1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
With five European Touring Car Championship manufacturer’s titles between 1965 and 1972, the Alfa Romeo GTA (and its GTAm derivative) sits comfortably alongside the Mini Cooper, Lotus Cortina, and BMW M3 as one of the all-time Touring Car greats. That they were driven by the likes of Jochen Rindt, Andrea de Adamich, Ignazio Giunti, and Spartaco Dini – some of the most charismatic and spectacular drivers of their generation – merely reinforces that reputation.
Outwardly similar to the road-going Giulia GT, the GTA was unashamedly a homologation special for racing purposes, with a mere 501 cars built between 1965 and 1969. A twin-plug cylinder head with larger valves raised power from the 105 bhp of the standard GT to 115 bhp for the GTA ‘Stradale’, and anything from 150–170 bhp for the racing versions. Extensive use of lightweight engine components, a spartan racing interior, magnesium alloy wheels, and ultra-thin ‘Peraluman’ alloy bodywork led to the GTA tipping the scales at 740 kilograms dry – some 200 kilograms lighter than the GT.
RM Sotheby's will be offering this example at their upcoming Paris auction on the 8th February, the estimated value is between €350,000 - €425,000. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos: Dirk de Jager ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's.