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1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint 1600 Barn Find

A single model can take an automobile manufacturer from sedentary to successful. For Alfa Romeo, the Giulietta and later Giulia were the models that helped it become known for manufacturing affordable and stylish cars that were as at home on a movie set as they were on the race track. In Southern New England, this 1963 Alfa Giulia Sprint 1600 is available here on eBay for $9,888 with the option to make an offer.

With design by Giorgetto Giugiaro of the legendary styling-house Bertone, the Giulia offered customers the best of its past and and a look into its future. Known primarily for its large, limited-production models, the new breed of Alfas carried on its reputation for classic styling but in mass production form with a lower price tag. The chassis featured disc brakes, front A-arm suspension and a live rear axle. Although multiple trim levels were available, U.S. customers were only offered the 1.6 liter engine.

This example of the Giulia Sprint has remained surprisingly straight with some rust repair needed. Considering it spent the majority of its life stored in Massachusetts where road salt renders classic Italian metal to scrap, the hole in the driver’s side rocker seems downright tame compared to other examples left exposed to the elements. Although it looks as if the fenders could hide some surprises, the floors appear to be solid.

The seller is upfront about the car’s long-term hiatus from the road, and notes that it currently does not run. Although there are few details about its history, we’ll consider the car’s last registration in 1969 as some indication to its past. The interior retains many of its original features, with the correct gauges in place, most trim intact, and the factory steering wheel still fitted. While the seating surfaces may be non-existent, just knowing the car hasn’t been tinkered with is reassuring.

Although restoration costs for Alfa Romeos are never cheap, specialists abound who can bring the car back to road-going form. Other bonuses include a solid trunk floor and an original engine bay that appears largely undisturbed. This 1600 looks to be a good candidate for a comprehensive restoration by an impassioned Alfa collector.

Classic Alfa Romeos harken back to a time when high strung machinery and Italian coachwork were not out of reach for the average Joe. They offered a motoring experience not found in domestic makes and they would even grow to become desirable on the track with their rev-happy twin-cam and surefooted handling. Despite what appears to be a pricey project, this car has not succumbed to the tin worm quite yet and is sure to make some Alfista proud.

Comments

  1. Donald C

    Sweet ride,a little cosmetics and i’d drive her as she is.

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  2. Dolphin Member

    These ’60s Alfas had modest engines compared to the supercharged straight-8s that tore up European racetracks between the wars, but they have a purity that is hard to beat. Alfa Romeo found that they could not survive by building and selling a relatively small number of exclusive coachbuilt cars with multi-cylinder engines at high prices after WW2, so they went downmarket and this car is one of the results for the 1960s.

    I remember driving a car similar to this one for a while years ago and being amazed at how well it handled and went with its solid rear axle and modest power. It was one of the most satisfying cars to drive that I have ever experienced.

    Restoration of these small 1960s Alfas isn’t cheap. I think this one is best bought by someone who knows these cars well and preferably has a few boxes of spare parts in the basement. It will also help if the person is a skilled metal man. Otherwise, bring lots of money.

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  3. John Schultea

    It looks like a Volvo !

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  4. Brad L

    Yes, these were built by Bertone, but the Giulietta / Giulia Sprint design was by Franco Scaglione. The later Sprint GT of 1963 was the Giugiaro design.

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  5. Francois Breytenbach

    This is not a Giulia it is a Giulietta Sprint.

    Like 0

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