A delightful example of Alfa's diminutive sporting coupé, sympathetically prepared for Historic Road Rallies.
Following the ravages of war, Alfa Romeo regrouped, equipping their rebuilt factories with up-to-the-minute machinery to enable them once again to become a major manufacturer on the world stage. An all-new business plan was devised to move the company into mass production and the 1,290cc Giulietta emerged to fulfil those ambitions. In best Alfa Romeo tradition, a twin overhead-camshaft engine was to power the new model, the smallest engine size ever offered by the company but yet, in standard form, developing just shy of 80bhp. Although offered as a four-door saloon, it was the Bertone-styled Giulietta Sprint which captured the Italian sporting motorists' heart with its neat and functional styling looking good from absolutely every angle.
Right from the start, the Giulietta Sprint Coupé was appreciated by drivers who recognised its potential for competition success. With its unitary construction, independent front suspension, well-located live axle, and coil springs/hydraulic dampers all round, it handled better than anything else in period and was only held back by a lack of power and being a touch heavy. To address this, Alfa introduced a more powerful (90bhp) and lighter version, the Giuiletta Sprint Veloce. To reduce the Veloce's weight, Bertone used thinner steel for non load-bearing panels, the insulation was removed and the doors, bonnet and boot lid were made of aluminium as were the bumpers, 'eyebrows', whiskers and headlight rims. The combination of a rev-happy engine, fine-handling, responsive chassis and excellent brakes made the Sprint Veloce a drivers' car par excellence and explains why these stylish Alfas continue to attract the discerning enthusiast.
First registered in the UK in May 1997, this 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce is a fine example of the classic Italian coupé, which has been converted to historic rally-specification. Our vendors purchased the Alfa from John Williams Classics in 2003 with some rally upgrades already in place and they continued its modification for use in long-distance regularity events.
It’s powered by a replacement 1.3-litre, twin-cam, inline four-cylinder engine which was built by the Dutch Alfa specialists, Autogroep Sam Lingen. The car's original engine which has been rebuilt, confirmed by an Engineer's Report is available by separate negotiation.
The extensive work to bring the car up to the standard our vendors required included quick-release bonnet hinges and locks, body shell respray in Rosso Alfa, full Safety Devices roll-cage, 5-speed gearbox, underside plates/guards for the engine, gearbox and differential, Recaro rally sport seats, Schroth four-point racing harnesses, plumbed-in fire extinguisher, reconfigured centre console, instruments refurbished, Brantz rally meter, fuel and brake lines re-routed inside the car, dual fuel pumps, dual coils, external oil filter, oil cooler, brake servo, alternator and an electric fan.
It’s accompanied by a copy of the original handbook, a selection of maintenance invoices, its lapsed FIA Historic Vehicle Identity certification, FIVA identity card, a copy period brochure, the V5C and its current MOT valid until 25th April 2024.
We understand that this charming Giulietta has performed faultlessly over the years, competing in many European historic road rallies and has been maintained to the highest standards regardless of cost. A classic 1950s Alfa that would be welcome anywhere.
