PREVIOUS OWNERS: ENNIO BALBI, VICENZA

As copied from the Giuliettaletta Issue 108 Winter 2010
Chassis NoAR10120.00054 (Bertone chassis number 55) Engine NoAR00120.00064 Cubic Capacity 1290 cc. Colour Grey Metallic (originally Bianco Gardenia, but see story). Factory Extras: Borrani wire wheels. PLUS many modifications by the original owner from new, or very shortly afterwards: Complete colour change to metallic silver, interior colour change from blue to red, Zagato-style vented seats, wire wheels, Amadori, magnesium caliper, front disc brakes, De Carbon adjustable dampers, lead weights on throttle pedal (ff) , dipping mirror, front grille side bars never installed. Condition: body & interior fully restored, most mechanical & electrical parts original. One of the batch of 100 'low nose' Giulietta SS cars, built for race homologation & first sold in June 1959. These were the first 101 series numbered cars, although they are pure 750 designs.
The engine is 750 series Veloce with modifications to give an extra 10hp. The gearbox was the first use of a 5-speed in the small Alfa cars. This car was imported into the UK in late 1962, by the original Italian owner, a dentist named Ennio Balbi. We made contact with the Balbi family some years ago, who told us that all the modifications had been made by Alfa Romeo to his instructions. Offered for sale by Dan Margulies in early 1963, per the advert, which shows that the modifications had certainly been made before reaching the UK. The buff log book shows four more UK owners prior to being laid up in 1973. We bought the car in 1988 & have been restoring it ever since!! (now see the back cover)