Description
In 1955, Alfa Romeo and Pininfarnia teamed up for yet another legendary collaboration: the 101 series Giulietta Spider. The coupé, unveiled in 1954, was designed by Bertone, but after seeing a demand or a convertible version, Alfa knew Pininfarina was the only design house for the job and what a job they did. The design of these Spiders is both handsome and sleek, with beautiful small fins flowing back from a rear fender that extends just slightly higher than the doorline. Split chrome front bumpers are the perfect accent on either side of the iconic Alfa Romeo shield-style grill. As if the normal Spider wasn't special enough, Alfa also decided to put the Spider Veloce into production. As Veloce translates to “fast,” these had higher horsepower than the Normale models. The engines had bigger main caps, different cams, a 9.7:1 compression ratio with forged pistons and rods, stronger rod bolts, twin throat Weber carbs and steel tube headers, amongst other changes. They also had minor tweaks to the body such as a unique fresh air scoop that fed air to the carburetors from the driver's side grill. Though 14,300 Spiders were produced, only 2,796 Spider Veloces left the factory and far less than that remain today.
The Veloce pictured here has been confirmed to be both real and matching numbers by Marco Fazio of Alfa Romeo Storico. Chassis number AR*167684* was supplied from Alfa Romeo to Hoffman Motor Car Company of New York in June of 1961 and was sold to its first owner from there. It was originally finished in the same white shown here today. A previous owner restored the car beginning in 1997 and it was completed in 2013. The body was stripped entirely and refinished in white lacquer. The original engine was rebuilt by Mike Sperry and had all new pistons, liners, rod bearings, and timing chain. The differential was also rebuilt by John Norman and a new clutch was fitted. The car was a rust free, long-term California example and during the restoration it maintained the original floor pans. The Pininfarina body number was 683 and it is clearly visible on the hood and trunk lid, meaning those panels are original. Included in the sale are an original Alfa Romeo Giulietta instruction manual, original service manual, sales brochures, and several receipts for the work done, along with pictures of the car during the restoration. It is being offered from a prestigious Northwest Alfa Romeo collection and has been in WA since 2015.
The paint work shows well with only a couple minor touch ups and wear spots that you really have to search for. Panel gaps and trim fitment are excellent. The interior is in beautiful shape with minor imperfections reflecting the light usage this car has seen since restoration. The carpets and soft top are like new, and the gauge faces have been renewed. The odometer shows 70,118 miles which are believed to be original. Though the exterior and interior are beautiful, this car also shines in the undercarriage as it is very nicely detailed and also features red Koni shock absorbers. The reproduction chrome hubcaps are in excellent shape, as is much of the chrome around the car. The original hub caps are also included. The most important part of any Veloce, the “F” stamped above the serial number on the fire wall, is also clearly visible. The correct metal air scoop is still fitted behind the driver's side grill and importantly, the matching numbers engine sits proudly in the tidy motor bay. A fresh fluid service and tune up will be performed at time of sale.
BRING-A-TRAILER JUNE 2021 (copied verbatim from the webpage)
This 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce was manufactured in October 1960 and delivered new to Hoffman Motor Car Co. in New York City. The car was acquired by the seller out of Washington in 2019 and subsequently relocated to Georgia. The bodywork has been refinished in the factory white over a refreshed black vinyl interior, and power is provided by a 1.3-liter inline-four paired with a four-speed manual transmission. A 16-year refurbishment is said to have been completed in 2013, and service during current ownership has included rebuilding the engine, transmission, carburetors, and more as described below. Equipment includes a black convertible top, chrome bumpers and moldings, Fergat wheels, and Koni dampers. This Spider Veloce is now offered with a tool roll, refurbishment photos, manufacturer’s literature, an Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificato Di Origine, service records, and a clean Georgia title in the seller’s name.
The Pininfarina-designed bodywork was refinished in the factory white in 1997. Features include a black soft top, a replica boot cover, a chrome front grille, bumpers, and trim, and Pininfarina fender badges. The windshield, headlights, taillight lenses, and wiper arms have been replaced, and the soft top is said to have been refurbished. The removed leather straps for the soft top are included in the sale.
Fergat wheels feature reproduction hubcaps and wear Michelin tires. Koni dampers have been fitted, and the alignment was adjusted in February 2021.
The cabin features black vinyl seats with red piping along with matching door panels, red carpets, and body-color sheet metal. A fire extinguisher is mounted in the trunk. The seat cushions were replaced in 1998, the carpets were replaced in 2015, the shift knob and floor mats were installed in 2018, and a 2020 refresh included recovering the seatbacks. Flaws include peeling material on the floors behind the seats and a tear in the rubber trunk mat.
A two-spoke steering wheel frames an 8k-rpm tachometer, a 140-mph speedometer, and gauges for oil temperature, water temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 74k miles, approximately 3k of which have been added by the seller. The gauges were reconditioned and the inserts and chrome trim rings were replaced. Total mileage is unknown, and a blemish on the tachometer is noted.
The 1.3L twin-cam inline-four was rebuilt by Ferrari of Atlanta in 2020 and is equipped with a battery tender. Work included a valve job, machining the pistons, and replacing the following components:
Exhaust valves
Piston rings
Front crankshaft seal
Engine mounts
Hoses
Gaskets and seals
The starter, generator, heater box, and both Weber carburetors were also rebuilt, and the exhaust manifolds were replaced. The removed manifolds are included in the sale.
The engine block stamping 01218 matches the engine number listed on the Alfa Romeo Certificate of Origin.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The differential was rebuilt and the clutch was replaced in 2013, the exhaust was replaced in 2015, and the transmission was rebuilt by Ferrari of Atlanta in 2020. Additional underside photos are presented in the gallery below.
An Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificato Di Origine, copies of dealer flyers, service records, refurbishment photos, and removed parts are included in the sale.
UPDATE: GOODING AUCTION 2022
In 1954, the popularity of Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta Sprint, with its stunning coachwork by Bertone, almost immediately brought about a Spider version. This time, Alfa Romeo turned to Pinin Farina for the design and, soon after, the Giulietta Veloce model was developed. The Veloce employed high-compression pistons, hotter cams, and a host of other features, bringing its top speed up to 112 mph. Of the 14,300 Spiders built, only 2,796 were Veloces.
This lovely example of a late-production Giulietta Veloce Spider was delivered to Max Hoffman Motor Car Co., in New York in June 1961. It was finished in Bianco (White), as we see it today, which is confirmed by its Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificate of Origin. The Veloce resided in California for much of its life and was extensively restored in the late 1990s. More recently, the engine and gearbox were rebuilt, the radiator was recored, and the generator was rebuilt. Over 100 pages of invoices on file attest to the dedicated care and maintenance this Giulietta has received.
The Alfa Romeo features many hallmarks of a finely restored car, including Romablok hose clamps, and it still retains its Veloce-specific air scoop behind the driver’s-side grille. The Giulietta is accompanied at auction by a tool roll, owner’s manual, jack, spares and records. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire what many consider to be one of the most fun, attractive, and driveable sports cars of the 1960s.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2022 CAR IS FOR SALE AT COOL CLASSICS INTERNATIONAL, RENO NEVADA
Seller’s Description:
1961 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SPIDER VELOCE Coachwork by Pinin farinaCar HighlightsA Superb Example of Alfa Romeos Top-of-the-Line Veloce ModelPresented in Its Original Color of BiancoFitted with Matching-Numbers Engine per Alfa Romeo RecordsAccompanied by Tool Roll, Jack, Records, Manual, and Certificate of OriginFully Restored, with Recent Engine and Gearbox RebuildTechnical Specs1,290 CC DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder EngineTwin Weber 40 DCOE2 Carburetors90 BHP at 6,500 RPM4-Speed Manual Gearbox4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum BrakesFront Independent Suspension with Coil SpringsRear Live Axle with Coil SpringsIn 1954, the popularity of Alfa Romeos Giulietta Sprint, with its stunning coachwork by Bertone, almost immediately brought about a Spider version. This time, Alfa Romeo turned to Pinin Farina for the design and, soon after, the Giulietta Veloce model was developed. The Veloce employed high-compression pistons, hotter cams, and a host of other features, bringing its top speed up to 112 mph. Of the 14,300 Spiders built, only 2,796 were Veloces.This lovely example of a late-production Giulietta Veloce Spider was delivered to Max Hoffman Motor Car Co., in New York in June 1961. It was finished in Bianco (White), as we see it today, which is confirmed by its Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificate of Origin. The Veloce resided in California for much of its life and was extensively restored in the late 1990s. More recently, the engine and gearbox were rebuilt, the radiator was recored, and the generator was rebuilt. Over 100 pages of invoices on file attest to the dedicated care and maintenance this Giulietta has received.The Alfa Romeo features many hallmarks of a finely restored car, including Romablok hose clamps, and it still retains its Veloce-specific air scoop behind the drivers-side grille. The Giulietta is accompanied at auction by a tool roll, owners manual, jack, spares and records. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire what many consider to be one of the most fun, attractive, and driveable sports cars of the 1960s.Please feel free to call James Krueger with any questions. Price: $159,000
