (which are actually the same as the optional seats in the F355).

Ciao, Giovanni (Giacomo? Jacopo?). Thanks for the great video. As someone who is seriously considering an 159 (sadly, no Busso) in the future (and would love to see one in your channel), it's always nice to see these beasts!

I drove a 916 Gtv 2.0V6 Turbo a lot and dam the turbo makes it explosive, sounded great and was really a fast car. Loved it.. jut be careful when the road is wet

I love that Italian exhaust sound very distinctive