1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
$140,250 SOLD! With Commission
Gooding Auction Amelia Island 2013
Coachwork by Pinin Farina
CHASSIS NO. AR 1495 05617
ENGINE NO. AR 1315 43796
1,290 CC DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Solex Carburetor
80 HP at 6,500 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Independent Front Suspension with Coil Springs and
Tubular Shock Absorbers
Live Rear Axle with Tubular Shock Absorbers
■Comprehensive Cosmetic and Mechanical Restoration Completed in 2011
■Multiple AACA Award Winner
■Accompanied by Original Engine Block
■A Fine Example of Alfa Romeo’s Desirable Open Sports Car
This Car
The Giulietta Spider (and concurrent Sprint coupe) was Alfa Romeo’s first mass-produced post-war automobile design, built — as was the preceding 1900 series — on a unibody chassis. The Giulietta Spider proved wildly successful, and was styled by Pinin Farina. Alfa Romeo delivered more than 132,000 examples from its Portello factory in Milan between 1955 and 1965 with only a mild restyling partway through the run in 1959.
Surely one of the finest Giulietta Spiders extant, this lovely, award-winning little Alfa Romeo convertible was the subject of a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration, overseen by the consignor in 2011. Purchased from a noted Alfa Romeo collector five years ago, the Giulietta was completely disassembled and the monocoque steel shell was subsequently stripped to bare metal. Necessary bodywork and a two-stage repaint in correct Alfa Red (AR505) were completed by the senior body techician at a high-end restoration shop. Most of the NOS and replacement parts were sourced from The Alfa Stop in Belford, England. During reassembly, all rubber seals and bushings were replaced, and all hardware was zinc or cadmium plated, or replaced with stainless steel, and a new windscreen was installed. The original engine block (AR 1315 44628) was put aside and a slightly earlier, but correct, engine block was acquired. This engine was fully overhauled, blueprinted, and dyno-tuned by noted Alfa expert Paul Glynn of Glynn Motorsports in Rowley, Massachusetts. The four-speed, fully synchronized gearbox and the rear axle were inspected, found to be in good condition, and resealed. The braking system was completely replaced, including stainless steel lines. Trim that required replating was sent to Frankford Plating in Philadelphia, and all instruments were refurbished. A new canvas convertible top and correct vinyl interior in gray with red piping were installed by Trim Specialties in Lambertville, New Jersey.
Since its restoration, the Alfa Romeo has been shown numerous times, securing an AACA Junior Award in Chicago (2011), an AACA Senior Award at Hershey (2012), an AACA Grand National Award at Shelbyville, Tennessee, and received National Award nominations in both 2011 and 2012. It was also invited to appear at the prestigious Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.
Included in the sale are the original factory data plate, all restoration receipts, a photographic record of the restoration, various Alfa Romeo publications, and a letter of authenticity from Fazio (FGA). The original engine block is also included in the sale of this elegant Alfa Romeo.
While many spiders survive, few are as well-turned out as this example, which the consignor describes as being in top condition throughout.
Robert Myrick Photography
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