Throughout their significant history, Alfa Romeo has produced some of the greatest sports and racing cars. But it was only with the introduction of the Giulia and Giulietta that they began to seriously enter the market with an affordable performance offering capable of winning the hearts and pocketbooks of enthusiasts around the world. The Giulia and Giulietta were small, sporty, charming, and elegantly trimmed sports cars with an air of sophistication that lured Europeans and Americans alike. Among the most desired of these cars offered at that time was the Giulietta Veloce. The Veloce model featured a twin cam 1300cc in-line four cylinder engine, twin Weber carburetors, higher compression ratio, and spirited cam profiles, resulting in performance with a touch of elegance. Collectors all over the world continue to admire these capable open sports cars for their rarity and performance capabilities, charming good looks, and delightful interior touches.

This particular car is a genuine Veloce, originally manufactured and delivered to the first owner in 1961 in the original colors currently represented on the car, according to original period Italian paperwork on file. The car remained under the care of just a few dedicated owners, changing hands a few times until being treated to a comprehensive restoration to a very high standard by marquee experts in Italy. Shortly thereafter, the car was sold to the owner of Classic Alfa in the UK. The car was then treated to some mechanical freshening, engine work, and suspension and brake improvements in order to make it a reliable performance car for tours and events. Included in the work, the car was lowered just slightly, and the suspension updated, which improves the handling considerably and makes for far more enjoyable driving. The resultant restoration, now some years old, still retains a very nice overall finish, the original Veloce specification engine, gearbox, and much of the original equipment as delivered when new. The current owner suggests that the reliability and drivability of the car is at a very high level, having proven it himself driving the car all over Europe before importing it here to the states.

Several documents included with the car catalog the numerous new components, parts, and detailed service work done throughout the restoration and the recent service and further mechanical work at Classic Alfa, UK. The restoration included rebuilding the engine and transmission, new brakes, clutch, steering and suspension components and correct ignition parts. The original engine components were refurbished as needed, with correct Weber 40 DCOE carburetors installed. The original intake manifold, carbs, and air box unit have been dialed in and since regularly serviced to ensure proper performance and easy starts. The fuel tank and fuel pump were rebuilt and fuel lines replaced. Throughout the car correct finishes, interior components, proper exterior trim, and various details, were sourced, refinished as needed, and properly installed.

The car currently presents very nicely with excellent paint and very consistent gloss throughout. All shut lines are nicely finished and evenly matched, consistent with original build quality and further improved during the restoration. The doors, hood, and trunk open and shut with ease using correct handles and latches. The chrome trim is in nice condition with excellent gloss on all parts, with some pieces being more finely finished than others as the restoration has mellowed over time and use. Glass is in very nice condition as are the gaskets and various rubber surrounding trim. The interior has also been very nicely restored with good quality materials showing tidy fit and finish with proper attention to originality, and again mellowing the restoration over time. The dashboard is in particularly nice condition with very nicely finished instruments, clear glass and dial faces, and a handsome steering wheel accenting the interior. The black canvas top appears as new with excellent finish in the proper material. The top raises and lowers easily with excellent latching at the windshield frame and taut fitting to the top bows. The wheels are correctly painted silver steel rims with proper chrome plated caps, but show some imperfections along the bead edges in various places.

Under the hood, the care and attention given to the engine compartment is revealed in the proper finishes and detailing used throughout. The twin cam cover has been polished just enough to reveal the aluminum casting against various satin black accessory parts, original style air intake hoses, and cast aluminum intake plenum feeding the Veloce optioned dual Webers. The twin carburetors are correct, newer Weber 40 DCOE units and properly presented with original type fittings and hoses. Correct style large diameter air hoses for the intake system and proper accessory items finish off the engine bay nicely. The undercarriage is solid and dry with some evidence of use since the restoration was completed, but no evidence of significant structural issues or compromise to the floor pan.

The car starts quickly and easily, immediately settling into a slow idle as it progressively warms up. Shifting is smooth into first gear with nice clutch action through all forward gears and reverse. The car accelerates smoothly, awakening in the higher revs, typical of the Veloce package. Steering and suspension are nicely dialed in and balanced, with no significant shudder when encountering road imperfections. The lowered stance and updated suspension have greatly improved handling and steering, making the car much more capable of using the additional Veloce power. Braking is consistent with cars of this period, solid true, and quite responsive. Downshifting is smooth as is clutch action and accelerator pedal “feel”. In all, this Alfa Veloce reminds us of how delightful these agile sports cars are on the road. The car comes with an original tool kit, jack, instruction and shop manual, as well as documentation for recent services performed on this Veloce Spider.

This beautiful Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce features well-sorted mechanicals, documented quality restoration, and the capacity to remind even the most experienced vintage sports car enthusiasts about the joys of open air driving.