1975 Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior Coupe

Description

Few cars inspire such universal enthusiasm as Alfa Romeo’s 105-series coupes, with classical good looks from the pen of Giorgetto Giugiaro (whilst working at the Bertone studio) combining with fabulous mechanicals to create a sports car still capable of delivering an involving and rewarding driving experience.  Originally designated the Giulia Sprint GT when launched back in 1963, the 105-series was initially powered by a 1600cc version of Alfa’s twin-cam engine, with a five-speed gearbox and a superb chasiss with fully independent suspension and disc brakes all round.  Over time the model evolved into the 1750 and 1300 Junior versions, both of which appeared in the late Sixties.  Introduced in 1966 principally for the home market, where smaller capacity cars were rewarded with tax breaks, the GT 1300 Junior utilised an 89 horsepower version of the earlier Giulietta twin-cam engine and proved enormously popular - some 90,000 were built all up.  In 1972, Alfa Romeo reintroduced the 1570cc twin-cam four into the 105-series line-up with the GT 1600 Junior, both models displaying a remarkable willingness to rev and the same sweet chassis and handling abilities as their bigger brothers.  The 1600 Junior also saw the same styling revisions, with a revised frontal aspect, improvements to the interior and the twin-binnacle dashboard as previously introduced on the 1750 Sprint.  In total just 14,299 GT 1600 Juniors were built in four distinct series, making this one of the rarest 105-series variants produced.  Sold between 1974 and 1977, the fourth and final version offered here featured the same quad headlamps, dash and centre console as the 2000 GTV but retained the smaller tail lights and no bumper overriders.  Sadly relatively few have survived the ravages of time and the dreaded effects of corrosion, but any sports car enthusiast owes it to themselves to own at least one 105-series Alfa in his or her lifetime – they are simply too good to pass up.