Gooding sold a similar 1961 Giulietta Sprint Speciale in Monterey last August for $209,000 - Lot # 28.  I've found 3 others that were offered since then between $160,000 and $200,000.  Even if they were in a little nicer condition, I feel my car is a bargain in comparison since my reserve is roughly half those amounts. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information at 310-274- and I reserve the right to end my auction early so I STRONGLY encourage you not to wait until the last minute to bid.  I can arrange enclosd transport to your door but buyer pays all shipping costs.  Thank you for viewing my auction.

Fantasy Junction Website January 11, 2016:
Comments
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale
s/n AR177276 Eng no. AR00120*01477*
Red with Grey Cloth Interior

The Giulietta is the car that took Alfa Romeo from being a relatively small production company to being an economically viable and successful firm. Prior to that, they had produced large and expensive cars, and never in very large numbers. With the Giulietta, however, Alfa Romeo produced significant numbers of these charming and capable cars. Its success was due in part to its unique placement in the market. It was neither a large hugely expensive car, nor was it very small utility car (such as the Fiat 500). Instead, the Giulietta was affordable enough so that many could buy it, yet permitted a more glamorous and useful approach to motoring that really struck a chord with buyers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The car came in a variety of trims and body styles, ranging from the standard Berlina (sedan) to the high performance Veloce models, which could be had with Pininfarina, Bertone, or Zagato coachwork. The standard Sprint Bertone coachwork was relatively common, but a small number of Sprint Speciale Bertone bodied cars were made, which drew on the radical styling of the three BAT concept cars that Bertone built on Alfa 1900 chassis from 1953-1955. The unusually aerodynamic styling was also influenced by the Touring’s 1900-based Disco Volante of 1952. In all, just 1366 Giulietta Sprint Speciales were built, all to the mechanical specifications of the Veloce, which included higher compression ratio, hotter cams, twin Weber carburetors, and 5-speed transmissions.

This particular example was manufactured on the 14th of November, 1961, and sold new to Regie Nationale Usines of Billancourt, France on January 29th, 1962. Finished in gardenia white, and with the current interior scheme of grey cloth with red accents, it must have been a beautiful sight to behold in period. Imported from Italy in 2012, it is currently with its first US-based owner who has enjoyed the car on various Northern California road rally events. An active member of the local classic car community, this beautiful Sprint Special shares its stable with an Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS, a Giuiletta Spider Veloce, and a Ferrari 365 GT 2+2. It is only the acquisition of his newest event car- a Lancia B24S Convertible- which prompts the sale of this wonderful Sprint Speciale, a difficult decision to make, but a prudent one, as the current owner recognizes that one enthusiast can only keep up with a select number of cars if top driving performance is to be achieved with each.

Everyone involved believes the car to have been restored in 2000, including an engine rebuild. After the restoration, it remained largely dormant until 2011, at which point it had a major service to resolve any issues which might have developed from sitting, and shortly thereafter sold to the USA.

The car has an attractive appearance, appropriate for driving events. The paint is nice, but not entirely unmarked, allowing freedom of use. Rubber latches have been added to the front and rear opening panels- likely a requirement for European rally events- although all the stock latch mechanisms remain in place. The brightwork, window glass, and lenses are all in good driver condition, generally straight, and very complete, including the often missing Perspex bug deflector. In 2014, the present owner commissioned Jim Silva’s SureFit to entirely re-upholster the interior, including the carpets and headliner (a window-out install), in the correct materials and pattern. The window felts were restored, and seatbelts added, and the resulting presentation of the interior is absolutely outstanding.

The engine bay is very nice in appearance, and quite correct in its details, as is the trunk. For example, the often missing and difficult to replace cast aluminum air box is present, as are the correct decals on the various sundry. The underside is not detailed, but displays good structural integrity, and the vast majority of the factory original undercoating material.

The car is well tuned, and very pleasurable to drive. Under the current ownership period, mechanical tuning and event support has been provided by Alfa Romeo experts Conrad Stevenson and Glenn Oliveria. This work, since 2012, included: the relining of the gas tank, a valve job, servicing the tachometer and water temperature sending units, among other minor works. The engine starts easily and runs well, making good power without vibration or hesitation. The transmission, which can be a weak point on Alfas, shifts beautifully both warm and cold, including second gear. The clutch uptake is normal, and the pedals are well adjusted, ergonomically. According the current owner the brakes were rebuilt, likely including the master cylinder, prior to his purchase and are operating well at this time. The suspension appears entirely stock, and has a comfortable feel on the road. New tires were fitted in 2015.

On file are work performed during the current ownership period, the original Italian CARTA DI CIRCOLAZIONE, a 1998 issued AUTOMOTOCLUB STORICO ITALIANO certificate di identita, a letter from Marco Fazio at Alfa Romeo Historica noting that it was fitted with an AR 00120 series engine when new as is currently the case, and a set of reprinted owner’s and workshop manuals. Also included with the sale are the original interior materials which confirm that it was in reasonably good condition at the time of replacment, and originally finished in grey cloth with red accents.

Suitable to be casually shown for fun, or used in road rally events, and like all Giuliettas, the Sprint Speciale is considered a continuation model for events requiring 1957 or earlier cars, making it widely eligible for prestigious events. As an example, in 2015 this car was invited to The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, and shown there with pride. They are also genuinely rare, with production numbers comparable to the 300SL Gullwing. Their combination of performance, looks, usability, and rarity ensures that they are truly collectible. Indeed, they have appreciated markedly in recent years, yet still represent excellent value as technically sophisticated and aesthetically stunning coachbuilt Italian thoroughbreds.