Alfa Romeo Guiletta Sprint Veloce, 1961
Alfa Romeo Sprint
Alfa Romeo Sprint•
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Chassis No.: 149322411
Engine No.: 1315013326
Not Sold
- Transmission: Manual
- Body Colour: Yellow
This beautiful little Tipo 101 was professionally prepared to FIA standard in 2000 with papers awarded but never raced. Recently recommissioned and MOT'd to facilitate a registration transfer. Classic sixties Alfa with real potential. Following the ravages of WW2, Alfa Romeo regrouped, equipping their rebuilt factories with up-to-the-minute machinery to enable them once again to become a major manufacturer on the world stage. An all-new business plan was devised to move the company into mass production and the 1,290cc Giulietta emerged to fulfil those ambitions.
In best Alfa Romeo tradition, a twin overhead-camshaft engine was to power the new model, the smallest engine size ever offered by the company but yet, in standard form, developing just shy of 80bhp. Although offered as a four-door saloon, it was the Bertone-styled Giulietta Sprint which captured the Italian sporting motorists' heart with its neat and functional styling looking good from absolutely every angle. Right from the start, the Giulietta Sprint Coupé was appreciated by drivers who recognised its potential for competition success.
With its unitary construction, independent front suspension, well-located live axle and coil springs/hydraulic dampers all round, it handled better than anything else in period and was only held back by a lack of power and being a touch heavy. To address this, Alfa introduced a more powerful (90bhp) and lighter version, the Giuiletta Sprint Veloce. To reduce the Veloce's weight, Bertone used thinner steel for non-load-bearing panels, the insulation was removed and the doors, bonnet and boot lid were made of aluminium as were the bumpers, 'eyebrows', whiskers and headlight rims.
The combination of a rev-happy engine, fine-handling, responsive chassis and excellent brakes made the Sprint Veloce a drivers car par excellence and explains why these stylish Alfas continue to attract the discerning enthusiast. First registered in the UK in February 1961, this left-hand drive Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce is a fine example of the classic Italian coupé which enjoyed many years as a regular and reliable road car before being comprehensively converted to race specification in 2000 by its previous owner.
He fully intended to compete at a serious level and the car was prepared accordingly to qualify for FIA paperwork (Period E, Series Production Touring GTS4) which were signed off in 2010. It was originally finished in Rosso Alfa (red) but is now resplendent in Giallo (yellow) a popular factory colour. The previous owner obviously decided not to pursue his racing ambitions and the little Alfa found itself in storage for in excess of 20 years until purchased by our vendor in 2024. Our vendor freely admits that he purchased the car to access the registration number, 9 EPC, and consequently the car was lightly recommissioned and MOT'd in November to facilitate the plate transfer.
That process involved new HT leads and plugs, all fluids changed, new belts and water pump but whilst the car was recommissioned to make it running and driving with an MOT, it's a long way from being circuit ready. As with any competition car, it's important to check the suitability and currency of any safety related equipment including seats, harness, tank, cage and fire extinguishers etc. The Alfa appears solid and it has obviously been properly prepared to compete at International level but hasn't seen much use for over 20 years.
Having had FIA accreditation in the past (from 2000) and having not been used since, we imagine that it would be fairly straightforward to renew them allowing for the change of registration number and currency of the safety equipment. It’s accompanied by a copy of the original handbook, a selection of maintenance invoices, its lapsed FIA paper, and its UK V5C. This is a very attractive and characterful historic Alfa Romeo, offering the potential of FIA eligibility, correct period specification and an appealing opportunity for further development or to be used having fun at track-days, sprints or hill-climbs.
