BUYER’S GUIDE

Alfa Romeo Giulia 105/115 Coupé review

As gorgeous to drive as they are to look at, the 105-series Alfa Romeo Giulia coupés are all stone-cold classics…

What Is It?

Everything you could wish for in a 1960s Alfa Romeo, the Giulia Sprint GT in its many and various forms combines gorgeous Giugiaro styling with feisty four-cylinder twin-cam power, great handling and an authentic racing pedigree to boot. Based on a shortened version of the already sporty Giulia saloon, the original Sprint GT benefited from the same foundations of a revvy engine, five-speed gearbox, decent brakes and great suspension all wrapped up in slinkier coupé lines. Many versions and variations followed, including exotic (and now expensive) GTA racing specials, a rare GTC cabriolet option and even Zagato-bodied curios.

Corrosive Areas

Sills

Jacking points and suspension mounts

Valances and front crossmember

Checklist

1963 Giulia Sprint GT spawned a rare GTC cabriolet and then a more powerful GT Veloce, all powered by versions of the 1600 engine
Tax-friendly 1300 GT Junior followed with a smaller engine and more basic spec
All cars updated along the way, but the biggest change came in 1968 with the introduction of the 1750 GT Veloce (or GTV), most obvious for the switch from the ‘step front’ bonnet line and two to four headlights, Junior models keeping conventional lights
Ultimate 2000 GTV based on 1750 but with more ornate chrome grille; 1600 GT Junior derived from this version also
GTA versions of the Sprint GT and 1300 GT Junior sold for privateer racers and with extensive weight-saving, including aluminium panels and magnesium engine and transmission parts – originals are rare and very desirable, while many standard cars have been modified to resemble GTAs
While there are many variations of engine, transmission and brakes, the fundamentals are strong when looked after properly, and offer great performance for a car of this vintage
Check engine for leaks, warped heads, weeping gaskets and signs of contaminated oil or coolant; noise from timing chains and tappets should calm as car warms through
Engine swaps common and not necessarily an issue unless originality is important, but swot up so you know what you’re looking at
Awkward shifts from first to second common when cold; serious clonks in reverse or jumping out of gear suggest more serious issues
GTA-inspired upgrades and other performance modifications popular up to and including full restomod conversions; not a problem unless you’re chasing an original – if you are, be absolutely sure that what you’re looking at is authentic
Interiors, badging and bumpers are interchangeable so do your homework and talk to experts if you’re chasing a specific model year or variant … or don’t sweat it if you’re just after a nice-looking car to drive!
Inevitably rust – be that on the surface or more serious structural corrosion – is going to be the most expensive thing to address, so inspect every last nook and cranny, and beware bodged repairs both recent and historic

How does it drive?

While the range of variants and power outputs can look bewildering at first, the good news is they all share the same fundamental character of feisty, revvy power delivery, a slick five-speed gearbox, good brakes and fantastic natural balance. Steering should be sharp and slop free, the suspension crisp and — set up properly — the balance neutral into well-telegraphed oversteer when driven with suitable confidence. All scored with that fantastic rasping Alfa twin-cam engine note. By modern standards the performance is relatively modest, at least for the standard versions. But for the day the Sprint GT is far and away one of the sharpest steers of any ‘60s sporting coupé.

What’s good?

Well, as above the looks, engines and handling are all superb and good enough to run rings round any contemporary. Add to that the sense of glamour you get with anything Italian of this vintage and it’s not hard to see why these cars have such a following. Popularity means a huge network of knowledgeable specialists and owners around as well, parts availability is also pretty good. While standard ones are lovely to drive, there are endless ways to make the experience louder, faster and sharper all the way up to no-expense-spared, GTA-inspired restomods.

What’s bad?

The temptation to buy with the heart rather than the head is always there with Alfa Romeos and will have caught many owners out over the years. As such, you’ll need to be scrupulous to avoid being snared by previous bodges, cover-ups or other such traps. Desirability is a double-edged sword in that respect, and even cars presenting well enough to tempt the unwary could have hidden horrors lurking beneath. Interchangeability of engines and other parts also runs the risk of inadvertently bagging a ‘bitsa’, especially if you’ve set your heart on something properly exotic like an original GTA.

Which model to choose?

As above, the fundamentals are equally appealing across all versions so the best advice is to buy the best (and least rusty) one you can afford. Earlier twin-light, ‘step front’ Sprint GTs, Veloces and Juniors are perhaps the prettiest and more desirable for that, and the 1600 doesn’t actually give that much away in performance to the larger engined 1750 or 2000 versions. Purists will covet originality and the correct combination of engine and trim, the smaller-engined 1300 Junior the most numerous and still fun to drive even if it can’t quite match the performance of the bigger ones. Anything not rotten to the core and held together with filler would be lovely, though!

Specifications – Giulia 1750 GT Veloce

Engine

1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power

134PS (99kW) @ 5,500rpm

Torque

186Nm (137lb ft) @ 3,000rpm

Transmission

Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

Kerb weight

1,040kg

0-62mph

c.11 seconds

Top speed

118mph

Production dates

1963-1977 (total production, all variants)