“The Supertje is ready for you.” Frans de Groot's app was more than a birthday present. It is a sign of complete confidence, and an advance on a wonderful weekend with an old acquaintance: the thoroughly maintained Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Super, which was launched in the summer of 2019 Auto Motor Klassiek glorious. And precisely because I Alfa already knew, the anticipation had no limits. Because the Giulia had already proven itself as an exceptionally fine classic sports sedan, which could not possibly wipe the smile off the face. And this car, this one Alfa can i use it for two days now.
I fill the days with swinging, touring and visiting beautiful places. I let others enjoy. On Saturday I transfer the magic of the Giulia to my eldest two children, show the Alfa with grandpa and grandma, drive a nice round of North Fryslân with my wife Hester and tour with Alfafanatic and neighbor Wilco also a nice piece, where we grab a terrace in Eernewoude in between. Talking about the Giulia between the boat people, making the difference and enjoying life.
The next day, photographer Bart Spijker and I drive the beautiful RRR rally from Bakkeveen to Sexbierum, a fantastic event where many enthusiasts celebrate their regained freedom while touring. You will read much more about it soon. Bart also takes the wheel, he drives one for the first time Alfa Romeo and quickly got the hang of it. Like the Giulia is his. The fun is great. Whatever you do and wherever you are: driving the most beautiful sports sedan in history is a joy. Not only for the occupants, also for passers-by, for the spectators. A Giulia answers the question why people like cars. And why driving is a wonderful affair. What a character. Che presenta.
A whole weekend confirms the beautifully prepared by Frans de Groot and Durk Tinga Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 Super anticipation. She shows once again how clever it was Alfa Romeo in 1971 was able to build such a beating car in such an appealing jacket. Then Giulia had already been in the world for nine years, because she was already shown to the world in 1962. You just keep looking at the Alfa, which reveals accurate details every time. Beautiful continuous profiles, a passenger compartment that stands on top of the rest of the body and is beautifully integrated at the same time. Angled door handles, you name it. Every cut-out, every profile has been thought through, the aerodynamic design from 1962 is of an uncontrollable beauty.
De Alfa Romeo van Frans is also adorned with the necessary milestones, which adorn the car in sticker form. The Giulia came all over Europe, she turned her hand to nothing, and no Alp was too high. I notice in which way for two days the Super presents itself everywhere. The handling is formidable. The spring travels are pleasantly smooth, the firm damping never gets hard thanks to a small soft touch, but remains sporty in an extremely precise way. You continuously notice that something beautiful is going on to convey the dynamic driving pleasure. The 1300 engine with 89 DIN hp allows the Alfa accelerate adequately, everywhere. Unnoticed and stable you drive to speeds above 120 kilometers per hour, and with that wonderful hum of the Nordmotor in the background, it communicates very fine and solid regardless of speed. 1971I'll say it again.
On long stretches, during short bends, on dike roads, in long turners: the Giulia feels at home everywhere, and gives a fine example of sportiness that never gets complicated. The steering feel, which comes to you via a large classic steering wheel, is strong. When motorcyclists suddenly swerve out of a dike bend, a steering correction and a quick braking action are sufficient for a rapid response from the Alfa. Everything works immediately, adequately and safely, and with the next acceleration, the Giulia picks up again wonderfully, helped by the accurate and counter-pressure switching gearbox, which can be operated with the long poker that protrudes invitingly inside.
The combination of the engine, the transmission and the chassis ensures that this Super responds smoothly in every circumstance. In all respects, the Alfa friendly to the feet. She forges a close bond with the asphalt and enjoys working with you. And then something trivial: with a weekend consumption of 1 liter of premium petrol with lead substitute on 12 kilometers driven, it is also friendly to the user. In one in six I would have filled the tank with just as much love, this pleasure is worth every Euro.
Everything about the Giulia is captivating, right down to the classic scent that permeates the clothes and every fiber of the occupants. This car embraces you every time, no matter how often you drive it. It's impossible to get enough of it. Every ride with the Giulia is a form of masochism, because you know it will end someday. But that soft pain is supplanted by the overwhelming feeling of reminiscing for days. By the feeling that she was yours for two days and 500 kilometers. By realizing that she puts you on a pedestal. And embarrass you a little. Gloria Julia!
Many thanks to Frans de Groot and Sicco Dijkstra
The car that you kept looking at as a child, on holiday in Italy, with your mouth open, and the sonorous humming hollow exhaust noise penetrated deep into you. The Giulietta was its predecessor, and that's where the Alfalove along. The mountain horns (ti, tara ti!!!) that the cars still had then sounded over the mountains and valleys around Lake Maggiore: where they belonged….
(Are the rims completely original on this 1300?? Have my doubts, there are nicer simpler ones?.
In principle, I don't care about which car or motorcycle (including tractors or trucks if necessary) an enthusiastic story is written about. If the person who drives it (whether it's the owner or someone who borrows it for a while) can only make something beautiful out of it in terms of text, you'll understand why it's so much fun. Personally Italians are totally not my first choice, not even 2nd, 3rd or 4th. But if we all like or like the same thing and just dismiss the rest as irrelevant to automotive history, often with claptraps, it will just be a damn boring thing on the road. Every classic car deserves to be cherished, from Alfa to Zastava and from mass-produced Honda Cub's to unique Bugatti Royale's. There are always enthusiasts to be found.
My first car ever
Then I worked in a body shop, completely renewed the well-known spots myself, of course with help.
Beautiful light grey/blue with red trim.
1600 cc indeed high consumption.
1978 traded in (too bad)
I myself am a Peugeot, Saab and Lancia fan, but the Guilia has such beautiful lines.
That stocky front through the notches in the fenders radiates power.
The bulges at the rear combined with an angular roof and wheel openings, especially at the rear fenders.
Seems like a mess but still forms a car that exudes unyielding power.
One of the highlights of car design as far as I'm concerned.
Remain beautiful classics. If not the prettiest!
If only I had kept them all
Driven with great pleasure, the 1600 version. However, it achieved an average consumption of 1:9. Don't think it's that bad at all. After about 50.000 km exchanged for a junior with the same engine. Was also a picture and lovely driving car.
Good story. And very recognizable, the shape, the spirit, the romance and the history make such cars beautiful. Even more beautiful than they are (popularly called infatuation). Bella Italia and viva la France, it usually is.
My first and best and most beautiful car!
1 out of 6 huh! I remember that, and it could well be that right foot. The car
in the article looks slick, and just wonderful that it is being driven.
Happy Birthday Sineke,
Bro.
For sale?!
How nice that you were allowed to use this beautiful car!!!
I always go crazy when the fuel light starts to flash again really so fast, so a 1600 is much less economical or my foot is too heavy because 1 in 6 is no exception.