Restored, original low mileage car. Interesting history, some race components
Price: -
Item location: Thiensville, Wisconsin, United States
Description:
1961 Alfa Romeo Other
This car has an interesting history and I have been a part of it since 1979. The first question the reader will ask is why I'm selling such a fantastic car. I'm starting a sailing voyage that will hopefully take me around the world. I have already sold three prize Ducatis and a mahogany speedboat.The Giulietta was purchased new in Rockford Il and driven on the street one summer. The following winter it was turned into a G Production SCCA racer. This was not a radical transformation the fenders weren't flared. A roll bar was installed and trim removed. There were engine mods that will be described later. The car raced under three owners in SCCA Midwest Council races at Blackhawk Farms Road America Wilmot and Lindale Farms. I have spoken with the original owner and the second owner they had moderate success with the car. The third owner spun a rod bearing and the car was sold to a friend of mine. I received the car in 1979 with the engine apart. The original trim and seats were saved and were included with the race car! What foresight they all had to save these valuable pieces! The car had the speedometer was still in place with just over 8000 miles. Fortunately the oil pressure gauge is in the speedometer so the car couldn't be run without it.If I had kept it as an historic racer it would have been a more valuable car but in 1979 I wanted something beautiful to drive. I finished the restoration in 1980 and raced some low key VSCDA races and track days at Road America. The car can keep up with any Veloce model I have encountered. After about 5 years of ownership I needed money. My dad graciously purchased the car from me. He drove it to picnics for the first few years then only when I would visit. We burned less than one tank of gas per year for the past 25 years. The Giulietta sat covered in a heated garage aging beautifully. My dad's vision was failing and he gave it back to me. Now I am selling The Giulietta for reasons above. I'm documenting the car's life to assure you the 14000+ miles are actual miles. I am enjoying the car on sunny days so this mileage is going up a bit.Engine:The engine is a 750 series not the 101 which came with this car new. The 750 series is a lighter and finer engine prized for racing. I had the rods resized crank ground new bearings new Borgo piston and liner set and everything balanced. I bought new valves cam followers valve guides and installed a higher lift cam (2000 FI cams work great in a 1300 Solex). The cylinder head had been ported by the racers and there are larger venturies in the carb. It is jetted properly starts and runs great and gets 40 MPG on the highway. Starter distributor and generator are Bosch not the troublesome Lucas that came originally on the car. The header is from a Veloce and the exhaust is two "cherry bombs." The flywheel has been sectioned to lighten it and the clutch is from a Porsche 912 (direct bolt in for Alfas). The four speed transmission was rebuilt with new moly synchros and rings and the machine work done for this mod. It shifts great but downshifting into second requires double-clutching or slowing down a bit. There is no "crunch" when upshifting into second. Rear end is stock not the welded 5.12 that came with the car.Body:Mods to the car when converted to a race car were limited to installing a roll bar. The front bumper brackets were removed but I had some from a junk car re-welded in place. We brazed patches over the holes in the back deck where the roll bar came through. There was a dent behind the passenger door and one front fender lip was damaged. Fortunately it wasn't raced by idiots. The body work was repaired primed and painted with Acrylic Lacquer. My dad did some touch up over the years and bought a gallon of matching paint which will go with the car. Lacquer is great for touch ups and rubbing out. Nothing looks as nice. Bumpers were re-chromed. The original chrome wasn't that great. Wheels were sand blasted and painted and new hub caps purchased. New top was purchased and installed. The picture of the top isn't great the frame was not locked in position it does fit well. The most important part of this car is that the body has never had rust or rust repair! Yes you can jack up the car using the original jack points!Interior:Seats are original upholstery! Floor mats are original but the driver's side and trunk mat show wear. Radio blanking plate is original which was saved with all other trim. Rear curtain covering the spare and top was made new. Carpets were new in 1980. Dash cover is a little amateurish but looks OK. Misc:Michelin tires were purchased in 1980 and still look new. Cloisonne front and rear badges were purchased which looked better than the original plastic ones. Hub caps were purchased new. Suspension:New shocks were purchased. All other suspension parts are original and tight. There are no rattles or looseness anywhere! I replaced the front brake cylinders with new and installed new shoes this Spring. Rears were checked and OK.Defects:The body shows some bubbling around the holes where the roll bar patches were brazed. There is some bubbling where we brazed a crack in the front left fender. There are a few other paint defects which are shown in the pictures. I was quoted under $4000 to do a show-winning paint job. That's cheap compared to what rust repair would cost on a lesser car.There is no sound insulation in the hood or firewall per original. You get to hear more of that lovely engine. There is a hole in the dash for a kill switch. There are no hoses for vents in the engine compartment. Everything electrical works except the heater fan. It used to work but the gunk in the fan bearings has made it too stiff to run. The coolant control valve is located under the heater instead of in the engine compartment. You can get some heat by opening this. There is a bad spot on the ring gear. On occasion (about 1 out of 20 times) the starter won't engage the ring gear and makes that awful noise. Put the car in 4th and push it a few inches the car will start fine. There is an oil leak in the front cover that is minor. The head gasket doesn't leak a drop. The brakes are not as good as I would like. I believe the master has to travel too far before it provides pressure. Too much pedal travel but they work OK. Instrument bezel chrome could be redone for perfection.Summary:This car starts runs and feels like a new car. Engine mods are moderate and improve performance to the level of a stock Veloce. The car feels tight and there are no rattles. All gauges and all electrics work except the heater fan. The way to get this car home is to fly to Milwaukee and bring a hat and sunglasses. It is ready to drive anywhere no excuses.It will be a draw at local shows and perhaps win some trophies as is. It is not a concours winning car as is. It could easily become that concourse winner due to the fact that it was never rusted or damaged.Search: Russ Giulietta on youtube to see the car running. The clacking sound is the key chain on the dash not a car sound.Ask any questions and feel free to inspect the car. I have listed it for sale locally. Reserve is much less than buy-it-now price.I will ship internationally but the buyer has to make the arrangements for shipping. I have shipped Ducatis internationally and will do all I can to help. I won't charge for any help shipping this car.Winning bidder must deposit $5000 in paypal within 2 days of end of auction and pay in full within 7 days via certified check. Car will be released for shipment or pick-up when check clears.Vehicle Details:
- Make: Alfa Romeo
- Model: Other
- Type: Convertible
- Year: 1961
- Mileage: 14,700
- Color: Red
- Engine size: 1300
- Number of cylinders: 4
- Transmission: Manual
- Interior color: Black
- Vehicle Title: Clear Want to buy? Contact seller!