• Sold new by Chipstead Motors Limited of Holland Park in London in 1964
• One of only 404 right-hand-drive cars
• Presented in its original colour
• A very rare car

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Of the many sporting Alfa Romeos produced during the 1960s, the Giulia 1600 Spider remains one of the most elegant, and factory right-hand-drive examples are particularly scarce. Just 404 were produced in right-hand drive, and this 1963 example was sold new the following year through Chipstead Motors Limited of Holland Park, London.

Presented today in its original colour, the car’s story also includes a period in the ownership of British racing driver Peter Sutcliffe. One of the accomplished privateer racers of his generation, Sutcliffe competed at Le Mans on four occasions and raced some of the great sports and GT cars of the period, among them the Jaguar Lightweight E-Type, Ferrari 250 GTO, Aston Martin DP214, Ford GT40 and Ferrari 330 P4.

That sporting connection feels entirely appropriate for an Alfa Romeo of this period. Beneath the bonnet sits the marque’s celebrated 1,570cc twin-cam four-cylinder engine, coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox — a remarkably sophisticated combination at a time when many contemporary British sports cars were still making do with considerably simpler mechanical specifications. Combined with the compact Pininfarina bodywork, it gave the Giulia Spider the balance of performance, delicacy and usability for which these cars remain so highly regarded.

Today, the Alfa presents as a very usable and characterful example rather than a car that has been restored simply to be displayed. It can be enjoyed immediately as it stands, with the opportunity for its next owner to enhance its presentation over time should they wish — without losing the charm that comes with a classic that has been used and enjoyed.

With its original colour, rare factory right-hand-drive specification, London delivery and previous Peter Sutcliffe ownership, this Giulia 1600 Spider brings together a particularly appealing collection of attributes. More importantly, it remains the sort of Alfa Romeo that can still be driven and enjoyed for precisely the reasons these cars became so admired in the first place.

MODEL HISTORY  

Alfa Romeo’s famous series of small, open sports cars started with the 1955 Giulietta Spider, which was styled by Pinin Farina and featured the Italian marque’s legendary all-aluminium, twin-overhead-camshaft, four-cylinder engine. 

The Giulia model was then introduced at Monza in 1962. The Spider was one of four basic variants – along with the saloon and the Bertone-styled Sprint and Sprint Speciale – and although this latest model shared much with its Giulietta sibling, the twin-cam engine had been enlarged from 1290cc to 1570cc.

Pinin Farina’s styling was carried over for the Spider, the addition of a bonnet air scoop being one way to tell Giulia from Giulietta. A five-speed gearbox was standard fitment, and the engine produced 92bhp in Normale specification, enough to boost top speed to 109mph. 

In 1964, the engine from the Sprint Speciale was fitted to the Spider in order to create the Veloce model. Running on twin Weber 40 DCOE2 carburettors, this uprated unit kicked out 112bhp, which gave the Spider Veloce a level of performance that complemented its timelessly elegant styling. 

The Giulia Spider remained in production until 1966, with Autocar calling it a ‘driver’s dream’ and concluding that ‘the satisfaction of owning such a piece of quality machinery that always responds to its master’s touch … is a rare enjoyment.’

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