Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale (SS)
Franco Scaglione's design for the Sprint Speciale was years ahead of its time. Developed in a wind tunnel at the Polytechnic of Turin, the SS's flowing bodywork achieved a drag coefficient of just 0.28 — a figure that many modern cars struggle to match. The elongated nose, faired-in headlamps, and Kamm tail were all functional aerodynamic solutions rather than mere styling exercises.
Underneath the stunning body sat Alfa Romeo's proven mechanicals. The 1570cc twin-cam four-cylinder engine produced 112 horsepower with twin Weber carburetors, driving through a five-speed manual gearbox. While the power output was modest, the aerodynamic efficiency meant the Sprint Speciale could reach 200 km/h — matching cars with significantly more power.
The Sprint Speciale evolved from the earlier Giulietta SS, gaining the larger Giulia engine and improved chassis. The interior was surprisingly well-appointed for such a focused car, with a full set of Veglia instruments and comfortable seating for two. The driving experience was characterized by the silky twin-cam engine, precise gearshift, and the remarkable stability at speed that the aerodynamic body provided.
Only 1,400 units were produced, making the Sprint Speciale one of the rarer Alfa Romeo road cars. Today it is celebrated as one of the most beautiful cars of the 1960s and a testament to the value of aerodynamic design over brute horsepower.
Unique body panels are extremely expensive to reproduce — check for accident damage carefully. Floor pans and sills are rust-prone. Engine and gearbox are shared with other Giulia models so parts are available. Matching numbers significantly increase value. Verify the five-speed gearbox is original.
Built between 1963 and 1966 at the Alfa Romeo factory with bodywork by Bertone. The design was penned by Franco Scaglione, who had previously designed the legendary BAT concept cars for Alfa.