A rare racing example of a genuine Spider with great history
Registration: TBCChassis Number: AR101.23 373985Engine Number: AR 00106 00876Number of cylinders: 4CC: 1300Year of Manufacture: 1962Estimate (£): 38,000 - 44,000
The Type 101 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider appeared in 1959 but from 1962 onward the 101 was referred to as the Giulia, now fitted with a larger capacity engine. Both the Giulietta and Giulia, with either the 1290cc or 1570cc Twin-Cam engine, were adored by racing specialists who could tease out higher performance almost on demand. Described by Cars Illustrated as “probably one of most delightful small sports cars which will ever be produced”, these Spider models are certainly one of the most attractive Alfa Romeos ever designed.
The car presented here, according to its chassis number, is a Type 101.23 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider. The chassis number (AR101.23/373985) is correct for a Spider model and denotes it as a Giulia, albeit a very early 1962 example, just in the change-over period from the 1290cc Giulietta to 1570cc Giulia. The car’s racing life commenced in the mid-1980s, when Keith Goring, the well-known Alfa enthusiast and founder of ‘Alfas Unlimited Inc.’ of Connecticut, used his extensive expertise to transform a rolling “rust and accident-free” Spider road-car into competitive race-car configured with a 1290cc engine. For many years Keith owned and campaigned the car up and down the East Coast with much success at Lime Rock, Grand Bahamas, Watkins Glen, Daytona and Sebring. As such a well-known historic race car, it became known to many as simply ‘#92’, having now worn this number for three decades.
The car was subsequently sold on to a Fred Schueddekopp of Washington State and again in March 2009 to an owner who commenced a full bare-metal and mechanical restoration of it, painting the car in striking 'Blue Medio'. This well-documented process was very thorough, taking just over a year to complete, now with a 1570cc engine fitted. During this next period, the car raced as part of the Northern California CSRG vintage series at Sears Point and Thunderhill. In 2012, it was re-fitted with a race-spec 1290cc engine producing 128 bhp built by Glenn Olivera of Berkeley, California whilst Jon Norman Racing installed a limited-slip rear-end and a Giulietta bonnet was also added. In this same year, due to its provenance and being the only Giulia Spider in either race, the car was entered and accepted into the Monterey Reunion and Pre-Reunion races (formerly known as the Historics).
The re-built engine has covered just three races, whilst the head was more recently overhauled by Dan Marvin of Berkeley with all new valves and springs, with just one raced covered. The 5-speed close-ratio gearbox was also refurbished only a few races ago. It is at this specification and usage level that the car is now offered for sale at auction.
The car has now been officially imported into the UK (NOVA Ref: NOVA17P794213) and has received some light cosmetic re-commissioning. With minimal modifications, this rare Spider race-car could be used in numerous UK and European events. It comes with an impressive history file, including many photographs documenting its restoration. With prices now for road-going Type 101 Giulia Spiders often in excess of £50,000, this race example with decent provenance and lots of potential, would make a good buy.
