1963 Alfa Romeo Giulietta TI

‘OKU 712A’ is a 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulietta that features a rebuilt engine fitted with reconditioned twin Weber 40DCOE carburettors and electronic ignition all backed up by uprated suspension.

This is his third Giulietta, so he knows now what works - and what doesn’t, and he’s really let loose on it to make it exactly as he wanted.

Feast your eyes then on an alloy fuel tank, Giulietta SZ replica alloy wheels, and Stack instruments. There’s a pair of Schroth harnesses too, plus a hefty roll cage that works in conjunction with black leather Zagato-style front seats to make this an historic rallying machine that is as agreeable to look at as it is fast, safe and secure.

However, since finishing it he hasn’t been able to use it much – and the pressure of time and enjoying the other classics in his collection also mean he hasn’t got around to fitting the rebuilt five-speed gearbox that comes with the car.

Still, that just means you’ve got the chance to fettle it even further while you’ve got your tools out to give it a ‘welcome-to-your-new-home’ service.
 

Originally finished solely in Grigio Grafite, the Giulietta now sports a large Giallo stripe that runs along the length of the bonnet, roof, and boot, a feature that transforms the car from a relatively dowdy four-door saloon into something much more sporting.

Quick-release pins continue the theme and hold the bonnet firmly in place while allowing rapid access for mid-event maintenance; stainless-steel brackets retain the windscreen glass; and a pair of spring clips from Sparco keep the boot firmly closed.

Towing eyes front and rear replace the factory bumpers, event stickers adorn the roof, and the Alfa Romeo emblem on the bonnet, roof, C-pillars, and boot – plus a yellow Trofeo Giulietta sunstrip on the windscreen – leave passersby in no doubt as to who built the car.

(NB: Does anyone have a better emblem than Alfa Romeo?)

The chrome grille and boot handle are lightly patinated but no more, and we think a hour with a tube of chrome polish would bring it up nicely.

The front of the car also features four beautiful badges from its time in Italy, and the factory badges and lamp lenses are all good.

The 15-inch alloy wheels are Giulietta SZ replicas, and they look spectacular, something their blemish-free condition underpins.  

They’re also fitted with a matching set of 165/65R15 Kumho Solus KH17 tyres, all of which have good tread left on them. However, they were made in 2011, so are getting on a bit now and are due to be replaced.

Nevertheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The Giulietta presents very well overall with decent shutlines and real presence. Of course, as a competition machine the finish isn’t concours but it is easily good enough for you to be able to take it to your local classic car meet or the pub and bask in nothing but praise.

Of course, improvements could be made and, in no order, we spotted the following: some bubbling on the boot lid; some of the stonechips have been touched-in; the rear panel is uneven in places; and there is some orange peel to the finish, primarily to the bonnet.

The door glass seals have perished too, and, finally, if you catch the boot lid  in the right light you can see traces of previous decals. 
 

The black leather seats are gorgeous, aren’t they? Made by GTS, the seller commissioned them to evoke the ones you’d find in a Zagato because “they just look right!”

Simple and elegant and unlike anything we’ve seen before, goodness only knows how much they must have cost but we’re willing to bet he needed a stiff drink afterwards…

Worth every penny though, as were the Schroth harnesses, which were fitted in July 2023 at a cost of more than £600. They’re ‘in date’ until 2028, and the SASSA roll cage comes with a test certificate from 1998; taken together they massively improve the Alfa’s passive safety, even if you’re only going to use it on the road.

Because, while we completely understand why folk want to keep their cars standard, in some cases, where the modifications are well-documented and historic like the roll cage, we like them – and let’s not forget that if you insist on period safety equipment then you risk getting period accident injuries…

The Stack instruments were fitted at the same time, and the bill for these was almost £1,400. They’ve been very neatly installed and suit the Alfa’s historic rallying ethic much better than we thought they might when we read about them. YMMV of course, but we think they look terrific and would be a real boon if you plan on using it in competition.  

A wood-rimmed steering wheel from Personal has also been fitted, the door cards are simple alloy sheets rivetted in place, and the straps to pull them closed are braided.

There is no floor covering other than a substantial footrest for the passenger to brace themselves against, while the driver’s footwell in protected by matching chequerplate.

Smaller details indicate the care with which the car has been built and maintained. These include the over-centre latch to keep the gaiter at the bottom of the gear lever in place.

And the pedals, which have very good rubbers and peer out from the floor surrounded by a beautiful cast alloy surround.

And the headlining, which might be a bit grubby but it is, more importantly, taut and undamaged.

A fire extinguisher is also fitted.

As for the boot, it plays host to an alloy fuel tank that’s as much a piece of art as a fluid container. There’s a full-size spare wheel in there too, plus the reconditioned five-speed gearbox you’ll be fitting.

Peering underneath shows a solid floor with even the bottom of the curved well that holds the spare wheel looking solid thanks to an unobstructed drain hole.

There’s a box of spares in there too; please see the photo for details of what’s included. 
 

The rebuilt 1.3-litre engine is fitted with twin Weber 40DCOE carburettors a la Sprint Veloce, something the seller commissioned after having the carbs reconditioned by Weber Carb Reconditioning Services in September 2023.

The carbs are fed via a Facet Gold Flo pump and Filter King fuel pressure regulator and filtration system, all of which he also arranged to be installed.

As we mentioned, the Alfa also comes with a rebuilt five-speed gearbox. Supplied by Di Fulvio Racing in Italy at a cost of two thousand, two hundred Euros and it also comes with new mounts and the correct crossmember to fit it.

The seller bought it as the original four-speed ‘box has a worn clutch thrust bearing, so he thought he’d fit a new three-piece clutch and change the gearbox for one with an extra cog while it was out.

The suspension is uprated, and while the details are unknown as it was done in Italy, we do know it benefits from a stiffer front anti-roll bar.

We are told that the engine would benefit from a service and a tune-up as it hasn’t been used for a while. The throttle sticks too, although the seller points out that it “still drives okay.”

As you can see in the video, it starts readily enough and builds oil pressure as you rev it. It does run a bit rough though, and struggles to idle.

But, it certainly gives the impression that it’s going to be a fine-sounding machine when it’s firing on all cylinders, both from the induction and the exhaust.

The engine bay is as clean and neatly laid out as you’d expect to find under the bonnet of a competition machine, and the eagle-eyed among you will have spotted the neat inspection lamp mounted on a drilled bracket.

The underside is undersealed and looks good and strong. Of course, it spent the first 59 years of its life in Italy, which will have helped, as will the fact the three years it’s been here have seen only gentle, summer use.

Indeed, cobwebs seem to be the only issue under there, which is the sort of problem we could all get behind, eh?
 

As we hinted at above, the Giulietta arrived here in 2022, and the seller is its only registered UK keeper.

The history file includes a Certificato di Origine from Alfa Romeo Classiche plus various bits of paper from Italy and the DVLA regarding its importation. Of course, all UK duty and VAT has been paid, and it is registered and comes with a V5 document in the seller’s name.

A clue to the care with which it has been curated in its home country comes with the presence of an identity certificate from the Italian Historic Automobile Club that was issued in 2015.

It was also registered with the Registro Italaiano Alfa Romeo in the same year and holds a Technical Passport from the Automobile Club D’Italia as well as an Identity Fiche from the Italian Automobile Sports commission.

There are test certificates for the fuel tank and roll cage too; this was a very well documented car in its home country.

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…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an imported car.
 

With a guide price of between £16,000 and £20,000, there are few cheaper ways of getting into historic rallying or hillclimbing.

Few prettier ones, either.

It’s got a satisfyingly complete provenance too, with what seems to be a real motorsport pedigree in its home country.

All of which makes it a bit of a bargain in our eyes. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.