Auction house Gooding & Company will soon auction off an extraordinary example of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA 1300 Junior Stradale.
This model, built in 1968, is particularly special as it is just one of the 450 aluminum-bodied examples ever made. Designed for motorsport endeavors, Alfa introduced the Bertone-styled coupe in 1965, but the 1300 Junior only debuted in '68.
Powered by a 1.3-liter engine, the Alfa's four-cylinder was based on the larger motor found in the 1600 model. Despite the diminutive powerplant, the GTA 1300 enjoyed great success on various racetracks worldwide. This model produces 135 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
Most of its energetic performance and success is down to the featherweight mass. Aside from the aluminum body, Alfa Romeo also reduced its weight by fitting plastic windows and lightweight alloy wheels.
This very example was sold new in Siena, Italy. Documents show the vehicle remained in its home country for many years until it was sold to Leo Schigiel in 2016. Schigiel, an American-based collector, sent the GTA to Alfa Romeo Specialist Paolo Bergia.
There, the rare beauty was treated to a suspension and brake system rebuild, a new water pump, belts, throttle linkage parts, and more. Overall, the receipts tallied €9,000 (approx. $9,666), suggesting that no expense was spared in maintaining this little delight.
Past owners also lavished much care and attention on the GTA 1300 Junior Stradale. Several motorsport-inspired competition modifications were made, including a rebuilt twin-plug engine. This explains the healthy power outputs of 135 hp at 7,500 rpm.
The Giulia is about so much more than performance, though. The Bertone design is equal parts simple and sophisticated, with elegant lines flowing from stem to stern. The dainty roof pillars and expansive glass house add to the overall look, while the beautiful Cloverleaf badge rests proudly on the front fenders.
If you're interested in adding this Italian delight to your collection, you'll have to fork out a healthy amount of cash. Gooding & Company estimates it will sell for between $225,000 - $275,000.
That's considerably more money than you'd pay for an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, that's not only brand new but vastly more powerful, too. That won't matter to connoisseurs, though, and we're guessing monied Alfistis will make a beeline to the upcoming auction, set to take place at Amelia Island between March 2 - 3, 2023.
The Tonale, poised to arrive in the United States shortly, may have signaled to many that the brand has lost touch with its roots. But CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has promised this is not the case. "I can tell you that I do not forget our past and our passion," he said last year.
A new sports car is rumored to arrive this year, and if it's anything like the bewitching Giulia SWB Zagato, we can't wait to see what it's like.