With the introduction of the Giulietta in 1954, Alfa Romeo established the ‘small car, big performance’ formula which would characterise the Milanese marque’s finest offerings from then on. Alfa’s classic twin-cam four was downsized to 1,290cc for the Giulietta, gaining an alloy cylinder block in the process. The original Sprint Coupé was soon joined by Berlina (saloon) and Spider (open) versions, and then in 1957 came the model now recognised as the ultimate Giulietta - the Sprint Speciale – which was the first of the new 101-Series cars. Built on a slightly shorter wheelbase than the standard Sprint, and again the work of Bertone, the mouth-wateringly curvaceous ‘SS’ came with 100bhp on tap, a five-speed gearbox and a top speed of 125mph. Compact, aerodynamically efficient and very powerful for its size, the SS proved highly successful in 1,300cc class racing the world over. A mere 1,366 had been produced by the time the model was superseded in 1963 by the 1,600cc Giulia version, which was the only car in the new range to retain an existing Giulietta body style. Outwardly distinguishable from the outgoing Giulietta Sprint Speciale only by identifying tail script, different sidelights and a revised dashboard, the Giulia boasted front disc brakes and the more powerful (129bhp) Veloce-specification engine. 1,399 of the Bertone-bodied Giulia Sprint Speciales were built between 1963 and 1965, making the total for both types 2,765, and today both these rare models are highly prized by Alfa Romeo connoisseurs.

We are advised that this gorgeous Giulietta Sprint Speciale benefits from the installation of a Giulia SS-correct 1,600cc Veloce engine, which replaced the original 1,300cc unit in the mid-1970s. The car has been treated to a complete bare-metal refurbishment, while other work carried out has included an engine rebuild and overhaul of the suspension and entire braking system (2005). Its participation in numerous long-distance events, including the Copperstate 1,000, New England Tour (on three occasions) and Highland Classic 1,000 is eloquent testimony to this car’s reliability and, no doubt, the immense pleasure to be gained behind the wheel of what is a driver’s car par excellence.

While the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is primarily known as the game-changing mass-production model that catapulted Milan into the modern era, the diminutive performer was produced in a handful of smaller batches by competing carrozzerias. Not the least of these began as a Bertone-bodied concept car on display at the 1957 Turin Motor Show. The new Sprint Speciale was penned by the legendary Franco Scaglione, who channeled cues from the Disco Volante sports-racing spiders, and his own BAT concept cars, to arrive at an aerodynamically superior design for this coach-built Giulietta.

By 1959, a revised version of the Sprint Speciale entered production, and it was developed through an additional Giulietta-based variant before being adopted to the successive Giulia model. It is worth noting that many enthusiasts prefer the Giulietta-based Sprint Speciale to the later Giulia variant, as the earlier cars featured more elegant interiors with painted dashboards. Though Giulietta Sprint Speciales were produced in relatively large numbers, only a small percentage of these cars remain in good condition today, making the offering of this nicely presented example an intriguing opportunity.

According to the records of Alfa Romeo’s Automobilismo Storico Centro Documentazione, this car, chassis number AR177344, completed assembly in February 1962, and was subsequently sold to an owner in Forli, Italy. Though the Giulietta’s intermediary history is currently unknown, in 1988 the car was purchased by Conrad “Bud” Brickman of Loudonville, New York. Mr. Brickman commissioned restoration work by Peter Markowski’s well-known RPM in Vermont, after which he enjoyed the car in a number of driving events, including the Copperstate 1000, and three tours through New England. The owner’s passion continues to be evidenced in decals affixed to the window representing the SCCA, Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club, and the Copperstate 1000.

In May 2006 the Giulietta was offered by Brickman at a sale at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, at which point it was acquired by the consignor, a highly discerning Alfa Romeo collector based in Massachusetts who maintains an impressive stable of Italian thoroughbreds. Under his knowledgeable guidance the car was sympathetically refreshed with an investment totaling over $91,000, including mechanical attention as needed by Bonfanti Garage in Italy, a re-plating of the chrome, and installation of a new two-tone interior.

As the car had been equipped with an incorrect 1.6 liter engine from a later Giulia example, the consignor took the opportunity to install an Alfa Romeo type 539 engine, which although originally specified for the uprated Giulia 1300 TI model, retains the proper 1.3 liter displacement. The consignor also fitted this engine with a correct Veloce intake system (including manifold, plenum, and air filter), a component that is increasingly difficult to source today. Following this restorative work, the consignor enjoyed the Sprint Speciale on tours and at events, including several showings at the Tutto Italiano show at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, and touring use on events staged by the Alfa Owners of New England.

Beautifully maintained and eminently suitable for driving enjoyment after benefitting from 18 years of fastidious single-owner care, this Sprint Speciale would make a great entry at local concours d’elegance and Italian car shows, or it may be enjoyed on the open road and in touring events. With its upgraded engine and beautiful rosso finish, 177344 beacons for additional sporting driving, promising a thrilling future for the next lucky caretaker.