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2019 Shannons Sydney Autumn Classic Auction & Rare Number Plates
Lot
61

1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Coupe

$70,000

Sold

Specifications

Engine In-line 4-cylinder, 1600cc
Gearbox 5-speed manual
Body Work Coupe
Colour White
Interior Black
Trim Vinyl
Wheels Cast Alloy
Brakes Discs

Description

This lot is no longer available

Few cars inspire such universal enthusiasm as Alfa Romeo's 105-series coupes, combining classical good looks from the pen of Giorgetto Giugiaro (whilst working at the Bertone studio) with fabulous mechanicals to create a sports car still capable of delivering an involving and rewarding driving experience.  Originally designated the Giulia Sprint GT when launched back in 1963, the 105-series was powered by a 1600cc version of Alfa's twin-cam engine, mated to a five-speed gearbox and a superb chassis with fully independent suspension and disc brakes all round.  The 1570cc all-alloy four-cylinder unit was fed via twin Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, developed 106bhp at 6000 rpm and a maximum 103 lb/ft of torque at 3000 rpm.  In the Spring of 1966 Alfa released a Veloce, or GTV, version of the Giulia coupe, easily identified by the new three-bar grille, more supportive seats, three-spoke steering wheel and woodgrain dash fascia, while under the bonnet the 1600 engine saw a slight increase in power (to 109bhp) and a better torque curve, resulting in markedly improved performance - top speed was up to 180 km/h, 0-60mph took 10.5 seconds and the standing quarter-mile was dispatched in 17.6 seconds.  The American magazine Road & Track stated the GTV possessed ‘all the traditional Alfa virtues and vices: superb handling, gearbox and finish; minimal heating and ventilation.’  Although Alfa Romeo went on to build faster, more powerful 1750 GTV and 2000 GTV variants (alongside cheaper Junior variants), the original 1600 ‘Stepnose’ versions are highly prized in the hierarchy of the road-going 105 series today (aside from the homologation GTA) and one of the most collectible Alfas of all time, reflected in the sharp rise in values in recent years.