When you think of Alfa Romeos from the 60s and 70s, the first thing that comes to mind is usually the 105 Series Coupé. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone and is considered one of his best designs. Not only does it stand out as one of the most visually appealing and agile classic saloon cars of its time, but its advanced specifications, including a five-speed gearbox, all-round disc brakes, independent suspension, and a potent twin-cam engine, continue to outshine many contemporary counterparts.
Alfa Romeo introduced the GT 1300 Junior in 1966 to tap into the thriving Italian economy and attract young drivers and continued to build them until 1977. Equipped with a 1290cc DOHC engine producing 89hp, this modest iteration of the larger engined Giulia Sprint GT, was not far behind it’s bigger brother in terms of performance, ultimately becoming the best-selling variant of the model with over 91,000 cars produced.
In its original form the Bertone body is known as “Scalino” (step) or "Step Front", because of the leading edge of the bonnet, which sat 1 cm (0.4 in) above the nose of the car. These are the rarest and most sought after of the GT Junior model range, as they were only built up until 1970.
According to Luigi Fusi (who was the curator of the Italian Alfa Romeo Register and wrote what is considered the Bible of the Alfisti, “Alfa Romeo, all cars since 1910.”), only 3029 RHD Step Front GT 1300 Juniors were made for the worldwide market, representing just over 3% of the entire production run for the model. This lovely example represents an even rarer opportunity, as it is a genuine UK registered RHD car.
In 1968, Alfa Romeo revised the original GT 1300 Junior, fitting it with factory upgrades from the 1750 GT Veloce. This included, dashboard, suspension, brake servo and wider diameter wheels. This made it the most mechanically refined production Step Front model. In 1970, Alfa Romeo revised the model again, moving to the new front end shape from the 1750 GTV, without the Step Front. As such, this 1970 built car would have been one of the last Step Fronts to have been produced.
This car was purchased as a running project in 2014 and has benefitted from over £39,000 spent on both its bodywork and mechanical restoration. In addition, the car has been fitted with a fully rebuilt 1750 GT Veloce engine. It now makes for a really thrilling driving car, that is well able to keep up with modern day traffic.
The car provides the perfect opportunity for anyone seeking a lovely presentable example of this rare and highly sought-after model, with a popular engine upgrade, where all the heavy lifting restoration wise, has already been done.
Unlike a “show pony” destined to be kept under cover in a static collection, this is a car you’ll not be afraid to drive, so as to enjoy to the full, the incredible driving experience these pretty little Italian coupes are known for.
Finished in its original Bianca Spino “Hawthorne White”, it makes for an eye catching alternative, to the larger number of darker shades Alfa offered for the GT 1300 Junior, in their colour charts of the time.
The car went through a comprehensive bodywork restoration over the period 2014 to 2017, which included a complete respray. A detailed history of the bodywork restoration works is set out across a number of invoices and also includes as a comprehensive collection of photos showing work before and in progress, saved on a memory stick.
The car’s paintwork presents well with no signs of any bubbling, dents or lacquer peel to be seen. As a slightly older restoration there is, as to be expected, the odd minor blemish, but as can be seen from the photos, the colour is uniform across all panels and the paintwork is not faded and holds a deep shine. Panel gaps, although not absolutely perfect, are pretty good and the doors fit remarkably flush.
Chrome work is very good all round with no signs of pitting to the larger items, such as bumpers headlight surrounds and hubcaps. We do note however, a small dent repair to the rear bumper and some of the side window trims are showing some age related patina.
Front and rear windscreen rubbers, as well as the driver and passenger door rubbers, have all been replaced as part of the restoration works.
Light lenses are all clear, with the both rear light clusters and seals replaced in 2018. All lights work as they should. Glass work is generally good all round with no cracks or large chips, but there are some minor scratches visible, especially to the rear window, which still retains its original demisting element.
The cockpit of the GT 1300 Junior is typical of Alfa Romeos of the era and oozes a mixture of sporting Italian flair and purposeful ergonomics.
In 1968 the GT 1300 Junior went through its first update which included changing the earlier car’s “flat dash”, to the heavily cowled main instrument binnacles, as found in the 1750 GTV. This allowed for easier reading, even in the strongest sunlight. Ancillary dials are both comprehensive and purposefully angled towards the driver. In addition, the gearstick, presenting high and sprouting straight out below the dash, falls to hand perfectly for quick gear changes. Touches of chrome here and there, dainty stalks and switch gear, as well as the beautiful and tactile aftermarket wood rimmed Nardi steering wheel, provide for the finishing touches of elegance, that is pure Italian showmanship. The original 2 spoke Bakelite steering wheel does come with the car, should anyone wish to return it to original specification.
The original seats in black vinyl are in good condition front and back with no rips or tears. The front seats tilting forwards perfectly to allow access to the rear. The headlining is in great condition, with no signs of any staining from water ingress.
Carpets and door cards are both in good condition, albeit exhibiting some wear and all instruments and switchgear, operate as they should, including the two speed heater fan.
The car is fitted with a period radio, but please note this is not wired in, as there is no rear aerial. However, this better lets you enjoy the wonderful sounds coming from the 1750 twin cam Nord engine and the delightfully raspy exhaust note, these 105 series Alfa’s are known for.
The engine fitted to this car is stamped 00548. This engine code denotes it as a 1750 GT Veloce engine, producing 122 bhp and 137 ft/lbs of torque. Although the differential provided the same 4.55:1 final drive ratio as for all 105 Series Coupes at that time, the GT 1300 Junior came with a shorter 5th gear ratio of 0.85 instead of 0.79. So altogether, in a car weighing just 930 kg, it makes for a much more exhilarating drive than a standard GT 1300 Junior with the 1290cc engine, producing 89 Bhp and 101 Lbs/ft of torque.
At around 18,000 miles in 2015, this engine was subject to a comprehensive rebuild, which included inlet and exhaust valve replacement, new valve guide seals, new piston and liner set, crankshaft main bearing set and top timing chain replacement, all documented in the invoice. In 2022 at 19,953 miles, further works included replacement of both upper and lower timing chains, replacement of inlet valves, inlet valve seats and all valve guides, as well as an oil and filter change.
Most recent works carried out in September 2023 included replacement of the carburettors rubber mounts, inlet manifold gaskets and a coolant change.
On the road, the 1750 engine revs quickly, but also delivers useful torque from quite low down. The car pulls very well indeed, with no discernible flat spots and thanks to the fitment of an electric fuel pump, has no issues starting.
Gear selection is tight and precise, with no signs of second gear related synchro issues (a not uncommon issue with Alfa’s of this period).
As a version 2 model, it benefits from the revised suspension geometry and rear anti-roll bar found on the 1750 GT Veloce.
Front shock absorbers were replaced in 2016 and rear springs in 2018.
There are no undue squeaks or rattles from the suspension and no excess play at the steering wheel, suggesting that the steering box is in good shape.
Finally, a complete new exhaust system after down pipes, was fitted in 2014 with the car at just over 18,000 miles. The exhaust system is still in excellent shape with no evidence of any blowing or smells of exhaust fumes entering the cabin.
The car sits on its original wheels, which as a version 2 model, were wider 5 1/2J x 14 instead of 5J x 15, giving a wider section and slightly smaller rolling diameter. All driven wheels are fitted with period correct 165/14 Pirelli Cinturato CA 67s, which were fitted in 2017. All have significant tread, having covered around 2000 miles since fitted. The car comes with its original full size spare wheel, fitted with the same size tyre as the driven wheels.
The braking system consists of discs all round and as a version 2 model, ATE disc brakes replaced the earlier models Dunlops and it was also fitted with a brake servo, not fitted to the earlier version. Invoices detail brake new brake callipers were fitted in 2016 and in September this year, a new master cylinder was fitted and brake fluid changed. The braking system works as it should, pulling the car up smartly with no tracking left or right.
Bought as a project car in 2014, the documented history of the car relates only to the restoration and maintenance costs of the car since then.
There are a detailed collection of invoices evidencing both body work and mechanical works undertaken over this time period, which total over £39,000. In addition, there is also a memory stick containing over 50 photos of the bodywork restoration.
The documented history also contains the current V5C, which identifies the car as a UK registered GT 1300 Junior, first registered on 20/10/1970. It also records the car as an Historic Vehicle and as such is both MOT and Tax exempt, as well as ULEZ exempt. Finally, there are a couple of previous MOT certificates the most recent of which is dated July 2020, at 19,673 miles.
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