Highlights
- Very useable, classically red example of the beautiful Pininfarina-designed Spider
- Appears to have spent most of its life with the seller
- 2009 Automotoclub Storico Italian Certificate of Historical Relevance
- Indicates older restoration to good standard in very presentable, solid condition
- Sweet revving 1300c car built on the longer Type 101 chassis
The Appeal
In the 1950s and 1960s Alfa Romeo cleverly spun out different models from the same basic architecture, often starting with a sports car and creating more mainstream models afterwards. This imbued those family saloons with the sporting DNA we now associate with the marque.
One of the best examples of this approach was the original Giulietta of 1954, which spawned the achingly beautiful Pininfarina-styled Spider. The major change for this long-lived model was in 1959 when it adopted the more modern - and slightly longer - Typo 101 chassis. The rest of the car, including that peppy 1300cc twin cam motor, remained largely the same.
This beautiful 1961 Giulietta Spider is classically finished in Alfa red. It appears to be an older restoration which has held up well, with a nice blend of original features including chrome, dials and switchgear. It shows just why these gorgeous cars remain so enduring.
Apparently in the hands of its long term owner for several decades it has a useful ASI certificate and looks ready to deliver la dolce vita to its lucky buyer.
The History and Paperwork
- Listed as a 1961 car by the ASI
- Type 10103 chassis number
- Italian technical inspection stamps, most recently 2021 expiring June 2023
- Unfortunately at the time of writing we did not have access to the service or maintenance history of this car
- Some historical documentation with the car confirming chassis ID and ASI certification
- Documents indicate the car has been in the long term ownership of the seller
The Interior
- Simple yet utterly beautiful Spider interior in good condition and factory correct
- Body colour dashboard with light drizzle of switches and dials
- Dials and switchgear appear original and carry lovely patination
- Period-correct under-dash radio speaker
- Period-correct radio fitted
- Some sun fade to the Alfa Romeo Veglia dials
- Alfa Romeo leather gear knob
- Wonderful two-tone factory fitted steering wheel with ‘Giulietta Speciale’ boss showing light signs of aging
- Factory correct rubber mats with wool body-colour over mats
- Black seats - we are unsure if they are leather or vinyl - in very good condition indicative of originality or older retrim
- Classic floor hinged pedals with Alfa Romeo-logo’d pedal rubbers
- Floor mounted main beam headlight switch
The swathe of body colour dashboard, topped with a bubble of padded vinyl, somehow manages to be both simple yet effortlessly stylish. The smattering of dials are neatly arranged and create an effect that is both functional and beautiful.
The interior of this car appears to be highly original and in very good condition. There is a nice level of patination across the lightly sun-bleached Veglia dials and original switches that adds to the depth of character of this 62 year old car.
The seats and door cards are in good condition and the chrome fittings are complete and appear to be working. There is a period-correct, possibly factory fitted radio with similar era speaker below the dashboard.
The rubber mats are equipped with wool carpets to match the bodywork and this set up appears to be factory correct.
The central feature of this lovely interior, though, is that big two-tone, two-spoke steering wheel with its lightly crazed ‘Giulietta Speciale’ centre boss.
The Exterior
- Classic Alfa red bodywork in very good, extremely solid condition
- Appear to be an older respray with some very minor signs of use and deterioration
- Chromework appears to be original and while there are small signs of pitting on some parts, it is characterful and not unsightly
- Black fabric hood in very good condition with good depth of colour
- Perspex windows cut into the roof are in good condition, just a very light hazing noticeable
- Car sits even and level across its length indicating good suspension set up
- Original steel wheels with Alfa Romeo branded chrome hub caps in excellent condition with no significant dents or deterioration to note
- Lower front valance appears to have been welded at some point
- Car sits on Toyo tyres that appear to be in good condition
- Spare wheel sits behind the seats and wears what appears to be an older Pirelli tyre
- Boot floor appears solid and in good condition and suggest the respray was a body-off project
- All lights appear to be original or older replacements, just some light deterioration in the rear lights to note and a crack in the passenger side rear one
The bright red bodywork of this 1961 Spider shows just why these classic Alfas are still so highly sought after. It is simply beautiful and evocative of a certain era of classic post-war Italian style, one defined by sleek motorboats, dramatic waterfront palazzo's and stylish movie stars.
From 1959 the Spider sat on the later Type 101 chassis - which this car’s chassis number confirms - which offered a 2in longer wheelbase. The extra length was donated to the cabin and these cars have slightly redesigned doors for easier access and egress.
This car appears to have been in the long term ownership of the seller and as a result is in very good condition. It appears to have been resprayed at some point, likely an older refresh, but retaining its vibrant finish and solid construction. A look in the boot shows that the hidden areas are very solid. The car sits evenly across its length and the panel gaps and door shuts are consistent and excellent.
The indications of use are very minor and limited to a chip on the driver’s side front wheel arch and a small ripple on the lip of the same arch. The return edge of the driver’s door shows a small area of poor paint and the rubber ‘slam bungs’ on both doors are cracked.
The chromework appears to be original throughout. The main areas that draw the eye, such as the bumpers and grilles, are in very good condition, the less obvious areas such as the hinges and door handles are very lightly pitted but nothing unsightly or requiring attention.
The lights are mostly original and in good condition, the rear lenses showing slight signs of age and with the passenger side one being cracked at the base.
The black fabric hood is in similar condition, retaining a deep black finish and with good Perspex panels, albeit showing a very light hint of discolouration.
The beautiful, factory-standard steel wheels with their chrome hub caps are in superb condition. There is a matching spare behind the seats shod with what appears to be a quite old Pirelli spare.
The Mechanics
- 1,290cc twin cam engine with its beautiful aluminium cam covers
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Single Solex carburettor
- Double wishbone independent front suspension with solid rear axle
- Under bonnet soundproofing in very good condition
- Engine area appears well maintained with good ancillaries and wiring
- At the time of writing we did not have access to the car’s service or maintenance records
- Continuous Italian technical inspection stamps from 2015 to present day
This is a classic Alfa so, of course, the ownership experience is not purely about those drop-dead looks. The Giulietta Spider is a car that goes just as well as it looks, thanks in part to those sports car underpinnings.
As a 1961 car this one runs the sweet-revving 1290cc displacement version of Alfa’s legendary twin cam engine. A beautiful sight under any Alfa bonnet, this motor was so good that it powered sporting Alfas right into the 1990s. Durable and offering spirited performance it is one of the key ingredients of these lovely Spiders.
This car has regular Italian technical inspection stamps from 2015 and a ASI certificate but unfortunately at the time of writing we did not have sight of the service and maintenance records.
Summary
Any classic Alfa is a joy but the Giulietta Spider is surely one of the firm’s greatest achievements. Achingly beautiful with running gear that delivers a hugely rewarding driving experience, these are cars that are all about simply revelling in the drive.
This highly presentable 1961 Spider is a characterful blend of older restoration and original features. As such it has the looks and the charisma to surely wow any red-blooded classic car enthusiast.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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