1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale

Lot details
Registration No: 378 YUT
Chassis No: AR10120*00334
Mot Expiry: March 2018

- One of just 1,366 examples of Bertone's incredibly styled Giulietta Sprint Speciale manufactured between 1957 and 1962

- Constructed on January 11th 1961 and dispatched shortly afterwards to Alfa Romeo's North American importer, Hoffman Motor Company of New York

- Imported into Holland in November 2001 and believed to have been restored soon afterwards. UK registered when imported in early 2013 and acquired by the vendor soon afterwards

The Italian Carrozzeria Bertone excelled when they styled the Giulietta Sprint Speciale (SS) for Alfa Romeo. Its beautifully swooping and curvaceous bodywork with lengthy front and rear overhangs was dramatic and exotic. Appearing to be equally at home on either the starting grid at Monza or the harbour at Portofino, the plastic bug deflector at the top of the bonnet was somewhat out of place but succeeded in completing the racy appearance. In reality, the long nose and tail blunted its on-track performance. Naturally an expensive offering, just 1,366 examples left the factory before the Giulietta SS with its 1300 engine became the Giulia 1600 SS. Virtually identical in their metalwork, both cars had a five-speed gearbox.

This Giulietta example presents superbly, its lowered suspension emphasising the arrow like shape. According to the Alfa Romeo Museum Archives, it was manufactured on January 11th 1961 and painted in Alfa red (just as it is now), after which it was dispatched a few days later to Alfa Romeo's North American importer, The Hoffman Motor Company of New York. We gather it remained in America until exported to Holland in November 2001. Believed to have been restored somewhere in Europe soon afterwards, it was acquired in Italy in early 2013 by former classic Alfa Romeo specialist Black and White Garage, and imported into England and UK registered. Purchased by the vendor from Black and White Garage a short time later, he has thoroughly enjoyed the Sprint Speciale being part of his fabulous car collection but feels that now is the time for someone else to slip behind the steering wheel. Powered by an SS correct 120 series engine, your Giulietta owning cataloguer was fortunate to drive this particular car a couple of years ago and remembers how superbly it drove. Extremely well cared for during the current ownership, the car has been further enhanced with an overhaul of the steering idler and carburettors, plus some paintwork improvements. Such a beautiful car would be welcome in any collection, and the vendor understandably describes the car as having "excellent" body and paint work, interior, and engine and transmission.