1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider 1600

This car has a bit of an intriguing background with the date of manufacture being 1964. The car however, wasn’t apparently registered until 1967. Our seller has discovered the original green logbook which confirms that the vehicle was formally registered as EE 15647. EE stands for ‘Escursionisti Esteri’ and is a temporary tourist plate for vehicles that are due to be exported. The logbook also notes that the car was imported at Dover in June 1966. The logbook shows that George Coulson (the original purchaser of the car shown on the Alfa confirmation letter) was the first UK registered owner of the car in 1967.

So we can surmise that George Coulson likely bought and used the car in Italy and brought it back with him to the UK. The gap from 1966 to 1967 is probably explained by either the end of the permitted temporary Italian registration being before he returned home. Alternatively it may have been a way to avoid the Import Surcharge that was lifted in 1967.

Not wanting to stop the intrigue there, the engine in this car also comes with an interesting story. The unit is a Giulia one of the correct specifications however it is for a Ti of the same period. Apparently, Alfa were a bit ‘fast and loose’ with their exports, however, it is safe to assume this engine was a replacement, the long-term owner also reconditioned the engine in the 1980’s and even wrote a feature on it for the club magazine, it still runs sweetly to this day.

The rich history of this car doesn’t stop there, with this car being somewhat of a celebrity in Giulietta owners circles having been owned by a long-time enthusiast for nearly 40 years. This owner re-registered the car in 1984 after being so fed up with the confusion relating to its early life. Due to this the paperwork says two owners but this is only since 1984, there is also paperwork documenting the re-registration. That owner was an accomplished restorer of several Alfas at the time, so this little Giulia has been in the best of hands during its life.

To continue with the incredible story this car has, that owner (who only put 4000 miles on the car in their 40-year ownership) sold the car to the person who bought his house until the current owner purchased it in 2019. The car is MoT exempt now but has over 30 MoT certificates in the long-term owner’s name, who looked after the car so well, that when the current owner took the Spider for an MoT ready for sale ,the only issues were wonky headlights and a sticky handbrake, both of which were fixed there and then and the Spider was sent off with a shiny new 12-month MoT certificate.

The current owner is presenting the car for auction due to being bitten by the Alfa bug (it’s a real thing you know) and is subsequently looking at another car from the manufacture’s ‘back catalogue’ of greatest hits.

A 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia spider in white with a black interior, sounds like someone discussing their perfect drop top Italian sports car with their friends over a crisp pint down the pub. This car is not a fantasy however, the stunning white paintwork really needs to be seen to be believed, perfectly accentuated with chrome trim in remarkable condition. We do note that the front right side of the chrome bumper has a small tiny dent, quite likely to be from a stone chip, but otherwise it is all in very fine shape. 

The wheels really finish the car off nicely on the exterior and were reportedly refurbished recently in 2019, including the spare. All 5 are wrapped in brand new Pirelli tyres which are within keeping with the classic aesthetic.

Elsewhere around the outside of the car, all the badges are in good condition, the exhaust tips are not corroded, the windscreen has no marks and there are even little to no ‘general wear and tear’ spots due to this car’s low mileage for its age. The hood is also in great condition with no leaks, rips or tears with the owner attesting to its water tightness after getting caught out in one of Britain’s frequent summer showers.

Inside the Spider is like stepping back into the 60’s with a bus sized steering wheel pointing straight at you, with a beautiful black inset and a gold version of the Alfa badge in the middle. A wonderful dash with hidden switches to keep the cockpit simple, is what is presented in front of you, all dials and gauges work as expected and there are no signs of any major damage, you’d be forgiven for thinking it had had a refurb not too long ago, but it is down to the exceptional care this car has received. The rubber matting in the boot is in good condition as well and likely protects the underneath well, from the cockpit then the Alfa is ready to be enjoyed.

The hood mechanism on the inside is in good condition and looks to have been kept from any damp from sitting in it and rotting away the hinges, proving the care the car has received. One thing to note from the photos, is what looks to be moisture underneath the passenger carpet, it doesn’t look like a lot of water ingress, but it would be the right thing to do to investigate to make sure this car is at its best.

Given this car’s history its perhaps unsurprising to find the underneath looking in great condition, and from the photos, it looks like the car has been treated with sealant during its time to ensure the longevity of the metal chassis. The exhaust looks in great condition also and all hangers for it are in a similar state, suspension and drivetrain components also look to have been treated with sealant as a preventative measure and look in good condition.

The underside looks to have been treated and maintained throughout its life and with the owners confirmation, we don’t expect the underside of this Italian convertible to demand any attention in that area any time soon.

As mentioned above in ‘the vehicle’ section this car has had an eclectic past, with paperwork from Alfa Romeo confirming its early story, 35 MoT certificates from the previous owners 40+ year stewardship and its re-registration documentation. There isn’t much in the way of servicing or work or receipts but given its previous owner having a hand in Alfa restoration, it’s not a massive leap to assume that the car was taken care of responsibly by an avid enthusiast with the skills and knowledge to keep this car working perfectly. 

Classic Alfa’s don’t come much better than this, if you’re in the market for a car with bags of character, sublime styling, a colourful heritage and a story to match its looks then this car has to be it, right? The Giulia propelled Alfa Romeo into a high-production manufacturer due to its magnetic appeal, this car was so lovingly looked after, for a lifetime by a dedicated owner who spared no expense to keep this car at its best throughout the years.

The story behind this car we feel adds an extra dimension to an already interesting and beautiful example. The fact that you could easily trace this cars history right back to the day it left the factory and already have some official paperwork to back up those claims is something exciting and special. If you think you could be the next custodian of this superb Spider then we encourage you to place your bid. We estimate £36,000 - £46,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions'.