|
A real head-turner, this elegant Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint was once the flagship model for the chic Italian car maker. Rare, opulent and very tasteful, owning a car such as this is as much about making a style statement as it is about the driving pleasure, a reminder that it’s OK to be an individual and not just a number.
But what about that driving pleasure? These lovely Alfa’s would be equally at home on the driveway of a top footballer of the day, a city broker or just blasting down the Autostrada in pursuit of the bad guys (probably also driving a 2600 Sprint) and as a result the driving experience is just that; a real experience. Not just getting from A-B, but relishing every second of the evocative journey.
Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1962, the 2600 marked Alfa Romeo’s post-war return to six cylinder engines. This engine was based on the very successful 1900cc 4 cylinder engine to give a capacity of 2584cc and a top speed of 125mph with outstanding flexibility through its all-synchromesh five speed gearbox. Designed by Giugiaro and built by Bertone, the 2600 was targeted at a wealthy clientele for high speed Gran Tourismo continental motoring with its stylish and well-equipped four seat coupe body, and is considered to be one of the most influential designs in the history of automotive design.
This car is a 1965 Alfa Romeo Sprint Tipo 106.09. It was factory-built as a right hand drive car and is not the Rudd Speed conversion. Less than 600 were produced, making it a rare car then and even rarer today due to the high attrition rate.
Manufactured on 2 September 1965 and sold on 15 October 1966 to its first owner, Mr. Ugo Bormioli from Padova, Italy. The car was imported to the UK in 1972 and had three further owners before being bought by the present owner in 2005. The car was first UK registered in February 1972 and is now registered as a Historic Vehicle.
Previously restored in 1993 at which point the car was completely stripped and taken back to bare metal by Brookside Garage, the Alfa Romeo specialist run by the former chairman of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, John Dooley. The body was repaired and the bare shell painted in white.
The engine was completely rebuilt by well-respected Alfa specialist John Clifton and this was his last rebuild before his untimely death. The radiator and oil cooler were rebuilt and the gearbox and rear axle were also checked and components replaced as required. Much of the brightwork was re-chromed and the stainless steel trim is in good condition.
The rolling shell then went to Andrew Thorogood Restorations for completion. The car was completely rewired and the brakes were completely overhauled including new callipers for the all-round disc brakes and a new servo fitted. A new stainless steel exhaust system saw the car back on the road in 1995.
£30,000 had been spent on this car by 1995 (bills available), and following the restoration ten years ago it had done less than 1000 miles before the present owner embarked upon a more detailed and comprehensive re-commissioning to original specification as follows:
• Exterior: The unflattering shade of white was replaced by the correct Rosso Amaranto colour scheme: five new correct Michelin x 165 x 400 radial tyres have been fitted with Michelin tubes to powder coated wheels and four New (Old Stock) hubcaps fitted.
• Interior: The interior has been completely re-trimmed in black leather with the correct perforated design materials and new headlining and carpets with correctly embossed heel pads have been fitted.
• Brakes & Steering: Four new disc rotors and overhauled calipers, new stainless braided brake hoses, new steering coupling and overhauled steering box.
• Engine: New carburettor rubbers, triple Dellortto conversion with consecutive number carburettors and correct plenum breather set-up. New 123 distributer and electronic ignition; new clutch. All new suspension rubbers, bump stops and restraint straps. All new hose clips and correct ‘cavi’ leads. New pair of fuel pumps.
•
Now, with in excess of £45,000 restoration work, it would be almost impossible to find a comparable car in today’s market.
|
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
