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Alfa Romeo 1600 GT junior 1965

General description : 1965 Alfa Romeo GTA Stradale
s/n AR613565, engine no. AR00502/A
Red with Black Leather Interior

Introduced in February of 1965, the Alfa Romeo GTA is an absolute legend. Although it appears visually similar to the standard Giulia GT, it was comprehensively re-engineered to transform it from a pleasant and affordable sports car to a spectacular giant-beating race car. The ‘A’ in GTA stands for alleggerita or ‘lightened’. The cars were built by Autodelta, a racing preparation house that was founded by a pair of ex-Ferrari employees who had left during the “palace revolt” that also led to the eventual creation of Bizzarrini. The company was purchased by Alfa Romeo in 1964, and moved closer to Alfa Romeo’s facility in Milan.

The car was redeveloped into a purpose-built race car with a tremendous focus on reducing weight. The changes netted a reduction in weight of 205kg (over 450 pounds), to bring the dry weight to 820kg (about 1800 pounds). The effort to eliminate so much weight from a car that weighs 2250 pounds to begin with was significant. The body was aluminum aside from the roof, which is made from an exotic alloy called Peraluman 25, which consists of aluminum, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc. Alloy was used extensively in the structure as well, including inner rear support, parcel shelf support, dashboard, and rear seat support. Sound deadening was removed, and Perspex side windows fitted. Even the window winders are light weight items. Bucket seats were also fitted and more minimal rear seats included in the Stradale or street version.

The resulting car was extremely capable, perfectly demonstrating the fantastic synergies associated with reducing weight. Even without mechanical changes, the car would accelerate and brake better, and corner faster and more easily. But the GTA was significantly 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, larger oil sump, oil cooler, high compression pistons, hotter cams, and balancing work. Each engine was built by a single mechanic at the Autodelta facility, and was permitted no more than a 2.5hp variation from the specified output, which was tested for each motor. The driveline was upgraded too with sliding block suspension, lightweight flywheel, magnesium bell housing, limited slip differential, and even hollow shafts inside the gearbox and drilled gears. The half shafts were also hollow.

From the outset, the GTA was hugely successful on the track, earning a well-deserved reputation as a giant killer. On their first outing, which occurred at Monza, GTAs took the first 7 places. A GTA won the 6 Hours of the Nurburgring and the GTA became the first touring car to lap the Nordschleife in less than 10 minutes. Ultimately, the GTA won the driver and manufacturer championship. The cars were successful in the United States as well, winning the SCCA Trans Am championship. The GTA had lasting competition success, winning the European Championship 7 years in a row.

Most GTAs were used for racing at one point or another, even the street trimmed 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 (Historic Automobile Documentation Center) has confirmed that this is a genuine GTA that was completed on the 22nd of June 1965. The car was delivered to its first owner in Brescia, Italy, who retained the car until 1992. When its second owner purchased it, the car was a highly original and undisturbed example that had never been raced.

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 was brokered by Lukas Huni during this period.

The car’s current owner purchased it in 2012 and has 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 excellent shape. The car has a custom fabricated bolt in roll bar and was used on a rally in Spain. The car has FIA papers as well as a copy of its original Italian registration from 1965. Invoices from the last ten years (totaling the equivalent of more than $85,000) are included with the car.

Cosmetically, this is an attractive high end event car, with high quality paint over an excellent body. There are a few swirls and light signs of use, along with one area on the left rear fender of apparent surface preparation issues on close inspection (they appear to be sanding marks under the paint). Overall, the car makes a strong impression and does not require any cosmetic work. The bright trim is very good overall, with some pitting on the tail light surrounds and some scratches on the front windscreen trim. The car retains its period correct twin stalk Carello wiper inserts. The glass and lights are generally excellent, including the Carello headlamps. There are a few cracks in the Plexiglas side windows in the doors and some hairline cracks in the rear lenses.

The interior is in excellent shape, including 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. The car is equipped with bolt in roll cage with harness bar and Willans harnesses. The headliner is of the original type and is in good condition, while the carpets are also in very nice shape. The car is equipped with an extinguisher system.

The engine compartment is clean with an appearance suggesting some light use since restoration, but consistent maintenance since and strong overall presentation. The twin plug head and dual coils immediately signal that this car is something special. The original type washer bag is in place and the dual Weber carburetors with mesh intake screens are very purposeful. The trunk is simply trimmed with a rubber mat and is in good shape. There are miscellaneous spare parts with the car.

The car is a pleasure to drive with well-set up chassis, excellent gearbox, and spirited engine. The engine is best-suited to fast road work, rallies, and would not be out of place on the circuit either. It prefers not to spend too much time in the lower rev range, but will do so when required. The carburetion is excellent and it provides a thrilling experience, which coupled with the car’s light weight, completely transforms the car’s character compared to a standard Giulia GT. The same is true of the suspension and steering, which are precise and communicative and remind the driver of why this car is such a legend. The brakes are effective and the gearbox is well-resolved as well.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a fundamentally excellent and very rare GTA. A wonderfully undisturbed and highly exciting car, this GTA is suited to road use or competition. It has FIA papers and invoices for significant expenditures since the restoration to bring it to its current excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition.

http://fantasyjunction.com/cars/1745-Alfa%20Romeo-GTA%20Stradale-1600%20c.c.%204-Cylinder

1965 Alfa Romeo 1600 GT junior is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Emeryville by Fantasy Junction for $335000.

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