1970 Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior

Sold for $255,750 at 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge.
Autodelta, the Alfa Romeo factory's motorsport department, developed the GTA for production GT racing in 1965. It was based on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe and offered in both 'Corsa' (race) and 'Stradale' (street) versions until 1975. The 'A' in its name was in reference to 'alleggerita' (lightened), meaning the Giulia had been modified for competition. The Corsa models had body panels formed from aluminum alloy, the side and rear windows were plexiglas, and many elements were crafted from lightweight steel, magnesium, and other weight-saving materials.

During its first competition season, the GTA won both the drivers' and constructors' title. This was followed by seven years of compettion in the European GT Championship. The Autodelta-prepared GTAs won the European Touring Car Championship three years in a row, from 1966 through 1968.

The under-1300cc racing group was gaining popularity in the late 1960s, so Autodelta began work on the GTA 1300 Junior. The Mini Cooper had long dominated this group, but that would change in 1968 with the arrival of the GTA 1300 Junior. They were powered by a short-stroke 1290cc version of the Giulia's 1570cc inline four with the 78mm bore and a 67.5mm stroke crankshaft. The twin-plug engine developed over 150 horsepower. During its production lifespan, which lasted until 1975, a little over 400 GTA 1300 Juniors were built. All of these models were painted red and white or white and green.

After a rather long racing career, the car was relocated to Vienna, Austria, and later Belgium, where it was purchased by its current caretaker.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2016