In 1962, the successor of the very popular Giulietta series was introduced. This car was the Alfa Romeo Giulia, internally called the “Series 105”. The coupé of the 105 series, used the shortened floorpan from the Giulia Berlina and was designed by Bertone. The name of the car evolved from Giulia Sprint GT to Giulia Sprint and to GTJ (Junior) and GTV (Veloce) in the late 1960s.
The 105er models were designed using a modular construction system, meaning that the 1300 model with the 1290cc motor only differentiates itself from the 1600 in the way of engine capacity and minor details of the interior and exterior such as the front grill, steering wheel, and seats.
In 1965 Alfa Romeo started a new era with the Giulia Sprint GT with various lightweight elements such as the engine and gearbox housings which were for the first time produced with magnesium alloy and the outer body parts consist of Peraluman 25, a special aluminium alloy sorely created for Alfa’s purpose.
The engine structure was changed from single to dual ignition which all in all resulted in a mouth dropping weight reduction of 200kg and a power increase of 9bhp. Alfa Romeo named the car: “Giulia Sprint Gran Turismo Allegrita” which was shortened into “GTA”. The concept was geared towards the racetrack, however the GTA ended up being mass produced. As a race car, the GTA 1600 engines were capable of up to 170 horse power. This car simply fascinates me in every way, its history, design and technical aspects.
The main differences between a GTA and a GTAm:
The GTA’s consisted of an aluminium alloy body and were produced between 1965 and 1972, in series as Stradale produced. In reality, the GTAm’s were nothing else than a 1750 or 2000 GT Veloce, consisting of a steel body produced by Autodelta between 1970 and 1971. The GTAm’s were 40 times rebuild as race cars, that’s what makes them even more special within their niche.
The GTAm could produce up to 240 PS (240 hp) in the 2000 cc car—a car usually related to the GTA, but unlike the GTA derived from the GTV 1750. The 1750 GTAm (later called 2000 GTAm when the 2000 GTV was introduced) was created in 1969. The car had a full steel body modified with aluminium and / or plastic parts.
Driving these light weighted, extremely powerful cars is taking fun to a whole new level!
Photography by Laura Kukuk