1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale in Monterey, CA

Chassis No. AR177305
Engine No. AR00120 01518

Not simply designed to wow motor show audiences, Bertone's B.A.T. Alfa Romeo design studies of the 1950s eventually marinated in the minds of its creators long enough to iterate into one of the most sensational production car designs of its era, Alfa Romeo's Giulietta Sprint Speciale. With jet-age-inspired design cues, the Sprint Speciale was a flagship sports model for the marque, alongside its more spartan Sprint Zagato racing cousin. With a five-speed transmission, 1,300-cc twin-cam engine with twin Weber carburetors, and three-shoe front drum brakes, the Sprint Speciale, or SS, offered a considerable amount of performance in an eye-popping, uniquely styled package.

This example is documented by Alfa Romeo's Centro Documentazione as one of a small handful of cars delivered new in South America. It was produced on 22 December 1961, and delivered to Lima, Peru where it is said to have been owned by a businessman of Italian descent. The SS was delivered in Rosso Alfa, the same shade it wears today. Eventually the SS would come into the ownership of a Bogot�, Colombia-based automotive family, in whose 50-car collection it would live for some 25+ years among a fleet of other special classics, including numerous other Alfas.

While in this prior ownership, the Sprint Speciale was treated to a repaint in red and an interior retrim in more luxurious black leather. In 2020 it was imported from Bogot� to California, and an extensive mechanical recommissioning was undertaken by Alfa Romeo guru Conrad Stevenson. Over $36,000 in invoices on file document attention paid to numerous aspects of the car from the engine to the brakes to the fuel system and differential. Most notably, the engine was removed and completely stripped down and rebuilt with a newly-finished crankshaft by Sammy Hale. The Weber carburetors were rebuilt while the driveshaft was also rebuilt and balanced. While the transmission was apart, it was noted that it is fitted with a special lightened close-ratio GTA-type gear set, which shifts beautifully. A large number of other items were attended to in order to ensure the SS is a capable road car.

The Swig brothers, longtime custodians of the Alfa Romeo marque, acquired the car in 2022 and have enjoyed it amongst their collection of vintage Italian sports cars. In both 2023 and 2025, the SS was pressed into service as a backup entry for the California Mille while other cars either failed to perform or languished in restoration shops; the SS performed admirably, completing the rally on both occasions. Its performance is excellent, with crisp throttle response and a pleasing raspy exhaust note from its specially tuned Conrad Stevenson exhaust. Most recently, in July 2025, the SS received a post-event service and oil change by Alfaman of Novato, California, during which a new set of Vredestein Sprint Classic tires was installed.

The combination of Bertone's jet age styling, a high-revving Alfa twin-cam engine, smooth shifting five-speed transmission, and the nimble handling characteristics of the Giulietta sports car is the magic of the Sprint Speciale. Alfa Romeo's SS is both a styling and performance icon worth paying attention to, and this special car is a great example of the breed.