1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Type 105

1965 – Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider

The embodiment of the Italian spider and the Dolce Vita!

French registration document

- The first production Alfa Romeo Spider, designed by Pininfarina, in 1600 cc version

- Stunning colour combination, deep blue with white leather interior

- Complete restoration by Alfa Romeo specialist Bergia Paolo in the early 2010s

- Only 7, 500 km since restoration and same owner for over 10 years

- Invoice for over €77, 000, 2014 expert report and clean MOT

- Ready-to-drive car, equipped with front disc brakes and an extremely rare hard-top

In 1955, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, which marked the industrial growth of the Milanese marque, inaugurated a new line of compact sports cabriolets. It was notably created at the request of the famous New York importer Max Hoffman, who guaranteed he would sell it to the American clientele, who were very keen on this type of vehicle.

Bertone's design studio worked on the project, but ultimately Pininfarina's proposal was chosen, both for budgetary reasons and production capacity constraints. Whilst the design of the coupé version, the Giulietta Sprint, was already very successful and had received an enthusiastic reception, the lines of the Spider, signed by Pininfarina, are fabulous and met with universal approval. Despite modest displacement, the Giulietta benefited from advanced technology with a fully aluminium alloy double overhead camshaft engine. It underwent several evolutions, first a Veloce version with sharper mechanics, then second-series vehicles, with extended wheelbase, a more powerful engine (80 bhp) and a synchronised gearbox from 1959 onwards. Finally, in 1962 came the main evolution of the Giulietta Spider: the Giulia Spider.

Launched at the same time as the new Giulia TI of the period, the Giulia Spider uses the same "Bialbero" four-cylinder double overhead camshaft aluminium alloy engine, but of 1570 cc following the increase in bore and stroke compared to the Giulietta's. This engine developing 92 bhp and paired with a fully synchronised 5-speed gearbox, still quite rare at that time, allowed the Giulia Spider to reach 172 km/ h and gain in smoothness and reliability compared to its predecessor. A Veloce variant made its appearance again, in 1964, this time raising power to 112 bhp.

Aesthetically, this Spider is differentiated by its bonnet incorporating an air intake underlined by a chrome strip, whilst internally, everything that gives it its charm remains unchanged with a painted metal dashboard, three round dials, a floor-mounted gear lever and quality leather seats.

At once compact, lightweight, manoeuvrable and nimble, driving the Giulia Spider is pure pleasure, with sharp and direct engine responses, in a pleasant characteristic sound environment. To top it all off, its attractive styling became an icon of post-war cinema, thus embodying the "Dolce Vita" and reinforcing its legend. The Giulia Spider was produced in 9, 250 examples before the Spider Duetto proudly took over from this model, which had become as emblematic as it was essential to the Alfa Romeo range.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider (Type 10123) for sale was registered on 26 August 1965. As such, it is an improved example from the end of production, notably featuring front disc brakes, which are more efficient.

It was acquired by its current owner in June 2015 at a specialist auction. It had just undergone, in the early 2010s, a complete restoration in Italy by Bergia Paolo, an Alfa Romeo specialist based in Pinerolo, near Turin. This recognised workshop carried out work on the bodywork, paintwork, chrome, upholstery, all mechanical and electrical systems, for a sum of over €77, 000!

A dozen years later, the quality of the work carried out is all the more remarkable in that the paintwork, adjustments, chrome and upholstery remain pristine.

Further information available on request