1972 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA

Built by Titus Rowlandson, this 1972 Alfa Romeo started with a UK-supplied 105-series shell before being completely stripped, media blasted and rebuilt from bare metal as a GTAm-inspired fast-road car.

The restoration was extensive. New floor sections, inner, middle and outer sills, lower front and rear panels, front crossmembers, lower rear screen surround, boot floor, spare-wheel well, lower door frames and door skins were fitted, along with a new boot lid. GTAm wheel arch extensions were Kevlar bonded and finished with period-style rivets, while an Alfaholics chassis stiffening kit was incorporated into the shell.

Once the bodywork was complete, the car was painted in Alfa Romeo 105 Grigio Indaco and fitted with OE tinted glass throughout.

At the centre of the build is a fully rebuilt Alfa 75 Twin Spark engine, developed to fast-road and race specification and producing 220bhp at 6,750rpm. All moving components were balanced to race specification by Damico Engineering, with the engine receiving oversized inlet valves, billet drilled camshafts, Brunswick Motorsport gas-flowed inlet and exhaust ports, CPS forged pistons, race connecting rods with ARP bolts and ACL race main and big-end bearings.

A lightweight flywheel and road-sport clutch are fitted alongside an AP Racing clutch master cylinder. Induction is through an Alfaholics manifold and Titan roller-barrel throttle bodies with trumpets and a Pipercross filter, controlled by an SCS Delta ECU and bespoke Damico Engineering engine loom. Cooling is handled by an aluminium radiator with an 11-inch SPAL fan, while a Mocal oil cooler and thermostatic sandwich plate provide additional oil cooling.

Further engine specification includes an Alfaholics stainless-steel exhaust system, AW Delta cam cover, lightweight Denso race alternator, Alfaholics thermostat assembly, bespoke GTAm-style distributor, Alfaholics GTAm ignition leads and Bosch twin coils.

Fuel is supplied from an Alfaholics 55-litre foam-filled race tank with a quick-release Monza cap, together with a Walbro fuel pump, Sytec pressure regulator and filter. A lightweight gel battery and concealed isolator switch complete the electrical installation.

The five-speed 105 gearbox has been fully rebuilt using OE-quality components and features a short fifth ratio. The propshaft was similarly rebuilt with a heavy-duty Giubo, new spigot bush, centre support and bearing, OE-quality universal joints and a new sliding section before being high-speed balanced by Dave Mac Propshafts.

At the rear is a 9/41 (4.55:1) ZF limited-slip differential, originally an American-market specification unit, rebuilt with additional friction plates and new bearings throughout, including Alfaholics premium wheel bearings.

The suspension and steering were comprehensively reworked using predominantly Alfaholics components. Up front are a 29mm anti-roll bar with polyurethane bushes and adjustable drop links, lightweight spring pans, GTAm-style lightened wishbones, 2¼-inch race springs with billet platforms and adjustable GTAm top arms.

Autodelta upright extensions were fitted to alter the suspension geometry for the zero-offset 7J x 13-inch Campagnolo wheels. At the rear are Alfaholics lightweight punched and swaged trailing arms with heavy-duty bushes and a Pace Engineering aluminium T-bar. Bilstein dampers are fitted all round.

The steering box was stripped and rebuilt using the correct factory tools and shims, while the steering idler received new bronze bushes. Alfaholics quick-steering arms complete the setup.

Braking is equally purposeful, with original GTAm aluminium front calipers mounted on GTAm brackets with vented discs. Original GTAm rear calipers and discs are fitted with Alfaholics 10mm wheel spacers. An AP Racing master cylinder, adjustable rear brake-bias valve, Girling competition reservoirs and Alfaholics flexible brake lines are fitted, with stainless-steel fittings used throughout.

The car sits on Campagnolo 7J x 13 zero-offset Autodelta GTA/GTAm wheels, finished in gold and fitted with 235/60 R13 Blockley road-legal competition tyres. Combined with the riveted wide arches and bumperless bodywork, they give the car the stance the rest of the mechanical specification warrants.

Inside, the build retains the shape and character of a 105 Alfa while being considerably more focused. Tillett B5 carbon seats with bespoke Alcantara pads sit within an FIA-quality half cage manufactured by Fabricage in Cambridge, with TRS Magnum four-point three-inch harnesses also fitted.

The dashboard is covered in Alcantara with bespoke black-anodised panels, while a Nardi steering wheel and titanium gear lever sit ahead of the driver. The rest of the cabin features bespoke carpeting, rear luggage cover and door cards, GTA-style interior and exterior door handles, GTA interior lights and a GTA headlining.

Practical details haven't been ignored. The car retains inertia-reel seatbelts alongside the harnesses, a fully rebuilt heater and demister, heated rear screen and USB charging point. Concealed storage compartments beneath the rear luggage area house the tool kit and screen-wash tank, while the battery isolation switch is discreetly positioned in the glovebox.

The car has been fully serviced using Valvoline VR1 20W-50 engine oil, Millers CRX transmission oil and Millers CRX LS differential oil.

With 220bhp from its rebuilt Twin Spark engine, a short-ratio five-speed gearbox, ZF limited-slip differential, extensively developed suspension and genuine GTAm braking components, this is a very thoroughly built 105. The work throughout has focused on making the whole car work as one package rather than simply recreating the appearance of a GTAm.

As with all of our vehicles, we have a digital folder available on request containing additional images, walkaround videos and further details of the car. It can be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.