1974 Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior Euro Spec Coupe, very rare and collectable

1974 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT 1600 Junior Euro Spec Coupe, very Rare and Collectible

Alfa Romeo has always had a reputation for building exciting sports cars, even its most pedestrian sedans offered a level of performance and finesse. But for the everydayworking man during 1960's & 1970’s Italy, a 33 Stradaleor Gran Sport Quattroruotewere just financially out of reach. To remedy this, Alfa took from its do everything Giuliettarange, and made coupeswith smaller displacement engines (105/115 Series). The smaller mills avoided the extra taxes associated with larger engines and the Alfa’s GT Junior was just what the market wanted. Like most European brands, Alfa Romeo understood that performance was not just about displacement, but good handling and a fun to drive platform were equally important, giving birth to the “Junior” range.

At just over 2,000 pounds, the lightweight Junior could top out above 100 mph and get to 60 in less than 12 seconds...respectable figures for any performance car for the period, let alone an affordable one. The rear suspension was a tried and true solid-beam live axle with coil springs, but the Junior had plenty of advance technology under the hood. Part of the reason that its smaller displacement engine could produce such remarkable performance was because of its twin cam design. Rather advanced for the time, it was not unlike what could be found on more expensive sports cars. In a further nod to performance,all Juniors were fitted with a 5-speed gear box and disc brakes all around. Themajor external identifying feature of the GT Junior was the tasteful black grille with just one horizontal chrome bar and two headlights.

Aside from their performance, the Juniors were real lookers. Bertone designed the body, making its brand of Italian Style accessible to a wider market. It was Bertone’s first large scale production opportunity, so making a lasting impression on thegeneralpopulace was very important to the then new design studio. The Bertone design was a more modernevolution of Giuseppe Scarnati’sdesign for the outgoing Giulia. The sophisticated lines and youthful demeanour found fans quickly. As practical as it was handsome, thewell proportion 4-place coupe had a pronounced greenhouse with sculpted front and rear windows and generous trunk space. Other upscale design touches included integrated headlights and wheels that filled the fender wellsfor an aggressive sporting look. The beauty continued inside with an uncluttered dashboard with wood grainsurfaces. Simple large dials highlighted the Juniors singular mission of fun in motion while the occupants were comfortably cradled in the contoured bucket seats. The Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior was and still is a fine example of Italian craftsmanship with great performance offered at an affordable price.

The GT Junior was in production for over a decade and throughout its run it was updated by the factory, incorporating many of the same revisions applied to larger-engined models. The GT Junior pioneered the use of ATE disc brakes. In 1968, concurrently with the replacement of the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce by the 1750 GTV, the GT Junior was revised with many of the new parts from the 1750 GTV which included the dashboard, the suspension and the new wheel size of 5½ × 14J. From 1968 on, all Alfa Romeo models for the US market were fitted with fuel injection systems instead of carburetors to comply with emissions control legislation (as an Euro Spec model, this Alfa is equipped with Italian gauges and two of the preferred original factory duel Dellorto side-draft Carburetors). In 1970 the Junior was revised a second time, and received the same nose treatment as the 1750 GTV, without the step but still with only two headlights.

Per Alfa Centro Documentation this GT 1600 Junior was manufactured with the original body color of Dutch Blue (midnight blue) with a Maremma Wild Boar Tex (saddle brown) interior...arguably the best original color combination. Manufactured on January 15, 1974 and originally sold on the 24th of October 1974 in Goro, Ferrara, Italy, it spent most of its life in Europe, with the last location of The Netherlands. It was then imported in January of 2010, when the executive who owned it was transferred to the U.S. by his multi-national company and he brought the Alfa with him.

Mostly original with 93,200 km showing (can't verify if original) it has obviously been pampered and beautifully maintained and it shows. Statements that this Alfahas always been garaged appear accurate as evidenced by its overall condition. Included are three decades of receipts, most of which are in Dutch. I don’t read Dutch, but one receipt appears to document a complete engine rebuild at a cost of 5395 Euros ($5754). The car appears to have been resprayed Dutch Blue prior to its importation (again, I believe there is a receipt but I don't read Dutch).

The paint, bright-work, glass, lights, interior, gauges and all of the electrical systems as well as the drive-train are in excellent condition for a 42-year old vehicle as evidenced by the photos. It is fitted with its original wood-rimmed steering wheel, the original AM/FM radio, a pair of Cibie driving lights, spare tire, jack, tools, owner’s manual, car cover and the original set of 14" wheels/hubcaps with like-new 185/70/14 tires as well as a $1000 set of after market wheels and tires (15” Panasport alloys also with like-new 205/50/15 tires). As a 1974 model, it is California smog exempt and is the currently titled/registered in California in my name. This Alfa GT 1600 Junior while a true piece of art, is a pleasure to drive, ready for a road trip, to be campaigned or proudly displayed.

The Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Juniorwas indeed a fine example of Italian craftsmanship which was offered at a reasonable price and highlysought after in its day for its style, performance and mechanical simplicity. The same reasons they were so popular when introduced to the public makes them highly collectible today and is reflected in their ever increasing value. The original formula of affordable fun along with good looks still holds true for anyone lucky enough to come across an unmolested example of this beautiful Italian classic, which makes this Alfa a great investment as well as a lot of fun to drive.

Inspections are welcome and I reserve the right to end the auction early. Thanks for your interest and good luck.