Early GTA turbo & A610 at CCA

I've had a message to say that Classic Car Auctions are selling an early Ex-Patrick Collection, low mileage GTA turbo, and an A610, at its sale taking place during the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show in March.

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/19 ... a-v6-turbo

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/19 ... a610-turbo

[stephendell]

Will be very interesting to see what both of those make. Would be a good guide to current values and hopefully both will reach at least close to lower estimate.

[stephendell]

Good news for GTAs

£16095 for the GTA

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/19 ... a-v6-turbo

Don’t know if that includes fees.

Bad news for 610s

Unsold and available post auction for £25500

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/19 ... a610-turbo

That's strong money for the GTA but still below other 80's icons. To note, that may potentially be the best example in the country and is probably evenly pitched against the 'best examples' of the effervescent 5 GT turbo from 85-91.

My parents had GT Turbo's in the 80's & 90's and I had one in the mid to late 90's, I even relocated with the car to Sweden in 1996-97 and have fond memories of driving on frozen lakes and chasing a BMW M3 E36 from Stockholm to Uppsala. However, the question that I find hard to answer is; surely I was not the only GT Turbo owner in my 20's that now wants to own a GTA in my 40's..?? Why are the GTA's so undervalued and why are they not on a potential R5 Turbo buyers radar?

Answers on a post card.....

[stephendell]

I guess everyone loves a hot Hatch but the GTA is a much better car in almost every way.

Yes Matt, I too owned a GTA Turbo as my only car 'back in the day' and despite the usual reliability issues from time to time, I loved it - my first piece of exotica, of sorts - it certainly felt different to everything else doing the Sheffield - Rotherham commute !

And I now have bought back in to 'recreate the love', and it is still a brilliant feel good car and a great analogue drive

I simply can't understand why the market doesn't value good examples more highly - for me, a benchmark ought to be a decent 944 Turbo, S3 Esprit Turbo, or something of the like. Also look at the way that decent A310s have finally taken off...

New A110 owners - don't you get a hankering to complete the set ??

Wow running a GTA back in the day, returning and still loving it - that's great!

Being only 19 in 1993 and running a 3 year old 5 Gt Turbo I felt somewhat lucky and point to point the 5 turbo was (in the right hands - not mine) one of the fastest cars on a B road. Fast forward 22 years to 2015 I had the chance to drive a friends sorted low mileage Gt Turbo and not once did I feel nostalgic or 'wanting' to relive my youth. Driving a GTA the very same day there was a night and day difference between something that is very capable, practical, quick to something that is 'very special'......even to look at.

Maybe as the Alpine name becomes more established and the word spreads the public might just 'get' the GTA?

I still have my 1986 copy of CAR magazine group road test of the GTA Turbo vs 911SC vs Espirit Turbo - the GTA came 2nd behind the 911, a massive achievement for a forgotten sensible supercar.......

Matt, Car did indeed rate the GTA. If you can find the Car issue / article, LJK Setright used one for a week. It is a great piece of motoring journalism. He loved the car.

With regard to the prices & market perception. They were seen as quirky, left field, plastic, a bit unreliable, & just a `Renault` to the uninitiated. Also on a par pricewise to a 944 Turbo when new. The Porsche name still carries a lot of weight & a lot of hype. I have had 2 older 911`s, fair enough, the build quality is excellent, but they still rust. I am sure the GTA will have its day, specially now there are several experts who can sort the gremlins. In the meantime, embrace the fact that you can enjoy the car without too much concern about its value.You will never be short of people to talk to when you have a GTA

Does anyone know if the A610 is still for sale?

[stephendell]

Contact the auction house. They were offering the 610 post sale at £25k and will let you know if it’s still available. Speak to Graham there if you can he’s an ex GTA owner.

If you’re interested I am selling my blue A610 which is all up together Stephen knows all the work that has been done on it, or pm me.

[stephendell]

Yes Stuart’s has had all the rust done properly. Watch out for poor patchwork repairs that will continue to rot. Don’t know the history of the green one but if it hasn’t you’ll need to budget a few thousand. Every 610 is rusty even the relatively low mileage ones have some. Not checked the blue or red ultra low miles cars but they were both £50k

Thank you. I will get in touch with them. I quite like the colour of that green one which is unusual for me as I’ve always loved the blue.

Not sure if this is representative and the car is no longer listed, so assume sold?

[stephendell]

Price is strong but it’s a Mille miles which we didn’t get in the UK. Value somewhere between a regular GTA and a Le Mans