Alfa Romeo GTA
Encyclopedia
The GTA 1300 Junior had a 1300 cc engine that was based on the 1600 engine but with a short stroke crankshaft. The GTA Junior in stradale form did not have many of the light weight features of the 1600 GTA, such as the plastic windows, magnesium engine components and alloy wheels. At start the engine produced 96 PS but was soon raised to 110 PS. Autodelta prepared fuel injected racing cars had 165 PS. 450 GTA Juniors were produced.
mechanical fuel injection system. The majority of the genuine GTAm's built by Autodelta have a chassisnumber starting with 105.51.XXXXXX. The European market 1750 GTV with dual carburettors from Dell'Orto
or Weber carburetor
and chassisnumbers starting with 105.44.XXXXXX was also used as a base. The same goes for the 2000 GTV and the 1300 GT Junior bodyshell that was lighter. Note that some racing teams and private workshops ordered the parts from Autodelta and other tuners and assembled the cars themselves on a new or existing bodyshell. The original 1750 engineblock (actually 1779 cc) was used and by inserting a monosleeve instead of four individual cilinderliners, received 1985 cc and later to 1999 cc to participate in the 2000 cc class, explaining the "maggiorata" (enlarged). According to the sources, some 40 GTAm's were built by Autodelta and by private workshops. This number is difficult to verify as the GTAm's didn't have their own specific chassisnumber series. On the Alfa Romeo Bulletin board (www.alfabb.com) you will find a thread on GTAm chassisnumbers.
, they won the first seven places. Andrea de Adamich
claimed the title in 1966.
In the USA the GTA’s first racing victory was in January 1966 at the “Refrigerator Bowl”, at the now defunct Marlboro Raceway in Maryland, with Monty Winkler and Pete Van der Vate at the wheel. The Autodelta GTA of Horst Kwech
and Gaston Andrey won the Under 2 litre class of the inaugural Sports Car Club of America
's Trans-Am
championship in 1966. Horst Kwech also won the first SCCA National B-Sedan ARRC Championship in the same GTA in 1966.
Later on, the 1750 GTAm and the 2000 GTAm cars were driven to victory by Toine Hezemans
, who won the 24 hours of Francorchamps
with this car. These cars won hundreds of races before competition grew stronger in 1971. But the Giulia sometimes kept up with much bigger engined cars such as the 3 litre BMW CSL
.
, producing 240 PS. However, due to the economic downturn in 2008/2009, the Mito GTA was postponed.
GTAm
The GTAm (1969–1971) could produce up to 240 PS in the 2000 cc car—a car usually related to the GTA, but unlike the GTA derived from the GTV 1750 (US version). The 1750 GTAm (later called 2000 GTAm when the 2000 GTV was introduced) was created in 1969. There are two schools of thought about the "Am" moniker, neither one ever having been officially confirmed by Alfa Romeo: one expands Am to Alleggerita Maggiorata (Italian: lightened enlarged), the other America Maggiorata. Most likely the latter is closer to the truth. The car had a full steel body modified with aluminium and / or plastic parts. Because of an increased minimum weight in 1971 (up from 920 to 940 kg), the GTAm's had less need for aluminium and / or plastic parts. The base for the GTAm was the 1750 GTV with a SPICASPICA
SPICA S.p.A. was an Italian manufacturer of fuel injection systems.- History :The company was founded by Francesco Cassani in 1932. SPICA fuel injection systems were used in diesel and petrol engines....
mechanical fuel injection system. The majority of the genuine GTAm's built by Autodelta have a chassisnumber starting with 105.51.XXXXXX. The European market 1750 GTV with dual carburettors from Dell'Orto
Dell'Orto
Dell'Orto is an Italian company, headquartered in Cabiate, specialized in the construction of carburetors and electronic injection systems. The company was founded in 1933 as "Società anonima Gaetano Dell'Orto e figli"...
or Weber carburetor
Weber carburetor
Weber is an Italian company producing carburetors, currently owned by Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A., in turn part of the Fiat Group.The company was established as...
and chassisnumbers starting with 105.44.XXXXXX was also used as a base. The same goes for the 2000 GTV and the 1300 GT Junior bodyshell that was lighter. Note that some racing teams and private workshops ordered the parts from Autodelta and other tuners and assembled the cars themselves on a new or existing bodyshell. The original 1750 engineblock (actually 1779 cc) was used and by inserting a monosleeve instead of four individual cilinderliners, received 1985 cc and later to 1999 cc to participate in the 2000 cc class, explaining the "maggiorata" (enlarged). According to the sources, some 40 GTAm's were built by Autodelta and by private workshops. This number is difficult to verify as the GTAm's didn't have their own specific chassisnumber series. On the Alfa Romeo Bulletin board (www.alfabb.com) you will find a thread on GTAm chassisnumbers.
GTA-SA
The Giulia 1600 GTA-SA (sovralimentato supercharged) (1967–1968) was very rare racing car, which was built only 10 copies. Car featured 1570 cc twinspark engine with two oildriven superchargers and it could produce up to 250 PS at 7500 rpm. The GTA-SA was built for FlA Group 5 racing in Europe and it won first place overall in the Hockenheim 100 mile endurance race in 1967 in the hands of the German driver Siegfried Dau.Racing success
Both types, the GTA/ GTA 1300 Junior and the GTAm were very successful, and these cars were driven to numerous victories. In the opening season at MonzaAutodromo Nazionale Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a race track located near the town of Monza, north of Milan, in Italy. The circuit's biggest event is the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, which has been hosted there since the sport's inception....
, they won the first seven places. Andrea de Adamich
Andrea de Adamich
Andrea Lodovico de Adamich is a former racing driver from Italy. He participated in 34 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 1 January 1968. He scored a total of 6 championship points...
claimed the title in 1966.
In the USA the GTA’s first racing victory was in January 1966 at the “Refrigerator Bowl”, at the now defunct Marlboro Raceway in Maryland, with Monty Winkler and Pete Van der Vate at the wheel. The Autodelta GTA of Horst Kwech
Horst Kwech
Horst Kwech is a race car driver, race car constructor, engineer and inventor known primarily for his several wins and two championships in the early Trans-Am Series races of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s.-Biography:...
and Gaston Andrey won the Under 2 litre class of the inaugural Sports Car Club of America
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
's Trans-Am
Trans-Am Series
The Trans-Am Series is an automobile racing series which was created in 1966 by Sports Car Club of America President John Bishop. Originally known as the Trans-American Sedan Championship it has evolved over time from its original format as a manufacturers championship for modified racing sedans...
championship in 1966. Horst Kwech also won the first SCCA National B-Sedan ARRC Championship in the same GTA in 1966.
Later on, the 1750 GTAm and the 2000 GTAm cars were driven to victory by Toine Hezemans
Toine Hezemans
Toine Hezemans was an active Dutch touring and prototype racing car driver in 1960s and 1970s, nowadays one of principals of Phoenix Carsport....
, who won the 24 hours of Francorchamps
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
with this car. These cars won hundreds of races before competition grew stronger in 1971. But the Giulia sometimes kept up with much bigger engined cars such as the 3 litre BMW CSL
BMW E9
-BMW 2.5CS:The last version of the E9 to be introduced was the 2.5CS in 1974. This was a response to the 1973 oil crisis, such that the buyer could choose the smaller, more economical engine. The engine, from the 2500 sedan, displaced and produced at 6000 revolutions per minute...
.
Technical data
| GTA: | Giulia Sprint GTA | Giulia Sprint GTA (racing version) | Giulia GTA 1300 Junior | Giulia GTA 1300 Junior (racing version) | GTA SA | GTAm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | straight-4 | |||||
| Displacement: | 1570 cc | 1570 cc | 1290 cc | 1290 cc | 1570 cc | 1985 cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 78 mm (3.1 in) x 82 mm (3.2 in) | 78 mm (3.1 in) x 82 mm (3.2 in) | 78 mm (3.1 in) x 67.5 mm (2.7 in) | 78 mm (3.1 in) x 67.5 mm (2.7 in) | 78 mm (3.1 in) x 82 mm (3.2 in) | 84.5 mm (3.3 in) x 88.5 mm (3.5 in) |
| Power: | 115 PS | 164 PS | 96 PS | 180 PS | 220 PS | 240 PS |
| at rpm: | 6000 | 7800 | 6000 | 9300 | 7800 | 7500 |
| Compression: | 9,7 : 1 | 10,5 : 1 | 9,7 : 1 | 11,0 : 1 | 10,5 : 1 | 11,0 : 1 |
| Valves per cylinder: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Valve control: | Double overhead camshaft | |||||
| Transmission: | 5-speed gearbox | |||||
| Brakes: | Disc brakes all around | |||||
| Suspension front: | Independent suspension, wishbones , coil springs, anti-roll bar | |||||
| Suspension rear: | Live Axle , trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers | |||||
| Body: | two-door, aluminum panels over steel monocoque | two-door from steel | ||||
| Weight: | 820 kg (1,807.8 lb) | 760 kg (1,675.5 lb) | 920 kg (2,028.3 lb) | 760 kg (1,675.5 lb) | 920 kg (2,028.3 lb) | |
| Top speed: | 185 kilometre per hour | 220 kilometre per hour | 175 kilometre per hour | 210 kilometre per hour | 240 kilometre per hour | 230 kilometre per hour |
| Construction: | 1965–1969 | 1965–1969 | 1968–1975 | 1968–1975 | 1967–1968 | 1970–1971 |
| Quantity: | 500 | 193 | 300 | 10 | 40 | |
Modern GTAs
The designation GTA is now used on the highest performance versions of Alfa Romeo road cars, such as the 147 and now discontinued 156. These cars are powered by V6 engines giving them the most power of the cars in the model range, however despite the GTA name, they are generally the heaviest cars in the range, due to having large engines and little if any weight saving employed in their construction. For example, the 147 GTA weighs 1360 kg (2,998 lb).147
The 147 GTA was introduced in 2002 as the top-end hatchback model for Alfa Romeo. It is powered by a 3.2 litre V6, derived from the 164 from the early 90s. It is a two-door hatchback that seats five, and is characterized by its wider wheel arches, teledial 17 inch wheels, and more aggressive grille design.156
The 156 GTA was Alfa Romeo's sportiest version of the 156, and used the same 3.2 litre V6 as the 147 GTA, producing 250 PS and 300 newton metre of torque. This four-door saloon was available in sedan or wagon versions.Mito
The Mito GTA prototype has a 1.75 litre, turbocharged straight-4Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, producing 240 PS. However, due to the economic downturn in 2008/2009, the Mito GTA was postponed.
See also
- Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Coupés
- Alfa Romeo in motorsportAlfa Romeo in motorsportDuring its history, Alfa Romeo has competed successfully in many different categories of motorsport, including Grand Prix motor racing, Formula One, sportscar racing, touring car racing and rallies. They have competed both as a constructor and an engine supplier, via works entries and private...
- Alfa Romeo in Formula OneAlfa Romeo in Formula OneAlfa Romeo participated in Formula One, as both a constructor and engine supplier, from to .-Success, 1950-1951:In 1950 Nino Farina won the inaugural Formula One World Championship in a 158 with supercharger, in 1951 Juan Manuel Fangio won while driving an Alfetta 159...
- Alfa CorseAlfa CorseAlfa Corse is the name of Alfa Romeo's factory racing team. Throughout the years, Alfa Corse has competed in various forms of motorsport, from Grand Prix motor racing to touring car racing....