Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, 1962
Alfa Romeo Giulietta I
Alfa Romeo Giulietta I•
•56 views
Chassis No.: AR171423
Auction: Indy 2024
Auction date: May 18, 2024
Lot No.: S168
$57,200 | Sold
- Odometer: 32,434 miles
- Engine: Inline 4-cylinder
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior: Red
- Interior: Gray
- Body: Spider
- 1290cc Inline 4-cylinder engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Red exterior
- Black convertible top
At the end of World War II, Alfa Romeo was in dire financial straits and its factory in ruins. It also needed desperately to enter the mainstream with lower-priced, higher-volume models in place of the dribble of bespoke and exclusive vehicles that provided glamor but contributed little to turnover. That’s where the compact unibody Giulietta range came in, and so too did Max Hoffman, who recognised that style and panache could also come in small packages. Just as he had with Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche, the maverick New York and Beverly Hills importer persuaded Alfa Romeo to build a convertible and insisted on wind-down windows.
Thus, a fairly rudimentary Pininfarina mock-up evolved into the sophisticated and pretty Spider, with power provided by the lightweight and lusty, all-alloy, double-overhead cam, 1290cc inline-4, which was allied to a 4-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension and drum brakes. The initial 750-series Spiders rode on a shortened Giulietta floor pan, and though handling well, they provided a somewhat choppy ride. Nevertheless, Alfa Romeo and Hoffman were pleasantly surprised with the sales figures of the pretty Alfa Romeo, and in 1959 the Giulietta Spider 101-series added 2 inches to the wheelbase to become an even more satisfying package.
Lessons learned from the Giulietta’s considerable success in motor sport also filtered down with a raft of improvements aimed at strengthening the twin-cam unit. In road trim in the Giulietta Spider, the twin-carburetor 1290cc unit produced 80 HP at 6,000 RPM, which translated into a road-tested top speed of 103 MPH. Produced in 1962, this little red Alfa Romeo is as evolved as the Giulietta Spider got—a consummate sports car and mini grand tourer that certainly punches above its weight. It also turns out that Hoffman’s vision was right yet again, because from 1955 to 1962 Alfa Romeo sold more than 17,000 Giulietta Spiders, helping to elevate the company’s profile and finances.
Or as Alfa put it in an earlier U.S. press ad, “When the smart set gathers there’s a good chance they’re crowding around for a look at the exciting new Alfa.”
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1115391/1962-alfa-romeo-giulietta-spider/
Cost
210,067 AED
