1966 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote

Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote 1965 - 1967

The Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote is one of the most unique Alfa designs of the 1960s. Inspired by an article in Italian car magazine Quattroruote which celebrated Alfa's historical legacy, Alfa Romeo were persuaded to create an homage to its original 6C 1750 of the 1930s.

As with the original 1750 Gran Sport, Zagato were entrusted with creating the bodywork, and employed their usual method of aluminium panels on a tubular frame. Underneath, the running gear and gearbox were taken from the Giulia 105 series, with the Giulia twin-cam 1,570cc tipo 00112 engine producing 92bhp under the bonnet.

The body, designed by Ercole Spada, retains much of the spirit of the earlier Gran Sport, although its front independent suspension gave it a more modern look. The 15" wire wheels were fitted with a radial tyre, and a spare was mounted on the non-opening rear (accessible behind the two seats). A flat windscreen and two quarterlights finished off the retro feel.

The immediate reaction to the Gran Sport Quattroruote was very positive, but delays in entering production and problems in developing the car set it back, and just under 100 cars were constructed in the three years of manufacture. Reports from those who have driven one suggest it handles extremely well, with the light weight body (just 750kg rather than the 1,020 of the equivalent Giulia coupe) giving a very healthy power to weight ratio.

Now extremely rare, the Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote was offered in five two-tone colour combinations: red/black, red/white, white/black, grey/black and yellow/black.