Alfa-Romeo churned out a series of can’t-miss sedans and coupes from the 1950s to the 1970s. The 1975 GT Junior 1300 recently offered on eBay is from the tail end of that period. It’s a beautiful car that doesn’t need anything—other than a driver.
The timeless styling is by the maestro, Giorgetto Giugiaro, then at Bertone.
The owner for the past two years confirms that it has an updated drivetrain. He writes:
The vehicle runs great and is mainly used for weekend drives.
The upgrade, a not uncommon one, replaced the original 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with the current more powerful 1.75-liter. Other Alfas had fuel injection by this point, but the 1300 and 1600 models stayed with twin carburetors—Webers - opens in new window or tab. on the car in question.
The twin-cam engine is 1.75 liters, instead of the original 1.3.
The '75 Alfa is resplendent in dark green paint, with shiny chrome and a fully refurbished interior. Given the propensity of these cars to succumb to the tin worm, this one probably had a complete makeover.
Alfa built the 105 and 115 series coupes from 1963 to 1977, succeeding the Giulietta Sprint. So this is a late example of the breed—and, as an 89-horsepower 1300, was a budget entry. The popular Spiders by this period had the two-liter version of the twin-cam powerplant.
But because the 1300 was cheaper with the same sexy looks, it sold better. The 1300 clocked 91,964 purchases versus just 14,299 for the stablemate 1600. Any price advantage for the 1300 got a boost from the European tax code, which gave a break to cars with smaller engines.
Pansport wheels are a nice touch.
Design by the Master of Rear Rooflines
Alfa Romeo launched the 1300's body style with the Giulia Sprint GT in 1963. The curvaceous design was by the Italian genius of the period, Giorgetto Giugiaro, then working for Bertone. He was a master of the rear roofline for coupes. His artistry is found in his 3200 CS BMW, which influenced the later—and gorgeous—2800 - opens in new window or tab. and 3.0 CS models.
Alfa introduced the GT 1300 Junior in 1965. The company kept it in the lineup for more than 10 years. It featured the dashboard and suspension from the 1750 GTV in 1968, as well as larger wheels. The rarest version of the Junior is the Kamm-tailed Junior Z, an exclusive model with all-new bodywork from Milan’s Zagato. Just 1,117 were built with the 1.3-liter engine until 1972. That’s when the 1600 Junior Z replaced it.
Replacement bumpers for the car are available.
If the upgraded engine is still not powerful enough for you, eBay has complete engines - opens in new window or tab. that would fit in this car. Or a new owner could also go in the other direction. If you’d like to revert to the original, one eBay vendor has two of the 1.3-liter twin cams.
Many vintage Alfa Romeo parts—from interior panels and body parts to shiny rear bumpers—are also available.
These Alfa Romeos exude Italian style and driving pleasure, without the huge price tag of a Ferrari from the period. The $49,500 Buy-It-Now price for this 1975 Alfa Romeo GT Junior 1300 might sound rich. But then again, all the work is done. Just toss back an espresso, get in, and drive.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.