1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce

1969 Alfa Romeo GT Veloce Chassis No. AR*1530353* Engine No. AR00551*03200* Exterior Color Silver Interior Color Black Engine 1750 SPICA injection twin-cam 4 cylinder Transmission 5-speed manual Current Miles 16,577 miles (TMU) Current Owner Purchased in 2018 with approx. 16,000 miles General History Enjoying increased success in the new line of GT cars that evolved in the early 60s, Alfa Romeo released the first series 105/115 series coupes in 1963. Spanning a prolific 14 years in production, the model run remained largely unchanged due in part to the remarkably clean and sporting Giugiaro penned body design. As iterations unfolded, a range of engines evolved leading up to the SPICA fuel-injected 1750 GTV (Veloce) which was offered for US delivery examples. The potent 1,779cc engine was a fantastic pairing for the 5-speed manual gearbox which, along with revised suspension geometry and an anti-roll bar fitted to the rear suspension, made for great road manners. Larger front disc brakes and calipers were also installed. These notable improvements made for a better handling car overall but also invited spirited highway driving making the GTV a more refined and versatile GT car as it entered the new decade. General Overview According to the current owner, this Alfa Romeo GTV was sold new at Foothill Motors in Pasadena, CA and delivered to the first owner, a resident in California. Throughout ownership, this Alfa remained in southern California as a largely original example when it was purchased and subsequently restored under prior ownership by Santos Italian Car Service, Northridge, CA. Having benefited from dry California weather, the car remained as a very original example, including the original California plates which it still wears today. A letter from Santos documents the history of the car, the original condition, and the restoration performed prior to the current owners purchase in 2018. Copies of photos documenting the restoration show the car was treated to a nut and bolt disassembly, stripped to bare metal, doors, hood, and trunk removed, all glass taken out, and the interior entirely removed. The bare shell was sent to Custom Classics, Lancaster, CA who refinished the car in the correct original silver color including all inner surfaces as well as the underside chassis, engine compartment, and trunk. Custom Classics also installed the complete reupholstered interior consisting of new and professionally refurbished original parts. While the body and interior were being restored at Custom Classics, Santos mechanically rebuilt and cosmetically restored the engine and transmission, along with the front and rear suspension and brakes. The engine was rebuilt with new pistons/liners, a rebuilt oil pump, machined crankshaft, new clutch, new valves and guides, new water pump and timing chain, and the SPICA injection pump rebuilt by Wes Ingram. The gearbox was comprehensively rebuilt with new Goethe synchros and OEM sliders, new seals, and a new rear mount. Axle bearings and seals were installed in the differential and the suspension rebuilt with new bushings, tie rods, ball joints, castor bushings, adjustable control arms and Koni shocks completing the suspension system. Additionally, the brakes, fuel system, electrical, and exhaust were all tended to with the same level of excellence. Photos of the restoration process document the details including correct hardware, hoses, and lines, and a beautifully finished interior. Under current ownership, experts at Santos Italian Car Service, Northridge, CA continued servicing the car, refining the restoration in 2018 with new seat covers, a new trunk mat, new front and rear springs (ride height adjusted for the new springs), new grille badges, a new trunk release cable, and SPICA adjustment (2023). Under current ownership service invoices outline regular oil and filter changes, and fluid flushes. In November 2024, Santos performed an oil and filter change, topped off all fluids, replaced the front exhaust and exhaust gaskets, installed a new center exhaust hanger, and performed a compression/leakdown test returning the following results: Cylinder 1 195 leakdown 4% Cylinder 2 185/190 leakdown 3% Cylinder 3 185/190 leakdown 4% Cylinder 4 185/190 leakdown 4% In preparation for sale, December 2024, Oliveria Engineering installed a driveshaft, balanced the rear wheels, and repaired the right fog lamp. Current Condition Today this Alfa Romeo offers beautiful finishes throughout including fine silver metal flake paint that has been very well maintained since the restoration was completed some years ago. The high gloss finish is smooth with consistent coverage throughout. The various trim and exterior features are in excellent condition including the grille, which is properly fit to the opening along with quad headlights and front fascia trim. The lenses, lighting, bumpers, and Alfa Romeo script are also in excellent condition contributing to the overall impressive visual presentation. The body panel gaps are consistent showing good closures and tight fit, including both doors which open and shut smoothly. The floating hood, often lacking proper fit, sits flush and latches correctly. The glass is in very good condition with Sicursiv brand etching that appears consistent with original factory installation for the side, rear, and vent glass, and a newer Pilkington Triplex windshield. Outfitted with correct factory type ventilated steel wheels and wheel covers, a set of Pirelli P4 155/70R14 tires. The interior features very nice black bucket seats recovered with high-quality materials with accurate perimeter piping, taut fit over proper foam padding, correct woven inserts, and matching rear seating. The overall interior presents very well reflecting a high-quality restoration performed by knowledgeable Alfa Romeo experts. The door panels, various chrome trim, and side panels have a very high-quality feel to the finishes, the carpeting is in excellent condition, and the wood inserts for the dash and center console are also exceptionally fine. The dashboard is quite nice, featuring clean and highly detailed instruments with excellent color, striking contrast and clear numeric indication. The black dash padding is in excellent condition. A sporty black rim Alfa Romeo branded steering wheel finishes off the correctly restored interior to a very high level. The center console features a desirable 5-speed manual gear selector, smaller gauges, and various toggle switches. The trunk is clean and well-maintained, finished with a newer trunk mat. Under the trunk matting, a full-sized stamped steel spare tire is in place. Under the hood, the engine bay delivers a correct presentation reflective of original specifications and finishes that have modestly mellowed under careful use since the restoration was completed. The engine and engine compartment appear correct in componentry and detail with a properly finished 1750 SPICA airbox, raw aluminum twin-cam cover, and various details consistent with Alfa Romeo manufacturing during this period. Careful details include correct finishes for the brake booster system, green spark plug wires, selected fabric hoses, factory hard lines, and Alfa Romeo body stamping and manufacturers plates. The undercarriage has been very nicely restored and refinished with attention to detail. Various painted metal suspension components are in excellent condition, as are the brakes, exhaust, and excellent chassis floor pans reflective of the dry California climate. There are no indications of structural compromise or damage to the chassis floor. Correct aluminum casting engine pans, transmission casings, and other components for this series car finish off the chassis to a very high level. The car starts, stops, runs, and drives very capably as evidenced in the driving video accompanying the photos in the gallery. The gearbox operates properly, the clutch takes up nicely, and the brakes bring the car down smoothly and evenly on a firm pedal. Acceleration is progressive from the SPICA 1750 engine offering a balanced feel especially notable in the improved suspension offered in these later series cars. Items Included with the Car The car is accompanied by service records under current ownership, a letter from Santos Italian Car Service outlining the restoration, copies of photos depicting the car during restoration, a tire jack, and full-sized spare tire with matching steel wheel.