1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Coupe

This Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA (AR #613642) is one of the first GTAs prepared by AUTODELTA. The e Centro Automobilisimo Storico Archivo Alfa Romeo confirmed that Carlo Lepro, from Uruguay, purchased this car on August 1, 1965. The car arrived in Montevideo on September 29, 1965, representing the first documented GTA on American soil. They had three weeks to make preparations for the IX Gran Premio de Turismo Internacional, Argentina. Lepro anticipated that the 1965 C class would be very competitive in view of the many Argentinean competitors driving the newest FIAT 1600 C. The FIAT 1500 had won the 1964 GP and FIAT Argentina was there in full support to win the GP again. Carlos won his 'C' class, finished 3rd overall and 1st in three out of six stages, and 3rd in two of the stages. This was a grueling 4,236.9 km of racing in 10 days. This constitutes the first win for an Alfa Romeo GTA in a race sponsored by the Federation International Automobile (FIA). After four years of historic research and restoration, you see the car as raced in 1965.

In 1965, Alfa Romeo introduced the Giulia GTA model by Bertone. Five hundred cars were produced for homologation purposes 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 in 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, and 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 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 Giulia GTA model designed by Bertone. Five hundred cars were produced for homologation purposes to race in the European Touring Championship. Autodelta, directed by Carlo Chiti, prepared these racing GTAs.

AR#613642 is one of the first GTAs 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, and 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.