Have you ever noticed that car collectors usually stick to one nationality of cars? While some cars blur the lines, Japanese cars are usually very different than American cars, German cars are vastly unlike English cars, and Italian cars are in a special world all their own. This 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint for sale on the Hemmings website is a perfect candidate to make you see things from an Italian point of view. This sensationally red coupe is located in Monterey, California, beautifully styled, miraculously rust free, and available for a negotiable $59,000. Thanks go to reader PRA4SNW for this gorgeous tip!
Cars from different countries are as different as citizens from different countries. One could make the argument that Italian cars are predominately known for their high revving engines and beautiful styling. Contrast that with Japanese cars and their predilection for techno-wizardry. American cars have a reputation for big sedans powered by high horsepower V-8 engines that can lope along mile after mile. German cars have a following that is in love with their taut suspension and high gearing that allows them to tick off high speed runs on the autobahn with little effort. Finally, British cars have a reputation for motoring along at somewhat slower speeds, but in a jolly, tweed cap wearing manner.
Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines the word sensuous as “relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite.” The red Alfa we see here is a perfect example of an Italian automobile. This Alfa is designed to indulge the visual senses with its design and the physical senses by the driving experience it can impart upon the person behind the wheel. The fact that this 63-year-old car has a valuation over $50,000 is testimony that people will pay good money for a special automobile.
The story on this 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Normale is that it is from a well-known collection in Tacoma, Washington. The car evidently was in long term storage. This necessitated a resealing of the transmission, rebuilding of the carburetor, and both a new water pump and a new exhaust. A refresh of the fuel system included a removal and cleaning of the fuel tank and replacement of the fuel hoses. The brakes were also gone through.
We are also told that this car is a matching number car. There are no signs of rust or accident damage anywhere on this Alfa. It is said to run and drive well, but the interior is not correct for the car. It does come with a new carpet kit from Classic Alfa.
The seller also describes the car as a great driver to use in a classic rally. With decent paint and honest wear throughout, the car is likely one that would allow you to relax and enjoy it for what it is. Of course, nothing would make you completely forget you were driving an expensive, eye-catching beauty that would be difficult to replace.
In all, this is a car that would allow you to enjoy the fifties Italian sports car experience with relatively little out of pocket in comparison to a Ferrari of the same vintage. While it is not a completely apples to apples comparison, you could say that it is more of a comparison between two fine Italian wines. One just costs a bit less, but the experience is quite similar.
Do you believe there is a significant difference between cars of different nationalities? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Rust free if it already had rusted panels replaced..
Old Italian cars are just the thing for the EMF set. If there’s not something that needs to be fixed, adjusted or replaced? There’s something wrong. Been there, won’t do that again.
The Germans invented the car, the Americans mass produced it, the Japanese made it into an appliance, but the Italians taught it how to sing and Dance.
These are great little cars, they are fun to fling around with a great chassis, a revvy jewel of an engine, a slick 5 speed transmission and Alfin Drum brakes that stop the car much better than you would expect them too. Cars like this one quickly separate the drivers from the poseurs.
I love mine and it is one of my absolute favorite cars to drive.
On this one the only thing I see really wrong with the interior is that the carpet should have been rubber mats, but I can’t see the upgrade as being bad. The price is about right and I don’t expect it to last long.
You guys are being a bit harsh here. These are actually quite reliable if sorted, more so than many classics I’ve owned.
If you had a bad experience with one of these you most likely bought a bad one or it wasn’t maintained properly.
This car looks familiar. Have we seen it before?
It’s been on and off San Francisco Bay craigslist for about a year
Yes, the back end looks like an old Henry J. I would never pay 59 grand for it.
Respectfully I think you guys are being a bit cliché and unfairly harsh above. A probably sorted Alfa of this vintage and newer are actually a pretty damn reliable. Everything of this vintage rusts, have you ever seen a 356 that hasn’t been cared for?
Nice car but I still can’t afford it. Bet it gets up and moves real nice.
Italian cars are like beautiful women. They may be difficult and have their quirks, but when everything is working right, they’re glorious.
Cars of different nationalities are, well, different. In addition to the usual domestic cars, I’ve also owned German, French and three different Italian makes. Each of those makes had handling/ride/design characteristics of their own. Each also had its own distractions. All were enjoyable. Alfas especially so.
Having owned a 1957 Type 750D Giulietta Spider Normale and a 1963 Type 101.12 Giulia Sprint Normale back in the day, I agree with Tdskip. Properly cared for Alfas are very reliable. Owners should follow the manufacturer’s maintenance and service schedule including replacing the head gasket @ 25K miles.
BTW, the ’59 Giulietta Sprint Normale had a 4 speed gearbox as did my ’57 Spider Normale. The ’63 Giulia Sprint and Spider Normales came with a 5 speed box. Oh, and what is that in the dash above the radio?
Thar is the rear view mirror.
Rear view mirror?
Exactly, what´s the story with the dash pad?
No, not the rear view mirror on top of the dash (viewed @ one o’clock over steering wheel). I’m referring to the item IN the dash above the radio with push button station selection.
The “mark” on the dash pad appears to be the shadow of the driver’s side windshield wiper.
Italian tanks of WW2 weren’t too good either.
They were powered by Fiat engines.That explains everything.
4 above? Italians make love not war…?
Sorry, but that´s abject nonsense. I can´t go into any details here because this site is not the place for a history lesson.
Any 60’s Alfa, after a good road-test, and inspection is a worthwhile purchase, period. Unfortunately they are not as inexpensive as in the past, something comparable would be a 240/260 Datsun for $20K, get one before they go to $35 and up.