1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider

In 1962, Alfa Romeo came out with a new machine, the Giulia. It was actually a series of machines. There was the Alfa Giulia Super (sedan), as well as the Sprint, Sprint Speciale and Spider. They were uprated versions of the earlier Giulietta, with an enlarged engine and slightly longer wheelbase.

Probably the easiest way to distinguish the later Giulia Spider, from a Giulietta Spider, is the bonnet bulge to clear the slightly taller and larger engine. An engine that would become a staple of Alfa Romeos for years to come. Another tell are the tail lights, which are bigger than the Giulietta’s.

Alfa Romeo was years ahead of other sports cars of the period, in fact, they were years ahead of sports cars that came years later. There is no comparison driving a 1963 Giulia back to back with a 1970s Triumph TR6. The Alfa feels more capable, modern, and comfortable. Even if you compare it to a modern Miata, the Giulia does not lag behind and certainly has more style and flair. It’s a thumbs-up crowd pleaser.

The Pininfarina penned body is reminiscent of a baby Ferrari California Spider. Its clean, elegant lines are timeless.

The dashboard is much the same, clean and simple. You have three Veglia gauges in front of you, to the left, a multi-gauge shows you oil temperature, water temperature, and fuel level. In the center is your tach, which also includes your oil pressure. To the right is the speedometer. Four knobs are in the center of the dash to take care of the rest of your needs. Clean and simple.

You look at the interior of an Alfa, and like other Italian cars, it looks like things are in the wrong place, and the angles are wrong. But once you are in the car, you realize everything is just where it should be.

Twist the key, and the twin overhead camshaft, inline-4 comes to life. It may not be the banshee scream of a V12, but the language of the engine is definitely Italian.

The shifting is light and fast, and the clutch is easy. This makes for a car you can drive all day or rally for days at a time and not get tired. And you have a wonderfully effective top and roll-up windows if the weather gets bad. A sports car without the sports car drawbacks. How novel.

If you do end up rallying in a Giulia, you won’t be at the back of the pack. The Giulia is quick and agile. It uses all of its 105 hp to get the 2116-lb sports car up to speed with a top speed just shy of 110.

This Afa makes any drive an event. It is the perfect classic sports car. It is everything you need and nothing more. It is la dolce vita on four wheels.

There is the saying, “ You can’t be a petrol head until you have owned an Alfa.” The other version is “You can’t be a masochist until you have owned an Alfa.” I agree with one but not the other. It’s an acquired taste you will fall in love with.

Try it and see.

Specifications

Length:	3900 mm / 153.5 in
Width:	1540 mm / 60.6 in
Height:	1290 mm / 50.8 in
Wheelbase:	2250 mm / 88.6 in
Front track:	1292 mm / 50.9 in
Rear track:	1270 mm / 50 in
Cylinders alignment:	Inline 4
Displacement:	1570 cm3 / 95.6 cui
Bore:	78 mm / 3.07 in
Stroke:	82 mm / 3.23 in
Compression ratio:	9 : 1
Horsepower:	105 hp (SAE) @6200
Torque:	123 ft-lb/ 3700