Tuesday 26th April 2016
Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior: YKYWT
The Frankenstein Alfa you have to have!
In Alfa Romeo speak GTA once stood for lightened race cars that exploited lack of weight and fine balance in iconic battles against more powerful rivals like CSL BMWs. The recipe worked a treat on track but the more recent road cars to carry the badge didn't quite live up to the promise. The 147 and 156 GTA are not without their appeal but rather fall down on the 'Alleggerita' bit of the name, packing hefty V6 motors and the kind of creature comforts the originals would scorn. These days if you really want to live the GTA dream you have to spend big on one of the
few remaining originals or turn to one of the many specialists 'reimagining' old 105 coupes into evocations of these classic Italian racers.
This may not be an all-original, standard car but is still a wonderful example nonetheless. Starting off life as an Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior, it was the entry model to the Alfa coupe range. Originally fitted with a 1,300cc engine to help cash-strapped Italians duck under punitive tax rates for bigger engines this one has been upgraded to a 2.0-litre with rebuilt carbs and - thankfully - overhauled brakes too. There's no power quoted but a Corsa spec 1300 GTA Junior had up to 170hp and the 2000 GTAm was getting on for 250hp. Let's assume it's the interesting side of 'healthy'.
Bumpers removed, wider aluminium GTA wings pop riveted on, 1300 GTA grill and gold Alfaholics GTA style alloys have also been fitted before being finished in classic Alfa Rosso to complete the look. Inside, that delicious deep-dish Momo steering wheel adorns the gorgeous, fuss-free dashboard. Period appropriate seats with deep buttresses to hold you in place look better than modern carbon race seats and the whole thing looks to have been executed with real style.
It was once said that you can't call yourself a true petrolhead until you have owned an Alfa and here is your perfect chance.
ALFA ROMEO 1300 GT JUNIOR
Price: £34,995
Why you should: Gold wheels have never looked so stylish
Why you shouldn't: You might not want to drive anything else
Original advert here
[Source: RM Auctions]
