RESERVE LOWERED: 1955 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SPRINT 750B

This Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint is a charming ‘pre series’ example of the ‘Tipo 750B’, which is a well-documented and numbers-matching car, presented in outstanding condition, and sold to the current owners by a worldwide marque specialist. Its engine is the original alloy 1.3-litre twin-cam, fed by the factory-fitted twin-choke Solex carburettor through the original sought-after F.I.S.P.A. air filter. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via the four-speed manual transmission, which is also original to the car. The odometer indicates just 73,768 km (45,837 miles). This characterful road car is eligible for the Mille Miglia, and many other historic events around the world. The car retains its coveted original ‘pre series’ features, which lends it intrinsic historical relevance.

Documents from the Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo show this car’s production date as 20 May 1955. There are documents in the history file that state that the car’s original factory colour was Verde Chiaro, and like all other ‘pre series’ cars, it featured the Grigio Rigato cloth upholstery. It was dispatched from the factory to Stockholm, and was imported by racing driver Joakim ‘Jo’ Bonnier and his family - who ran the Alfa Romeo concessionaires in Sweden - just a few days later.

While initially registered in the Bonnier family name, the car was subsequently sold to a Mr Danielson. It is not uncommon to see cars passed down the family generations, but in this case it was the other way around. Mr Danielson’s father had fallen for the Giulietta Sprint, and he would become its next owner. The car remained in Sweden until 1997, before it was acquired by an Alfa Romeo collector based in the Netherlands.

In more recent years, it was sold to two Italian collectors residing in New York, and the car was sourced for the current keepers by worldwide marque specialist Daniele Turrisi. Since it was purchased a few years ago, the Alfa Romeo has been treated to a sympathetic restoration, involving specialist bodywork, paint, and a re-trim of the interior. It presents superbly today, in a stunning metallic light green, and drives beautifully on the road. All works executed during the restoration are well documented in the history file.

These early ‘pre series’ cars feature slimmer formed and hand-beaten metal around the sills and wheel arches, as well as smaller headlights, tail lights, and rolled alloy wheel rims. The body panels of this car are now in excellent condition following the recent work, which was carried out by specialist Ady Godwin in Berkshire. There are photos in the gallery below that document the refurbishment.

The car will soon celebrate its 65th birthday, and despite this it retains the sought-after original 15-inch rolled wheels by Fergat Torino, finished with polished centre caps. As you would hope for, the shut lines and panel gaps are superb, and the door jambs, bonnet and boot shuts all present very well indeed. It features the correct ‘moustache’ front grilles, and all of the chrome has been refreshed and is in good order.

Inside, the seats have been professionally retrimmed by UK classic and concours specialist, Gareth Judd. Significant attention to detail was involved in making sure that the upholstery was renewed in the correct style Grigio Rigato cloth. It is complemented by light green carpets, with dark green trim accents and piping on the seats. The car has driven less than ten miles since this work was completed in 2018, so the upholstery appears in as-new condition.

The switches and levers are original, and the car has both the original cable-pull starter mounted under the dashboard, as well as the original column-mounted gear shift - both of which are unique features to the early ‘pre series’ Giulietta Sprint. Ahead of the driver is a thin-rimmed steering wheel that is in superb condition, as well as the trio of factory-fitted Veglia instrument dials that work perfectly. A period Blaupunkt radio is also installed.

During the current ownership, very little mechanical work has been required. In 2018, it was given a full service by Denyer Classic Cars in Chobham, Surrey, which included renewal of the engine oil and filter, spark plugs, and brake fluid. New rear brake slave cylinders were also fitted, along with new rear brake shoes. Denyer Classic Cars also installed a period-correct exhaust system. The engine bay is clean and tidy, and features the original ‘coal scuttle’ FISPA air box.

Accompanying the car are old registration documents, invoices and receipts for restoration works, as well as a history report carried out for a previous owner that goes into detail about the car’s early life.

This Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint is a wonderfully stylish coupe, which is presented in a stunning colour scheme, and retains its sought-after original ‘pre series’ features. Around 600 of such cars were believed to have been built before launching the first series of the Giulietta Sprint, so they remain very desirable collector cars. For those with a competitive spirit, it would make a fantastic candidate for the prestigious Mille Miglia event. This beautiful road car is in superb mechanical and cosmetic condition throughout, and would be a credit to any collection of Italian classics.