Stuart Milne reckons the late 1960s GTV 1750 is the epitome of Italian cool; and the sexiest Alfa ever made.

It wasn't until a visit to the Goodwood Revival classic car extravaganza a few years ago that I realised just how sensational the GTV 1750 was.

I'd seen pictures and a few had passed me in the street, but standing up close and personal to one, I was reduced to the status of a dribbling buffoon.

And looking at some pictures now, it's still making me weak at the knees.

The front of the 1750 is its finest angle - especially with the chromed front bumper removed. It manages to look aggressive and sultry at the same time, in a way only an Alfa can.

But from the sides and rear, it looks like an unassuming coupe which couldn't pull the skin off a bowl of rice pudding, let alone blow another car into the weeds.

Under the Alfa's bonnet sits a 1750cc engine, complete with two camshafts, oozing passion and begging to be driven hard.

There were plenty of engines in the GTV range, but the 1750 is generally regarded as about the best to live with – it's all well and good having a cool classic, but pointless if it blows up during every other gearchange.

The 1750's interior is an awesome blend of wood veneer, aluminium and leather and is dominated by the huge speedo and rev counter.

Look carefully and you'll see all the dials are labelled in Italian, while the toggle switches which festoon the centre console mostly go without any kind of symbols telling the operator what they are.

This is a real drivers' car.

As good as the 1750 looks and sounds, it’s the corners where it really comes alive. With the front-mounted engine driving the rear wheels, it's a chuckable motor which, according to those who've driven one, is an absolute blast.

That's in spite of the live rear axle, which although simple to fix, doesn't allow the rear wheels to move independently. Purists look down their noses at this kind of set up, but it works fantastically on the new Mustang.

Fancy a bit of classic 1750 action? You'll have to be quick, because when they do pop up in the ads, they sell very quickly – so make sure you have up to £15,000 in hard cash for a good one.

L.A.T.W.O.T. Video of the Week

OK, it's not a 1750, but it’s the best looking Alfa since – the stunning 8C Competizione.

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