Alfa Romeo Sprint GT (Veloce)

Infobox Automobile


name = Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupé
aka = Bertone Coupe
105-Series Coupé
manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
production = 1963–1977
predecessor = Alfa Romeo Giulietta Coupé
successor = Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT, GTV & GTV6
class = Sports Car
body_style = 2+2 Coupé
2+2 Cabriolet
layout = FR layout
engine = Straight-4
transmission = 5-speed Manual
wheelbase = Auto mm|2350
length =
width =
height =
fuel_capacity = Convert|55|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on
assembly = Italy (1965-1977)
South Africa
related = Alfa Romeo Giulia Saloon
similar =
designer = Bertone

The Alfa Romeo 105 series "Coupé" is a car made by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1963 until 1977. It was the successor to the celebrated Giulietta Coupé and used a shortened floorpan from the Giulia Berlina car. These appealing cars were made in a wide variety of models over a period of 13 years, so they provide a lot of material for study by Alfa Romeo enthusiasts.

Bodywork

The basic body shape shared by all models was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Bertone. It was one of his first major projects for Bertone, and borrowed heavily from his earlier design for the Alfa Romeo 2000 Sprint/2600 Sprint. The balance of glass and metal, the influence of the shape of the front and rear glass on the shape of the cabin, and the flat grille with incorporated headlamps were groundbreaking styling features for the era.

Mechanical features

All models feature the four cylinder, all-light-alloy in various cubic capacities from 1290cc to 1962cc, all with two valves per cylinder. All versions of this engine fitted to the 105 series coupes featured twin carburettors, except for US market 1750 GTV and 2000 GTV cars which were fitted with fuel injection. Competition models featured cylinder heads with twin spark plugs. Common to all models was also a 5-speed manual transmission and disc brakes on all four wheels. The rear suspension uses a beam axle with coil springs. Air conditioning and a limited slip rear differential were optional on the later models.

Models

The 105 series coupés were the first Alfa Romeos to feature the GT (Gran Turismo) model description, which was common to all models in one form or another.

The various different models in this range can be considered in two broad categories. On one hand, the various Gran Turismos and Gran Turismo Veloces (veloce is Italian for "fast"). These were meant to be the most sporting cars in the Alfa Romeo range and sold very well to enthusiastic motorists around the world. On the other hand, the GT Junior range, which featured engines with smaller cubic capacities. The GT Juniors sold in great numbers to people who wanted a sporting, stylish car that handled well, but either did not require the maximum in engine power, or could not afford the taxation on larger engine capacities in some markets - most notably, Alfa Romeo's home Italian market.

The first model available was the Giulia Sprint GT (1963) which evolved into the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (1965), the 1750 GTV (1968) and the 2000GTV (1972-1976), with engines increasing in cubic capacity from 1570cc (Giulia Sprint GT/GTV) through 1779cc (1750GTV) to 1962cc (2000GTV). A limited production convertible, the Giulia Sprint GTC, was based on the Giulia Sprint GT, modified by Touring of Milan. It was only made over two years from 1964 to 1966.

Junior models began with the first GT 1300 Junior in 1966. The GT 1300 Junior continued until 1976 with the 1290cc engine and various modifications incorporating features from the evolution of the GT's and GTV's. From 1972 a GT 1600 Junior model was also available, with the 1570cc engine. The 1300 Junior and 1600 Junior also became available with a very different, aerodynamic two-seater coupe body designed by Ercole Spada for Zagato of Milan. These models were the GT 1300 Junior Zagato and GT 1600 Junior Zagato.

Both categories were used to derive GTA ("Allegerita", or "lightened") models, which were specifically intended for competition homologation in their respective engine size classes. The GTA's featured extensive modifications for racing, so they were priced much higher than the standard models and sold in much smaller numbers. Practically all GTA's made were used in competition, where they had a long and successful history in various classes and category. These models included the Giulia Sprint GTA, GTA 1300 Junior, and GTAm (a much evolved version of the GTA built by Autodelta) [Fusi, "Numbering of Alfa Romeo Cars from 1910 to 1972"] .

Although not commonly thought of as a 105 Series coupe variant, the Alfa Romeo Montreal used a strengthened and slightly modified 105 series floorpan and suspension.

GT and GTV models

Giulia Sprint GT (1963–1966) (Tipo 105.02)

The Giulia Sprint GT was the first model introduced, and was manufactured from 1963 to 1966. It featured the original form of the Bertone body with the "step front" (the leading edge of the hood/bonnet sat 1/4 an inch above the nose of the car). It can be most easily distinguished from other models by the following features:

* Badging: chrome script reading "Giulia Sprint GT" on bootlid, one round Alfa Romeo badge on the grille heart, Bertone badges behind the front wheelarches.
* Flat, chrome grille featuring a plain rectangular mesh with no bars.
* Single-piece chrome bumpers
* Dashboard with a flat, tilted panel finished in grey crackle.

The car was fitted with the 1570cc displacement version of the engine (78 mm bore x 82 mm stroke, 6.38l oil sump, 7.41l radiator). Dunlop disc brakes were fitted all around. The rear brakes featured an unusual arrangement with the slave cylinders mounted on the axle tubes, operating the calipers by a system of levers and cranks. 31,955 Sprint GTs were produced.

Giulia Sprint GTC (1964-1966) (Tipo 105.25, right hand drive: Tipo 105.29)

The Giulia Sprint GTC was a Cabriolet version produced in very limited numbers making them rare today with a total production of 1000 in right and left hand drive versions. The car was based on the Giulia Sprint GT, with the cabriolet modification carried out by Carrozeria Touring of Milan. Besides the cabriolet top, a distinguishing feature is the dashboard finished in black instead of grey crackle. The model was badged with a script reading "Giulia Sprint GTC" on the bootlid.

Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (1965-1968) (Tipo 105.36, right hand drive: Tipo 105.37)

The Giulia Sprint GT Veloce was very similar to the original Giulia Sprint GT. It featured minor modifications to the engine, providing just 3bhp more power, but significantly improved torque. It can be most easily distinguished from other models by the following features:
* Badging as per Giulia Sprint GT, with two additions: Round enamel badges on the C-pillar with a Green quadrifoglio (cloverleaf) on an ivory background, and chrome "Veloce" script on rear panel.
* Grille with black mesh and 3 horizontal chrome bars.
* Dashboard with tilted flat panel as on the Giulia Sprint GT but with imitation woodgrain instead of grey crackle finish (first seen on the GT 1300 Junior).
* Front seats revised to a mild "bucket" design.
* Grille heart has 7 bars instead of 6.
* Two piece front bumper and three piece rear in
* Stainless steel bumpers instead of chromed mild steel on the Giulia Sprint GT. The bumpers are the same shape, but made in two pieces (front) and three pieces (rear) with small covers hiding the joining rivets, rather than in one piece.

Early Giulia Sprint GT Veloces featured the same Dunlop disk brake system as the Giulia Sprint GT. Later cars replaced this with the ATE disk brakes as pioneered on the GT 1300 Junior in 1966. The ATE brakes featured an interesting and more effective handbrake system on the rear brakes, which incorporated drum brakes inside the disk castings.

A total of 14,240 Giulia Sprint GT Veloces were made before production finished.

1750 GT Veloce (1967-1971) (Tipo 105.44, right hand drive: Tipo 105.45)Infobox Automobile generation


name = 1750 GT Veloce (GTV)
production = 1967-1971
body_style = 2-door coupé
engine = 1779 cc I4

The 1750 GTV appeared in 1967 along with the 1750 Berlina sedan and 1750 Spider. The 1750 GTV replaced the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce and introduced many updates and modifications.

Most significantly, the engine capacity was increased to 1779 cc displacement (80 mm bore x 88.5 mm stroke, 6.61l oil capacity, 9.58l radiator capacity). Peak power from the engine was increased to Auto bhp|122|0 at 5500 rpm. The stroke was lengthend from 82 to 88.5 mm over the 1600 engine, and a reduced rev limit from 7000 rpm to 6000 rpm. Maximum torque was increased to Auto ft.lbf|137|0 at 3000 rpm. A higher ratio final drive was fitted (10/41 instead of 9/41) but the same gearbox ratios were retained. The result was that, on paper, the car had only slightly improved performance compared to the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, but on the road it was much more flexible to drive and it was easier to maintain higher average speeds for fast touring. For the United States market, the 1779cc engine was fitted with a fuel injection system made by Alfa Romeo subsidiary SPICA, to meet emission control laws that were coming into effect at the time. Carburettors were retained for other markets.

The chassis was also significantly modified. Tire size went to 165/14 from 155/15 and wheel size to 5 1/2J x 15 instead of 5J x 15, giving a wider section and slightly smaller rolling diameter. The suspension geometry was also revised, and an anti-roll bar was fitted to the rear suspension. ATE disk brakes were fitted from the outset, but with bigger front disks and calipers than the ones fitted to GT 1300 Juniors and late Giulia Sprint GT Veloces. The changes resulted in significant improvements to the handling and braking, which once again made it eaasier for the driver to maintain high average speeds for fast touring.

The 1750 GTV also departed significantly from the earlier cars externally. New nose styling eliminated the "stepped" hood of the Giulia Sprint GT, GTC, GTA and early GT 1300 Juniors and incorporated four headlamps. United States market 1750 GTV's also featured larger rear light clusters. Besides the chrome "1750" badge on the bootlid, there was also a round Alfa Romeo badge. Similar Quadrofoglio badges to those on the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce were fitted on C pillars, but the Quadrofoglio was coloured gold instead of green. The car also adopted the higher rear wheelarches first seen on the GT 1300 Junior.

The interior was also much modified over that of earlier cars. There was a new dashboard with large speedometer and tachometer instruments in twin binnacles closer to the driver's line of sight. The instruments were mounted at a more conventional angle, avoiding the reflections caused by the upward angled flat dash of earlier cars. Conversely, auxiliary instruments were moved to angled bezels in the centre console, further from the driver's line of sight than before. The new seats introduced adjustable headrests which merged with the top of the seat when fully down. The window winder levers, the door release levers and the quarterlight vent knobs were also restyled.

Early (Series 1) 1750 GTV's featured the same bumpers as the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, with the front bumper modified to mount the indicator / sidelight units on the top of its corners.

The Series 2 1750 GTV of 1970 introduced other mechanical changes, including a dual circuit braking system (split front and rear, with separate servos). The brake and clutch pedals on left hand drive cars were also of an improved pendant design, instead of the earlier floor-hinged type. On right hand drive cars the floor-hinged pedals were retained, as there was no space for the pedal box behind the carburettors. Externally, the series 2 1750 GTV is identified by new, slimmer bumpers with front and rear overriders. The combined front indicator and sidelight units were now mounted to the front panel instead of the front bumper. The interior was slightly modified, with the seats retaining the same basic outline but following a simpler design.

44,276 1750 GTVs were made before their replacement came along [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT/Sprint GT Veloce/GTC
work =
publisher = Motorbase
date =
url = http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/72/
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-01-23 ] .

2000 GT Veloce (1971-1976) (Tipo 105.21, right hand drive: Tipo 105.22)

Infobox Automobile generation


name = 2000 GT Veloce (GTV)
production = 1971-1976
body_style = 2-door coupé
engine = 1962 cc I4

The 2000 GTV was introduced in 1971 together with the 2000 Berlina sedan and 2000 Spider. The 2000 range was the replacement for the 1750 range. The engine displacement was increased to 1962 cc with a change of the bore and stroke to 84 mm x 88.5 mm. Oil and radiator capacities remained unchanged. The engine produced Auto bhp|132|0 at 5500 rpm with the SPICA fuel injection, which, once again, was only fitted to cars destined for the United States market, with carburettors retained for other markets.

The interior trim was also changed, with the most notable differences being the introduction of a single instrument cluster, instead of the gauges installed in the dash panel in earlier cars.

Externally the 2000 GTV is most easily distinguished by the following features:

* Grille with horizontal chrome bars, featuring protruding blocks forming the familiar Alfa heart in outline.
* Smaller hubcaps with exposed wheel nuts.
* Optional aluminium alloy wheels of the same size as the standard 5. 1/2J x 14 steel items, styled to the "turbina" design first seen on the alloy wheels of the Alfa Romeo Montreal. "Turbina" refers to the wheel's resemblance to a jet engine inlet.
* The larger rear light clusters first fitted to United States market 1750 GTV's were standard for all markets on the 2000 GTV.

37,459 2000 GTVs were made before production ended [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT/Sprint GT Veloce/GTC
work =
publisher = Motorbase
date =
url = http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/76/
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-01-23 ] .

GT Junior models

GT 1300 Junior (1965-1977) (Tipo 105.30 right hand drive: Tipo 105.31)

The GT 1300 Junior was the entry model to the Alfa Romeo coupe range. It was introduced in 1965 as the replacement for the series 101 Giulia Sprint 1300, which was the final development of the Giulietta Sprint series.The GT 1300 Junior was fitted with the 1300 (1290 cc) twin cam engine (74 mm bore x 75 mm stroke), as fitted to the Giulietta series cars, but revised for the 105 series with reduced port sizes and other modifications. The smaller engine was introduced in order to benefit from Italian tax laws based on engine size. The performance was low-end compared to others in its model line, with a total of 90 bhp. However, the GT 1300 Junior's top speed of 100 mph and 0-60 time of 12.6 seconds were very good for a fully-appointed coupe with an engine of only 1300cc displacement.

The GT 1300 Junior was in production for over a decade. Throughout this period it was updated by the factory, incorporating many of the same revisions as applied to the larger-engined models.

The first GT 1300 Juniors produced were based on the Giulia Sprint GT, with a simpler interior. The major external identifying feature was the black grille with just one horizontal chrome bar. The same 9/41 final drive ratio was maintained, but with a shorter 5th gear ratio of 0.85, instead of 0.79 as on all the other 105 Series coupes.

Together with the Giulia 1300 Ti, the GT 1300 Junior pioneered the use of ATE disk brakes as later fitted throughout the 105 series, replacing the Dunlop disks on earlier cars. The first few GT 1300 Juniors lacked a brake servo, which was fitted as standard from 1967 onwards, and had the low rear wheelarches of the Giulia Sprint GT and Giulia Sprint GTV. Early on, a servo was introduced, together with higher rear wheelarches as adopted later on the 1750 GTV.

In 1968, concurrently with the replacement of the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce by the 1750 GTV, the GT 1300 Junior was revised with many of the new parts from the 1750 GTV. This included the dashboard, the suspension and the new wheel size. This revised GT 1300 Junior, however, retained the early "step-front" body style, which, interestingly, makes it the most mechanically refined production "step-front" model.

In 1970 the car was revised a second time, and received the same nose treatment as the 1750 GTV, without the step but with only two headlights.

For 1972, new wheels featuring smaller hubcaps with exposed wheel nuts like those on the 2000 GTV were fitted. At the same time, the GT 1600 Junior was introduced alongside the GT 1300 Junior.

GT 1600 Junior (1972-1976) (Tipo 115.03, from 1974: tipo 115.34, right hand drive: Tipo 105.05)The GT 1600 Junior was introduced in 1972, to plug the gap between the GT 1300 Junior and the larger-engined 2000 GTV. In the UK right-hand-drive market the GT 1300 Junior was dropped, but in many other markers the two models were available as a range. The engine was substantially the same as that of the Giulia Sprint GTV discontinued four years previously, and had the same engine type number. The final drive ratio was again 9/41 as standard on all 105 Series coupes with the 1290cc and 1570cc engine.

From 1974 on, the GT 1300 Junior and GT 1600 Junior was unified with the 2000 GTV, sharing most of the interior and exterior features with the larger-engined car. The only exterior differences were no bumper over-riders, lack of C-pillar green serpent badges, and GT 1300 Junior or GT 1600 Junior badge on the boot. Apart from the engine, mechanical differences were limited to the smaller front brakes, with the Juniors not adopting the larger units fitted to the 1750 GTV and 2000 GTV, and to the differential and (GT 1300 Junior only) 5th gear ratios. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT/Sprint GT Veloce/GTC
work =
publisher = Motorbase
date =
url = http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/66/
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-01-23 ] .

The GT Junior has a tight suspension and weighed in at just 2050 lbs. Because of this, the car would often go onto three wheels, lifting the inside front wheel off the road when driven enthusiastically.

Production ended in 1976 and totalled 80623 units.

GT 1300 Junior Zagato (1969-72) & GT1600 Junior Zagato (1972-76) (Tipo 105.93)

The GT 1300 Junior Zagato was a limited production two seater coupe with aerodynamic bodywork by Zagato of Milan. The model evoked the earlier, race-oriented Giulietta Sprint Zagatos which featured aluminium bodywork and had a very active competition history. However, the Junior Zagato was not specifically intended for racing. It featured steel bodywork, and did not see much use in competition.

With the introduction GT 1600 Junior in 1972, a GT 1600 Junior Zagato was also introduced.

GTA models

Giulia Sprint GTA (1965–1969) (Tipo 105.32, right hand drive: Tipo 105.34)The GTA retained the external form of the Giulia Sprint GT, but was constructed with aluminum external panels replacing the standard steel panels. The 'A' stood for "Allegerita", Italian for "lightened". The engine was based on that of the standard 1600 cc car with a new, twin-plug head and Weber 45DCOE carburettors. The sump, camshaft cover, timing cover and clutch housing were in lightweight magnesium alloy instead of the standard aluminium alloy. Many other measures were also taken to lighten the car, and tune it for racing. All GTA's had the lower rear wheelarches as fitted to the Giulia Sprint GT's and GTV's, and very early GT 1300 Juniors. The GTA was available from the factory as a high-performance car for the road or racing. Unmodified cars in factory trim have come to be known as "GTA Stradale" but few were sold in this form. Most customers were racers and had them further modified and tuned before delivery by Autodelta, which had become a wholly-owned Alfa Romeo subsidiary running its competition department.

GTA 1300 Junior (1968-1973) (Tipo 105.59)The GTA 1300 Junior (Tipo 105.59) was based on the early step-front GT 1300 Junior, incorporating the same modifications as the GTA. Its engine was not based on the standard 1300 cc motor but was instead a GTA engine with the same bore but a shorter stroke (67.5 instead of 82 mm). Unlike the GTA, the GTA 1300 Junior featured the higher rear wheelarches as first seen on the GT 1300 Junior and later adopted for the 1750 GTV. Once again the GTA 1300 Junior was available as a standard car from Alfa Romeo, but most were modified by Autodelta for racing before delivery.

GTAm

Unlike the Giulia Sprint GTA and GTA 1300 Junior, The GTAm was not built by Alfa Romeo, was never available from the factory and was never issued its own Tipo number. It was built by Autodelta and was based on the 1750 GTV. Once again the engine had a special cylinder head with twin spark plugs, but this time the head was to a new design departing significantly from the standard engine in having a much smaller included angle between the valves.

Notes

References

* "Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe GT and GTA", John Tipler, ISBN 1-903706-47-5
* "Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior Instruction Book", Alfa Romeo
* "Alfa Romeo Giulia, GT, Spider Owners Workshop Manual", Autobooks, ISBN 0-85146-128-X
* "Alfa Romeo Production Cars 1910-1966", Stefano d' Amico and Maurizio Tabuchi, Giorgio Nada Editore, ISBN 88-7911-167-1

External links

* [http://www.alfabb.com/ Alfa Romeo Enthusiast Bulletin Board]