The Story Of The Great Alfa Romeo 105 Bertone Coupés
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- čas přidán 10. 06. 2022
- #alfaromeo #alfaromeogiulia #history
In the hearts and minds of many, the classic Bertone coupés from the 1960s represent Alfa Romeo at its best, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s their story…
Alfa Romeo’s new coupé, whose production began in 1963 in the newly-inaugurated Arese factory, was built upon the solid foundation of the Giulia Ti saloon launched a year prior, save for a 160 mm shorter wheelbase. The uncanny similarity between the larger 2000 Sprint, launched in 1960, and the 1963 Giulia GT was no accident. Both cars were styled by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro for Bertone. Alfa Romeo was adamant about the smaller coupé to maintain a “family resemblance” with its bigger and more expensive sibling.
The last few Juniors and GTVs left the Arese factory in 1976, and even though Alfa Romeo has made many cool cars since, none of the company’s subsequent models has quite managed to recapture the GT’s magic, and probably none ever will.
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www.amazon.com/dp/1793931046
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For me, 1960s European autos were generally from a stylistically future planet by comparison to America’s giant and ridiculous clunkers, and Alfa Romeo played an outsize role in that. I remember every Alfa I saw here at the time being jawdroppingly beautiful.
Also the muscle cars
Alfa Romeo all l can say some of the most stylish cars ever made and the 150s so good looking and Alfa Romeo are still making stylish cars and they make you look good driving them
I still love these. They were stylish without being loud. You had to know what it was to be impressed, and if you met someone who was impressed, you knew you were among the family. It was magic, and Alfa has never quite found it again
Simply the most beautiful little coupe in the world after the Giulietta Sprint, in my Alfista eyes.
I succeeded to buy my first Alfa in 1983, and It was a '69 GTj (Iunior, not Guinior, as it comes from the Latin) super exploited by an elderly man who stopped driving:
it cost only 500,000 lire (like 300 euros), the price that the demolition gave it; but he loved his GTJ and he was waiting for me giving me 2 boxes of spare parts, 8 tires and a full tank of petrol, haha!
I still have that car today and I'm restoring it
Cool! How is the restoration project going, by the way?
👍🍀
The coach builder is finally reassembling the car, listing the small missing parts 🙄
Possibly the most stirring design ever produced by
Alfa Romeo.
A pity more weren't sent here to the States...
Beautiful! Quite beautiful! It demonstrates why Giugiaro is nicknamed ‘the maestro’. The grey metallic model in the museum looks stunning. I love the steel wheels - much nicer than modern alloys!
And he was in his early twenties when he did it! Amazing talent indeed
Wheels: You have a refined taste, congratulations
The 105 coupe is the ultimate Alfa IMHO.
Combining style, performance and popularity .
If only they could return to cars like this Matteo.
Excellent video as always 👌 👍 👏
Thank you!!!
The 4C was their rennaicense in my opinion.
Oh and the GTAr
In my opinion that's the best Alfa model ever. My dream car!
The 105 was a giant killer in Australian motorsport. It was an amazing handling car and smashed the bigger V8 around the fast corners but only to be chased down on straights. It still made everyone stand and look at these Alfa's.
That’s something I didn’t know! Thank you 👍
I've seen the interesting Australian reportages of the age!
It also left the 5 litre V8s sweating in their wake on the open road. Only the highway patrol could stop them 😊
Nick stole my thunder. My favourite Alfa, too. They should think about remaking these bodies with more modern running gear.
They should but they won't. Maybe some rebadged Fiat again but not this masterpiece everyone would go crazy for. 😁
Add me to the waiting list please. Remake of early or late 105 does not matter, I'll take it. Grazie.
I learnt to drive a manual in my cousin's GTV 2000 when I was 17. That car has a special place in my heart, it was magic.
If only Stellantis would give us a modern version of the 105! Look at the success of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The automotive world loves retros and the car would be an instant hit. That car is timeless. I’ve owned two of them and I would order a new one in a heartbeat!
Yes, I could definitely see a modern 105 selling very well indeed!
My favourite Alfa Romeo. I have a 1968 GT1300 Junior.
Cool, congratulations!!!
My 10536 letter box 1967 wait, sleepy, in my garage ... Forza biscione 🇮🇹🍀
Probably my favourite Alfa of all time and one of the prettiest cars ever made in my opinion. Simple lines and perfect proportions all wrapped up in a compact package. Attainable by the working man in a way that supercars never are. Bellissimo 🇮🇹❤️ Grazie mille Matteo 👏
Couldn't agree more! Thank you!
Interesting considerations. I would add that the supercars of that time made you dream, those of today make you vulgar beyond measure
@@studiocalder818 Very true 👍
I'm an Industrial Designer, and during my college years I made a sculpture for a class work of a Giulia GTA on styrofoam. It was for an exposition that would show each student's piece of art on a public local museum. I used its "speedform" as a symbol of visual harmony of beautifully designed products, while it was supported by many spikey origami paper shapes underneath it, representing the chaotic reality of aesthetics and unharmonious design that we see from many automakers nowadays. I dod 3 years ago and I still have. This car has been my car design muse since my teen years.
Interesting, well done, an original point of view
Wow, that's fascinating, thank you for sharing this with me!
For me, one of the 4 collector cars really worth owning along with the Miata, the 911 and the Mustang. Bravo!
I bought a 68 Scalino GT Junior a month ago!!!! finally!!
Cool! That's great to hear, congratulations! Which color?
@@Matteo_Licata verde muschio with tan interior 🥰 which will go nicely alongside my red alfa 4c😍😍
Wow, that’s a fantastic combo, very tasteful. Well done!!!
There was GTV in the parking lot where I worked in the late 60s and I lusted after it I couldn't afford it but I did buy a new Fiat 124 coupe in 70 and got to have the Italian driving experience
I remember our neighbor when he bought one, Ferrari red; he wanted my father, who had a Rekord coupé, to try it, but he didn't accept.
I liked the Rekord but the 124 seemed like a real sports car
I have had the pleasure of owning my Junior for 35 years now! It’s an amazing car. Nice to see this vIdeo
Glad you enjoyed it!
My hero! If I wasn't already a subscriber, I would have to weld the button down! I guess it's time to buy some merch 🙂
As I've mentioned here several times before, my 2000 GTV (technically a Tipo 115 as the US spec version) has been my daily driver for 47 years in a month or so. I bought it new as a college graduation present to myself on 23 August 1975 (the local dealer still had 5 for sale) and it's been as reliable as a Toyota. With well over a million km (currently 642K miles) I have no plans to stop driving it
Incredible story! - Confirms that if looked after properly, an Alfa is no less reliable than the next. Here's to another million km!
Wow, that's fantastic! Thank you very much for your kind words: it is precisely this kind of enthusiastic support that keeps me going, week after week. Glad you enjoy my content so much!
@@thomasthacker4939 - Thank you! You are absolutely right about the maintenance. I'm a mechanical engineer, and when I bought it I asked myself "how long will this car last if maintenanced by the book?" At 3,000 mile (5.000 km) oil change intervals, it's a pretty aggressive schedule. But the results speak for themselves. Keep the fluids and filters clean, replace parts as they wear out (don't wait for them to fail) and drive it...a lot.
As for the answer to my question above, I'm still finding out!
that's fantastic. I had a 2000 GTV for a couple years; wish I still had it
Your videos just keep getting better 🇮🇹 🍀
Glad you think so! Thank you!
In my opinion the GT junior it is the most beautiful classic out there. I would love to own one if the prices weren't so high
Me too. But high prices ensure that cars get restored and repaired properly rather than bodged on the cheap, so there’s an upside to that.
The GTam’s fender flares are done to perfection especially with those wide alloys! Great video!
Yes they are! Thank you!
Fantastic storytelling Matteo and another beautifully produced video. Thank you, please keep 'em coming!
Thank you! Will do!
A comprehensive Bertone Coupe history video was long overdue, and I'm glad to see it from you! The great Gandini revealed to Davide Cironi that he was the 1967 facelift's designer, and what a successful redesign that was! Also, the coupe was agreed and planned to be built by Bertone, seemingly because the Arese factory was not up to capacity, but in the end ALFA managed to accommodate it, paying royalties to Bertone for each unit in the process. The whole 105/115 range is still considered the yardstick on which all subsequent ALFAs are compared with, and as you mentioned, they symbolize the epitomy of the company's ethos and overall aesthetic. I'm lucky enough to be the restorer and curator of a Giallo Ocra 1968 1750GTV.
Love that Giallo Ocra color on the GTV!
We have owned a 1750 Mark 1 for more than 20 years~Great content
Thank you!!!! And congratulations for your cool GTV!
Brilliant. Well done!
Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ma che bella.. grande Alfa, grande video. grazie
Grazie a te!!
Very special cars. I had the pleasure of driving a GTC just before I bought my 1974 1600 Junior. The owner wanted me to compare them drive. The Junior was an easier drive. Bel’ video Matteo. 🍀💪👏🏼
Wow, driving a GTC is a rare privilege, given so few were made! Thank you!
The first car I ever bought was a 1972 1300 GT Junior. I don't think I have ever had a car since I liked more, even though it visibly rusted in front of me! I bought it in 1978 and the passenger floor area was already completely rusted through - in part, I think, because water got in through the doors. The engine and gearbox were wonderful and the styling divine. Grazie Alfa Romeo!!
You remember me! Haha!
My first car was a 1969 GtJ (step nose) I bought in 1983.
..I still have it!
Breezing cool, stunningly Italian and operatic engines to Rev!
What is there more to say? Oh yes!
I want one!
Thank You So much for the Video from 🇮🇩 Indonesia. I had a 2000GTV Bertone RHD under restoration.
Bravissimo !
Cool!!! These cars must be incredibly rare there
Thank you for a great episode on my car, Matteo. 😁
I have a 1969 gtj, in Bluette.
I like the combo of the stepnose, and the newer dashboard.
It now have a 1750 serie 2 engine, with more racy cams. Those cars are made to rev!
Cool! Bluette is a great color too, very tasteful!
@@Matteo_Licata
Yes, i love the color. Its resprayed, but original color.
In daylight its blue. But in green surondings it looks Pino Verde. And at dusk it looks grey’ish.
The same combination I prefer, too!
I believe that those 2 fantastic ... feminine cups that conceal those magnificent instruments that look like Swiss watchmaking, combined with the Hellebore wooden goblet steering wheel make up the most beautiful series dashboard ever designed.
My dad bought a "French blue" '69 1750 GTV in 1974.
I returned from school and sat in it for 30 minutes.
It's in my garage as I write this.
Mum and Dad are long dead, but unlike humans, old Alfas can be rebuilt.
Curious. I thought this episode was about My Alfa! A white 1967 Giulia Sprint GT Veloce. 😁🍀🤘
Thank you. Its beautiful.
Beautiful
Heartachingly gorgeous😍😍😍
It really is!
Early GT Junior would be my favourite, love the simplicity but wonderful lines. Thank you so much for another great video. Ciao 🙋♂️
My pleasure, thank you!
Thank you for another wonderful video. You always take me to heaven with your videos. I love these cars with all my heart.
I'd like to meet you on the way to flash headlights 😉
The more I think about it, the bizarre the Scalino (stepnose) bonnet shut line becomes. What an odd design choice.
Indeed. Apparently the original idea was to have an air intake, but it was ruled out for cost reasons. It didn’t hinder the model’s success, but it never looked “right” to me :)
I love it
The exception that proves the rule. And it makes the next GTj seem trivial to me
Alfa romeo 😍 😍 😍
Absolutely love this model! Great design overall that was nicely improved upon up to the final model!
Love the channel and subscribed!!!
Wow, thank you very much for your appreciation and welcome onboard! I hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming uploads!
2:04 I just love that you think those bonnet edges being slightly raised is unsightly and fussy. It's such an understated and subtle design element compared to what modern cars are plastered full with.
Though I am not as extreme as you (I love those raised bonnet edges) I do share that appreciation for pure design. Good car design only needs a few strong lines, anything more just clutters the composition.
When I was young (mid 80s) these things were recognised as highly desirable but were still affordable. They were also seen as costly and tricky to maintain and (in the UK) parts were both expensive and hard to find. To my partisan eyes, these cars are beyond gorgeous.... But (in the UK) only the brave put their own money into one.
I slightly regret never having had one... But I am not a fool and I can imagine that it would have ended badly.
Nonetheless.... This remains to UK eyes almost the epitome of easy Italian style.
It may not be "peak Alfa", but it is probably "peak accessible Alfa".
I remember the day my Dad bought his in 1974.
Mum and Dad are long dead, but the 1750 GTV still sits in my garage.
Truly lovely, but I wish I'd not kept it.
It's had TWO restorations, which each cost an arm and a leg.
I loved mine. One day I went to wind the drivers window down. The lever snapped. It was the final straw after a maintenance bill equivalent to half the cost of a 3 bedroom inner suburb house. I swapped to 911s. Zero maintenance costs.
My absolute favorite of 4 Alfas in total. Closest possible (4 wheel) experience to a sports motorcycle. Much quicker than the … 130 bhp (?) would suggest. A lively rear axle always wanting to jump left or right. So much fun. Italian design 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I loved my red 76 GT Junior, replacing it with a 74 GTV 2000.- which I traded in to get my first GTV6.
Even now there are certain things that stand out in my memory: the way the back of the car would sashay down my parent very rough drive ( taken slowly in 1st gear). The way my father hustled it through a series of corners, announcing that it reminded him of driving his own first car- when aged 22 he bought a 22 year old Lancia Lambda - which could carry 8 ( two of whom stood on the running boards) and could still do 80 mph.
Beautiful cars indeed. Excellent video again!
Glad you like it, thank you!
Excellent video on the full history of the 105/115 coupe. I have the final iteration of the unification 1600gtjunior exactly the same as the silver one in the museum.
Very cool! These are my favorites!
troppo belle ... lasciano senza fiato
My first love to the Alfa Romeo world back then I Lebanon as I was a 12 years old and now 57 but unfortunately never had the 105 series
I started to own Alfas from the alfettas all the way till the stelvio
Currently I have:
1988 milano quadrofolio oro 2.5
2000 156 v6
1999 156 twin spark
2004 916 spider jts
2005 147 gta
2008 159 2.2 jts
2021 stelvio ti
Wow! You may never had a 105, but sure you got a fantastic Alfa collection nonetheless. Congratulations!!!
You are a hero having a Stelvio in the actual Lebanon situation. Best wishes and friendship to Lebanon, may you overcome the crisis
Nice !
Great content as always!
I have admired the GT from afar as there have been few here in So.California, since a kid in the ''80s.
My dream car!
8 years ago I siezed my chance and have beem learning and enjoying the Alfa experience with my 2000 GTV.
She was always problematic with Spica F.I. A new Weber engine I am in the final stages of, should allow me to experience the passion for the first time. I can't wait!
👍🏼 the detective "Shaft in Africa"'s car ..
Excellent
My favourite also. This would make a great follow up book to your others Matteo.
Thank you! I don’t think I’ll ever write about the GTs, as it’s a subject that’s been already been explored in great detail in the past. In Italian, at least…
@@Matteo_Licata 😭 but your style is unique and special. It's amazing how you manage to pack so much enthusiasm into what could be a string of boring facts. 😁😁😁
Thank you, much appreciated! By the way, I’m working on a new Alfa book, even if it’s not the GT. It’ll be about the Alfa 90, and it will be ready in autumn.
Bello!
Wonderful video. I’ve owned one of these for 39 years.
Very cool! Which version?
@@Matteo_Licata ‘73 2000 GTV in Le Mans Blue
Fun fact regarding the 2000 GTV. Believe it or not ,Automatic versions were made available to buyers, but only in RHD versions , and only in South Africa. The Auto transmission was made by ZF of Germany, and was most likely the same unit used on some BMWs. Not exactly sure how many were made with the Automatic transmission, 100 Automatic cars were exported to Australia, of which only about 4 or 5 survive. The transmission was a 2 speed unit, and virtually killed the performance of the car.
It came out the 2000 Berlina.
I had no idea of that, thank you for letting me know. It doesn’t surprise me it was a South African model though: since the cars were locally assembled, Alfa SA could offer combinations that were unavailable elsewhere by mixing and matching components
Fine video. A late 1300 Junior would be my choice.
Mine too :)
Thank you!
What can one say. It’s just the car one would covet !
Beautiful cars and a great video.😎😊
Thank you! 👍
Even though it doesn't look like it, these cars had a more favorable drag coefficient than most contemporary Porsches. They also had rear disk brakes which was a rarity in those days. On the other hand they featured a live rear axle at a time when mass produced cars like the Renault 8 and 10 had independent suspension all round.
I can't recall any specific figures about the Giulia GT, to be honest with you. The Giulia saloon, which was especially aerodynamic for its day, had a 0.43 drag coefficient, worse than anything Porsche made at the time, but better than almost everything else on the market.
@@Matteo_Licata I remember reading about this curiosity some years ago but now I just had to google it. Official data is definitely hard to find but for the Saloon, the drag coefficient of 0.34 keeps popping up. According to Wikipedia, a wind tunnel was employed during the design phase to achieve such astonishing values for that period. As such the 0.37 value I was able to find for the coupe seems quite plausible. As for the 911s of that time values of 0.38-0.39 can be readily found.
The 0.34 coefficient for the Giulia Berlina is a common mistake that gets repeated all over again because it was misprinted a long time ago on reputable publications. It was slippery, but not that much :)
They also all had 5 gears (Porsche and all the rest 4), engines with sodium valves, of unsurpassed power for the same displacement and excellent braking brakes.
@@Matteo_Licata In that case it's a good subject for a video about Alfa Romeo myths😉
belissimo , only small detail the writings in the corner are not necessary, beautiful shots. no adverts big up. Is it possible to support you somehow?
Thank you very much for your appreciation! Yes, I’m reducing the amount of pop-up text I place in my newer videos, as it can be distracting. Thank you for wanting to support my work: aside from watching the ads CZcams places on the videos, that’s possible with the Superthanks enabled by CZcams or by buying one of my books if you are interested. I have no patreon page and I shut down my CZcams membership program in April because it wasn’t a success. Hope that clears it all up :)
How come we cannot make pretty cars any more ?!
Felt a suitable successor to the 115/115 Coupe could have been developed from a 2-door Giulietta with an Alfetta Berlina rear followed by a 75 Coupe. sure it would have likely been an unnecessary duplication alongside the Alfetta GT/GTV and Alfasud Sprint yet was not a fan of the 2-door fastback coupe bodystyles of either due to the bumpers, rear lights and other untidy detailing at the rear (in contrast to the VW Scirocco and Corrado for example).
The closest Alfa has gotten to your idea was the 2-door Alfetta prototype they tested in the early 70s. A few grainy pictures exist, but that's all: the idea was canned and no prototype survives today
That is unfortunate. Even though it could be said that the fastback coupe models were in some ways a logical extension of the Kamm tailed Junior on a visual level. Looking back instead of seeking to build upon the defining 105/115 coupe, were Alfa Romeo perhaps too hasty in dropping the typical coupe bodystyle in favour of the fastback bodystyle on the Alfetta and Alfasud Sprint?
@@wickiezulu SI
when did the back lights became wider? my personal favorites
The first GTVs to get the wider tail lights were the US-spec 1750 GTVs built from 1969 onwards. With the introduction of the 2000 GTV, the wider tail light clusters were used on all markets but were never used on the lower displacement Junior models.
@@Matteo_Licata thx!
Bel succinto racconto! Emilia Auto has created a restomod GT Veloce for €400,000. Total production is 22 units. Sacrilege?
Not a sacrilege, in my view. After all, they create a brand new car from the ground up, rather than butchering an original. Would I want one though? Not really: I'd be perfectly happy with a Giulia QV as it is :)
@@Matteo_Licata prego quasi notte e giorno su un ultimo buon aggiornamento della Giulia QV... così me la porto in garage. Vedremo! Buona giornata e lavoro su YT :)
Sorry but the (IMPHO) the best Giulia Coupe is the Mk1 1750GTV
Preferably in yellow ochre and on genuine deep 6.5J x 14 Momo Vegas.
This car is an utter masterpiece on so many levels. From the buttress seats to the revvy 1750 motor.
The Alfetta GTV that followed was a shocking step backwards. It should have been amazing with the 50/50 weight transaxle but it was a dud.
Actually the Alfetta replacement for the 2000 GTV, was the Alfetta GT with a 1800 cc engine , same as the Alfetta sedan. The GTV version was released in 1978 wit the 2000 cc engine. Yes a step backwards with a clunky gear change, but a phenomenal handling car compared to the 105 cars
@@titanus49
I prefer the 105 chassis every time. It just feels excellent. Even if the Alfetta is superior on paper.
The Alfetta was a disgrace if one looks at the masterpieces of yore. The Giulietta 750 Spider. The 750 SV. The 101 SZ. The Giulia Super. The 105 GTA is off the scale. It's sublime on so many levels.
Anyway at least we have the 4C and Giulia GTAr to celebrate. Very pleasing to see Alfa back on form.
I had a giallo ochre 69 1750 Spica for nearly 40 years. I cried when I had to sell it. I never had an issue with the Spica FI other than having to replace the thermostatic actuator which were $35 in the old days. My 63 1600 Sprint and 67 GT Junior are long gone. I was lucky to have lived in the right era to enjoy these cars, and a 356A 1600S Porsche. Unfortunately, they have become like jewelry for modern owners.
@@kennethhancock2433
I had a superb unrestored 2000GTV a year or two ago.
I was made an offer I couldn't refuse! (U.K.)
I'm now in SE Asia and there are 105 coupes here imported from new. My mind is set on sourcing a good example. They are one of the best machines ever constructed.
A bit like Porsche with their air cooled stuff we took for granted in the day to be replaced with junk like the 996.
@@shabbos-goy9407 Agreed. The 911S and 1750 GTV were always my favorites of the era. I was lucky to drive several Porsches back then. My best friend had a 67S for about a year. Once I discovered Alfas I never looked back.
The fellow that bought my GTV did a beautiful restoration and didn’t screw it up.
I always thought (and read) that the m from GTAm stood for "modificata". Are you sure this was not the case?
I’ve got an extensive library of books written here in Italy on the subject, including many written by the protagonist themselves. The consensus seems to be about “GT America” and that’s the version I’m inclined to believe. But I wasn’t there, so things may have been different, of course!
@@Matteo_Licata I appreciate your source reveal! I'll go with it from now on!
The paint code should be AR501, right?
There have been many "Rosso Alfa" over the years, but 501 is the one used in this period yes
Nothing beats WEBER CARBS AND THE SOUND
Is the lifted hood for cooling?
Not at all, it was a design flaw, which was not corrected during production. For some obscure reason.
I read that it was designed to be, but they changed their minds and almost closed the air passage without changing molds
Indeed. Giugiaro intended to have an air intake, but that was ruled out on cost grounds
64 Step Nose is THE BEST !!!
Ma è il museo Alfa Romeo quello mostrato all'inizio? No perchè han messo la scritta "Giulia Sprint GT 1963" davanti a un GT Junior 1974-76...
Si, é il museo Alfa. La Junior del ‘74 rimpiazza temporaneamente la Sprint GT che é normalmente lí. C’é un piccolo cartello provvisorio che dice “gt junior 1974” ma magari nel video non si nota
@@Matteo_Licata ah ecco. Grazie, nel video non l'ho notato mi sembrava uno svarione esagerato XD
Beautiful cars. Pity Alfa don't make rear wheel drive vehicles any more. Not talking about the c4 c8
The current Giulia is RWD, by the way
??
@@Matteo_Licata Grazia. Didn't know that.
Haven't been interested in the new Alfa's really. But this I hope is a step in the right direction for them 👍🏻🇮🇹
I just got mine out of the shop for a service and carb tune and five minutes later someone ran up the back of it. Figures. Insurance company has been three weeks figuring out whether or not to call it a write off. Gulp.
Ouch... That hurts. I hope you'll be able to save it!
😳
I agree with you, Matteo; the step-nose is not as attractive as subsequent models.
I love the whole Giulia family, including Romeo 😊, but my favourite model is the step nose