1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider (750 Series)

Details

The 1950’s Giulietta Sprint was Alfa Romeo’s first attempt at manufacturing a sports coupe that would be produced in significant numbers. Today the Giulietta Sprint is regarded as one of the finest designs to come from Bertone, which is interesting as it was Pininfarina that was given the job of designing the Giulietta Spider which reached production less than twelve months after the coupe was released. Alfa Romeo was onto another winner as the Giulietta Spider is regarded as one of the finest designs to come from Pininfarina! As testament to the success of the Giulietta (and later the Giulia) this model (both the coupe and spider) was in production for circa a decade through until 1965. Today these fabulous little Alfas are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts all over the world. These cars are both elegant yet purposeful and the 1300cc engine was powerful enough to propel the car to a top speed of approx 165 km/hr.

We are delighted to offer a 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, chassis number AR1495*00467* with engine number AR1315*40422*.

This car is understood to have been a US market car delivered through Hoffman Motor Company, New York and delivered new in red with a black interior.

Through our research we have ascertained that the car came to Australia many many years ago and was acquired by the proprietor of respected restoration and panel shop F & Dino Berti Pty Ltd in Burnley Street Richmond in the 1980’s. At that time the car was ‘tired’ but structurally in excellent condition. The car was fully restored with F & Dino Berti undertaking all the body work and the mechanical work & assembly completed by Alfa Romeo specialists The Alfa 105 Factory. The restoration included a conversion to RHD which was very well done. The car was finished and subsequently sold in Melbourne and immediately after changing hands it was taken by the proprietor of the Alfa 105 Factory to a concours d’elegance at Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley where the car was very well received.

The car was later sold to a Brisbane based collector who had the car for many years before it changed hands some ten years ago when acquired by another Brisbane based collector.

The car has seen very little use since it was restored all those years ago and today it presents beautifully. The quality of the restoration has ensured this fabulous little Alfa has stood the test of time. The paintwork is virtually unmarked and it still carries a high quality shine. Structurally the car is excellent with all of the floors, sills, boot and jacking points looking as good as the day the car was restored. The panel gaps and overall fit of the doors, boot and bonnet are also excellent. The doors shut ‘perfectly’ which one would have to say is unusual for one of these little cars!  All of the exterior trim, lights and glass are also in excellent condition. The soft top is like new and the interior is also in very good condition. The steering wheel could be refurbished to further enhance the look of the car and the drivers door pull handle is missing. To be picky the instrument bezels, some of the interior chrome trim and the rear bumper are showing slight signs of pitting.

This car has just had a major service with the brakes (master cylinder and wheel cylinders were overhauled, new brake lines and brake shoes fitted), fuel system (cleaned including the tank, a new fuel pump fitted and the carburettor serviced), cooling system (radiator recored, water pump overhauled and hoses replaced) and the ignition system overhauled. In total $10,000 was spent on the car in the last few months.

The car starts easily and it quickly settles into a smooth idle. The engine sounds ‘just right’ and out on the open road the car is nimble and very responsive. It is tight on the road, handles well and stops as it should. The synchros are perhaps a little slow but once warm the gearbox shifts up and down without any hesitation.

In summary this little jewel of an Alfa ticks all the boxes:

• – Being a 1956 model 750 Series Giulietta it is a rare early production example with distinctive features
• – Although an older restoration the car has hardly been used and it presents and drives fabulously today
• – Right hand drive
• – Eligible for a wide variety of events the world over
• – It’s a lovely example of an iconic Italian sports car

 

The odometer reads 98,722 miles.

These cars are rare in Australia and this car presents a unique opportunity.

 

 

 

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