Driving a classic Alfa Romeo Julia. Then you know: this is fun, it's a party. Alfist Durk Tinga shows the Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Super from that other pure Alfist, Frans de Groot, dancing. He does the three pedals simultaneously trick and plays with the Alfa Romeo Giulia, with respect. The fun is great, the fun unparalleled, the enthusiasm unprecedented, and my anticipation grows, because I know what's to come. Photos, and then I can take over the wheel. Delicious.
About one Alfa Romeo Giulia you don't have to explain anything to the real enthusiast. And yet I do it. Here we go. Everything is right with the design. Every screw has been mounted with love, the proportions are correct, the elegance and sportiness are brought together by height, length and width into one of the most beautiful sedans in history. And oh, oh: the spacious interior also shows a fine example of balance. Not too much was for Alfa Romeo enough to make everything you touch and see forever anchored in the memory. That steering wheel alone. The meters with Italian designation, that poking gear lever, the switches in front of it, the inscription Giulia Super on the dashboard: these are just a few delights in the sports sedan, delights that have been designed with love in everything.
Internationally purified copy
Every detail is sublime, and Frans de Groot made the Alfa Romeo Giulia a true character. Take the boulder catcher in Italian colours. Take the Cromodora rims, light metal in the most literal sense of the word. Take all the evidence that has been united over the years with the Alfa Romeo Giulia, and they show that this purebred horse stood for many international males. Without much technical disaster. “The clutch failed once in Germany, then I replaced all hydraulically operated mechanics. Yes. And change the fluids, just do maintenance. That makes sense,” says Frans, who unfolds the secret of the purity that the Giulia, sprayed in Beige Cava, carries with it.
Driving characteristics? Unfiltered driving pleasure!
That purity is apparent while driving. Bends, stretches straight ahead, back roads: the Alfa Romeo Giulia doesn't turn a blind eye to anything. And everything is accurate, everything is accurate. The long lever can be operated surprisingly firmly, the brakes, the clutch, it feels so determined. So does the lively controls. Unfiltered, quite direct: these are the reactions that a movement on the large steering wheel causes. Suspension and damping: firm, but not hard, pleasantly sporty. Taking a corner at speed? The Alfa Romeo Giulia is faithful to the asphalt and leans slightly. And that contributes to the driver's feeling, without having to brace yourself in the wonderfully comfortable furniture. It is her way of being sharp on the edge, always keeping the good side.
Potent engine, fine transmission
The Supertje, like the lifetime Alfa fan and owner affectionately calls Giulia seems small motorized. However, a 1300 Nord in a Giulia Super means nothing less than a potent harbinger of much more in the historic Alfa program. Heralded by that beautiful reverberating sound, that irresistible hum. The presence of 87 HP, two Dell'Orto carburettors, DOHC nice proportions in the five-speed gearbox, the first two being nice and short: nice credentials. And a top of 170 per hour was also a solid value in the year of 1971. And another thing: this effortlessly goes along with everyday traffic.
Always loved, even during the last years of construction
At the end of the seventies, during the last years of construction of the model (by then the Nuova era had already started), the Alfa Romeo Giulia is still the most coveted new car available in the Netherlands. You notice while driving this '71-er why the Giulia was still so loved seven, eight years later. The Alfa remained dignified with its high passenger compartment, its low front cut, that rustic rear. The relatively low Cd value explains a lot about the beautiful lines that remain so wonderfully classic, and are enhanced by the panoramic rear window. The drawing that unites with love with astonishingly good technology and protects construction with love, the driving characteristics: this is so beautiful, so pure.
Justification for car love: the Giulia
Ride in one Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Super. An hour, a day, five minutes, or twenty years. It does something to you, it releases a thrill in you that comes up from the deepest caverns. This is one of the most tangible proofs that justify the existence of car love. This is pure car happiness that manifests itself in twinkling eyes and a blissful smile. Like Durk Tinga and I have. Because we drive and play with the Alfa Romeo Julia. Good. For those who still want a touch of contemporary pragmatics, go ahead. This Giulia is from 1971. Mostly original. Spacious, great performance, good all-round visibility, wonderful seat. No creak. No rattle. Not rickety. No hesitation. Confidence-inspiring operation. Hangs wonderfully on the gas. Excellent and finely ground body rigidity. Firmly closing doors. This one Alfa Romeo is well, damn well put together. There's no point in denying it, really.
With many thanks to Frans de Groot and Durk Tinga.
My all-time favorite car. I have cleaned so many of them ready for delivery. If it were still available new, I would buy one again right away.
Too bad they rust so much, otherwise I would have wanted another
What a great automobile! A friend of mine imported one. License plate from Cuneo.
Dutch registration number DH 01 94.
The best thing there is to be able to read this on a Sunday morning, Alfa Romeo my childhood car love!
What a beautiful Giulia, for me the most beautiful classic. When I saw the Giulia for the first time, I was immediately sold. So a childhood dream, and it is on my wish list. Beautiful design and brilliant technique!
Frans de Groot you can be proud of this, an Italian gem!
indeed, the best Italian car ever made!
With respect, but certainly not the very best. The most special and the first version with the eyebrow trunk and 2 large and 2 small lights in the front, was more resistant to rust than its successor. But all in all a very nice car to drive! I've had two
I've had 5 through the 70's/80's. Nice cars, especially the 1300 with 1750 engine: ran really fast. Too bad they rusted so badly. much more character than all newfangled cars, of any brand. Only a 911 has as much character, even now.
One hundred and seventy km/h was indeed a nice top speed in 1971 for a 1300 cc.
But what about a Simca 1000 (cc) that drove 155 km/h (on the counter) in 1969 and 90 km/h in its second gear. On details there is always a better car, but that one Alfa always remains great as a car in its entirety
Fantastic cars. Have had a 1300 nuova super in the same color and a 1600 gt sprint from '66. That one was totally cool, but so was the superstar for sure. Later I had a 155 and I personally didn't find it interesting at all.
Very nice cars!
Maurice you have found a negative point in this beautiful story, THE COLOR, and that while you have never driven a Giulia yourself. You know, when you drive it and experience the wonderful feeling of a Supertje, the last thing on your mind is the color.
What a beautiful car anyway. Then on the color. But that's just 'Geschmacksache'. That Alfa engines are known to me as the epitome of (combustion) construction with a beautiful engine run. Too bad I never got to ride them. There was also an engine of that construction in the Seat Ronda. The engine bay was so cramped that changing the belt shop was a nasty job. But it was also very nice to drive. Not to say great.