1975 ALFA ROMEO GT 1600 JUNIOR

This Alfa Romeo GT 1600 GT Junior is a playful Italian classic, with a number of racing-inspired touches and a raft of Alfaholics upgrades, presented in strong mechanical condition. Its engine is the characterful 1.6-litre twin-cam inline-four, which produces around 110bhp and drives the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer displays 91,681 miles from new.

Introduced in 1972 to bridge the gap between the GT 1300 Junior and the more powerful 2000 GTV, the GT 1600 Junior was soon a favourite among keen drivers and budget-conscious racers alike. This car is an original right-hand-drive UK market example - not an import from South Africa - which was first registered in June 1975, and has just seven previous keepers on the log book. The current owner acquired the car around 18 months ago.

Overall, the bodywork of this GT 1600 Junior is in very smart condition, with even panel gaps and no record of any accident damage. It undoubtedly benefits from a previous bare shell restoration carried out in 1988. The Rosso Alfa paintwork generally presents very well, and the yellow wrap on the nose and white roundels on the flanks evoke the liveries seen on racing Alfas of the early 1970s. There are some rust bubbles visible on the offside front arch and valance, however these are relatively minor.

As a car which has seen use on both the road and the track, this GT Junior is also fitted with front and rear tow straps, and both the front and rear chrome bumpers have been removed. All of the light lenses are in good shape without any chips or cracks, and the inner front headlights have been replaced with yellow lens units, enhancing the car’s retro charm. It rides on a set of 15-inch GTA Superleggera wheels, which are finished in silver paint and are in excellent, unmarked condition.

Inside, much of the interior has been stripped out and several items have been replaced, all in the interest of improving the car’s safety and performance while also giving it a more track-oriented feel. On entering the cabin, you are met with the full roll cage, which is complete with a harness bar for maximum occupant safety. This replaces the rear seat and the rear carpeting has also been removed.

The original front seats have been substituted for deeply bolstered Corbeau GT8 items, which are upholstered in black vinyl and present very well, with their retro styling complementing the rest of the car. Red Sabelt harnesses provide a vibrant accent, while reflecting the car’s body colour. Ahead of the driver is a suede-trimmed three spoke OMP steering wheel, providing optimal control and grip.

Mechanically, this GT 1600 Junior wants for nothing, with the car having been treated to lots of recent servicing and upgrades, including a comprehensive overhaul by famed Alfa Romeo specialist Alfaholics in 2017. This included the replacement of a number of items, including all of the car’s gaskets, the fan belt, hoses, HT leads, trailing arm bushes, brake pads and fluids, while the handbrake was also upgraded.

It benefits from extensive Alfaholics improvements, which includes suspension for fast road and track work featuring Koni dampers. The setup was done by recognised specialist Dave Gallop at Motorsport Development. The car also has the Alfaholics big brake upgrade. The twin-cam engine features the company’s velocity stack intakes, racing manifold, and the full sports exhaust system. It also benefits from a recent dynamometer carburettor tuning session at Circuit Motorsport, and pulls well through every gear with no synchro issues.

Its most recent service was carried out by the owner in May 2020 due to lockdown restrictions, with the engine oil, oil filter and spark plugs being changed. Prior to this, it had recent services at Alfaholics in March 2018, 2017 and 2016, and there are invoices for each in the detailed history file.

Now MOT exempt, it was last tested on 20 April 2018 at 87,941 miles, when it received a clean, first-time pass without a single advisory. The wheels are shod with Avon ZV5 high-performance tyres in size 105/60 R15. All four are described by the seller as being in great health and with 4mm of tread remaining across each.

Accompanying the car are its handbooks, guides, past MOTs and old tax discs, as well as a brace of photo albums which fully document its restoration in 1988.

This Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior is a charming classic 1970s coupe, which has been carefully modified to make it competitive on the track, while retaining its original character. Benefiting from substantial recent maintenance and significant upgrades from Alfaholics, it is in excellent mechanical condition, and will serve its next owner well, whether relishing it on their favourite B-roads or on a closed-course circuit.

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.