Cars

The Giulietta Sprint was born at the end of the 1950s, the product of Bertone and Alfa Romeo engineering. It followed in the tradition of small post-war Italian sports cars, offering a remarkable compromise between style, lightness and performance. Initially, the Giulietta Sprint was equipped with a 1.3-liter DOHC engine and a compact chassis, allowing it to stand out for its agility and sporty temperament. The success of the Giulietta soon led Alfa Romeo to develop a more powerful version to meet the expectations of performance enthusiasts, while preparing the transition to the Giulia series.

It was in this context that the 1600 version saw the light of day around 1963. The name Giulietta Sprint 1600 or Giulia Sprint 1600 appeared to signal the switch to a 1.6-liter engine, with an exact displacement of around 1,570 cm³. The engine retained the alloy cylinder head and double overhead camshaft, with a single or twin carburetor depending on the model, delivering power in the range of 100 to 112 hp, enabling the car to reach top speeds of 170 to 180 km/h. The gearbox was generally a four-speed unit, and some rarer examples could be fitted with a five-speed gearbox on prepared versions.

Compared to the Giulietta 1300, the 1600 was distinguished by increased torque and power, offering better pick-up and more assertive roadholding. Interior finishes were modernized with a redesigned dashboard and new dials, contributing to a more comfortable and modern driving experience. The chassis remained true to Alfa Romeo tradition, light and rigid, ensuring precise and pleasant handling, especially for a car of this size.

Production of the Giulietta/Giulia Sprint 1600 was relatively limited (7,107 examples), spanning mainly the years 1963 and 1964. These cars quickly found a role in competition, rallies and touring races, with preparations ranging from carburetor upgrades to cylinder head and camshaft modifications, enabling the full potential of the 1.6-liter engine to be exploited.

This beautiful example, of Italian origin and in superb condition, has known only three owners. Installed in Belgium since 2017, the car has benefited from a redone interior and, in 2025, a full service including tire replacement. The front drum brakes have recently been replaced by discs for greater efficiency, with the original parts retained. It runs perfectly, offers genuine driving pleasure and is ready for immediate use.