Alfa Romeo Guilia Spider Barchetta

The Type 101 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider appeared in 1959 but from 1962 onward the 101 was referred to as the Giulia, now fitted with a larger capacity engine. Both the Giulietta and Giulia, with either the 1290cc or 1570cc Twin-Cam engine, were adored by racing specialists who could tease out higher performance almost on demand. Described by Cars Illustrated as "probably one of most delightful small sports cars which will ever be produced”, these Spider models are certainly one of the most attractive Alfa Romeos ever designed.

The car :

The car presented here, according to its chassis number, is a Type 101.23 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider. The chassis number (AR101.23/373985) is correct for a Spider model and denotes it as a Giulia, although a very early 1962 example, just in the change-over period from the 1290cc Giulietta to 1570cc Giulia.

The car's racing life commenced in the mid-1980s, when Keith Goring, the well-known Alfa enthusiast and founder of 'Alfas Unlimited Inc.' of Connecticut, used his extensive expertise to transform a rolling "rust and accident-free" Spider road-car into competitive race-car configured with a 1290cc engine.

For many years Keith owned and campaigned the car up and down the East Coast with much success at Lime Rock, Grand Bahamas, Watkins Glen, Daytona and Sebring. As such a well-known historic race car, it became known to many as simply '#92', having now worn this number for three decades. The car was subsequently sold on to a Fred Schueddekopp of Washington State and again in March 2009 to an owner who commenced a full bare-metal and mechanical restoration of it, painting the car in striking 'Blue Medio'. This process was very thorough, taking just over a year to complete, now with a 1570cc engine fitted.

During this next period, the car raced as part of the Northern California CSRG vintage series at Sears Point and Thunderhill. In 2012, it was re-fitted with a race-spec 1290cc engine producing 128 bhp built by Glenn Olivera of Berkeley, California whilst Jon Norman Racing installed a limited-slip rear-end and a Giulietta bonnet was also added. In this same year, due to its provenance and being the only Giulia Spider in either race, the car was entered and accepted into the Monterey Reunion and Pre-Reunion races (formerly known as the Historics). (see a little movie of the car in action on the link in this ad.)

The re-built engine has covered less than 500 km, whilst the head was more recently overhauled by Dan Marvin of Berkeley with all new valves and springs, with just one raced covered. The 5-speed close-ratio gearbox was also just been overhauled.

This race example with decentinteresting racing pedigree has been recently modified to 'barchetta' specification to be able to be enjoyed for road use in a more confortable way. It is ready for a new chapter and a new owner...

Superb car to drive for a true Alfaholic !