🇩🇪 Informationen auf Deutsch:

Marke: Alfa Romeo
Getriebe: 5 Gänge, Schaltgetriebe
Hersteller: Bloemendaal Classic & Sportscars Nijverdalseweg 117D 7461TC RIJSSEN, NL 0651991580 http://www.bloemendaalcs.nl [email protected]

🇬🇧 Information in English:

Brand: Alfa Romeo
Transmission: 5 gears, Manual gearbox
Manufacturer: Bloemendaal Classic & Sportscars Nijverdalseweg 117D 7461TC RIJSSEN, NL 0651991580 http://www.bloemendaalcs.nl [email protected]

As car enthusiasts, we naturally get excited about (almost) anything with wheels that comes from Italy. Especially if it comes from Milan. So a genuine Alfa Romeo GT Junior certainly appeals to us. But then again… just try finding one. That is becoming increasingly difficult. Particularly because almost all good examples have already disappeared and ended up in the hands of enthusiasts. And because we don't want to embark on a restoration project that takes a long time and often becomes too expensive, we always keep our eyes and ears open for a ready-to-go car. Not an over-restored one, but one that still has the soul and smells as if it just rolled out of the showroom.

The fact that finding such a car often depends on connections and coincidences only makes it more beautiful. So how did we acquire this car? Well, actually, that was by chance, because we were in Italy for something completely different: a classic car auction. However, the proceeds from the cars at that auction were out of proportion, and since we neither want nor can pay top dollar at sales of that kind, we let the auction pass us by.

Outside the auction buildings, however, it was much more interesting, because here traders and private individuals were touting their “macchina”.

Among this selection, which included several GT Juniors, a white one immediately caught our eye. The smart owner, dressed in Italian style, told us the story behind his car in perfect English. The car was delivered on January 3, 1970, by Alfa Romeo dealer Autonieri of Massa Carrara to Alessandro Francesconi of Camaione. Alessandro was no longer a young man by then, as he was born in 1921, making him 49 years old at the time. His young, wild dark hair had perhaps already started to fall out, and we can safely assume that the absence of boisterous behavior from the owner did the car good. From new, therefore, the beautiful Coupe was essentially in good hands right from the start. Alessandro was a true enthusiast, as he maintained the car very well and, just as importantly, even in the drier Italian climate, he always kept the white Junior stored in a very dry place. As a result, when he sold the car around 2005, it was still in very good condition. Only the bodywork required some minor repairs and a new coat of paint. The new owner had planned to do this, but even though it wasn't that much work, it never happened. The car was stripped down, bodywork was carried out, and it was painted. That was as far as it went. The car sat in storage unfinished for about 10 years. Until “our supplier” Emanuele heard about it and bought the car.

After working professionally in the automotive business for several decades, we sensed that we were dealing with a true “Alfist” here. Emanuele told us all sorts of things, but we had the feeling that there was much more to it.

After we had thoroughly checked and test-driven the Junior, the purchase was concluded and it was agreed that we would pick it up the following weekend.

A good friend was happy to accompany us, so the two of us headed to a small village just below Lake Garda. Arriving there early in the morning, Emanuele's house turned out to be almost a museum. Decorated in a style only Italians can, the living room exuded his love for classic cars—as well as that of the lady of the house. Photos, statues, and curiosities reflected the family history. After a strong espresso, the stories flowed freely, and our hunch that there was more to it proved correct. Stories about his grandfather, who used to be a very large FIAT dealer housed in the buildings located across the street from the house. These were now in Emanuele's possession and provided a beautiful location to store the various cars he now owned as a hobby. Stories about how neither his grandfather nor his father wanted to lend him money as a poor student to buy a Giulietta Spider. Their reason was that an Alfa didn't belong in a family that had FIAT written in large letters on their building. To give an impression of the imposing building, we have also included a photo of it with the car photos. Nevertheless, Emanuele persevered and shortly thereafter managed to secure a restoration project. A Spider that he still owns and, of course, will never be sold. And his beautiful 1900 CS and Giulietta Sprint, which he found in Sicily and which is among the first to be built by hand and differs from the later Sprints in several respects. A fabulous, unrestored car that had just returned after being on loan to the Alfa Romeo museum for a year.

We could go on and on, but the fact is that we were dealing with a true car enthusiast who had sold us a similar car. He bought the Junior about three years ago and rebuilt it. Everything had to be original, of course, and something old with minor wear and tear was better than something brand new from the box and sourced from China, was his approach. And we can only agree with that. He managed everything correctly, replacing only the bare essentials. Like the seat and rear seat upholstery, which had torn at the seams due to the dry weather. Something like that can't be repaired and has to be replaced. He also had stains on the headliner, which was impossible to clean. But the rear door and side trim, and the trunk lining (always torn...) are original and in excellent condition. Incidentally, when we got home, we couldn't resist taking the door and side trim off to take a look behind it. What we saw then confirmed our strong suspicion that the car is very original and has barely been restored. So we became more and more happy with the purchase.

The engine runs silky smooth, the gearbox shifts with one finger, and the fine, sharp steering completes the driving experience. The underside of the car, obscuring all the original details, has never seen greasy undercoating and is completely painted in color with some protective wax. The windows are still the original ones, and the windshield even still displays the sticker from Autonieri, the dealer who delivered the car in 1970. The whole car exudes originality and the commitment of its owners. We're always looking for these kinds of cars... and now we've found them again.

Fortunately, Emanuele also arranged for the original Libretto, which officially must be surrendered upon export, to remain with the car. This way, a very important piece of history has been preserved. A history of just one owner who drove the car, a second who began restoring it to perfect condition, and a third who completed it. How wonderful can a car's life be?

As a fan of the illustrious Milanese marque, it might be even more rewarding for you to call yourself the owner of this superbly original Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior. Just as with previous owners, your love for the car should prevail, but it's also important to remember that this model will be a very sound investment, both now and in the near future. The stunning design by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who worked for the Bertone design house at the time, and the above-average driving characteristics guarantee this.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Motor: 4-cylinder inline engine DOHC
Carburetion: 2 x double Weber carburetors
Cylinder capacity: 1290 cc.
Power: 103 SAE hp at 6000 rpm.
Top speed: 175 km/h
Weight: 980 kg.
Gearbox:5-speed gearbox

🇫🇷 Informations en Français:

Marque: Alfa Romeo
Transmission: 5 vitesses, Commande manuelle
Fabricant: Bloemendaal Classic & Sportscars Nijverdalseweg 117D 7461TC RIJSSEN, NL 0651991580 http://www.bloemendaalcs.nl [email protected]

🇳🇱 Informatie in het Nederlands:

Merk: Alfa Romeo
Transmissie: 5 versnellingen, Handgeschakeld
Fabrikant: Bloemendaal Classic & Sportscars Nijverdalseweg 117D 7461TC RIJSSEN, NL 0651991580 http://www.bloemendaalcs.nl [email protected]

Als autoliefhebber lopen we natuurlijk warm voor (bijna) alles wat wielen heeft en uit Italië komt. Helemaal als het uit Milaan komt. Dus een hele echte Alfa Romeo GT Junior kan ons zeker bekoren. Maar ja…vindt ze maar eens. Dat wordt steeds moeilijker. Vooral omdat bijna alle goede exemplaren al zijn verdwenen en in handen gekomen van liefhebbers. En omdat we niet zitten te wachten op een restauratieproject wat lang duurt en veelal te duur wordt, houden we altijd onze ogen en oren open voor een kant en klare auto. Geen overgerestaureerde, maar eentje waar de ziel nog in zit en die nog ruikt alsof deze zo uit de showroom komt.
Dat de vondst van zo’n auto vaak af hangt van connecties en toevalligheden maakt het alleen maar mooier. Hoe komen we dan weer aan deze auto? Nou, dat is dus eigenlijk per toeval want we waren in Italië voor heel iets anders, namelijk een veiling van klassiekers. Maar die veiling was buiten proporties wat betreft opbrengst van de auto’s en aangezien we bij dat soort verkopen niet de hoofdprijs willen en kunnen betalen, lieten we de veiling aan ons voorbij gaan.

Buiten de veilinggebouwen echter was het veel interessanter, want hier stonden handelaren en particulieren hun “macchina” aan te prijzen.
Tussen dit aanbod, waaronder meerdere GT Junior’s, viel ons direct een witte op. De keurige, op zijn Italiaans geklede eigenaar vertelde ons in perfect Engels het verhaal achter zijn auto. De auto is op 3 januari 1970 door Alfa Romeo dealer Autonieri uit Massa Carrara geleverd aan Alessandro Francesconi uit Camaione. Alessandro was toen al niet meer een jongeman want hij was van 1921, dus toen 49 jaar oud. De jonge, wilde donkere haren waren wellicht inmiddels al wat uitgevallen en we kunnen er wel...