Description
Coming to auction at Wilton House for the Concours Des Legendes, 19-21 June, full catalogue now online, search Dore & Rees Motoring for further info.
1970 Alfa-Romeo 1750 GTV
Registration Number: EHZ 223
Chassis Number: 1382238
Engine Number: 89839
Recorded Mileage: 2, 876 kilometres (since restoration)
- Fully restored and upgraded to Fast-Road specification
- Original engine, rebuilt to 165bhp 2 litre specification
- c.£60, 000 invested in parts and services alone
Launched in 1963, the first of Alfa Romeo’s Bertone-styled coupés – the 1. 6-litre Giulia Sprint GT – featured classically stylish four-seater coachwork designed by Bertone’s Giorgetto Giugiaro, though this was now manufactured not by Bertone but at Alfa’s new factory at Arese. Beneath the skin, the new two-door coupé utilised the recently introduced 105-Series Giulia TI saloon’s five-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension, coil-sprung live rear axle and – early cars excepted – all round disc brakes.
The Sprint GT came with 106bhp on tap (up from the TI’s 92bhp courtesy of two twin-choke Weber carburettors) an output sufficient for a top speed of around 112mph. Improvements to the inlet ports characterised the more-powerful (109bhp) engine of the Sprint GTV (or GT Veloce) introduced for 1965. A 1300 model – the GT Junior – arrived in 1966 and the range was further extended the following year by the launch of the 1750GTV, The latter powered by a 1, 799cc, 118bhp version of Alfa’s classic twin-cam four, housed in a four-headlamp version of the existing bodyshell running on 14” – down from 15” – wheels. A short-lived but nonetheless popular model, the 1750GTV underwent a minor mechanical and styling revision part way through production before being replaced by the 2000 version in 1972. Drivers’ cars par excellence in the Alfa Romeo tradition, Bertone’s timelessly elegant Giulia coupés are among the most exciting sports saloons of the 1960s and today all versions are highly sought after.
This impressive Fast-Road specification GTV arrived into the UK directly from Italy some years ago, being first UK registered to British designer, writer, and a television presenter (not to mention of course huge car enthusiast) Kevin McCloud. Mr. McCloud later sold the GTV to the owner of well respected local restoration specialists AutoClassico. A brief was given to his team to restore the Alfa-Romeo to an exacting standard, leaving the car visually as original as possible, while improving its performance and enhancing handling.
The GTV was stripped to bare metal and treated to a pair of new rear wings, rear bulkhead, front and rear floor pans, a spare wheel well, plus any other parts required in order to produce a perfect rust-free body shell. The shell was primed and painted inside and out, with protective stone chip paint underneath prior to lacquering. Mechanically, everything was rebuilt or replaced; the original 1750 engine was retained and rebuilt to 2000 specification with 10. 6:1 compression pistons, the crank reground, balanced, the cylinder head rebuilt with larger valves and high lift cams, new Weber carburettors with GTA air intakes, and an Alfaholics stainless manifold and exhaust. The rebuilt engine was then tested to a healthy 165bhp at 5000 rpm (due to still being run in), versus 120bhp in standard trim. The gearbox was rebuilt, as was the rear axle, Alfaholics discs and calipers fitted, also all new fuel and brake lines. The battery was moved to the boot above the rear axle for better weight distribution. The suspension was uprated with Alfaholics springs and anti roll bar, and 15” GTA-type alloys with Avon tyres fitted to each corner.
The interior was refurbished with the original seats being recovered in black, the dash covered in alcantara (at a cost of £1050 alone). New grey carpeting was fitted, as were bespoke door cards, a new headlining to original specification, electric window upgrade, alloy dash panels, Momo Prototipo steering wheel, and a USB socket. The bumpers have been removed but are supplied with the car.
With just minimal mileage completed since rebuild, and offered complete with a comprehensive history file, invoices for in excess of £60, 000 in parts and other services required (excluding teh company’s own labour cost), this is a hugely impressive example which has obviously been put together with a great deal of care and attention.
