Giulietta & Giulia Market – Page 54

December 16, 2008

Market #70: Above average 63 SS street/race car

Giulia Sprint Speciale 10121*380473. This car is available right now from Fantasy Junction (I should mention they revamped their website and it looks great, with a new high res photograph appearing with each return to their home page and larger format write-ups). Asking price is $45,000, much more realistic than the $55,000 they were trying to get for this car last year.

This car has been seen around California racetracks for several years. Hans used to drive to the track, race, then drive home, in many cases several hours each way. I saw this car race maybe three years ago and, like Jerry, he didn’t take the chequered flag, and he didn’t come in last. It has the original, though rebuilt engine and went pretty well. It is no match for Alfa’s prepared to current racing spec, but that’s not really the point of this car. I’d be more than happy with it just as it is.

14794 This is the second car in two posts with mis-matched mirrors, maybe I need to emulate rather then complain. I think this car looks tough and purposeful in this picture with the numbers and spot/fog light.

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December 10, 2008

Market #68: Nice eyebrow Sprint in Mexico

Update: 20 bids, $13,300, reserve not met. This doesn’t surprise me in light of the detailed pictures the seller added late in the auction, a few of which I added to the end of this post. I predicted a higher end than this but it light of the new pictures and their evidence of a more than passing need for rust repair and new paint I think the ending price makes some sense, especially if more unpleasant surprises lurk. I still think this car would see $18,000 or more if it was in California and sold with attention to detail the eBay seller out of Newport Beach usually uses. Javier, I’m not sure what advise to give you. It may be worth having the repairs done locally and trying again in the Spring, assuming total financial collapse doesn’t have us operating on the barter system.

Giulietta Sprint 750B 1493*04953. This car is available on eBay out of Temixco Mexico which looks to be close to Mexico City. Fusi indicates it is a 1957 as claimed by the seller.

I had an email chat with a guy in Mexico about a 59 Sprint that he has and is thinking of selling to fund another Sprint. His problem is importing old cars to Mexico is very difficult to impossible and his car has a US title and the car he is hoping to buy has a Mexican title. He is hoping to sell his car in the US. I told him that people I know would have reservations buying a car out of Mexico because of money exchange complications, shipping and in many cases unfair quality associations with South American countries who send cars to the states that are presentable but worn out. I told him these perceptions mean the car has to be a very good deal or exceptionally rare to get serious interest from Americans. I can’t say how Eurpoeans see it, buy I imagine not much differently. I bring this up because I am hoping this car will prove me wrong. What can be seen in the images leads me to believe this was a clean original car that was freshened up, albeit straying from original in the interior and drivetrain somewhat.

b5b6_1 Handsome car. Windows look very clear. Bright work is bright and straight, paint is shiny, door and hood gaps are average or better. I know of guys who have sent cars to Mexico for paint and chrome because you can still get ‘the good stuff’ down there and it’s reasonably priced, you just have to have solid recommendations. Note the big dollar sign on the quarter window.

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December 3, 2008

Market #67: two high dollar Alfa’s on eBay

Update: 8C ended at just over $200K, reserve not met. End values were closer than I imagined. I bet run through a proper auction these cars would make $250k each. Look for the disappointing follow up for each of these cars.

2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competitzione ZARJA181980040907 & 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C2500 SS Cabriolet No 915811, Engine No 928114. Both these cars are currently on eBay, the 8C here, and the 6C here, though it ended reserve not met at $185,100. It is probably absurd to compare these two cars, but I suspect the values of these cars are actually quite close (within $50,000 maybe… the price of two good Giuliettas). Both these cars represent ‘investor’ class cars and since their values are close, comparison as investments would probably have the most meaning. Similarities also include exclusivity, desirability, and outstanding technical specification relative to other cars of their respective eras. Put another way both these cars are spectacular and I’d love to have either.

The 6C2500SS was a serious car in it’s day, the SS having triple carbs and rated at 109Bhp. Coachbuilt body is both sporty and elegant, representing both the highest standard of finish and latest styling for it’s era.

The 8C Competitzione has been called the most beautiful car ever, recalling the Type 33 Strada among other historic Alfa’s. I like it more than all the other new cars I’ve seen but I would have to see one in person before I resort to hyperbole. Engine here is a 4.7L injected 8 making 450Bhp. Continue reading “Market #67: two high dollar Alfa’s on eBay”

December 3, 2008

Market #66: 1964 Giulia Spider kit

Update: This car ended at $2175, reserve not met. I don’t see a note that the auction ended early, but I seem to remember it being more than this when I wrote about it. Is the market this soft so suddenly?

Giulia Spider 10123 AR375922, Engine Tipo 00112 included (at least it sounds like it). This car is available on eBay right now out of Torrington CT. Fusi lists this car as a 1963 Giulia Spider Normale. Seller sold it previously on eBay but Eurpoean buyer backed out so it is on the market again. Buy it Now price of $8000 includes some new parts not offered as part of the auction including piston set, clutch and carb kits. I didn’t see what the first auction ended at, post a comment if you know.

The seller of this car has listed many parts over the last year that I have watched and considered bidding on so I have no doubt they know their way around Alfas. The tirade about non-paying bidder is carried a little too far, but having been in that position I know it is easy to loose ones composure in that situation.

Looks like fun, a body on a dolly surrounded by crusty parts. The nose looks pretty good but with the parts in such a jumble I find it hard to accept the claim of 100% complete without subsantiation.

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November 25, 2008

Market #63: Baby Blue 10102 Sprint project

Update 2/10/09: This poor bugger just showed up on italian eBay with a fresh nose job!

3124_1 I guess moving to the old country didn’t agree with it. Shame, it was such a straight, original car.

Update 12/1/08: This car ended, reserve met for $12,100 with 9 bids. I forcast $12,500 so I guess my sense of the value of these cars must be getting better. Having the first crack at a car like this would be fun, making it run and drive before doing any major work. I bet the new owner will tear it apart, loose half the pieces and despair when the bill to repair the head is $1400 then put it on ebay after 10 years sitting in a wet climate under a blue tarp- aren’t I the optimist this morning. Actually I would love to hear from the new owner about their plans for this remarkably original car.

Giulietta Sprint 10102*158890, Engine 00102*24926. This car is on eBay right now out of Florida. Fusi lists this as a 1961 Sprint from right in the middle of that years numbers. Rusty trunk corner aside, this is probably about the nicest Sprint project I’ve seen since the dark blue eyebrow car that was the subject of Market #9.

Bright-work is very straight and nice. The little bit of rash on the hood is probably from a blue tarp trapping water against this panel and the roof.

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November 21, 2008

Market #61: SS 00001, ‘Squalo’ again.

Another thought for this car: I’ve been thinking about this car (what can I say, despite my tough talk below I think it’s awesome and wish I could buy it) and as recommended by Elmar, I think the thing that should happen is it should go to Arese to be part of Alfa’s permanent ‘Museo Storico’ collection. They have the prototype successor to the SS there and they have the model they made this SS after so why not add this car to the collection. Fiat has deep pockets and Italians are museum minded if my trips there are any indication. If the BAT cars are worth what they are worth (hey, if I had a spare 20 million I’d buy them in a heart beat) then this car has plenty of headroom, but I want some cold hard documentation before I call it the prototype. If this car is the SS prototype, it is more closely related to the BAT cars than any other car. I have seen in print that the SS is considered the production result of the BAT cars so it makes perfect sense. OK, back to worrying about the small end busings on my crappy 59 Sprint Normale…

Update: A reader informs me this car is known to Italians as SS ‘Squalo’ or shark for the shape of the grill opening.

Giulietta Sprint Speciale 10120*00001, Engine 00120*00003. This car has surfaced for sale again, the third time in a year or so since the ‘well-known collector and long-time owner’ parted with it. Each time about $100k has been added to the price but nothing has been done to rectify the cars short comings and so here it is looking for an owner who will appreciate it for what it is and what it isn’t. Oh, and the new owner will be required to fork over $275,000.

Looks phenomenal in this picture, but the flaws have been air-brushed out and apparently it is appropriate for deep space travel. Those alumimum headlight rings are too cool. I bet the mirrors take the coefficient of drag from .28 to .30.

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November 20, 2008

Market 60: Another Sprint Veloce Allegerita, this one with Targa Florio history

Giulietta Sprint Veloce ‘Allegerita’ 750E1493*04347, engine 1315*30526, Bertone 77468. This car is available right now for 68,000 Euro’s ($85,000 on November 19, 2008) from various sources in Europe but I found it at Steuel. The advertisement text is available below and includes pieces of the cars history the new owner will no doubt have fun verifying and elaborating on. I contacted the owner directly about the car and he provided me with the numbers and an offer of further information should I require it. I have no doubt any information required to help a potential buyer will be provided without hesitation.

In contrast to yesterdays SVA this car has been thoroughly refinished and prepared inside and out for racing without for cutting any corners and with no piece untouched. As can be seen below, the engine compartment underside and suspension are all in top condition. The Conrero connection and Targa Florio history should add quite a bit to the price of this car, but other than maybe a picture I doubt much evidence of those days still exists in the car.

This car looks like a new car and I suppose one could say to all intents that it is a new car. Wheels appear to be current reproductions. Without being specific I’ll just say this car looks right- everything fits together well and has a unified level of detailing.

Continue reading “Market 60: Another Sprint Veloce Allegerita, this one with Targa Florio history”

November 19, 2008

Market 59: Ex-Swedish royal family Sprint Light-weight 750E 04067

Giulietta Sprint Veloce ‘Alleggerita’ 750E 1493*04067, Engine 1315*30393. Available right now from our friends and neighbors at Fantasy Junction is this neat Sprint. Made in 1957 for the Prince of Sweden, this light-weight Sprint Veloce (SVA) has seen 32,219 KM’s since new if it hasn’t gone around once, in which case, even 132,219 is only about 82,000 miles. In the world of Sprint Veloce’s it really doesn’t get much better than this unless unashamed period race damage and accompanying provenance or utter originality is your thing. This car has changed hands a few times over the last year, not sure why, but if the declines in my 401K are any indication I can make a guess.

While I will whole-heartedly endorse this car I have to air a major gripe: this car was is VERY GOOD original paint recently, I mean, probably the BEST original paint one could find on any Sprint, much less an SVA. Now I’m all about the rights of ownership and all but I can only imagine what the twins on antiques roadshow would say if this was a seriously expensive piece of furniture that lost 90% of its value because it was refinished. One doesn’t OWN a car like this, one is CONSERVATOR of a car like this. There should be someone who grants permission for you to paint this car.

Is a lightweight still a lightweight if it’s not lightweight? Lightweight or not it’s a beautiful car! Small headlights with aluminum trim rings are sort of wasted on a car with a heavy grill and chromed bumper. I bet those fog lights are a few pounds each.

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November 14, 2008

Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS ‘Leight 00002’ Low-nose

Elmar, my European correspondent, sent me a link to Classic Motor Action in Belgium (who is currently offering a Fiat 8V that is spectacular!!!), telling me they had Low-nose SS number 2 in their archive of cars they had sold at auction, sure enough they do. d’Amico and Tabucchi say of this car “Machino presso il servizio esperienze principali”. I’m not sure of the nuance of the Italian language but I suspect they mean this car was put to work by the factory for testing, shows, journalists etc. It’s good to know it exists as it is truly the second SS made behind 00012 and before 00006.

Definitely a low nose. I wonder how old this picture is? Notice the similarities to 00001 below. I assume the title ‘leight’ means it is aluminum.

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November 12, 2008

Market #58: Very Rough incomplete 56 Sprint

Update 12/2/08: This car reached $3650 with 24 bidders before ending reserve not met. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of this car. As I mentioned before, I am interested in it, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger yesterday while looking at those floors, knowing I have been too chicken to go for it on my SS that doesn’t need this much.

Update 11/25/08: This car is now on eBay. A trunk lid (courtesy of me) and rear glass have been added along with more detailed pictures of the floor and trunk rust. A project for the brave. Opening bid is a realistic $1956 compared to the $6950 asking that was lowered to $5950 when it was on CL. Original engine number for this car was 1315*03053. I may actually bid on this thing.

Giulietta Sprint AR 1493*03146, Engine 1315*40174. This car is available now on Craigslist out of Newport Beach from Fastcars of California. According to Fusi this car was made late in 1956 and the engine came in an early 1956 Spider. These early column shift Sprints don’t come up for sale often and it is doubtful many were made.

This car is likely to define the bottom of the market for early Giulietta Sprints. I’ve seen worse cars being tackled by enthusiasts but those cars are usually purchased for very little money so the first resurrection phase brings their investment up to about this cars starting asking price.

Tusk style bumperettes are odd and give the car a less than sporty makeover. All in all the trim is there and not too bad but the shape of the front looks to me like it has been pushed in a little.

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