Melbourne seems awash with classic Alfa Romeos. This Pinin Farina bodied Giulietta makes for an interesting counterpoint to yesterday’s Mercedes-Benz 190SL. As with the 190SL, US importer Max Hoffman played a direct role in the history of this car.
Donald Osborne wrote this in an informative piece on Hoffman for the New York Times;
“Because of the size of the American market, Hoffman became influential in selecting designs for production, including that of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. His insistence on roll-up windows, a proper soft top and a functioning heater gave the Alfa an advantage over its British competition.”
This is what lost to the Pinin Farina proposal. The Bertone proposal, small windows and all. This diminutive BAT was admired by some, but Hoffman was ordering 600 of the things and he wanted the Pinin Farina.
This one’s a 1300cc powered 101-series produced from 1959-65; the similarly bodied but quarterlight-less 750-series started in 1955. Aaron at AteUpWithMotor writes that this model was $700 cheaper than the circa $4000 asking price for the 190SL on Max Hoffman’s showroom floor. I know which one I’d rather have.
The Bertone is a nicer ‘toy’ but the Pininfarina is more grown up. No doubt which would be preferable as an all-year-round car.
Great pictures and write up. It must have been exciting to catch one in todays traffic. It is ashamed Alfa wasn’t able to sustain itself as an independent automaker. a real competitor might have kept BMW on track and think of a world today where Alfa, BMW, Triumph, and maybe a Datsun line were still trying to outdo each other on roadsters and sports sedans.
In exactly 10 days, on Alfa Romeo’s 105th anniversary, the successor of the 159 sedan will be unveiled in Milan.
It will be RWD. Available with “humble” 4 cylinder engines but also with very powerful V6 gasoline and diesel engines. The picture below was posted on an Italian forum. It’s said to be the 159 successor (Giulia ?) without camouflage.
Source: http://www.autopareri.com/forum/rumors-spies/65521-alfa-romeo-giulia-2015-progetto-952-notizie-spy-379.html
Thanks for this, even if we won’t get it in America. Glad to see they remember what they were. I was in Copenhagen last week and the only Alfas I saw were Guliettas(sp.?) that looked like a luxurious Golf competitor. I think the USA’s Dodge Dart is a sedan version of this.
It will be sold in the US, as from 2016.
More info: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/alfa-romeo/alfa-romeo-giulia-2015-first-of-nine-new-alfas/
Note that the images are all artist’s impressions.
Interesting, the front of the Giulia is fantastic. The rear I am less sure about, Tailights should perhaps be on the tail rather than the side. We will see if it makes it to USA, Alfa’s return is much promised, but often delayed.
Although I`m a fan of Bertone, in this case I have to go with the Pininfarina version.I think it comes off as a cleaner desin. BTW, I just love the Shakesperian ring of its name!
This Alfa is a nice looking car but if we could combine the front of the Bertone proposal with the cabin and rear of the Pininfarina car, we’d really have something.
Yes, the front of the Bertone is very nice, from what I can see of it, and rather predicts Pininfarina’s follow-up to this car, the Duetto/Spider.
The one thing about all Alfas of this classic that slightly spoils their inevitable good looks is their ride height. They all look jacked up a couple of inches, waiting for a flood. Actually, the featured car doesn’t look too bad in that regard, but then it’s carrying a full load. But check out the rear wheel wells of the Bertone. And I’ve seen the same issue on many others.
I assume you’d prefer the 190SL? Hmmm…the Alfa would undoubtedly be more fun to drive.
No, I’d prefer the Alfa. I just read your appraisal of the 190SL and concur completely. But the backstory was worth it.
Great shots and what a beautiful contrast bright red Alfa compared to the dull drab grey modern rubbish in the background.
Thankfully people rubbish Alfa Romeo cars because if they didn’t they would be harder to get. Mainly experts that have read something , heard something at a pub and no actual experience.
Modern Alfa suffer a worse fate because people say great looks are not enough.
They know nothing.
I have an Alfa 147 with GTA running gear and can say it is a car you get used to with time. My complaints have been the nature of it’s personality and it is like a bitch on heat when it gets to a winding road.
You think you know this car but you don’t.
I did some hill-climb runs on a closed track and was pretty shocked at how good the car is.
At 9/10ths the car comes alive and demonstrates a poise you don’t expect.
And this was on a wet track.
On two cars that have passed through my hands mechanics have messed what they have done. Left the cam belt idler bolt stripped in the block!
My only complaints are the previous mechanics and fuel consumption when you drive the car very hard!
A joy to look at. As I get older I can appreciate the design of these cars more. I’ve been reading through my early 60’s Car and Driver mags and love the Fiat ads for the Spyders. “Looks like the millionaire’s choice!” Always have a least one Fiat! Maybe some day.
Well, the Bertone version looks the works. Very futuristic. Me likes.
My choice of that era roadsters goes to the 356 Speedster.
I’m reminded of the movie “Day of the Jackal” when I see one of these Alphas.
A true example of what a convertible/spider should be!!
Love the lead photo–the reflection on the rainy street is just fantastic! Plus the bright red against all the drab-colored modern cars makes it look almost like a selective color image.
When I purchased my Volvo 780 Bertone last summer, the fellow who was selling it asked me to drive him to a local garage after signing over the title, so he could pick up his other car. The other car happened to be a ’58 Giulietta Spider, bright red, looking (as you noted) much like this car without vent windows. He said that the spider was actually going to be his daily transportation for the next few days, until he found the truck he wanted (the reason the Volvo was sold).