Description
If there’s one model that represents all that Alfa Romeo is, it’s the ‘Bertone’. Officially, Bertone has never been used as a name, it just nicely covers the load of the immense number of names that Alfa Romeo has used for the coupé of the 105 series: GT Junior, GT Sprint, Sprint GT, GTJ, GTV, GTA and then still all engine designations incorporated in the name: 1300, 1600, 1750, 2000, 1. 3, 1. 6, it doesn’t stop. The version you see here is the GT 1300 Junior.
The ‘Bertone’ is seen as one of the most beautiful affordable 2+2s ever made, so it is only logical that the coupe signed by Bertone has such an enthusiastic crowd of enthusiasts. The most beloved of all is the early series. These can be recognized by the slot in the front of the bonnet, which quickly earned the car the nickname ‘mailbox’. Or as in Italian ‘scalino’, which means step.
Savona, a town near Genoa in the north of Italy, becomes extra beautiful in 1970, when Mr. Vitto can pick up his GT 1300 Junior at the local Alfa Romeo dealer. Bianco Spino with black artificial leather, what a beautiful sight it must have been to see this fresh appearance driving through the coastal town in the 1970s. The ‘stepnose’ lived in Italy for almost twenty years, then moved to the Netherlands for the second part of its life.
In the Netherlands, the GT Junior had a life like so many of its kind: in the hands of an enthusiast, who used the car regularly and had it maintained by well-known brand specialists. The car has also been cosmetically addressed, but only where necessary. The bodywork is therefore very neat and still looks nice and original. Looking into the drainage gutters above the side windows, everything looks very neat and body seams are all still present. An invoice is available for the restoration work on the bodywork.
The originality of this car continues in the interior, where everything seems to be original. The upholstery of the seats has a beautiful patina, which fits the condition of the car very well, so we are inclined to say that this is the original upholstery. The dashboard with all instruments also seems to be original. A beautiful atmosphere! The Momo Indy steering wheel is a much-loved modification and classic rally enthusiasts will also be pleased with the Brantz trip meter. The seats are comfortable and offer more than enough support for sporty use.
That sporty use is then combined with the 1, 290 cc measuring four-cylinder in this GT Junior. Where many peers were equipped with non-original engines, this Junior still has the correct, lively feeling double cam with about 90 hp. The power source was completely overhauled a few years ago by a well-known specialist of the 105 series. Where 90% of all Bertones are equipped with a roar pipe, this one even still has the rear silencer. Switching is done via the pleasantly shifting five-speed gearbox, which does its job very smoothly. The underside is also completely without defects and looks very solid and fresh.
A wonderful time capsule to the 1970s, this mailbox. The car comes with the necessary invoices of important work and numerous MOT reports indicating regular use. A fantastic GT 1300 Junior for someone who wants something different than a Bertone in GTA look or car with work: this Alfa Romeo is completely ready for the new season!
