1,570cc DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Weber Carburetors
129bhp at 6,500bhp
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
Front Disc - Rear Drum Brakes

*Iconic Bertone designed Alfa Romeo
*Freshly presented in understated paint/interior scheme
*Originally delivered new to Germany
*Usable tour car

THE ALFA ROMEO SPRINT SPECIALE

Alfa Romeo's styling exercises are often closer to production than those of other manufacturers. Alfa's sense of Italian style and its ability to work hand-in-hand with carrossiers like Zagato, Pinin Farina and Bertone often saw show car elements, and even whole show cars, quickly transition from the stand at Geneva or Paris to the showroom. This process still functioned as Alfa Romeo transitioned its manufacturing methods from body on frame to unit body. It became more difficult, but Alfa and its favored carrossiers made the extra effort in the interest of style and exploring the integration of form, function and aerodynamics.

In 1952 Touring created a series of futuristic styling exercises, quickly adapted to Alfa's sportscar racing efforts. Called the Disco Volante, the 'Flying Saucers' voluptuous curves quickly caught worldwide attention. The Disco Volantes were followed by three legendary Bertone creations, the BATs or Berlina Aerodynamic Technica, designed by Franco Scaglione. These three extravagant coupés explored a variety of aerodynamic devices to minimize aerodynamic resistance and control air flow for maximum stability.

Concurrently, 1954 saw the announcement of Alfa's new small car, which proved to be a stupendous success. The all-aluminum dual overhead camshaft 4-cylinder engine was a jewel of concept and execution, with performance that belied its small size and continued Alfa's tradition of excellence in achieving high specific output from its engines, enhanced by lightweight construction and responsive chassis. So successful, in fact, was the Giulietta that Alfa quickly began to refine it, announcing a new series of Giuliettas in 1957 which went into production in 1959.

The close collaboration between Alfa Romeo and Bertone, constructor of the Giulietta Sprint's coupé body, made it appropriate that the vehicle chosen to herald the 1957 announcement of the impending 101 Series Giulietta was a special berlinetta by Bertone. The Sprint Speciale was an artful blend of the aerodynamic principles learned in the BATs, with styling cues recalling the Disco Volantes. This was both a handsome exercise in styling and an even more impressive application of vehicle aerodynamics.

Late in 1962, Alfa Romeo debuted the Giulietta's ostensible replacement, the Giulia, although production of the earlier car continued into 1964. The Giulia, initially a Berlina, featured a 1,570 cc four rated at 92 bhp and a five-speed gearbox. Sprint coupe and Spider convertible models followed, with engines available in several stages of tune. The suspension had been revised and disc brakes were featured all around. Bertone's Sprint Speciale continued as a Giulia model, joined by a new Zagato design, the TZ. Outwardly distinguishable from the outgoing Giulietta Sprint Speciale by identifying tail script, different sidelights and a revised dashboard, 1,399 of the Bertone-bodied Giulia Sprint Speciales were built between 1963 and 1965. Today both of these rare models are highly prized by Alfa Romeo connoisseurs.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This extremely elegant Sprint Speciale was acquired by its present owner from Germany seven years ago, where it is understood that it was delivered new. Its current owner, a passionate Italian car collector, was seeking a good basis for restoration work and it is understood that the apparent soundness of the bodywork made this an ideal proposition.

Once in the U.S. the car was treated to a refurbishment. First off, a period correct 121 type engine was sourced to replace the motor it then had. Next, based on information from factory sources it was decided to put the Alfa back to the original color tone of Green, with a particularly appealing choice of the dark metallic green which it wears today. This is contrasted by a rich tan interior. Since completion of this work, the car has been used occasionally.