1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT

Details

The Alfa Romeo story began in June 1910 when A.L.F.A (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) was founded in Milan Italy. Their first car, the 24hp, was a great success and the Alfa name became synonymous with motor racing in the early years. In 1915 Nicola Romeo took over the company and during war time its focus was on military equipment, however, it wanted to build cars. Soon after the very first Alfa Romeo motor vehicle, the Torpedo 20-30hp was built.

Through until the 1950’s Alfa Romeo was responsible for some of the most exclusive road cars and most successful race cars ever built. Following the Second World War the company was in financial difficulty and it decided a change in direction was necessary to survive, and rather than hand build luxury sporting cars it decided to focus on mass production. Hence, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint was born. Alfa got the formula right and as testament to the success of this model the car was in production for over a decade from 1954 through until 1965.

Throughout the 1950’s and 60’s Alfa built a number of different models including four door sedans, two door coupes and convertibles, however, regardless of model their cars always had a sporting edge. They were a ‘driver’s car’ first and foremost.

Launched in 1963 the Alfa Romeo 105 Series was introduced to replace the very successful 101 Series Giulietta. Designed by Bertone (Giorgetto Giugiaro) the shape was purely Alfa with many styling cues taken from the Alfa Romeo 2600 and 2000. The first model introduced was known as the Giulia Sprint GT which was powered by Alfa’s proven 1600cc engine. A convertible version known as the Giulia GTC and more powerful Giulia Sprint GT Veloce were subsequently introduced. Other standard models in the 105 Series range that evolved from 1965 were the 1750 GT Veloce, 2000 GT Veloce, GT 1300 Junior and GT 1600 Junior.

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a freshly restored 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT.

This particular car is an Australian delivered, factory right hand drive example (Type 10504) that has been confirmed by Storica Alfa Romeo as manufactured on 30^th April 1965 and sold on the 16^th February 1966 to Alec Mildren, Pymble, Australia. The car’s original colour scheme was musk green with a leather skai interior.

This car has its original sales invoice, dated 24^th May 1966, which states it was sold by Alfa Romeo dealer CV Murray Pty Ltd, 225 Parramatta Rd, Granville (Sydney), NSW to a Mr AJ Macleay from Maroubra (Sydney), NSW for the sum of $4857.95. The invoice notes the car was fitted with reclining seats, power assisted brakes and a HMV transistor radio. It also notes the colour, green with tan trim and importantly the chassis and engine numbers which confirm that the car still has its original engine today. The car was first registered as ECJ 231 (NSW) and later changed to AMJ 444 (NSW).

Macleay parked the car up and into storage in 1978 and retained ownership for in excess of twenty years before selling. The cars’ new owner, based in country NSW, stored the car before deciding to focus on other projects selling to the current owner in January 2015.

The car has since been subject to a two and half year nut and bolt restoration.

A professional restoration was completed in early 2018 on an unmolested, rust free and very original body and chassis. All panels are original as are the sills, valances, wheel arches, floors and front cross member. The car has been finished in its original livery of musk green (verde muschio) with leather skai (tan vinyl) original colour with salt and pepper carpets. It retains its now very rare and correct early one piece front and rear bumpers, equally rare NOS front grilles and six bar heart.

Mechanically the car has been sorted from one end to the other. The original engine and gearbox have been rebuilt. The differential was found to be in excellent condition and required servicing only. The brakes and suspension have been overhauled using original, restored and NOS parts with a departure from original being the addition of new Koni shock absorbers for superior performance. A new exhaust system has also been fitted. Under the bonnet the restored engine bay is very well presented with correct fittings and booster. The car sits on its original steel wheels with correct original caps. The punctilious Alfisiti will note the plenum chamber nuts are not correct. The correct wing nuts are on order and will be fitted to the car prior to sale.

The assembly of the car has been completed to a very high standard, retaining exceptional originality and detail.

Today the car presents and drives spectacularly . . . and probably better than when first driven out of the show room by Mr Macleay in May 1966. The paint work is exceptional . . . period! The majority of the chrome and exterior trim are either new or refurbished and compliment the car beautifully.  All of the glass, with the exception of the windscreen, is original and in very good condition. Inside the cabin the refurbished interior is just stunning.  Again, everything is either new or refurbished with the exception of the steering wheel and kick plates which are in very good original condition.  The dash, instruments and controls are so delicate on these early Alfas and on this car present like new.

The engine starts very easily and settles into a smooth idle even when cold.  After a short time to warm up, the car is ready to go. In less than five minutes it’s very obvious that this little Alfa ticks all of the boxes . . . it is just a jewel! The engine note is just ‘so sweet’, complimented by that raspy typical Alfa exhaust note. The gear change is slick up and down the box and the overall feel of the car is just so light and nimble. It steers, handles and stops with precision.

Accompanying the car is an original owner’s handbook, sales brochure, dealer delivery document, an original 1973 registration certificate, two sets of keys, spare wheel, tool kit and jack. There is a comprehensive file of receipts showing the depth of detail and commitment to originality of the recent restoration of the car.

Today the odometer today reads 56,336 miles, all of which were travelled from 1966 to 1978!

Highlights:

– A rare, Australian delivered, factory RHD very early ‘step nose’ 105 series Alfa Romeo.

– An incredibly original car that has been fully restored.

– All original body panels.

– A confirmed ‘matching numbers’ car (mostly impossible to prove) finished in its stunning original colour scheme.

 

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