Fantasy Junction

Description

1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider
s/n AR375982, engine no. AR00112*08990*
Grey with Red Interior

The Giulietta, and later the Giulia are the cars that took Alfa Romeo from being a relatively small production company to being an economically viable and successful firm. Prior to that, they had produced large and expensive cars, and never in very large numbers. With the Giulietta/Giulia, however, Alfa Romeo produced significant numbers of these charming and capable cars. Its success was due in part to its unique placement in the market. It was neither a large hugely expensive car, nor was it very small utility car (such as the Fiat 500). Instead, they were affordable enough so that many could buy them, yet permitted a more glamorous and useful approach to motoring that really struck a chord with buyers on both sides of the Atlantic.

This particular Giulia Spider is a restored car, largely converted to Veloce specification, powered by a 1600cc engine which was originally in a carbureted Duetto. The car comes from a long-term Alfa Romeo enthusiast, who bought his first Giulietta Alfa in 1972. In late 1974, he upgraded to this Giulia Spider, as it had an exquisite body, and an odometer reading of just 22,500 miles at the time. Needing cosmetic attention the current owner drove the car through 1975, and then moved from Austin, Texas to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, leaving the Alfa with a specialist for restoration. The Giulia was disassembled and a body up restoration began. The body was acid dipped, primed and painted (once in 1977 and a second time in 1992). During this process the car was verified to be rust and repair free. At this point the 1600 Duetto (largely equivalent to Veloce specification) engine was acquired and mated to the 5-speed gearbox. This engine was rebuilt in 2002. However, prior to completion, those heading up the restoration works suffered life changing personal problems, and it was not until 2012 that Bob Fernald, who co-owned Italian Motors in Austin at that time, was able to resume the process, and re-assemble the car, completing what turned out to be a 37 year process. Today, the car shows just under 26,000 miles, which may very well be correct from new, given the fact that it was disassembled for most of its life.

The restoration is best described as having been done to good driver standards, over a solid body. The paint, while not without minor flaws from age, is very nice, and in a beautiful (if somewhat lighter) shade of the factory Alfa grey. The brightwork is straight and complete inside and out, and the car sits on nicely restored wheels with new stainless centers. The interior, which is high quality vinyl, is also redone to nice driver standards, with correct switchgear and factory gauges, steering wheel, and levers. A nice black canvas top is fitted. The engine bay is quite tidy with correct cast aluminum air box over the twin Weber DCOE 28s, and correct material silver hood pad. The trunk and underside are all in good order, and have clearly been included in the restoration works, but are not detailed to show standards.

Since completion, 1,500 miles of sorting have been logged, and the car has a nice, resolved feel on the road. It starts easily, has good power with crisp carburation, and a very nice gearbox with good synchros, both warm and cold. The disc brakes slow the car down evenly, which is a nice change from the drums found on Giuliettas.

Included with the car is a file outlining the restoration works, engine rebuild, and letters about the overall scope of the process. Bob Fernald continues working on Alfas in Austin, Texas and is available for consultation.

Alfa Spiders, particularly the Giulietta and Giulia series cars, are very gratifying to drive and to own. They are non-pretentious, and widely eligible for driving events, and well-suited to nearly all they are eligible for. This restored and strong running Giulia Spider is an ideal entry level collectible, and is sure to give its new custodian many miles of motoring pleasure.

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