Lot 235: 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Historic Race Car

Alfa Romeo's GTA is one of the most iconic touring cars of all time. Marked by countless overall and class victories and the victor of multiple European Championships, no wonder this car has emerged as the 'one to have' on so many historic competitors' wish-lists, even outweighing the once perceived desirability of its period arch-rival the Lotus Cortina Mk.1. Jochen Rindt's gritty solo win in the gruelling 4-hour race Sebring in 1966, against the might of the American V8 teams, probably says it all. The car on offer, as its chassis number indicates, started out life as a 1300cc GTA Junior. It came into the custodianship of ex-Works Autodelta GTA driver, Rhoddy Harvey-Bailey, several years ago and the suspension-tuning guru applied all the chassis development knowledge of his company 'Harvey Bailey Engineering' to this car. Rhoddy's suspension kits for Alfa Romeo 105-series cars are 'de rigueur' with historic Alfa drivers and '775774' has benefited over and above this from the Master's personal attention to chassis detail, therefore enabling this car with a notable performance advantage over like models. Due to the relaxation of regulations governing FIA 'Appendix K' historic cars in 2005, 1300cc GTA Juniors have been legally allowed to be converted to the earlier 1600cc GTA specification, thus allowing these cars to run in prestigious pre-'66 International events and championships. 'AR 775774' has therefore been fitted with a fully race prepared 1600cc GTA engine, enabling this car to be eligible for FIA 'Appendix K' papers. This process will allow entry to Top Hat Racing's signature pre-'66 Historic Touring Car series, the newly formed U2TC series and to all FIA events. Currently, this original all-aluminium bodied GTA competition car is fitted with full safety equipment, Campagnolo wheels and a fresh 1600cc GTA twin-plug race engine. The brakes fitted are of ATE-type and the vendor has included a set of Dunlop-type brakes as part of the sale. It is UK registered and may have a fresh MOT and road tax by the time of the sale. Prices for competition GTA's are soaring in the present marketplace and this car may represent one of the last opportunities to acquire one of these evocative and versatile historic race cars at a realistic figure.