Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote
Encyclopedia
The Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote is a two-seater roadster
constructed between 1965 and 1967 by the Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo
. The car is a "retro" replica of the 1930s 1750 Gran Sport model (although the engine is in straight-4
rather than straight-6 configuration), and was inspired by an article published in the Milan
-based car magazine Quattroruote
. The first prototype version was introduced in April 1965 in Turin
, with the first production version being unveiled the next year at the New York Motor Show
. Despite its appealing design, the car did not sell well: only 92 examples were sold.
The Quattroruote was hand-built around the Giulia
floorpan and mechanicals. The 1570 cc engine, gearbox and other mechanicals were from the 101-series Giulia. The 1.6 L Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine
produced 106 bhp and the top speed was 156 km/h (96.9 mph). The body was made of aluminium panels, with the chassis being constructed in the traditional way using Zagato
's tubular framework. Drum brake
s were used at both the front and the rear. Car was available with
two versions: "Normale" and "Extra".
Another "replica" of the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, the Pettenella Leontina Sport Zagato roadster, was built by Carrozzeria Pettenella between 1975 and 1976.
Given the relative lack of sales success when it was introduced, the rarity of the car has made it quite collectible nowadays.
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
constructed between 1965 and 1967 by the Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
. The car is a "retro" replica of the 1930s 1750 Gran Sport model (although the engine is in straight-4
Straight engine
Usually found in four- and six-cylinder configurations, the straight engine, or inline engine is an internal-combustion engine with all cylinders aligned in one row, with no offset...
rather than straight-6 configuration), and was inspired by an article published in the Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
-based car magazine Quattroruote
Quattroruote
Quattroruote is an Italian automobile magazine established by the Marchigian entrepreneur Gianni Mazzocchi in February 1956, for the "average driver"...
. The first prototype version was introduced in April 1965 in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, with the first production version being unveiled the next year at the New York Motor Show
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
. Despite its appealing design, the car did not sell well: only 92 examples were sold.
The Quattroruote was hand-built around the Giulia
Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is an Alfa Romeo automobile. Alfa was one of the first manufacturers to put a powerful engine in a light-weight car for mainstream production. The Giulia weighed about . The car was equipped with a light alloy twin overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, similar to that of...
floorpan and mechanicals. The 1570 cc engine, gearbox and other mechanicals were from the 101-series Giulia. The 1.6 L Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine
Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine
The all alloy Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine series was an inline-4 cylinder engine produced by Alfa Romeo from 1954 to 1994. For earlier Alfa Romeo engines featuring twin camshafts, refer to the main Alfa Romeo page...
produced 106 bhp and the top speed was 156 km/h (96.9 mph). The body was made of aluminium panels, with the chassis being constructed in the traditional way using Zagato
Zagato
Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy.The company's premises occupy an area of , of which are covered....
's tubular framework. Drum brake
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
s were used at both the front and the rear. Car was available with
two versions: "Normale" and "Extra".
Another "replica" of the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, the Pettenella Leontina Sport Zagato roadster, was built by Carrozzeria Pettenella between 1975 and 1976.
Given the relative lack of sales success when it was introduced, the rarity of the car has made it quite collectible nowadays.