Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Alfa Romeo GTA Stradale
s/n AR613841, engine no. AR0055106619
White with Dark Grey Interior

Introduced in February of 1965, the Alfa Romeo GTA is an absolute legend. Although it appears visually similar to the standard Giulia GT, it was comprehensively re-engineered to transform it into a pleasant and affordable sports car to a spectacular giant-beating race car. The ‘A’ in GTA stands for alleggerita or ‘lightened’. The cars were built by Autodelta, a racing preparation house that was founded by a pair of ex-Ferrari employees who had left during the “palace revolt”. The company was purchased by Alfa Romeo in 1964, and moved closer to Alfa Romeo’s facility in Milan.

The car was redeveloped into a purpose-built race car with a tremendous focus on reducing weight. The changes netted a reduction in weight of 205kg (over 450 pounds), to bring the dry weight to 820kg (about 1800 pounds). The effort to eliminate so much weight from a car that weighs 2250 pounds to begin with was significant. The deck lid and trunk lid are alloy, and the roof is made of Peraluman 25 an alloy consisting of aluminum, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc. Alloy was used extensively in the structure as well, including inner rear support, parcel shelf support, dashboard, and rear seat support. Sound deadening was removed, and Perspex side windows fitted. Even the window winders are light weight items. Bucket seats were also fitted and more minimal rear seats included in the Stradale or street vers ion.

The resulting car was extremely capable, perfectly demonstrating the fantastic synergies associated with reducing weight. Even with no mechanical changes, the car accelerates and brakes better, corners faster and more easily. But the car significantly upgraded mechanically as well, with specification varying from car to car. Most were fitted with a twin plug cylinder head with significant headwork to improve the flow, larger oil sump, oil cooler, high compression pistons, hotter cams, and balancing work. Each engine was built by a single mechanic at the Autodelta facility, and was permitted no more than a 2.5hp variation from the specified output, which was tested for each motor. The driveline was upgraded too with sliding block suspension, lightweight flywheel, magnesium bell housing, limited slip differential, and even hollow shafts inside the gearbox and drilled gears. The half shafts were also hollow.

From the outset, the GTA was hugely successful on the track, earning a well-deserved reputation as a giant killer. On their first outing, which occurred at Monza, GTAs took the first 7 places. A GTA won the 6 Hours of the Nurburgring and the GTA became the first touring car to lap the Nordschleife in less than 10 minutes. Ultimately, the GTA won the driver and manufacturer championship. The cars were successful in the United States as well, winning the SCCA Trans Am championship. The GTA had lasting competition success, winning the European Championship 7 years in a row.

This particular car is a Stradale example, built and trimmed for street use and originally finished in white. It was completed the 15th of September 1965 and sold new in Milan to Mr. Rino Picciotti on 28 October 1965. These cars were astronomically expensive when new owing to their exotic and labor-intensive construction, and any buyer who bought one new, particularly a street-trimmed example, needed to have a certain level of “getting it” in order to buy a new GTA Stradale. The car’s second owner was a diplomat from South America, who took the car from Milan to Brazil with him when he was transferred there. He sold it to an owner in Brazil, who raced it and reportedly won a local championship. In the late 1970s or early 1980s, the car was owned by a Mr. Jones in San Francisco, California, and was known to Fantasy Junction by that point. He used the car as a street car, and sold it subsequently to Bud Bronstein, who had Nino Epifani convert it to a race car, and began campaigning it as a vintage race car. Its next owner was Stephen E. Block, a San Francisco Bay Area real estate magnate and car collector, who also raced the car in vintage events as well. Fantasy Junction sold the car to its next owner in approximately 1994, a Brazilian vintage racer who maintains a residence in the San Francisco Bay Area and always kept the car in Northern California. During this period, the car continued to be maintained by Epifani and was regularly raced.

Today the car, presents extremely well, and it is clear that it has been maintained and restored to the highest standards. The paintwork is basically unmarked and is high quality throughout. The panel fit is excellent and the body straight. The chrome is nice with light pitting only. The bumpers have been removed. The alloys are in excellent condition and wear Dunlop Racing tires. The lights are excellent including the Carello headlamps. The glazing is in fine shape as well, with some road wear to the front windscreen.

The interior also has a fresh appearance and is fully trimmed, although the car has been used for vintage racing. The full door panels are present, the parcel shelf is trimmed, and the rear seat area is trimmed although there are no rear seats. The upholstery is excellent throughout. The car has bucket seats also in excellent order. The floor is also covered, and the dashboard and instruments are correct in appearance and in excellent condition. The wood-rimmed steering wheel is unique to the GTA (and was also seen in the TZ), and was made by Hellebore. It is in excellent condition. The car is equipped with a roll cage with removable door bars, as well as a wink mirror. There is also a built in fire extinguisher system.

The engine compartment is equally clean, with nicely painted surfaces such as the inner fenders and firewall. The engine itself is also very clean and looks imposing with Weber carburetors and velocity stacks. The level of preparation and workmanship is consistently high throughout. The car is currently fitted with a 1750cc motor which is a twin plug unit that is mild enough for street use. The trunk is tidy throughout with no upholstery present. The full sized spare is present and the car is fitted with a fuel cell.

The GTA is a fantastic car that is particularly desirable because it is a carefully developed race car that is also usable on the road. Few such cars were built after the 1970s and indeed this unique duality is what drives the most valuable classic cars. It is in fact the reason why the Ferrari GTO is so valuable. The GTA contains everything that is required to create a terrific collector car, from its balanced and capable chassis, soulful but strong motor, light weight, and genuine world-beating competition pedigree. This particular car is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a genuine GTA Stradale that is suitable for both vintage racing and street use. Cosmetically crisp and fresh in appearance, and maintained and race-prepared by one of the best in the business, the car is ready to use and is a very high caliber example.

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