Outwardly almost indistinguishable from the outgoing 1.3-litre Giulietta, the Giulia boasted front disc brakes and a more powerful and much less fussy 1,570cc version of Alfa's classic twin-cam four. Just 1,400 of the ultimate, Bertone-bodied Giulia Sprint Speciales were built between 1963 and 1965, and today the model is highly prized by Alfa Romeo connoisseurs.
This Giulia Sprint Speciale was built in 1964 and raced in period. It was subsequently restored and race prepared in the 1980s for Stefano d’Amico, President of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo, by well-known Roman specialist Franco Angellini. Modifications from original specification include stiffening the chassis, fitting a Colotti limited-slip differential and close-ratio gearbox, tubular exhaust, oil cooler and blueprinting the engine, which develops around 160bhp. In this form the car won two Italian historic championships, took part in the Coppa d’Italia, Nurburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix and other events. Bought at auction circa 1989 by Lord Brocket, it subsequently passed into the ownership of Michael Campbell-Bowing, who raced it successfully in HSCC events.
The present owner purchased the car at Brooks’ Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale in June 1997 and has since raced it in the HSCC championship, Gentleman Drivers Series, Grand Prix Historique de Pau, Trofeo Alberto Ascari, Spa Ferrari days and at Goodwood in 2002. In addition, it was selected as one of the display cars outside the London Science Museum exhibition: ‘Stealing Beauty’ and has featured in Auto Italia and Autocar magazines as well as appearing many times in the Giulietta Letta. Probably the best known and certainly one of the fastest Sprint Speciales in Europe, the car has been maintained to full racing standard, with in excess of £45,000 invested to date. Benefiting from a fresh (300 miles since) engine rebuild by Chris Robinson, it is offered with FIA, CSAI and HSCC papers, and possesses a Swansea V5 registration document
PREVIOUS OWNERS: Lord Brocket, Stefano d' Amico, Michael Campbell Bowing,
The Sprint Speciale introduced in 1957, clothed with coachwork is amongst the most sensuous bodywork ever to emerge from the Bertone design studio. Inspired by the great aerodynamicist Franco Scaglione, the lovingly formed panels reflected the global 1950s love affair with supersonic flight, as well as the passion and the sexiness inherent in all the great Italian automotive designs. In fact, the streamlined, two door, coupe bodywork bore a marked resemblance to some of Alfa Romeo’s earlier competition designs, particularly the famous Disco Volante sports-racer. From every angle, delicate curve gave way to subtle sweep. Yet there was nothing flighty or voluptuous about the SS’s lines. Rather, it quickened the pulse in the way of a demure woman who reveals previously undreamt of curves. Although the first five or six Sprint Speciales produced were bodied in aluminium rather than steel, all subsequent models were still fitted with an aluminium bonnet and boot lid. Quite apart from great looks, the SS was the performance revelation of its day.
Powered by the 1,290cc, twin overhead camshaft, four cylinder Giulietta engine, specially tuned to produce 116bhp at 6,500rpm, it could achieve 124mph, thanks to the combination of a specially tuned motor, a weight of just 875kg (dry) and, in particular, incredible aerodynamic efficiency; way back in 1958, the SS had a drag coefficient factor of 0.27 which is better than just about any modern saloon or hatchback in production today! From 1963 it would be powered by the more powerful, 129bhp, 1,570cc engine from the new Giulia, again mated to a five speed gearbox; otherwise, apart from a 1600 badge on the tail, it remained identical to its predecessor.
Chassis no 381237 was manufactured in 1964 and imported into the UK in 1989 and sold to Lord Brocket, the well-known peer and classic car enthusiast who has recently become a recognisable face due to his appearances on reality TV shows. Lord Brocket raced the car in numerous races including the 1989 Coppa d’Italia and the Oldtimer Grand Prix at Nurburgring. Prior to this it had been owned by Stefano d’Amico, President of the Italian Alfa-Romeo Register. Stefano campaigned the car very successfully during this period, eventually winning two Italian historic championships.
Described by the vendor as being in very good condition throughout, this historic Alfa comes complete with FIA and HSCC papers, and as such would make an ideal purchase for anyone wishing to compete in any historic competition events.
This left-hand drive Giulia Sprint Speciale was built in 1964 and raced in period. It was subsequently restored and race-prepared in the 1980s for Stefano d'Amico, President of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo, by wellknown Roman specialist Franco Angellini. Modifications from original specification include stiffening the chassis, fitting a Colotti limited-slip differential and close-ratio gearbox, tubular exhaust, oil cooler and blueprinting the engine, which develops around 160bhp. In this form the car won two Italian historic championships, took part in the Coppa d'Italia, Nurburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix and other events. Bought at auction circa 1989 by Lord Brocket, it subsequently passed into the ownership of Michael Campbell-Bowing, who raced it successfully in HSCC events. In 2002, the car took part in a display of cars (“Stealing Beauty”) at the London Science museum. Having spent the last few years being campaigned in HSCC, Gentleman Drivers and Goodwood events the car is well known in historic circles and is available to rent for the popular Gentleman Drivers or IHCC series.
Lot # 391 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale, Body by Bertone; S/N AR381237; Red/Black; Estimate $53,127 - $60,716; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $45,537 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $52,368 -- Leather rim Alfa steering wheel, fire system, roll bar, steel wheels, 4-point belts, Webers with short velocity stacks, Colotti limited slip, close ratio gearbox, headers, oil cooler, bullet outside mirrors, hood pins. Raced from new, restored for historic racing in the 80's, later owned by Lord Brockett but escaped being buried. Cosmetically attractive and mechanically above reproach. Comes with FIA and HSCC papers. Choice. Sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival in 2004 for £15,000, $31,426 at the time, the passage of time has done nothing to diminish the attractiveness or value of this Sprint Speciale, only inflate its value. This is still, as it was in 2004, a very good value for the money, however. Its preparation couldn't be duplicated for anywhere near the money it brought here.
UPDATE 2010 BONHAMS WEBSITE:
1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale Coupé
Coachwork by Bertone
Registration no. EBY 258B
Chassis no. AR381237
FOOTNOTES
By the time of the Giulia's introduction in 1962, Alfa Romeo's highly successful 'small car, big performance' formula, begun by the Giulietta in 1954, was well established. The Giulietta range's ultimate incarnation - the Sprint Speciale - had arrived in 1957. Built on a slightly shorter wheelbase than the standard Sprint coupé, which was likewise the work of Carrozzeria Bertone, the mouth-wateringly curvaceous SS came with 100bhp, a five-speed gearbox and a top speed of 125mph. Outwardly almost indistinguishable from the outgoing Giulietta, the Giulia version boasted front disc brakes and a more powerful (112bhp) and much less fussy 1,570cc version of Alfa's classic twin-cam four. Just 1,399 of the Bertone-bodied Giulia Sprint Speciales were built between 1963 and 1965, and today this rare model is highly prized by Alfa Romeo connoisseurs.
This left-hand drive Giulia Sprint Speciale was built in 1964 and raced in period. It was subsequently restored and race-prepared in the 1980s for Stefano d'Amico, President of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo, by well-known Roman specialist Franco Angellini. Modifications from original specification include stiffening the chassis, fitting a Colotti limited-slip differential and close-ratio gearbox, tubular exhaust, oil cooler and blueprinting the engine, which develops around 160bhp. In this form the car won two Italian historic championships, took part in the Coppa d'Italia, Nurburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix and other events. Bought at auction circa 1989 by Lord Brocket, it subsequently passed into the ownership of Michael Campbell-Bowing, who raced it successfully in HSCC events.
In June 1997 the car was sold at Brooks' Goodwood Festival of Speed sale, racing subsequently in the HSCC championship, Gentleman Drivers Series, Grand Prix Historique de Pau, Trofeo Alberto Ascari, Spa Ferrari days and at Goodwood in 2002. In addition, it was selected as one of the display cars outside the London Science Museum exhibition: 'Stealing Beauty' and has featured in Auto Italia and Autocar magazines as well as appearing many times in the Giulietta Letta. In June 2004 the car changed hands again, finding a new owner at Bonhams' Goodwood Festival of Speed sale (Lot 792). At that time the car was said to have had in excess of £45,000 invested to date, and had covered only 300 miles since an engine rebuild by Chris Robinson.
Probably the best known and certainly one of the fastest Sprint Speciales in Europe, 'EBY 258B' has been maintained to full racing standard and is offered with FIA and HSCC papers, fresh MoT and Swansea V5 registration document.
UPDATE: BONHAMS AUCTION WEBSITE 2012
1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Bertone
Registration no. EBY 258B
Chassis no. AR381237
FOOTNOTES
This left-hand drive Giulia Sprint Speciale – well known to the team at Bonhams - was built in 1964 and raced in period. It was subsequently restored and race-prepared in the 1980s for Stefano d'Amico, President of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo, by well-known Roman specialist Franco Angellini. Modifications from original specification include stiffening the chassis, fitting a Colotti limited-slip differential and close-ratio gearbox, tubular exhaust, oil cooler and blueprinting the engine, which develops around 160bhp. In this form the car won two Italian historic championships, took part in the Coppa d'Italia, Nurburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix and other events. Bought at auction circa 1989 by Lord Brocket, it subsequently passed into the ownership of Michael Campbell-Bowing, who raced it successfully in HSCC events.
In June 1997 the car was sold at Brooks' Goodwood Festival of Speed sale, racing subsequently in the HSCC championship, Gentleman Drivers Series, Grand Prix Historique de Pau, Trofeo Alberto Ascari, Spa Ferrari days and at Goodwood in 2002. In addition, it was selected as one of the display cars outside the London Science Museum exhibition: 'Stealing Beauty' and has featured in Auto Italia and Autocar magazines as well as appearing many times in the Giulietta Letta. In June 2004 the car changed hands again, finding a new owner at Bonhams' Goodwood Festival of Speed sale (Lot 792). At that time the car was said to have had in excess of £45,000 invested to date.
The current owner purchased the Alfa at Bonhams' Goodwood Festival of Speed sale in July 2010 (Lot 391). Sine acquisition the car has competed in one race – the GTSCC/IHCC event at the Silverstone Classic in 2011 – and is offered fresh from a full engine rebuild undertaken by marque specialists RMR Restorations at a cost in excess of £10,000 (bills on file). The engine has only been run on the dynamometer since the rebuild.
Probably the best known and certainly one of the fastest Sprint Speciales in Europe, 'EBY 258B' has been maintained to full racing standard and is offered with FIA/HSCC papers and Swansea V5 registration document. Eligible for the Masters, GTSCC, HSCC, Goodwood, etc, this beautiful little Alfa represents an affordable invitation to all the best historic events.
