Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale August 17th - 19th, 2017 at
Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Monterey, California Auction. Please
contact us for more information. Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint
Speciale-1961 Chassis: AR 177276 Motor: 10120-01477 100 hp, 1,290
cc twin-overhead cam inline 4-cylinder engine, twin Weber 40 DCOE
carburetors, 5-speed manual transmission, independent front
suspension with twin wishbones and coil spring/damper units, and
rigid axle rear suspension with coil spring/dampers. Arguably one
of Alfa Romeos most distinctive designs, the Bertone designed
Giulietta SS, drew inspiration from the radical styling of the
BAT-series cars which Alfa Romeo had commissioned from the
celebrated design house between 1953 and 1955. The Sprint Speciale
was a limited edition of the ever popular Giulietta series. All of
the Sprint Speciales were Veloce models, which included higher
compression ratio, hotter cams, twin Weber carburetors, and a 5
speed transmission and were capable of over 120 mph. Alfa Romeo was
ahead of its time with the sleek and unusual styling and drag
coefficient of 0.28, which was not surpassed for over 20 years.
There were 1,366 Giulietta examples built. This example is finished
in Alfa red with salt and pepper interior and is in unusually
original condition. All switches operate as expected. This example
was manufactured on the 14th of November, 1961, and sold new to
Regie Nationale Usines of Billancourt, France on January 29, 1962
(Alfa Romeo Storico). It spent most of its life in Italy and was
imported from there in 2012, and is currently with its first US
registered owner. The paint is approximately 20 years old but still
shiny and bright. In 2016-17, all chrome bright work was removed
and re-chromed. In 2014, the interior was completely re-upholstered
to original specifications (original pieces are included showing
the same pattern and material) including carpets, door panels, dash
and rear window vinyl, and headliner (a window out install). Window
felts were renewed and seat belts added resulting in an absolutely
stunning interior. The odometer shows 10,500 km, which probably
dates from the engine rebuild in Italy in the early 2000s. When
brought to the US, the car benefited from a valve job, servicing
the tachometer and water temperature sending unit, relining the gas
tank, new shock absorbers, new fuel pump, and meticulous care by
Marque experts Conrad Stevenson and Glenn Oliveria. The engine
starts easily, even when cold and having sat for some time. It
makes very good power and runs smoothly without vibration on the
highway and handles twisty roads like it was designed to. It is a
joy to drive. The transmission shifts exceptionally well both warm
and cold, including that normally pesky 2nd gear. New Vredestein
tires were installed in 2014 and have less than 1,500 miles. This
car has not been a garage queen, but consistently driven by the
current owner. The car comes with a reprint of the original owner's
manual, the original CARTA DI CIRCOLAZIONE, a 1998 Automotoclub
Storico Italiano certificate di identita, a letter from Marco Fazio
at Alfa Romeo Historica noting that it was fitted with an AR 00120
series engine when new, which is still the case. This car was
invited to show at The Quail: a Motorsports Gathering in 2015 and
the Arizona Concours in 2017.
