Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Stradale by Bertone 1965 - World Of Classic Cars -

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Stradale by Bertone 1965

Introduced in February of 1965, the Alfa Romeo GTA has become a thing of legend. Visually similar to the standard Giulia GT, it was comprehensively reengineered, transforming it from an affordable sports car to a spectacular giant-killer. A tremendous focus was placed on reducing weight; indeed, the “A” stands for alleggerita or “lightened.” The body was aluminum, with the exception of the roof, which was made from an exotic alloy, Peraluman 25, consisting of a blend of aluminum, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Alloy was used extensively throughout the inner structure as well. Sound deadening was removed, and Perspex side windows were fitted, along with bucket seats and more minimal rear seats in the Stradale (street) version.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Stradale by Bertone 1965

Weight reduction aside, the GTA was upgraded mechanically as well, with specification varying from car to car. Most were fitted with a twin-plug cylinder head with significant headwork to improve the flow, a larger oil sump, an oil cooler, high-compression pistons, hotter cams, and balancing work. The driveline was upgraded with sliding-block suspension, a lightweight flywheel, magnesium bell housing, limited slip differential, and even hollow shafts inside the gearbox and drilled gears. The half shafts were hollow as well.
Most GTAs were used for racing at one point or another, even the road-going Stradale models. Consequently, an undisturbed and original GTA of any type is a rare find. This is one such car, having belonged to its original owner for 27 years. Alfa Romeo’s Automobilismo Storico Centro Documentazione has confirmed that it is a genuine GTA that was completed on June 22, 1965. Originally finished in white with a black interior, it was delivered to its first owner in Brescia, Italy, who retained the car until 1992.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Stradale by Bertone 1965

The second owner, Ferrari and Bugatti collector Jan Smits of Belgium, set about restoring the car and owned it for 12 years until 2004. It passed through the hands of two collectors in Switzerland, and a further 54,000 Swiss francs were spent on the car between 2006 and 2009 (invoices included). The car’s previous owner purchased it in 2012 and spent a further 9,600 GBP on the car in September 2014 and 18,000 EUR in February 2015 to bring it to its current condition.
Cosmetically, this is an attractive event car, with high-quality paint over an excellent body. The bright trim is very good overall. The car retains its period-correct twin stalk Carello wiper inserts. The interior is in excellent shape, including the dashboard, upholstery, and carpets. The seats are high-quality materials with perforated inserts, which were installed to high standards. The doors and remaining upholstery are of the correct dark grey material. The dashboard is excellent, and the instruments are in very good condition. The car has its correct wood-rimmed GTA steering wheel, a bolt-in roll cage with harness bar and Willans harnesses, and headliner and carpets of the original type, and it is also equipped with an extinguisher system.