Fantasy Junction

Description

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale
Chassis Number – AR10120.177277
Engine Number – AR00120*00778
Exterior Color – Blue
Interior Color – Grey with Red Accents
Engine Type –4-cylinder DOHC rebuilt with Jon Norman 1400cc specs
Gearbox –5-Speed manual transaxle
Current Mileage –39,523 Kilometers (TMU)

Highlights of This Car

-Formerly owned by Sports Car Market Founder/Publisher Keith Martin
-On display for 30 years at the Cayman Islands, Cayman Motor Museum
-2017 higher horsepower Jon Norman engine built to 1,400cc

Marque and Model History

The Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale (SS) is regarded as one of the finest production sports car designs of the twentieth century. Penned by the prolific designer Franco Scaglione while working for Bertone, the Sprint Speciale resulted from extensive studies during landmark aerodynamic development for the B.A.T. 5 and 7 show cars. As Scaglione approached the design of B.A.T. 9 with production considerations, the Sprint Speciale emerged, becoming the halo car for the Alfa Romeo brand. Although these daring cars were intended to be production based, each one was crafted by hand using bespoke materials for top clientele. Only 1,366 were built by the final year of production in 1966, making these highly desirable and sought after today by collectors worldwide. Powered by a 1300 cc engine fitted with twin Weber carburetors, 5 speed transmission, and three shoe front drum brakes, the SS delivered excellent handling and performance coupled with distinctive styling.

History of this Car

Although early history surrounding this car is not known at this time, by the late 1970s it was in the UK, eventually departing in 1982 after being purchased by Andrea Ove Ugland, the son of a shipping company proprietor, located in Norway. An avid offshore boat racer and motorsports enthusiast, in the 1990s Ugland moved his investments and substantial car collection (along with this car) to the Cayman Islands. Some years later, Ugland established “The Cayman Motor Museum”, eventually housing his car collection. This Alfa Romeo would be featured in the museum catalog as part of the collection and remain at the museum until 2015 when it was shipped to the US and offered for sale through RM Auctions.

In 2015, Sports Car Market founder and publisher Keith Martin purchased the car at the RM Auction for his personal collection. In an Alfa Romeo Storico Centro Documentazione letter from Marco Fazio dated May 27, 2015, the car is identified as a Sprint Speciale built October 30, 1961, finished in Bluette, and sold December 16, 1961, in Milan, Italy. At that time, since it had been sitting unused in the museum, Martin elected to commission a sensitive recommissioning tending to all systems including a professional engine rebuild by Nasko Imports, Portland, OR using carefully selected Veloce induction components. To give the SS a bit more horsepower from the factory, the engine blocks were decked, so Martin sent the original liners to Jon Norman to bore out and use in the rebuild to 1,400 cc, along with a pair of new profile Pittatore camshafts and balancing for all rotating parts. The transmission was also done at that time with new synchros and bearings, along with the brakes including the rebuild for all six of the front wheel cylinders. Copies of receipts for this work including itemized parts lists from Re-Originals, Classic Alfa, and Alfa Parts are included with the car. Martin also installed a new interior kit from Matt Jones Re-Originals and tended to several cosmetic elements for the interior and exterior of the car. Final mechanical work included a suspension rebuild with Rugh springs, new sway bar, and all new bushings.

The current owner purchased the car from Keith Martin in January 2020 and has used the car minimally tending to general services as needed. Copies of invoices under current ownership include the purchase of several detail parts including a correct spare wheel clamp, door buttons, a new set of Vredestein tires mounted on new Borrani wheels, two talbot side view mirrors, new chrome hubcaps, a new trunk mat, stainless steel battery tray, a new battery (2020), tool kit and canvas wallet, a new fuel sender, engine decal stickers, and various exterior emblems. A new headliner was installed, and a new windscreen, windscreen rubber, and rear glass rubber were also purchased. In February 2022, several interior trim parts were removed, replated, and reinstalled along with the windshield and rubber weatherstrip, and a new dash pad.

Of particular interest, this car is fitted with an aluminum hood which contains thirteen louvers per side instead of the five louvers typically seen on each side of the hood. Speculation surrounding the addition of these louvers includes the possibility of early race use or that it was originally delivered to a warmer climate whereby the additional louvers would have aided in cooling. The louvers are very well done, crafted with similar quality and precision matching the factory louvers.

In 2021, under current ownership, a Gold Award was achieved by this Sprint Speciale at the National Alfa Convention in Colorado Springs where it was judged, achieving 97.4 out of 100. Convention activities at this event included an Alfa trip up Pikes Peak (14,000 ft elevation). The owner reports that the car ascended with no issues and the brakes performed safely on the return trip down to Colorado Springs.

General Overview

Today this handsome Sprint Speciale exhibits high driver level finishes over a very nicely preserved body. The former owner, Keith Martin states that the body including the inside construction of the nose all appear to be original and undamaged. The engine block retains a factory stamping unique to Sprint Speciale models and within sequence to the build. The lustrous blue paint is glossy throughout, however there are visible paint flaws due to paint prep. These are noticeable upon close examination including small paint prep bubbles at the rear portion of the roof, surface scratches, and shrinkage small areas on most panels. The correctly finished silver wheels are shod with Vredestein Sprint Classic tires installed by the current owner in April 2020. The beautiful Borrani wheels are finished with new wheel covers with crisp Alfa Romeo branding. The bumpers, grille, and assorted chrome trim all display excellent finishes. All glass, emblems, and trim are also in excellent condition including the original Sekurit side and rear glass which still bear the original branding.

The interior is delightfully finished with contrasting red and gray seating and door panels, accented by light-gray carpeting. The front seats are fitted with a pair of vintage-design black fabric competition seatbelts with cast alloy clasps. The dashboard is finished in matching blue with black material covering the binnacle and top of the dashboard. The steering wheel and instruments are handsomely finished, with excellent color and clarity to the instrument faces. The delicate chrome knobs, switches, and ashtray deliver perfect glints of jewelry further punctuating this elegant interior. The quality of the interior continues into the rear panel finishes, headliner, sun visors, and door pocket details. A beautiful set of match luggage is included with the car, held in place with matching leather straps affixed to the rear storage area. The trunk compartment is very nicely finished including a correct spare wheel properly mounted on the driver’s side, a Magneti Marelli branded battery, and a correct trunk mat.

Under the hood, the recently rebuilt engine has been updated to 1400cc specifications with fresh components, correct factory finishes, proper hardware, wiring, and factory hoses. The cast aluminum intake plenum is properly ducted, with correct satin black hoses and correct F.I.S.P.A. air cleaner housing, which leads directly into the twin 40DCOE2 Weber carburetors (numbered 8592 and 8387). In all the engine and engine compartment are very nicely presented including correct factory chassis stampings. The underside of the car is in very good condition with careful attention having been given to the recently serviced suspension components, clean floor pans, correctly finished suspension and brake components, and excellent casting finishes on the gearbox and engine casings.

The car has been regularly started, warmed to operating temperature, and driven with care since the engine was professionally rebuilt. General operating features are consistent and rewarding including smooth starts, warm or cold, and a healthy exhaust note moving through the 5-speed gearbox. The car drives quite well offering a distinct advantage with the 1400cc build. The transmission shifts smoothly, brakes track well, and the overall handling when driven in a bit more of a spirited manner, is delightful and engaging.
Included with this Car

This Alfa Romeo is accompanied by two vintage suitcases, a set of tools and tool roll, a jack and tire changing tools, a wooden dipstick for fuel measurement use, and an Alfa Romeo Instruction Book.

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.

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