Alfa Romeo GTAm, A True Classic Racer
The Alfa Romeo GTA was a vehicle designed for both road and track, and produced from 1965 through 1971. The GTA was given aluminum body panels in-place of steel, which reduced the weight of the vehicle greatly and allowed for sterling performance from the compact engine. Continuing with this weight-loss plan, Alfa Romeo outfitted the cars with light weight alloy wheels and clear plastic windows. Inside, many of the components were formed from lightweight material and non-essential items were removed. Many mechanical components, including the rear upper control arms, were comprised of lightweight materials such as aluminum. The engine was given larger carburetors, magnesium camshaft covers, sump and timing covers, and other improvements. The Stradale version produced over 110 horsepower while the racing version produced an impressive 168 horsepower.
The GTAm, which was produced between 1969–1971 could produce up to 240bhp in the 2000cc car, a car usually related to the GTA, but unlike the GTA derived from the GTV 1750. The 1750 GTAm (later called 2000 GTAm when the 2000 GTV was introduced) was created in 1969. There are two schools of thought about the “Am” moniker, neither one ever having been officially confirmed by Alfa Romeo: one expands Am to Alleggerita Maggiorata (Italian: lightened enlarged), the other America Maggiorata. Well, it does really matter which is the correct term, the GTAm is a true classic race car.
Visually, the GTAm is distinguished from other racing Alfa coupes by the combination of the lovely 1750 grille with riveted-on, wide plastic fender flares. The flares accommodated meaty tires carried on 8 to 10 x 13 inch wheels identical to the ones used on the tipo 33 sports racer. The definitive mechanical element of the GTAm is the fuel-injected 1985 cc monosleeve engine with the narrow-angle, twin-plug head. Most other special mechanical assemblies were carried over from the GTA, including the gearbox and differential, the Autodelta sliding block for locating the rear axle, and the GTA’s other special suspension parts.
Because the GTAm was a pure race car, its specifications seem to have varied from car to car. Autodelta would have prepared the works team cars to conform to the rules prevailing at the time, and most likely modified the cars as needed for particular events. Mechanical fuel injection systems by both SPICA and Lucas were used, for example. The application of lightweight body panels also varied considerably. GTAms were constructed from standard, steel GTV body shells, but some examples were fitted with aluminum or plastic doors, hoods, or trunk lids, which were listed as options in the homologation document. These lightweight pieces were used less frequently as time went by, however. Changes in the Group 2 rules first raised the GTAm’s minimum allowable weight, reducing the advantage of using lightweight panels, and then for the 1972 season, alternative lightweight body assemblies were disallowed entirely.
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