WHEELER Dealers star Mike Brewer was left stunned after picking up a rare modern classic he spotted at the side of the road.
The TV star, who’s renowned for his knack of picking up affordable motors and flipping them for a profit, said he “couldn’t believe it” when he spotted the Italian whip after taking a diversion on his way to work.
The motor in question is the elegent Alfa Romeo GTV – an seldom-seen sports car that saw only 41,000 models roll off the production line, with only 1,000 believed to remain in the UK.
What’s more, the model Mike stumbled across had just one previous owner from new – making it a proper gem.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mike said: “On my way to work a road was shut so I had to go down this long diversional route, and I’m following the arrows to get to where I’ve got to be to film with the guys and I whip past an Alfa GTV on a driveway.
“It just had ‘for sale’ on it and I thought about it, turned around and went back.
I couldn’t believe it!
Mike Brewer
“The guy came out of the house because I was standing on his driveway and it ended up being one owner from new, 1999 Alfa GTV three-litre V6.
“I couldn’t believe it – if that diversion route hadn’t taken me that route to go to work that day I would never have seen that car.”
Mike was able to buy the stylish coupe for just £2,000 after the owner admitted it failed its MOT and had been left standing on his driveway.
That meant plenty of work was needed from Mike’s Wheeler Dealers co-host Marc Priestley to get it fighting fit again.
Thankfully, after the pair splashed out £100s on replacements parts, the stylish coupe was able to get back on the road and was later put through its paces on a race track, before eventually being snapped up for £5,000 by an Alfa enthusiast.
The GTV, which boasts a V6 engine that can take it from 0 to 60 in an impressive 6.5 seconds, was produced between 1996 and 2004 and is now considered a modern classic by petrolheads.
In fact, a car expert recently described the GTV as a “future classic for the ages.”
Mike recently revealed to fans his next project – just days after wrapping up filming for the show’s World Tour.
The petrolhead, who’s been the face of Wheeler Dealers for over 20 years and recently teased new episodes to his followers on X, formerly Twitter.
Taking to his account, he wrote: “Hi all, it’ll soon be time to start the restoration/modification of my 964 Turbo.
“Please follow the build on my YouTube channel ‘Mike Brewer’ – if any company want to partner on the build please DM me and the team we respond.”
And while he doesn’t own an Alfa Romeo GTV, Mike opened the doors to his private car collection – which includes a host of lovely Porsches.
