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Garage Find: 1960 Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale

I don’t think it takes knowing Italian to know that Speciale translates into Special and boy is this Alfa Romeo the definition of the word! Not only is the Giulietta Sprint Speciale design absolutely beautiful, but it’s also incredibly aerodynamic with a drag coefficient of just 0.28. With fewer than 1,400 ever built, these Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica inspired Sprints are quite rare and valuable. This one is a partially restored project, with a bulk of the work having already been completed. It’s being offered here on eBay in Washington, Connecticut without a reserve and a current bid of $33k.

While you might expect to find a V12 or some other high output Italian engine, the SS was actually powered by a small twin-cam 4-cylinder. This 1300cc engine was pulled from the standard Giulietta, but was tuned to produce 100 horsepower. It might not sound like much, but between the relatively low weight and how slick the car is, it allows for a top speed over 100 mph. The seller states that this car’s engine has already been rebuilt, but the pictures would suggest that it’s in pieces and still in need of a fair amount of work. A closer inspection is definitely in order to see what condition the major components are in and to ensure that everything important is still present.

We don’t get a good look at the interior, but from this photo, we can see it’s been taken apart. The dash appears to be present though and in decent shape. It would be good to see what condition the upholstery is in, as that can get pricey to replace. The seller states that all of the glass is present, but that the windshield is badly cracked. That piece of glass is available, but the side and rear glass would be a huge challenge to locate, so hopefully, those pieces are all in good shape.

I’ve long been an Alfa Romeo fan, so this one is incredibly tempting! Yes, it needs a massive amount of work and $33k isn’t cheap for a big project, but fully restored it will be worth a considerable amount of money. More importantly, though, it will be an exquisite driving machine. Given the styling and character, I’m honestly surprised these cars aren’t worth more! If this one’s body is solid and the paintwork as nice as it appears in pictures, I think it would be worth every penny of the current bid. How about you?

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    Makes me sad when I see a project this far along where the owner either passes or doesn’t have funds or the time to finish. Beautiful lines and color and hopefully someone can see it to the end.

    Like 12
  2. Avatar KEVIN L HARPER

    Tempting
    These are 6 figure cars when done.
    I thought they quit making the Giuletta sprint speciale in 59. Need to check with Fusi on the build date.

    It does have the correct DCO3 carbs, those alone are worth around 5k. I hate them and prefer DCOEs but they are correct.
    Now to conteplate

    Like 6
  3. Avatar angliagt Member

    A Friend of mine had one parked outside of his auto repair shop.
    There was a “crash” noise,& the kid delivering for a local auto parts place
    walks through the door.My Friend said “Tell me you didn’t hit the Alfa”.
    The kid silently shook his head “yes”.
    After calling the kid’s boss at the parts store,my Friend was told –
    “Don’t worry,we’ll take care of it”.
    Of all the cars he could have hit….

    Like 6
  4. Avatar DETROIT LAND YACHT

    Looks from the front kinda like those Batwings that recently hammered for millions.
    Good luck to whoever takes this on.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Martin Horrocks

      Sprint Speciale is the production outcome for those BAT shapes and was originally envisioned by Alfa as a racer to beat the Zagato SZ, but too heavy, so never could. It just became a very expensive flagship model.

      Long way from getting sold at current bid.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Robert Roberge

    This is not a Giulietta it’s a Giulia. My brother drove one for years.

    Like 2
    • Avatar KEVIN L HARPER

      No I think it is a Giulietta and not a Giulia.
      The Giulietta SS was made up until 1962 with the Giulia SS beginning production in 1963.
      The Giulietta used DCO3 carbs and had a 1300cc engine, which this car has, and the Giulia has the much better DCOE’s and a 1600cc.
      Looking at the chassis and engine number in Fusi’s book and the Sprint Speciale registry shows that this is actually a 1961 build and it was built around July of 1961. I am fairly certain there is a typo in the VIN number on ebay and it should be 177160 and not 171160 as the later does not exist. Also the vin’s for Giulia SS was 380### with the first one being 380001 and is in the Alfa Romeo museum and with a build date in early 1963 and the last one 381401 with a build date September of 1965.
      This one is certainly a Giulietta.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    Robert Roberge,

    Once again, I am in total agreement with you. It’s also why it can be a Giulia, and not a 1960 Giulietta.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar kenn

    Bill & Robert, how about more detail as to why you disagree with Kevin. We’re all here to learn something.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

      Kenn,

      I now believe Kevin has more knowledge about these than I do.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Robert Roberge

        I stand by what I said about my bro’s vehicle, it was a Giulia but I don’t recall the year. Obviously Kevin is privy to more info than I have and I stand corrected about this particular vehicle.

        Like 0
  8. Avatar Joe Elliott

    Is that a Matta in the background?!? (Not something you see every day…)

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Araknid78

    This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Phil

    Although these cars are out of my price league, I would have to agree that they will be worth much more at some point.

    Like 0

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