DESCRIPTION
1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale
s/n AR*177305*, engine no. AR00120*01518
Red with Black Leather
Among the most exotic and sensuous sports cars ever produced, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale (SS) set a new standard for design excellence; one that remains just as remarkable more than half a century later. Penned by one of Italy’s most prolific and talented designers, Franco Scaglione, the Bertone coachbuilt Sprint Speciale was the result of extensive aerodynamic studies during the development of the outrageous B.A.T. 5 and 7 show cars. As Scaglione approached the design of B.A.T. 9 with more viable production considerations, the Sprint Speciale evolved to become the halo car for the Alfa Romeo brand. Although these beautiful cars were built in series production, each one was handcrafted using coach building methods and bespoke materials suitable for top clientele; essentially being among the last of these alloy bodied cars constructed in this highly specialized manner. Only 1,366 were built by the final year of production, which concluded in 1966, making them highly desirable today and regularly sought after by collectors worldwide. Although the first series cars were 750 powered, the later 1300 cc twin-cam engine coupled with the desirable twin Weber carburetors, 5 speed transmission, and three shoe front drum brakes made for a very impressive road car with excellent handling and exciting performance characteristics which is certainly a big reason why the SS continues to be selected by collectors and enthusiasts to participate in a variety of world class tours and premier automotive events.
Like so many of these fine sports cars this car has led an interesting life. Sold new to an Italian large equipment business owner living in Columbia, the car must have created quite a stir driving on the sprawling city streets of Bogota where the first owner lived and proudly drove this Alfa. The current consigning owners, also living in Columbia, have cherished this car for the past 25 years as part of a prominent collection of approximately 50 premier collector cars, stored in a climate controlled four-story parking facility in Bogota. The current owners report that the kilometers displayed on the car are original, confirmed further by Alfa-Romeo restoration experts who have studied the original gauges and confirm them to be original to the car. Recently, during the current consigning ownership, the car was freshened with a coat of paint and upholstery work performed to a high driver level presentation. The engine in the car has been rebuilt by the owner’s in-house mechanic approximately 500 kilometers ago, and the owner has participated in a few rallies and various other automotive driving events with the car.
In preparation for consignment, the car was delivered to Northern California where Alfa Romeo expert Conrad Stevenson, Berkeley, CA inspected and drove the car. In December 2020 Stevenson performed approximately $8,600.00 worth of work on the car including a new master cylinder seal, new front brake seals, new rear shoe linings, a new differential oil pan gasket, new transmission plug and copper o-rings, three new brake flex lines, a new brake fluid reservoir, OEM brown oil pressure line hose and Ferrells, and complete front wheel bearings and seals.The carburetor bell crank was removed, reconfigured, and more securely remounted for smoother throttle operation. A new set of spark plug wires were installed, along with a higher output used battery to improve cold cranking.
Today this rare and desirable Giulietta Sprint Speciale exhibits very satisfying visual cosmetics with finishes that allow for pride and enjoyment without the fuss of trailered perfection. The Bertone coachwork is very dynamic in bright red, echoing the pride of Italian artistry and performance in the sinewy Scaglione curves. The paint has very good gloss and coverage and the panel fit is good overall, though more typical of handcrafted cars with slight variations as part of the general character. The painted silver rims are accented with polished wheel covers which gives the car a fitting elegance to refine the sporting nature. The bumpers, grille, and assorted chrome trim all show great reflections and very good fit to the body panels. All glass, emblems, and exterior present as delightful examples of the beauty of the original design executed by Scalione and hand-built by Bertone.
The interior is comfortable, relaxed, and honestly represents the long-term ownership and elegant simplicity of this era. The leather seats are in very good condition, lightly enhanced by time and joyful use. The spectacular dashboard, steering wheel and original instruments are wonderful reminders that perfection can be found in a well-loved and gently used sports car that adds so much more to the ownership experience. The delicate chrome knobs, switches, and trim convey Italian elegance that further punctuates the sporting interior. The tidy interior continues into the rear panel finishes, sun visors, and door pocket details. Typical of cars this age, the headliner shows areas of discoloration. Overall, the condition of the interior and leather surfaces is very honest and enjoyably refreshing. The trunk is finished with a proper rubber mat, a correctly mounted battery, the matching spare tire, and the filler cap for fuel.
Under the tastefully louvered factory alloy hood, the matching numbers original engine displays generally correct factory finishes, proper hardware, correct wiring, and factory hoses all of which proudly show the warm tones of use, minor age, and once again the qualities of an original and modestly freshened car. The correctly finished cast aluminum intake plenum is properly ducted, with correct satin black hose and correct gloss black air cleaner housing, which leads directly into originally specified twin Weber carburetors. The twin cam head has been previously polished, now showing as more of a satin finish. The entire engine and engine compartment are very much in keeping with the qualities of the interior and exterior; honestly representing an enjoyable car that can be used without worry. The underside of the car is clean and dry, very solid, showing generally good care, proper suspension components (some of which appear to have been more recently tended to), undamaged floor pans, uncompromised suspension and brake components, and solid gearbox and engine casings. There is no evidence of structural compromise to the floor panels, unibody, or major suspension mounts, which is not always the case with Giulietta Sprint Speciales.
Pressing the push button door handle, the deeply sculpted door swings out and invites you into the car. Etched door sills featuring the Bertone inscription evoke the history of this amazing coachbuilt car. Ducking into the rounded roofline, once inside, even taller drivers and fortunate passengers sit comfortably in the leather seats. The car starts easily and idles smoothly as temps warm up ready for driving. The synchromesh gearbox is easily engaged, and the clutch takes up nicely. The driving experience is very rewarding with recent adjustments performed by Alfa-Romeo expert Conrad Stevenson. The excellent visibility offered through the expansive glass, wonderful twin-cam sounds, and the natural feel of a well-kept original car are satisfying when at the wheel. Driving manners are certainly a big part of the experience but it is truly the combination of performance and visual dynamics, validated every time you exit the car, stepping backwards, eyeing the curves while fielding questions from photo seeking onlookers. This Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale is accompanied by select records for recent work performed.
Landmark design and twin-cam performance all come together in sublime harmony with this ready-to-enjoy 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale. Historically significant as one of Alfa Romeos last handmade coach built sports cars, this beautifully designed Franco Scaglione jewel is ready for enjoyable driving, local shows, or simply to admire as one of the finest pieces of automotive sculpture ever produced.
This Giulietta Sprint Speciale will be sold on a clean California title, currently in transit.