The Alfa Romeo Giulietta, 1954-2004


Pictures copyright Alessandro Gerelli

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The heart of the Giulietta, the DOHC four cylinder engine, was the result of forty years of racing experience dating from the first DOHC Alfa engine in 1914.

Making use of both old technology and the latest production techniques, the 1954 Alfa Romeo Giulietta offered features available only on the most expensive cars. It is one of the most significant automobiles of the 20th century, yet underrated, even today. And today, the Giulietta is still a viable, pleasant, reliable every day car as well as a favorite of vintage racers. Celebrate with us, the birth of the Giulietta, fifty years ago.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta TI version(Turismo Internazionale) are still are very present in vintage races. The sedan was introduced in April of 1955 at Turin.(Monza Historic Festival 2004)

The Scuderia del Portello is the official Alfa Romeo racing team for Historic Cars: Portello is the name of the old Alfa Romeo factory in Milano. (Nurburgring Oldtimer 2004).

The Giuletta Sprint, introduced before the sedan, was also built in a more powerful and faster version called "Sprint Veloce", mostly for racing purposes. Only 3058 Sprint Veloces were built between 1956 and 1963. (Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti 2002)

The wonderful and still fresh design of Pininfarina for the Giulietta spider. A Veloce version was also available; 2796 were built as Veloces. (Parigi Retromobile 2003)­

Bertone built a version called "Sprint Speciale" or SS with a very streamlined body. It reflects the experimental B.A.T. series, and only 1366 were made. (Monza Historic Festival 2004)

The SZ (Z for Zagato) short tail was very successful in competition and is still raced in historic meetings. (Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti 1986)

For racing Zagato built a lighter version, the Sprint Zagato or SZ in two version, short and long tail: the short one was also called "coda a uovo" or "egg tail". The car is anyhow very elegant even today. Total production for all SZs was 210. (Parigi Retromobile 2003)

Another SZ on the road. (Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti 1988)

The very aerodynamic long tail SZ is similar to the Ferraris of the 1960s. (Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti 1986)

The front of the later Giulietta SZs also features an elongated nose. (Monza Historic Festival 2004)

Bertone built also a nice spider on the Giulietta chassis, that could not compete with the wonderful Pinifarina design. One or two were built but never reached production. (Concorso di Villa d'Este 2002)