Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Stradale
The Giulia Sprint GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerita — 'lightened') was Alfa Romeo's answer for customers who wanted a road-legal version of their successful touring car racer. Based on the Bertone-designed Sprint GT coupe, Autodelta — Alfa's racing department — replaced the steel body panels with thin-gauge aluminum, saving approximately 200 kg. The result was a car weighing just 745 kg that could embarrass much more powerful machinery.
The 1570cc twin-cam four-cylinder engine in Stradale (road) specification produced 115 horsepower with twin Weber 45 DCOE sidedraft carburetors. While this was less than the full race version's 170+ hp, it was more than adequate given the featherweight body. The engine's free-revving character, with its distinctive twin-cam wail climbing to 7,000 rpm, made every drive feel special.
The chassis received uprated springs and dampers, while the interior was stripped of sound deadening and heavy trim. Perspex replaced glass in the side and rear windows, and lightweight bucket seats replaced the standard items. The result was a road car that felt and drove like a racer — because it essentially was one.
The GTA dominated European Touring Car racing throughout the 1960s, winning the championship multiple times. Road-going Stradales are now among the most sought-after Alfa Romeos, combining genuine racing heritage with usable everyday performance and Bertone's timelessly elegant coupe styling.
Verify aluminum body panels — many GTAs have been converted from steel Sprint GTs. Check Autodelta build records. Engine should have correct GTA-spec head and twin 45 DCOE Webers. Lightweight seats and Perspex windows are often missing.
Approximately 500 GTA Stradales were built between 1965 and 1969 by Autodelta at their facility near Milan. Each car was hand-assembled using aluminum body panels fabricated by Bertone.