Giuliettas

Giuliettas classic: Automobiles, as Henry Ford understood them, were conceived of as basic transportation, but as automakers emerged and brands began to compete for sales, lines were drawn, classes were formed and image, a mans image of himself, became linked to his* car.  Advertising began to focus on the aspirational longings of it’s target audience, with what has played out to be strange, and as such, interesting results.  (I must digress for a moment here and point out that the above paragraph is true for just about any product.  ‘Jeans, as Levi Strauss understood them, were conceived of as basic clothing…’)

“Hey Ladies!  Either of you interested in going for ride in my new car?  The dealer couldn’t supply the ultimate passenger seat accessory.”

Continue reading “Ramble: You are a Target Audience”

Giulietta Spider 750D 1495*00016.  This early Spider, the 3rd production car, will be auctioned by RM Sothebys at the Duemila Ruote sale November 25 – 27 2016 and represents an opportunity for someone to buy and restore something special.  There will be lots of hand-made details to re-hand-make, and liberties will have to be taken in the interest of seeing it roadworthy in your lifetime, but there are other early examples out there to get information from, and skilled fabricators who can deal with whatever needs it has.  Be sure to check out the full catalog for this auction – lots of Alfa to be had!

Looks like a good example that’s ready for final bodywork and paint.  Rims appear to be correct rolled lip items.  I wonder what the Alfa archive has to say about the original color?  The other really early one I’ve captured in my markets was cream color.  Celeste is common for early cars too.

Continue reading “Market 539: Spider 00016 surfaces – coming to Duemila Ruote”

October 19, 2016: Thanks all who have sent pictures, I still need a few of each to do proper posts for the cars.

October 16, 2016: I was looking at Goodings auction results from this last Monterey classic vehicle extravaganza.  They have three fairly nice Giuliettas that sold for good money.

1958 Giulietta Spider Veloce 750F 04663 / 1315 31597 :: $148,500

1963 Giulia Sprint 1600 10112 354273 / 00112 04787 :: $77,000

1958 Giulietta Spider 750D 03368 / 1315 43164 :: $71,500

Does anyone here have pictures they’d be willing to share from the auction preview?  Email me at sprints at giuliettas dot com.  I don’t want to piss off Goodings using their pictures.

 

Sprint Speciale 10121*381294, 00121*01310.  This clean example is on eBay right now out of South Africa. Starting price is $142,000, reserve not met.  The car has been gone over and presents very well, but could be improved in minor ways.  I think Alfa had a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) deal with South Africa where local labor was added to make a car ready for market in exchange for allowing Alfa to sell there.  It’s unclear if this SS would have been part of that scheme.  Versions of this happened in other countries – Mexico for sure.  A book could be written about the tangled web of deals made between countries so cars could be sold.

A fine looking machine that anyone would be proud to own and happy to drive.   Windshield wipers can look a little lost on these cars for some reason – not sure I could drive this car with the wipers where they are – but I’d certainly try!
Continue reading “Market 538: SS 381294 in South Africa”