1972 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super

Sourced from Italy by an eighteen year old enthusiast, GVG 972K’s UK history has been documented on YouTube, Autocar magazine and The Intercooler.

Long story short – although the Autocar story is still online if you want to read all about it – he and his father sourced this 1972 Giulia Super 1.3 from Bologna in 2017. Finished in Indigo Grey and an oxblood hide interior, bought it, and then shipped it home.

After completely overhauling the steering system, suspension, twin Dell’Orto carburettors and ignition system, the pair couldn’t resist refreshing the interior while they were at it. The engine was rebuilt by the previous owners, and makes a dyno-verified 88bhp – the same as the factory figure.

Nor could they resist the lure of an Alfaholics uprated spring kit, Koni dampers, all new bushes, and Alfaholics GTA alloy wheels.

The finished car was something of a four-wheeled CV, helping him gain jobs at Auto Express and now Evo magazine. As his dad puts it: “It’s brought him a lot of luck!”

But after a thrilling few years with it – “gratifying to drive fast, it’s a lovely thing to be in, and I love the tactile controls in this characterful, practical little package” – the time has come for it to find a new owner who will love it as much as he has.

One of the many benefits of buying a car from a country with a more benign climate than ours is the lack of rust, which manifests itself in many ways, not least the increased chance of finding a structurally sound car.

This Giulia, sourced from Bologna, is structurally solid and presents very well, with relatively minor imperfections here and there. It’s a stunning canvas for the unusually attractive Indigo Grey paintwork, which we know has been refreshed at some point. Understated and all the better for being such an unusual hue, its condition is very good indeed; chalk up another win for Italy.

The stance adds another layer to the Alfa’s already considerable visual appeal, while the lowered suspension allows the GTA-replica alloy wheels to shine. Fitted with 175R15 Bridgestone tyres, the owner said: “I chose skinny 175-section rubber to allow the car to retain the delicate handling feel of 105-series Alfas”. With that said, the original set of wheels and tyres will be included in the sale, as well as the original suspension springs and dampers.

Other nice touches include the green cloverleaf, and chromed mesh vents in place of the inner headlights. These were a feature of Giulia race cars, but the owner will include the original inner lights as part of the sale. The same goes for the standard chrome bumpers, which have been removed for a cleaner look but come as part of the package.

The refurbished interior looks terrific, with the oxblood trim and red stitching a vivid contrast to the more subtle coachwork.

As you can see its condition is stunning with plump, undamaged seats, excellent carpets, good door cards, and a glossy dashboard inlays. The steering wheel is also smart, free of cracks and other damage.

The transmission tunnel cover has been retrimmed in black leather and red stitching, as has the top of the dashboard and centre console. All are in excellent condition.

The boot mat is a bit grubby but appears to be undamaged. Sound-deadening material has been fitted inside the boot, all four door panels and on the bulkhead to improve refinement levels too.

As for flaws, the fuel gauge has never worked, and the headlamp switch and some of the other gauges are temperamental.

The Alfa’s uprated chassis, which includes a rebuilt steering and idler box in addition to Alfaholics Fast Road-spec springs/dampers and completely renewed suspension bushes throughout, result in a subtly revised classic that feels more modern on the road while still retaining its considerable period appeal.

As you’d expect, the owner is full of enthusiasm for the result: “Producing 88bhp (confirmed by a dynamometer) in 1290cc guise, the Giulia thrives on revs. The gearing is short and the motor is zingy with a lovely induction growl. The gear change has an oily, mechanical throw and the pedals are perfectly placed for heel-and-toeing.”

“It’s an angry little wasp,” he says, “it’s revvy, responsive, and it sounds brilliant”.

A large part of that is due to the Pipercross filter kit that’s fitted to the Dellorto DHLA40 carburettors and the exhaust, which has a bespoke mid-section. But if you prize originality over sportiness you’ll be pleased to hear that the factory airbox comes with the car.

(As do the original wheels, front and rear bumpers, and the suspension: “If it’s been replaced then we kept the old bits.”)

The engine bay is smart, too, with a crackle-finish red cam cover contrasting against the Indigo Grey paintwork.

Which means the only mechanical issues are second gear, which can sometimes baulk a little if you rush the shift, and a yet-to-be-identified vibration that goes away at around 50mph.

The underside is impressive too, and appears completely solid and painted in the exterior body colour (although there is some minor surface corrosion on some suspension arms).

The history file includes plenty of invoices from Alfaholics and Classic Alfa for the parts used during the Giulia’s recommissioning and updating, along with invoices for the initial fuelling work and service parts.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clean, and it also comes with some paperwork from Italy and a spare ignition key.

The Alfa doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

Any eighteen-year-old who chooses a car like this is outside the norm, something the father and son would agree with. A former karting champ, the owner made his move into motoring journalism via work experience at Autocar magazine, who were so impressed by him and his car they asked him to write about it.

But no matter how lucky it’s been for him, a series of press cars on test and a Lotus Elise S1 in the garage means the Alfa simply isn’t getting used as much as it deserves.

Which is why he’s decided that now is the time to let someone else enjoy it – and with an estimate of between £18,000 and £24,000 it’s not a terribly expensive way of helping you create your own luck, either.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Cardiff. To arrange an appointment to view this vehicle 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’.