Fantasy Junction

Description

1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint
s/n AR356456, engine no. AR00112*08373*
Red with Black Interior

Alfa Romeo, the legendary Italian automobile manufacturer began their rise to greatness fabricating cars in the handmade tradition of coach building excellence. Pre-war and early postwar Alfas were painstakingly assembled using often laborious and complex fabrication methods. In the early postwar years, there was a dramatically decreased appetite for such cars, and many producers of luxurious coachbuilt cars didn’t survive because they failed to evolve their product offerings to match the new economic reality. BMW produced the Isetta, while Alfa Romeo took a different approach by introducing the Giulietta. Incorporating the traditional Alfa Romeo values of sporting performance and technical innovation, these new cars transitioned Alfa Romeo from being a relatively small and low volume company to becoming an economically viable and successful mass producer of road cars. The charming and capable Giulietta’s success was due in part to its unique placement in the market. It was neither a large or expensive car, nor was it a small utility car like the Fiat 500. Instead, it coupled the style and functionality of a larger car with a price that made it accessible. The balance of style, performance, and function permitted a more glamorous and useful approach to motoring that struck a chord with buyers on both sides of the Atlantic. Produced in a wide variety of variants, the most significant change occurred when the Giulietta evolved to become the Giulia when a 1600cc version of Alfa’s legendary twin cam engine was introduced.

According to the original warranty card accompanying the car, this particular Alfa Romeo Giulia was delivered to Cecil C. Brady, Jr. of Dayton, Ohio on May 21, 1963. The car was properly maintained and serviced as needed, finding its way to California relatively early in its life based on the black license plates dating to late 1963. The car is exceptionally complete in a way that is very unusual for Alfas of this period. In addition to retaining its original engine, this car also has its original jack, tools, dealer directory (dated 1 January 1963), and original warranty card booklet filled out with the car’s early ownership and service information. For many years, the car belonged to Wally Tomason of Berkeley, California, and the car was a familiar sight at Northern California race tracks because Thomason campaigned a Lotus 11. In 2009, Fantasy Junction sold the car to its current owner, who has spent considerable effort bringing the car to its current well-sorted state.

The work included suspension, brake, and driveline work, as well as powder-coated wheels and new Bridgestone Potenza tires, including the spare. In 2010, with 53,912 miles, the car was extensively serviced at Alfa Performance Connection in Orange, CA. Work included new front and rear springs, new front sway bar, sway bar bushings, and front and rear brake work. Wheel bearings were repacked and the Koni shocks adjusted, while the heater valve diaphragm was replaced along with necessary hoses, and a tune up, all of which totaled over $4,300. Later in 2010 with 54,293 miles, APC removed the rear end and installed a 4:10 with new axle tubes and 2.0 brakes. The rear brakes were adjusted and various minor items tended to, totaling over $2,300. In 2013, at 54,502 miles, APC performed an additional $2,300 in work, including rebuilding the gearbox, including a new input bearing, input seal and shaft, transmission mount and seal, and replacing the differential. The current owner has further detailed the engine compartment, had the front seats recovered, replaced the floor mats, and added twin Talbot mirrors, adding to the sporting nature of this nicely prepared Giulia.

Today with 55,026 miles currently showing, this Giulia Sprint 1600 is cosmetically very nice with consistent presentation, purposeful lowered stance, and attractive cosmetics. The paint is glossy with has nice coverage throughout, showing only minor areas of use and a slight variations coloration and panel fit at the drivers door edge. The chrome trim has been redone including very nicely fitting front grilles. The wheels have been painted with the correct silver finish and have been recently shod with new Bridgestone tires. Nicely finished correct wheel covers finish off the wheels as originally delivered. The lighting, lenses, and badges are all in very nice condition. The side glass garnish molding, often wavy and dinged is nicely done and properly finished. Most rubber seals appear freshly replaced and nicely fitting to the glass and chrome trim. Door and trunk seals are tight and supple and appear newer, along with other various rubber trim throughout the exterior of the car.

The interior is nicely presented with the front seats having been recently and correctly reupholstered in black with soft pleated fabric inserts. The remaining interior panels, including the doors, dashboard, rear shelves, and headliner appear to be original and are well-preserved but showing some age. The center sections of the carpets, under the occupants’ feet were replaced by the current owner and the remaining carpets also appear as though they are original and show some fading. The gauges are in very nice condition, showing good color and contrast, as well as very nice trim rings, nesting into the nicely finished dashboard. The beautifully finished black steering wheel has a very nice glossy horn center and properly polished aluminum spokes. The chrome trim on the interior is very nicely preserved and many of the typically overlooked details such as the engraved ashtray and Bertone branded radio delete plate are in very nice condition. Overall the interior is very pleasantly presented and ready for enjoyable driving.

The engine compartment is very clean and nicely detailed, with tidy and generally correct finishes and appropriate components. Twin Weber carburetors have been fitted, resulting in a welcome and appreciable increase in performance. Some other components have been updated for modern motoring, but overall the presentation is authentic and attractive, including nice hardware detail and textured black twin cam valve cover. The original engine remains in the car. The trunk is properly done with a fresh spare tire, the original jack, and original tool roll in place. The undercarriage is quite clean and well-presented, showing solid floor pans and rockers. In all this is a clean, dry car with an honest undercarriage finish depicting thoughtful care and long term California ownership.

The engine starts easily and is well-tuned with a nice even idle and good throttle response, pulling strongly throughout the rev range. There is a snappy, responsive character to the engine which gives it an intoxicating eagerness that isn’t always present in these cars. The recently rebuilt gearbox has very good synchromesh with easy shifting action. The clutch operates positively and the brakes are effective with even pressure and nice manners even at higher speeds, thanks in large part to the recently serviced front disc brakes and suspension component work performed roughly 1,000 miles ago. The suspension is firm with excellent body control a nice stiff feel that gives the car an enjoyable chuckability. Overall, the car functions very well, with an uncommonly tight sorted feel that makes it a true pleasure to drive. The car comes with the original warranty card, original manual, complete tools and jack, an original side view mirror, and records for services and upgrades performed during the current ownership period.

This delightful Giulia Sprint 1600 has a wonderfully honest and complete presentation coupled with a superb driving experience. Structurally very honest, dry, and unrestored, it has been in California virtually its entire life and has been enthusiastically owned. It is in the perfect condition to drive and enjoy, and with the competent maintenance and upgrades, is an exceptionally rewarding car to drive.

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