Fantasy Junction

Description

Chassis Number – AR*755701*

Engine Number – AR00551*04236*

Exterior Color - White

Interior Color – Red

Engine Type – 1750cc DOHC four-cylinder with twin Weber Carburetors

Gearbox – 5-speed manual

Current Kilometers – 75,115 kms TMU

Current Owner – Purchased in 1985



Highlights of this Alfa Romeo



- One of 247 LHD GTCs built in 1966, the final year of production

- Comprehensive Epifani restoration in desirable colors

- 41-years of current California ownership by 2nd owner



General History



Considered to be one of the best Bertone-designed sport coupes, the tidy greenhouse, low but roomy profile, and clean body lines made the 105 series Alfa Romeo coupe one of the most successful cars in the Alfa Romeo lineup. Built from 1963 -1975, the charming, hunkered down front-engine, rear drive sport coupe offered seating for four adults and spirited performance. Although the design shared many mechanical features with the Giulietta, the new unibody/monocoque platform was very innovative and lightweight. Live rear axle, disc brakes all around, dual overhead cam, and 5-speed gearbox, all resulted in a very effective driving combination.



Rare in number and now considered one of the most desirable of this series, the GTC cabriolet was the only four-seater convertible offered through the Giulietta/Giulia family. With a limited market, Alfa chose to outsource manufacturing to Touring of Milan who also performed subtle design enhancements unique to the GTC. These included a gently lowered trunk line, larger capacity trunk, wind-up rear quarter windows, and a fully retractable soft top that nested behind the rear seats. Additional structural improvements made during construction at Touring included body reinforcements which were greatly improved as the model line advanced over the 1964-1966 years of production. Though a mere 998 examples were built, just 247 LHD models were completed in 1966, the final year of production.



History and Restoration



According to the current owner (and later confirmed by the son of the original owner who saw the car after the restoration was completed), this factory left hand drive Alfa Romeo was delivered to the first owner, a resident of France. After spending time in France, the original owner moved with the car to Montreal, Canada, and subsequently imported it to North America where the original owner continued to use it until it was no longer drivable in 1985. Considering the costs to repair the car, the original owner decided to move on and sold it to San Carlos Auto Wreckers for $50.00. Fortuitously, a week later in March, the current and 2nd owner, an Alfa Romeo enthusiast, discovered the car while looking for spare parts for other Alfa Romeo project cars he was restoring. Though it had been assigned a salvage title, the current owner purchased it directly from San Carlos Auto Wreckers (copy of purchase receipt included with the records). Complete and non-running, the owner purchased it as a parts car, considering it initially as a donor car for some of his other projects. After reviewing the condition and considering the rarity, the owner began working on it, was able to get it running and decided it was worthy of restoration. The owner gathered parts, researched the unique convertible features, and decided to commit to a comprehensive restoration. In 2000, the current owner engaged marque experts at Epifani Restorations, Berkeley, CA to manage the entire restoration project. During the restoration the car was completely disassembled down to the shell while all brakes, pedal assembly, steering, suspension, engine, and transmission were disassembled at Epifani and each of the component parts were fully stripped, glass bead blasted and refinished using correct finishes as part of the mechanical rebuild. The body was sent separately to a professional body shop where it was inspected and reviewed by the Epifani team as the restoration progressed. For the engine, the cylinder head was dismantled, pressure tested, valve seats cut and radiused, new pistons and a piston liner set (1750) installed, and mag rods fitted. The crank was also machined and new cams installed. A new bell housing was fitted with new clutch and flywheel, differential rebuilt, all brake lines installed new, new brake booster and master cylinder, new hoses and lines, new fuel lines and refinished fuel tank, a good used wiring harness sourced and inspected for any new wiring needs, and all electrical, lighting, gauges, and switches tested and installed.



At the body shop, all body work was fully addressed including bare metal work performed on the floor and lower doors and rear panels as well as corrective welded in areas, new metal for the pedal box, and other areas as needed. The interior was subbed out to a professional upholstery shop which covered the dash in black (correct for the GTC), correct seat foam used to rebuild the front and rear (unique to the convertible) seat, a complete set of rubber floor mats were sourced from Italy, and the seats and door panels finished in a beautiful shade of red. A new windshield was installed along with new gaskets for all glass, new window channels, restoration and polish for all aluminum trim, gaskets for all lighting and body accessories, new chrome for the front and rear bumpers, and a set of rare correct Carello headlight trim rings fitted to the headlights. As a handsome finishing touch, the owner selected a set of factory original GTA wheels from his personal collection and installed them on the car. After final assembly, in late 2002, the car was road tested and driven for the engine break in period, and all bolts torqued to specification, and fluids changed as needed. The current owner enjoyed occasional use of the car for various local shows and family outings. In 2008, the radiator was cleaned and rodded, in 2009 new ignition Bosch plex were installed with new spark plugs, and in 2010 the car returned to Epifani for brake work including a new master cylinder, and a brake fluid flush, returning again to Epifani in 2011 for front and rear suspension work including two new Koni shocks. In preparation for consignment the water pump and lower radiator hose were replaced at Italian Performance, San Carlos, CA, and a compression test was performed returning the following numbers reading front to back 1 – 220, 2 – 205, 3 – 215, 4 - 225.



Cosmetic Overview



Today this two-owner, long-term California owned Alfa Romeo GTC is presented with beautiful finishes throughout including smooth and glossy paint that has been very well maintained since the restoration was completed some years ago. The various trim and exterior features are in excellent condition including the grille, which is properly fit to the opening along with single series headlights and the distinctive “step nose” hood design. The lenses, lighting, bumpers, and Alfa Romeo script are also in excellent condition, including the trunk lid “Giulia GTC” script lettering unique to the convertible design. The body panel gaps are consistent with excellent closures and tight fit for both doors which open and shut smoothly, along with excellent fit particularly along the rear edge of the trunk lid. The floating hood, often lacking proper fit, sits flush and latches correctly. The door and rear quarter glass panels are in excellent condition with Securit brand etching consistent with original factory installation, which is rare to find particularly for the convertible body style. A replacement PGI laminated windshield is fitted and the nicely finished black canvas convertible top fits properly to the windshield header with excellent headliner, matching black perimeter beading, and a clear rear plastic window. The top folds down smoothly and nests behind the rear seats with a matching black canvas top boot with perimeter snap fasteners. Outfitted with a set of authentic ventilated GTA wheelsand a set of Michelin MXV4 195/70R14 tires, the stance is sporty and elegant even with the top up.



The interior features beautifully finished seats, carpet, dash, and trim, all performed with high-quality materials using accurate perimeter piping, taut fit over proper foam padding, correct materials and fittings, and matching rear seating, specially contoured for the convertible design. The overall interior presents very well reflecting a high-quality restoration performed by knowledgeable Alfa Romeo experts. The door panels, various chrome trim, and side panels have a very high-quality feel to the finishes, the carpeting is in excellent condition, and the shifter boot, rubber floor mats, and ashtray are also in excellent condition. The dashboard is exceptionally nice, featuring clean and highly detailed instruments with excellent color, striking contrast and clear numeric indication, a correct AM/FM Blaupunkt radio, and black dash padding which is in excellent condition. A sporty black rim Alfa Romeo branded steering wheel finishes off the correctly restored interior to a very high level. The trunk is clean and well-maintained, finished with a newer trunk mat. Under the trunk matting, a full-sized GTA style wheel is in place wearing a matching Michelin tire.

Under the hood, the engine bay delivers a correct presentation reflective of original specifications and finishes that have modestly mellowed under careful use since the restoration was completed. The engine and engine compartment appear correct in componentry and detail with a properly finished 1750 specification engine now installed. The engine is finished with a satin black twin-cam cover, a cast alloy twin-carburetor intake chamber, and a pair of dual throat side draft Weber carburetors. Other correct features include a correct brake booster system, factory hardware, and Alfa Romeo body stamping and manufacturers plates. The undercarriage also exhibits signs of comprehensive restoration which has mellowed over time but still reflects historically correct attention to detail. Various painted metal suspension components are in excellent condition, as are the brakes, exhaust, and sound chassis floor pans. Correct aluminum casting engine pans, transmission casings, and other components for this series car finish off the chassis to a very high level.



The car starts, stops, runs, and drives very capably as evidenced in the driving video accompanying the photos in the gallery. The gearbox operates properly, the clutch takes up nicely, and the brakes bring the car down smoothly and evenly on a firm pedal. Acceleration is progressive from the 1750 engine offering a balanced feel especially notable in open configuration when driving in a more spirited manner.



Items Included with the Car



The car is accompanied by the original 1,600 engine on a rolling cradle (engine number 22674 matching the chassis plate), a spare gearbox, a set of tools and tool roll, and copies of service records and restoration receipts from Epifani. Please note that the title contains a “salvage” brand which was required when the car was purchased in the 1990s by the current owner.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608