Lot 215: 1966 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote Zagato

Inspired by the original Alfa 1750 Gran Sport of the 1930's Alfa Romeo commissioned Zagato to produce alloy bodies for a modern interpretation of the legendary classic using modern mechanics. The result was this stunning little roadster we present here today, the prototype was first exhibited at the Italian coach builders show at the Turin Motor Museum in 1965, after which a production model was unveiled in New York a year later. Between 1966 and 1968 just 92 cars were produced with aprox. 200 of the original cars being built it makes the Quattroruote or '4 R' slightly rarer. This car, chassis number 303035 was first registered in Trieste (Italy) to a Orto Romiro on 17th August 1966. The car was brought from Italy to the UK in 1989 by Mr David Phillips with the assistance of James Blair and Zagato specialist Franco Macri. At this time a restoration was undertaken, all mechanical parts were stripped, cleaned and overhauled, the only part that had to be replaced was the windscreen surround. In 1991, the car was invited by Alfa Romeo to join its 80th anniversary "Eurotrophaeum" tour which, amongst other destinations took it back to Italy, it also featured in the August 1991 edition of Classic and Sportscar. After this the car was sold to John Hopping. With John behind the wheel, the car was featured in "Alfa Romeo Legends" by David Sparrows & John Tippler. Judging by the pictures of the odometer in that book, that car did not do more than 60 miles before it was purchased by the current owner in November 1995. Following this it featured at the National Alfa Romeo day at Stanford hall, winning the concours and leading to further publications in Alfa Romeo literature. The car has been used for summer driving only, and after a period in storage was returned to road use in 2004.Described in excellent condition both mechanical and cosmetic, it comes with its original soft top, tonneau cover, history file, and full service record since 1995.