1971 Alfa Romeo GTV Veloce 1750

The early Giulia, first introduced in 1962, was visually similar to the 101-series Giulietta, distinguished by virtue of its more potent 1,570cc engine, which continued when the new 105-Series Giulia was introduced later that same year. It was aerodynamically efficient, despite its body boxy appearance, used unitary construction, and powered by a twin-cam four-cylinder engine delivering 92 horsepower, combining to make the Giulia TI a genuine 100 mph car. The engines were backed by a five-speed manual gearbox, and outfitted with independent front suspension, coil-sprung live rear axle, and - apart from early cars - disc brakes all around. This setup would carry through into the Coupe version (the Giulia Sprint GT).

Introduced in 1963, the Sprint GT had four-seater coachwork penned by Carrozzeria Bertone's Giorgetto Giugiaro but now manufactured at Alfa's new Arese factory. It was a modestly priced four-seater combining the elegance of a Bertone-designed body with the performance of a twin-cam engine. With the use of two twin-choke Weber carburetors, the engine in the Sprint GT produced 106 horsepower, sufficient for a top speed of approximately 112 mph. In 1966, a 1300 model called the GT Junior further extended the range, followed a year later by the 1750 GT Veloce (also known as the GTV) outfitted with numerous improvements, the most significant being the all-alloy Twin Cam engine upgraded to 1,779cc, and the in-house SPICA fuel injection system for US-market cars. The 118 horsepower engine was housed in a four-headlamp version of the existing bodyshell equipped with 14-inch (down from 15-inch) wheels. The 1750GTV had a 92.5-inch wheelbase, a length of 161-inches, a height of 52-inches, and a width of 62-inches.

Distinct styling differences of the 1750 GTV that separated it from earlier cars include new front styling that eliminated the 'stepped' hood of the early GT 1300 Juniors and the Giulia Sprint GT, GTC, and GTA. The 1750GTV lifespan was short, yet underwent a minor mechanical and styling revision partway through production before being replaced by the 2000 version in 1972. In 1971, the cars destined for the North American market received larger rear light clusters.

During the production lifespan of the 1750 GTV, approximately 44,269 examples were built.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

The SCCA 2.5 Challenge Series was a professional race series open to production-based sedans. It allowed some modifications to both the chassis and the driveline. The rules changed from year to year but for 1971, the year this car debuted, the rules were considered to be the most lenient.

This 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV was raced by Horst Kwech in the 1971 Trans Am Series and the 1972 2.5 Challenge Series. This car was used as a development/test mule during the early period of 1971 but with 3 races left in the season Horst debuted the car in actual competition and he won the debut race. He also won the final race of that season which earned Alfa Romeo its 3rd Trans Am Championship, but a post race inspection revealed a rules infraction and the championship was given to Datsun. This car is being presented in 1971 livery.

This 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV competed in the 1971 and 1972 Trans-Am '2.5 Challenge.' It was driven by seasoned Trans-Am pilot Horst Kwech and sponsored by Herb Wetanson of Wetson's Drive-Ins from Long Island, NY. Most famous races for this car were in the latter half of the 1971 season, with Kwech battling the BRE Datsun driven by John Morton; throughout the series, the cars were seldom separated by more than a few seconds. The Afla was victorious in its debut at Watkins Glen and won the 1971 championship on the track at Laguna Seca. Together with driver Kwech, it was subsequently disqualified by the SCCA for carrying too much fuel in what is widely regarded as one of the most exciting contests of the season. This car has been an active racer with SVRA and VSCDA since 1996, driven by owner/'steward' Sam Cummings and tended to by noted Alfa restoration and racing specialist Roman Tucker of Attica, Michigan.