14.05.2004 To mark the 50th anniversary of the ALFA ROMEO Giulietta Sprint a long series of events and exhibitions with the aim of reviving the history of an extraordinary legend iS planned

1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint VeloceTwo years after the debut of the Giulietta Sprint, Alfa Romeo offered us another international first - again at the Turin Motor Show: the Giulietta Sprint Veloce (Series I).

From an aesthetic point of view, this differed from the Giulietta Sprint only in its identification codes. The same did not, however, apply to the mechanical system and performances.

Compared to the Sprint, the new version could be identified by the addition of two Weber carburettors and lighter mobile body and bumper parts, now produced in aluminium.

And there is more, both the rear window and sliding side windows (descending on the Sprint) were made in Perspex and fitted on aluminium frames. The circular rims around the front headlamps were also in aluminium.

Inside, the trim was even more spartan than that of the 'Sprint': recessed door lining, glove compartment without a door, simplified more wrap-around seats. Altogether, the Giulietta Sprint Veloce was more than 72 kilograms lighter (its kerb weight was 780 kg).

The car may have been lighter but its power unit was more powerful. The Portello engineers had worked directly on the 1.3 litre engine to increase the maximum power to 80 bhp at 6500 rpm (this was to become 96 in Series II of 1959).

This was achieved by a higher compression ratio, a new valve gear with different camshaft timing, brand new single intake manifolds equipped with two double barrel Weber 40 DCOE3 carburettors supplied by a Bendix electric fuel pump. Once modified in this way, the 4 cylinder engine was less flexible but its rpm level rose with considerable ease to a top speed of 170 km/h (175 for the Series II in 1959).

The powerful, impetuous Giulietta Sprint Veloce was born to go fast and satisfied a wide array of customers who wished to race it. And they proceeded to do just that in the Fifties when the Giulietta SV took part in all the most famous races such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Tour de France and the Sestriere Rally. The car really showed its colours and even beat cars with bigger engines.

These inspiring results prompted the interest of customers who had no intention of racing but were looking for a thoroughbred sports car. Alfa Romeo satisfied them in September 1957 by introducing a version more like a touring car that was officially known as the 'Confortevole'. The new car was produced in a limited series (about 200 examples) and combined the specifications of the Sprint Series I and the mechanical configuration of the 'Veloce'. On the outside, the Giulietta 'Confortevole' could be recognised by Perspex descending window (with an aluminium frame) and its bigger headlamps.