Image credits: © Alfa Romeo.
In 1965, Alfa Romeo introduced the Giulia GTA model by Bertone. 500 cars were produced for homologation purpose to race in the European Touring Championship. Autodelta, directed by Carlo Chiti, prepared these 'Racing GTA's' (estimated only 35 between 1965-1969), in order to contest the supremacy of the dominant Ford Cortina Lotus from Colin Chapman (England). AR#613642 is one of the first GTA's prepared by Autodelta. Carlos Lepro, from Uruguay, purchased the car on August 1, 1965. The car arrived to Montevideo on September 29, 1965, representing the first documented GTA on American soil. Carlos Lepro anticipated that the 1965 'C' Class of the IX Gran Premio de Turismo Internacional Argentina would be very competitive in view of many Argentinean drivers racing with the newest Fiat 1500 C. Fiat Argentina was in full support after winning the 1964 'C' Class Gran Premio to second place Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Ti. Carlos won his 'C' Class, finished third overall. He won 3 stages and third in 2 stages of the grueling 4,236.9 kilometers of racing in 10 days. This constitutes the first win for Alfa Romeo GTA in a race sponsored by the Federation International Automobile (FIA). The owner of this automobile was 19 years old when he watched Carlos Lepro racing his Giulia in the owner's native Argentina in 1965. He found AR#613642 thirty-five years later in North Carolina. Stephen Barney had brought the Giulia from Uruguay to the United States in 1989. After five years of historical research, based upon original black and white photos donated by Mrs. Lepro, restoration was performed by Roman and Robert Tucker (Michigan), and Jack Beck (Nebraska). The Giulia of Lepro is presented exactly as raced in 1965.
In 1965, Alfa Romeo introduced the Giula GTA model designed by Bertone. 500 cars were produced for homologation purpose to race in the European Touring Championship. Autodelta, directed by Carlo Chiti, prepared these racing GTA's. AR#613642 is one of the first GTA's prepared by Autodelta. Carlos Lepro from Uruguay purchased the car in August 1965. Carlos anticipated that the 1965 'C' Class of the IX Gran Premio de Turismo International Argentina, would be very competitive in view of many Argentinean drivers racing with the newest Fiat 1500 C. Carlo won his class, finished third overall. This win constitutes the first win for an Alfa Romeo GTA in a race sponsored by the Federation International Automobile (FIA). the current owner was 19 years old when he watched Carlos Lepro racing his Giulia in his native Argentina in 1965. He found AR#613642 35 years later in North Carolina.
• 1970 two Trans Am wins • 1970 Finished second in points • 1971 - Best finish was a second at Olathe Southern California racer Lee Midgley bought this Alfa Romeo GTA from a used car lot in March of 1970. In just three weeks, with the help of his son and others, Lee managed to have the car race prepped and ready for its first race, the 1970 Trans-Am season opener at Laguna Seca. Lee won that race as well as the Trans-Am at Mt. Tremblant. These two wins, along with several top 5 finishes, earned Lee second place in driver points and contributed to Alfa Romeo's win of the 1970 championship title. Lee also raced this car in the 1971 Trans-Am/2.5 challenge series where he scored several top 5 finishes but did not have any victories. His best finish was second at the Olathe, Kansas Trans-Am. The car is currently shown in its 1971 livery.
From 1969 through 1970, it was owned and raced by Charles H. Thieriot of Los Angeles, California in SCCA B Sedan events. In 5 starts, the car has four wins, and one 3rd place finish. In 1970, Thieriot won the Cal Club B Sedan Championship. From 1970 through 1972 it was the back-up Trans Am car for Thieriot. From 1973-1978 it competed in Alfa Romeo Owners of Southern California Time Trial events. The car won many T.T.O.D. events in the hands of Thieriot. From 1979-1985 it underwent an extensive restoration and prepared for vintage racing by Thieriot. From 1985-1995 it participated in AROSC Time Trials as well as numerous vintage races including the Monterey Historics, Palm Springs Vintage Grand Prix, Riverside Vintage Grand Prix, and the LaBuffadora Hillclimb in Mexico. From 1996-2005 the car sat in storage at Thieriot's home. In 2005 the car was purchased from the Thieriot family by Anthony ad Fabrizio Rimicci. The car received a complete mechanical and interior restoration.
The Alfa Romeo GTA was a vehicle designed for both road and track, and produced from 1965 through 1971. The GTA was given aluminum body panels in-place of steel, which reduced the weight of the vehicle greatly. Continuing with this weight-loss plan, Alfa Romeo outfitted the cars with alloy wheels and clear plastic windows. Inside, many of the components were formed from lightweight material and non-essential items were removed. Many mechanical components, including the rear upper control arms, were comprised of lightweight materials such as aluminum. The engine was given larger carburetors, magnesium camshaft covers, sump and timing covers, and other improvements. The Stradale version produced over 110 horsepower while the racing version produced an impressive 168 horsepower. The GTA 1300 Junior version was produced from 1968 through 1972. It featured a 1300 cc based on the 1600 engine, and produced just under 100 horsepower. That figure was quickly raised to nearly 110. The vehicle incorporated many lightweight components. In total, there were 450 examples produced. A GTAm series was produced from 1970 through 1971. These versions did not have any aluminum parts. Power came from a 2-liter four-cylinder engine.
The first generation of the Giulia, also known as the 105 series, was introduced at the Monaz Autodrome in the early 1960s. The vehicles shared the same bodies as the vehicles they were replacing, the Giulietta. Power came from 1570 cc 4-cylinder engines using hemispheric combustion chambers and producing over 90 horsepower. The five speed manual gearbox was operated by a column mounted shift. The suspension was modified in the rear to improve handling but remained the same in the front. Just like the Giulietta series, the Giulia came in multiple body-styles including the four-door berlina, spider, TZ, sprint, and Sprint Speciale. With racing in mind, Alfa Romeo designed and built the TZ series. The TZ, meaning Tubolare Zagato, was outfitted with a light alloy body, tubular frame, disc brakes and independent suspension. The performance of the vehicle was amplified by its light body and responsive and effective handling. The large disc brakes provided excellent stopping power. In 1963 the Giulia TI Super was introduced as a low production specialty model. With only 500 examples produced, its exclusivity is secure. Outfitted with a 112 horsepower engine, large disc brakes, and floor mounted shift, this vehicle was a performance machine. In 1963 all models received disc brakes standard on all four wheels. Power was increased in 1965 with the introduction of the 98 horsepower Giulia Super. Externally and internally, the design was slightly modified throughout the years. The Giulia is credited with expanding international sales of the Alfa Romeo product. Like its predecessor the Giulietta, the vehicle was available in multiple body styles and configurations. Part of its success was the economical aspects, versatility, and styling.
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Automobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com
subscribe - RSSAutomobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com