1964 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale

History of the Alfa Romeo Giulia SS

1963 was the most important year in automotive history. Numerous automotive icons were introduced that year, such as the Porsche 901 (which later became the 911), the first Pagoda, the Aston Martin DB5, the first Lamborghini 350 GT, the Ford Mustang and the Bertone Coupe from Alfa Romeo, as well as the stunning Giulia Sprint Speciale, or SS for short. The Giulia SS was designed by Franco Scaglione - who worked for Carrozzeria Bertone - and set technical and aesthetic standards that were exceptional even for a brand steeped in tradition. This car is not just a car, it is an embodiment of speed, beauty and engineering, a true work of art on four wheels. While most cars on the road still had angular and conservative shapes, the Giulia SS looks like a car of the future - flowing lines, an aerodynamic profile and a teardrop shape with a drag coefficient of just 0.28 that seems to flatter the airflow.

Under the bonnet beats the typical Alfa heart of a sports car: the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts delivers 112 hp at 6,500 rpm. This power ensures impressive acceleration in such a lightweight vehicle and allows the driver to experience the feeling of real speed. Smooth and suitable for everyday use at low revs, the engine really comes to life from 4,000 revs upwards. But Alfa Romeo has never aspired to build only fast cars. They build cars that you drive, that you steer, that you chase through bends. And that is exactly what the Giulia Sprint Speciale does better than many of its competitors. Thanks to the well-tuned suspension and almost perfect weight distribution, it can be steered precisely and easily through bends. The rear axle remains calm even at high speeds, while the front axle responds wonderfully directly to steering commands. The 5-speed gearstick is a revelation. The gears can be engaged crisply and with short travel, and the transmission set-up allows the driver to utilise the engine's full potential - especially on the winding country roads where the Giulia SS is literally at home.

The Giulia Sprint Speciale is an Italian sports car through and through, and this can also be felt in the interior. There are no unnecessary gimmicks here, only what the driver really needs. The seats are close-fitting and offer excellent lateral support - important if you want to drive the car the way it should be driven. The instruments are clear and uncluttered: a large speedometer, an equally large rev counter and a few small displays for the most important information. The steering wheel feels good in the hand and the chrome details give the interior a wonderful sense of elegance. Alfa Romeo produced a total of exactly 1,400 of these breathtaking masterpieces.

Vita of the Alfa Romeo Giulia SS - SSC597 offered here

This Giulia SS was built on 18.10.1964 in dark green with tan interior and was sold on 26.01.1966 to Alfa Romeo Frankfurt. Presumably with an American GI soldier, this Alfa Romeo came to the USA, where it was lost until it reappeared in red at the beginning of 2011. An Italian-American Alfa specialist then took on this Giulia and restored it regardless of the cost. In 2013, the concours-restored Giulia Sprint Speciale was purchased at auction at the renowned Godding auction house in Scottsdale/USA by a Monegasque art historian with an important Alfa Romeo collection at a world record price of US$ 198,000. But the car was not good enough for him and so, with the help of the former Alfa Classic Centre in Dortmund and the well-known GTA specialist Furiani, he decided to produce a Giulia Sprint ‘Super’ Speciale that is still unique today. The task was then to incorporate contemporary tuning measures, almost all of which originated from Alfa Romeo's 1965 technology kit, into this Giulia SS. Chassis/brakes: Koni red with ACC spring kit 101, reinforced front stabiliser bar, modified rear axle suspension, reinforced rear trailing arm bushes. Conversion to 105 2.0L front brakes, retrofitted brake boosters, rear axle ratio: 8/43 with lock. Engine/gearbox: A GTA engine was built on the basis of the original veloce engine. The engine hull was retained and the cylinder head replaced with an original GTA cylinder head. The whole thing with sporty road tuning and torque that kicks in as early as possible. Retrofitted oil cooler, increased cooling capacity, high-performance alternator, custom-made fan manifold and remaining stainless steel exhaust system, new gearbox (GTA) with modified gear ratios and hollow-bored auxiliary and main shafts.  The end result after a total investment of almost € 350,000 is a masterpiece. A Giulia SS ‘S’ with more than 160 ‘Cavalli’ (horsepower). In 2018, the work was completed and this Giulia SSS was added to the impressive Alfa collection and has travelled an estimated 1800 km to date. The bodywork, paintwork, interior and technology are still as good as new, as if fresh from the restoration workshop.

Summary

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale has never been a car that blends into the crowd. It is a statement, a symbol of speed, beauty and precision. At a time when many cars are designed for functionality and comfort, the Giulia SS shows that there are still cars that make the heart beat faster. It may be rare, but that is precisely what makes it so desirable. It is already a rarity that is already one of the great collector's items in automotive history. But regardless of its collector's value - this car is built to be driven. The Giulia Sprint Speciale is one of the purest forms of motoring you can experience. ‘È una macchina per sognare e guidare’ - a car to dream and to drive and, especially in the modified version offered here, an absolutely impressive experience. A little anecdote: in the year of purchase, the customer told his then 5-year-old twins: ‘This is the original Batman car.’ A story that the children believed for a very long time, but we are still convinced of it today.

Please note:

We are selling this Alfa Romeo on behalf of the owner (agency business). This offer is non-binding and subject to prior sale. If necessary, we will be happy to have a new valuation report drawn up. In Europe, transport in a closed trailer, plus container shipping for the rest of the world.

This classic offered here is located in our factory in 57548 Kirchen/Sieg, Jungenthaler Str. 1a. Here you will find - ONLY BY PRIOR REGISTRATION - a permanent selection of 80 historically valuable sporty vehicles. Please visit www.scuderia-sportiva-colonia.com to find out more about our range of services and selection of vehicles.

If you like everything you have read and seen so far and would like to view the car, PLEASE APPOINT AN APPOINTMENT! Spontaneous visitors are always welcome, but there is no guarantee that you will be able to view individual vehicles in detail. Attention! Our office is not permanently manned.