To be sold at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction on March 8, 2013. For further details please visit www.goodingco.com or contact a vehicle specialist at 001.310.899.1960 or specialist@goodingco.com.
Engine Specifications:
1,290 CC DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Solex Downdraft Carburetor
80 BHP at 6,300 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
Front Independent Suspension Rigid Rear Axle with Radius Arms
About this Car:
This charming example of the Pinin Farina- designed Giulietta Spider that was introduced originally in summer 1955 is a handsome testament to the strengths of the revered model, combining classic open-air coachwork with Alfa Romeo’s athletic late 1950s 750 Series chassis. According to correspondence from Marco Fazio of Automobilismo Storico Centro Documentazione, Alfa Romeo’s heritage documentation division, this car retains its original matching-numbers engine and is currently finished in the original factory color.
After completing assembly on June 17, 1957, and being distributed to Hoffman Motor Car Company of New York for retail on July 18th, little is known of this Giulietta’s early history. Significantly, by the early 1990s, the car came into the care of Jane Watson Stetson of Vermont, the granddaughter of Thomas Watson, founder of IBM. Mrs. Stetson is also notable as the National Finance Chair for the Democratic National Committee, as well as the wife of Bill Stetson, a prominent Vermont businessman, film producer, and environmental policy advisor.
A file of invoices reflects Mrs. Stetson’s investment of several thousand dollars into the restoration of the Giulietta, including a partial engine rebuild, electrical refurbishment, and work to the motor mounts and main gearbox bearing. During the early 2000s, the Alfa Romeo was owned by a series of New Jersey-based owners. These included Mark Paradis, the mayor of the borough of Lebanon, before being acquired in 2009 by John Dean of Ocala, Florida, who treated the car to a significant restoration.
As demonstrated by service receipts, Mr. Dean commissioned marque expert Besic Motorsports of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, to rebuild the brakes with new cylinder kits and a new master cylinder. A local Ocala shop was retained for cosmetic restoration, including a bare-metal repaint in the original red color, reconditioning of all trim and moldings, and a soft top.
Purchased in late 2012 by the consignor, a respected collector whose cars have graced the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, this well-restored and maintained Alfa Romeo has since benefitted from the addition of new proper Giulietta floor mats, mirrors, a hood liner, a refurbishment of the interior featuring black leather upholstery with red piping, complementary carpets, and a convertible boot. Continuing to display the rewards of two decades of thoughtful restoration and consistent attention, this beautiful spider features wonderful period details and is eligible for numerous vintage events. It offers entry into the legendary performance qualities of post-war Alfa Romeos, and a taste of Italian motoring at its finest.
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