Vehicle Description
1961 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SPRINT SPECIALE with Coachwork by
Bertone
Chassis no. AR10120.00379
Engine no. AR00120.00769
1,290cc DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Weber Carburetors
100bhp at 6,500bhp
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Alfin Drum Brakes
With the introduction of the Giulietta in 1954, Alfa Romeo
established the "small car, big performance" formula which would
characterize the Milanese marque's finest offerings from then on.
Alfa's classic twin-cam four was downsized to 1,290cc for the
Giulietta, gaining an alloy cylinder block in the process. The
original Bertone-styled Sprint Coup� was soon joined by Berlina
(saloon) and Spider (open) versions, and then in 1957 came the
model intended to represent the ultimate Giulietta - the Sprint
Speciale - the first of the new 101-Series cars.
Built on a slightly shorter wheelbase than the standard Sprint, and
again the work of Bertone, the mouth-wateringly curvaceous Sprint
Speciale came with 100bhp on tap, a five-speed gearbox and a top
speed of 125mph. Compact, aerodynamically efficient and very
powerful for its size, the Sprint Speciale proved highly successful
in 1,300cc class racing the world over. A mere 1,366 examples had
been produced by the time the model was superseded in 1963 by the
Giulia version. Today these rare, coachbuilt models are highly
prized by Alfa Romeo connoisseurs and collectors around the
world.
The beautiful example of Bertone's styling-masterpiece offered
here, is believed to have been used by the Alfa Romeo Factory when
new, possibly as a US market demonstrator or Motor Show car. The
Giulietta Sprint Speciale was completed at the Alfa Romeo works on
January 20th, 1961, and was destined for the US-market, where Max
Hoffman's, Hoffman Motor Car Company of New York later took
delivery. Hoffman was at the time the North American Distributor
for Alfa Romeo, along with many other prestigious
European-manufactured vehicles. The new Giulietta Sprint Speciale
was finished in a red exterior paint, and carried Bertone body
number 87.381. This car was sequentially the 3rd of 742 examples
assembled in the production year of 1961, out of the total run of
1,366 Giulietta Sprint Speciale's produced from 1959 through
1962.
The new Giulietta Sprint Speciale is believed to have been air
freighted to the US, rather than standard ocean transport. From the
time of delivery at Hoffman's and over the next eight months,
formal ownership remained with the Alfa Romeo Factory. Although
there are no confirming records or reports, it is believed by Alfa
Romeo historians, that this car could have been displayed at North
American Motor shows while still owned by Alfa Romeo.
Hoffman finally purchased the Sprint Speciale from Alfa Romeo on
November 3rd, 1961. From here, the Alfa Romeo's ownership history
remains unclear, but the car is reported to have been with a
long-term US based owner in 1990, having 40,000 original miles and
in remarkably original condition. Not long thereafter, the car was
sold and exported to Japan where it was road registered in 1991.
The Alfa Romeo remained in Japan, with a single owner, until the
late 1990s.
In early 2013, the Sprint Speciale was sold to a Japanese dealer,
and then exported back into the United States. Over the next two
years, the car was stripped and repainted in the original and
correct shade of Alfa Red, while careful attention was given to
preserve the cars many original finishes. The Giulietta Sprint
Speciale presents beautifully throughout, and would be a great car
for vintage rallies or local concours shows. It has been serviced
recently and lightly exercised and performs as it should. These
Bertone-bodied Giulietta's are among the best-looking Italian cars
of the era, and offers excellent handling and light steering. The
all-alloy DOHC sporting engines loves to be revved, and with 5
gears, you can really keep them on their cams.