Stage 1 - Buying the donor car & shell preparation
It is usually the case that the original design of a car is its most pleasing. This is certainly the case with the Alfa Romeo 105 series Bertone coupe, designed by Giugiaro at the beginning of his illustrious career. It was introduced as the Giulia Sprint GT late in 1963, a product of the all new Alfa Romeo Arese factory. Commonly called ‘step front’ or scalino in Italian meaning step, this early design lasted until 1970 as the GT 1300 Junior, and as late as 1975 as the GTA 1300 Junior.
However, it is in its GTA form with aluminium bodywork, twin plug engine, a host of delightful minimalist lightweight detailing and a string of racing victories worldwide that it is most sort after.
I managed to source an unspoilt and relatively rust free 1967 GT 1300 Junior less than 40 miles from home. It had been used daily until 1990 by its second owner, the wife of a motor trader, before being left outside for a further 2 years prior to being committed to a small garage in which I found it.
Although it had covered a staggering 190,000 miles and was no longer running, the car was complete and showed no signs of accident damage!
Once back in the Alfaholics workshop, Max started to work on his car. It was stripped to a rolling shell before being carefully steam cleaned throughout to remove all oil, grease and loose underseal etc.
Then all sound deadening was burnt off the inside of the interior and in the boot before turning the car on its side and burning off all the underseal.
Sound deadening burnt off interior
Shell preparation prior to delivery to bodyshop
I stripped the paint off the body, oiled the bare metal and delivered it to Neil Cawthorn in East Anglia who has been responsible for the majority of Richard Banks’ restoration paint work. Alfaholics stock repair panels were used, including wing bottoms, 4 floors, rear arches, outer sills, rear valance and spare wheel well. These were all fitted and the body was meticulously prepared for painting. The end result is to concours standard inside and out.
Max stripping the paint off the shell in summer heat!
Bodyshop work
GTA grille holes cut in front panel
Alfaholics rear wheel arch repair sections are fitted
Alfaholics floors are fitted
Interior and arches are sprayed first
Car back from paintshop and ready to go to National Alfa day 2004