1971 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior – fitted with 1750 cc engine

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 ‘drivers 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 a freshly restored 1971 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior that is fitted with a 1750 cc engine.

Factory records confirm this to be an Australian delivered factory RHD example that was manufactured on the 27th May 1971 and sold to Alfa Romeo Australia on the 28th May 1971. The car is understood to have spent most of its life in Canberra. It was acquired by Ray Gulson Motors in the mid 1990’s who lightly restored the car which included fitting the 1750 cc engine. The car was then sold to a University Professor who used the car as a daily driver before putting it in storage in Parkes for some ten years whilst he worked in the UK. On his return he had the car recommissioned and then bought it with him to south east Queensland. The current owner acquired the car off him in 2012 and carried out a completed a nut and bolt restoration which was completed in October 2015. The car has only travelled circa 4,000km since.

The owner’s objective with this car when he purchased it was to “ . . . undertake a total restoration and improvement of the 105 to be a modern classic”.  It was a ‘cost was no object’ restoration. All parts were removed and either replaced or reconditioned. All nuts, bolts, screws etc were replaced or replated like new.

The car was totally stripped and the body taken back to bare metal. When the paint was removed during the restoration there was very little evidence of accident damage and minimal areas of rust.  The majority of the rust was confined to the usual places in the mudguards. The body shell is extremely straight and the panel gaps today are ‘better than new’. Glasurit paints were used throughout and the final finishing coat was blocked several times and then polished to the standard as seen in photos.

The current owner is retired and wanted a 105 with more go, better handling and braking. He incorporated many improvements to the car, many of which are hidden from view, to achieve this goal. This is not a fast road/race car with Alfaholics rock hard suspension etc. It is like a ‘new car’ after such an extensive restoration and is a very comfortable and exciting car to drive and own.

Highlights:

–   1750 cc motor (standard specification but fully rebuilt)

–   Webber Carbs, Pipercross air filter & ram tubes.

–   Electronic distributor, (123 Ignition UK).

–   Extractors, ceramic coated.

–   Eibach springs, lowered 40 mm.

–   Suspension powder coated.

–   Koni Classic shock absorbers.

–    Brakes, adjustable dual circuit brake balance box.

 

Additional features that lift this restoration to the very highest standard include:

 

–   All the original exterior glass, windscreen etc, professionally polished outside and inside to reduce scratches and pitting.

–   All exterior stainless steel, bumpers etc. professionally polished.

–   Bottom of doors, boot lid, petrol tank and other parts soaked for days in phosphoric acid bath to remove all traces of rust from folds and hidden cavities.

–   Cavity wax was injected into sills, and body joins etc. to prevent any potential of rust forming.

–   Dynamat – The complete interior, firewall, tunnel, floor pans and inner door cavities, lined with 6 mm Dynamat, sound and heat insulation (USA web site – dynamat.com).

–   Dynaliner  – Automotive 6mm thermal and sound deadening, additionally laid under carpet and roof headlining. Unlike traditional under-carpet materials, it will not hold moisture.

–   Radio: Period Radiomobile purchased in the U.K. Existing electronics are removed and replaced with surface mounted electronics, providing 4 channel output at 45 Watts RMS per channel and an IPOD type connector.

–   Pushbuttons operate either AM or FM stations. (Tadpoleradios.co.uk).

–   Modern powerful windscreen washers installed, operated by push button.

–   Cigarette lighter modified to accept charging plugs for phones or GPS.

 

The assembly and all mechanical works were completed by Automotion in Enoggera, Brisbane and the body & paint were completed by GT Motors in Bowen Hills, Brisbane.

Today the car presents and drives fabulously and it is just like driving a 1971 Alfa Romeo off the show room floor in 2017!

The GT 1300 Junior is perhaps the most subtle and elegant of the 105 Series cars and it is regarded for its simplicity of design, both externally and internally. Hence, this example powered by an Alfa Romeo 1750 cc engine and with many subtle ‘modern improvements’ to make it a more usable classic combines the elegant look with improved performance, drivability and usability.

You couldn’t buy a ratty example and restore it to this condition for the price.

The car is accompanied by a file full of receipts for all the parts purchased and work done on the car, a photographic record of the restoration, a jack, a tool kit, an original sales brochures and a CD with owners and parts manuals. The original air cleaner box is not fitted but will accompany the car.

The owner believes that the indicated mileage of 60,509 miles to be correct.

 

 

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