1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, Pinin Farina

Chassis No. AR1495 04904
Engine No. AR1315 44211

- Among the most iconic of Italian sports cars.
- High-quality restoration of an original U.S. delivery example.
- Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificate of Origin.
- Numbers-matching example with its original engine.

Having barely survived the ravages of WWII, Alfa Romeo desperately needed a volume product in the 1950s. The debt-ridden company was facing a bleak future, until someone hit on a novel method to raise funds. A lottery was held, with the winner receiving a new Giulietta Berlina, to be released in 1955. Production delays followed and Alfa quickly engaged Bertone to build a coupe variant using existing components - just in time for the 1954 Turin Salon - in an effort to appease angry ticket holders. The lucky winners went home happy and a potential scandal averted. Only one problem. The demand for the pretty Sprint proved overwhelming; it quickly became a production car.

Requests for an open version followed, but Alfa Romeos management felt there was insufficient demand to warrant production. U.S. importer Max Hoffman disagreed, convinced there was a market for a Giulietta Spider. The project was put out for bid. Franco Scaglione styled two Bertone prototypes while Pinin Farina was allocated three chassis. Both cars were based on a shortened Sprint platform featuring alloy twin-cam 80hp 1290cc four-cylinder engines. Roll-up windows were included on both cars, unlike most British roadsters of the period. Hoffman rightly felt the public wanted them.

Pinin Farina won the contract, though the car was not ready for public consumption without modifications. The extreme curvature of the Bertone submission would have made volume construction too expensive, thus it was rejected. The model first appeared at the 1955 Paris Motor Show. Englands Motor magazine called it the exhibits prettiest car. After lauding its roadholding, ride, braking, and engine, "Without a doubt," Road & Track stated in its April 1956 road test, "(this) is the most fascinating small sports car we have ever driven."

This lovely example is an original U.S. delivery car finished in Nero over a red leather interior piped in black with matching black cloth convertible top. Documented by its Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificate of Origin, records indicate it was invoiced to Hoffman Motor Company in New York on October 17, 1958 and manufactured on December 9, 1958. It was dispatched to the U.S. with records further indicating the body colour as AR 901 Black.

This high-quality restoration features an interior that is enhanced by a Veloce-style Nardi two-spoke steering wheel. The trunk includes a proper rubber mat and the Fergat wheels are shod with blackwall tires. Data tags confirm that it is a numbers-matching example equipped with its original engine. The original factory tool set remains with the car. Service and parts records dating from 1993 to 2007 remain with the car.