John Holmgrem owned it from 1969 until I bought it in 2007. He lived in Orinda CA and I believe he was the editor of the AAA Magazine for some time. He was elderly, and his last drive (because it had been setting for some time) ended with brake failure and he ran off the road and damaged the right front corner. I purchased the car from his son (who owns a ’67 Duetto that he purchased new). I saw the SS on the street (in front of his son’s house) and left a note. It was damaged but still running, and the brakes had been repaired.
Like I said, originally it was red. Interior door cards are dark grey. Seats are black - but were probably grey originally. John had the car painted pearl white probably some time in the 80’s. Mechanically it’s very original - original motor, and I don’t think it has ever been out of the car. Conrad Stevenson helped me with righting the front end damage, and we went through the suspension. I drove it with a cracked windshield and primer white front fender for years, but eventually did the paint and bodywork, changing the color to Azzuro Spazio. I also have a 65 Giula Sprint GT built on March 22, that was sold new in Los Angeles, and both cars probably came over on the same boat.
The stock wheels were Borrani steels that were chrome plated. I still have those, but I’m running TZ replicas on it at the moment. I have the rear bumper spears, but prefer the look without them. The front bumper was damaged in the Holmgren crash - I’ve straightened it, but it’s rough and I prefer the no-bumper look anyway.
UPDATE JULY 2022 BRING-A-TRAILER website July 2022
This 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale is one of approximately 1,400 examples produced and was completed on February 10, 1965. It was reportedly sold new in California, where it was acquired by the seller in 2007. It subsequently underwent a cosmetic refurbishment that was completed in 2016, at which time it was painted in its current light green. Power comes from a 1,570cc twin-cam inline-four paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Features include black skai upholstery, twin Weber 40 DCOE2 carburetors, 105-Series camshafts, a magnesium intake plenum, an aftermarket front swaybar, lowering springs, Koni shocks, a gusseted rear axle, and 15″ Giulia TZ-1-style alloy wheels. Service performed within the past 200 miles reportedly included the installation of replacement engine mounts, Bosch horns, and a right-front tie rod end. This Tipo 101.21 is now offered with a set of five chromed Borrani steel wheels, polished Alfa Romeo hubcaps, a Blaupunkt AM radio, a front bumper, rear bumper side spears, spare parts, refurbishment records and photos, Automobilisimo Storico Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo correspondence, and a clean California title in the seller’s name that lists the car as a 1966 model.
The Sprint Speciale featured styling by Bertone’s Franco Scaglione, who drew inspiration from his earlier Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica prototype designs. This example was delivered from the factory in Alfa Red and underwent a color change to white under previous ownership. A brake failure in the 2000s resulted in collision damage to the right front, which was repaired by Conrad Stevenson Restorations of Berkeley, California, in 2008. Rust repair in the outer rocker panels, right door jamb upright, and bottom of the driver’s door was performed at that time, and the right inner rocker panel was also repaired.
The car was painted in its current Azzurro Spazio, a period Alfa Romeo color, by Classic Coachman of San Carlos, California, in 2013. The Giulia SS fender badges are missing, and damage is noted on the right headlight trim ring. A scratch is present in the left door glass, and the mounting holes for the rear bumper side spears have been filled. The front bumper and rear bumper side spears are included in the sale, although the front bumper shows damage from the 2000s accident.
The 15″ Giulia TZ-1-style alloy wheels are mounted with Kumho Solus tires. A matching spare wheel and tire are mounted in the trunk, and a set of five chromed Borrani steel wheels with Vredestein tires and polished Alfa Romeo hubcaps is included in the sale. The suspension features an aftermarket front swaybar, lowering springs, and Koni shocks. Stopping power is provided by front discs and rear drums. A replacement right-front tie rod end was installed within the past 200 miles according to the seller.
The cockpit features front seats that were retrimmed in black skai vinyl under previous ownership. A matching rear bench is fitted, and gray carpets were installed in 2018. Features include lap belts, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, a locking glovebox, and a passenger grab handle. A Blaupunkt AM radio is included in the sale. The left-footwell-mounted windshield washer fluid bag is missing, and the reverse lockout rattles while driving.
The three-spoke steering wheel wears a torn leather wrap and frames Veglia instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer with an inset oil pressure display, and a combination gauge. Twin Bosch horns were installed within the past 200 miles according to the seller. The five-digit odometer shows 12k miles, and approximately 26k miles have been added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 1,570cc inline-four features hemispherical combustion chambers, a magnesium intake plenum, dual overhead camshafts sourced from a 105-Series Alfa, and twin Weber 40 DCOE2 carburetors. Replacement engine mounts were reportedly installed within the past 200 miles, and an oil change was also performed. The engine bay was refinished in black under previous ownership.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission and a gusseted rear axle.
