The Alfa Thread

[LateFan]

The 60s.

The Giulia 101 and 105 series are developed into a variety of great cars - coupes, spiders, race cars, show cars. The GTV coupe dukes it out with the BMW 2002 and the Datsun 510 in SCCA Trans Am racing.

The Giulia Sprint GT by the young Giugiaro at Bertone (commonly called the step nose now)


...became the GT Veloce, then the GTV. Produced until the mid-70s.


Turn 3A at SIR in South Seattle for those who've been there..

[LateFan]

The famous GTA.
Looks like a GTV, but it's all aluminum. Very light, very fast.

[LateFan]

The Giulia Super sedan. This was a funky-looking economical sedan, but had the same chassis as the GTV and spider. It was designed in the wind tunnel and had a lower drag than either of those, using a narrow greenhouse and kamm design. The slightly longer wheelbase worked well on the race track They built a special T.I Super version that set some sort of closed course record at Talladega for 1600 engines.

I gave away a roller once in the 90s - couldn't find anyone interested. Finally gave it to a guy who raced one in SCCA vintage in Seattle. He wasn't overjoyed, but he got spare panels, glass, dash... Now they're a cult car worth tens of thousands. I'm a derp.

[LateFan]

The Giulia TZ (Tubolare Zagato)

A superlight, slippery, tube chassis race car with an aluminum body by Zagato and a screaming, high rev 1600. Fast. They have an oval megaphone side exhaust and they are loud!

And street legal.

[LateFan]

There was also a TZ 2, which looks a bit like a baby GTO.

[LateFan]

The Giulia Spider gave way in 1966 to the Duetto, or 1600 Spider. This is the last car designed by Battista Pinin Farina, who died before it went into production. The auto press panned the design - they were used to the Giulia, which is a friendly 50s design. This was new and modern, ee gad!

Then they drove it....oh! My!

Everyone thinks they should be red ("They're ALL red underneath, son"), but I think they look best in dark colors. There are a handful of special order black ones around.






One of the best back ends short of an early 911..

[LateFan]

I'm a little biased.

[LateFan]

Design origins of the Duetto:







And some roots in the 1952 Disco Volante (flying saucer)

[e30saam]

One of the best back ends short of an early 911..
[ATTACH]77218[/ATTACH]

From that angle, it looks just like an early 911 rear end.

[BlackbirdM3]

The Alfa that is currently parked next to my M3.



Its a '66 1600 with a 5 spd. Its a 98 point car. That said, its drives funny. I haven't figured out why. It was a 10 year long restoration with all OEM new parts.

Will

[decay]

Awesome stuff, LateFan, thanks.

If any of you needs someone killed, I will take a new 4C as payment:

[LateFan]

4c

Quatro chi, I hear them say. Sounds better in Italian.

Sweet! We've waiting long enough for it.

I still think they should have put these headlights on it instead...

[decay]

The 8C is, IMO, the most beautiful car that's been built in this century- but it's out of my price range. The 4C is affordable, lightweight, and mid-engined... I want one so badly I can taste it.

[BlackbirdM3]

For the cost of an 8C, I'd rather be looking at a TZ1 or TZ2, or a GTA. There are so many real Alfas that I'd rather have over an 8C for the price. Heck, a Sprint Speciale would be pretty cool as well.

Honestly though, I just want another '69 US Spec 1750 GTV. I'd like it in either Dutch blue or black with a black interior. No red cars allowed.

Will

[decay]

No red cars allowed.

you, sir, are a heretic! :P