The Alfa 105 Bertone coupé is, as far as classics go, pretty common in these parts. Not that I’m complaining. However, like many Alfas, a lot of them are red. It’s not that the traditional Alfa rosso doesn’t suit them, but it’s tiresome to see that lovely shape always filled in the same hue. So here’s a different one.
This post won’t bother with technical details or potted histories (if you want that, head right this way). This is just pure eye candy.
It does help that this is a later GT Junior 1300, aesthetics-wise. Those had the smaller engine, but when the Bertone coupés got a nose job in 1970, the larger models (1600, 1750 and so on) got a quad headlamp setup, whereas the Junior kept things simpler (and cheaper). I think this is my favourite iteration of this iconic Alfa.
With a little online sleuthing, I figured that this particular shade is what Alfa called “metallic olive green.” It has a golden quality to it that is enhanced by the car being bathed in sunlight. Just fantastic.
Regrettably, this handsome face only graced the range a few years: in 1974, the Junior got the quads and the revised grille of the larger models. They did keep the smaller taillights and the plain bumpers sans overriders, though.
All that sunlight made for tricky photography in some angles, as well as for the interior. But then, on an overcast day, this gorgeous Alfa wouldn’t have popped the way it does here.
And it wouldn’t have been half as photogenic in red, that’s for sure.
Oh, and just in case you’re wondering why it lack license plates: it was sitting in front of a classic Alfa dealer’s shop. Said shop seemed to have a few other interesting vehicles, but it was closed and very dark, so I couldn’t investigate any further.
But I think I got the best car of the lot with this one. I think so, but I’m not sure. I took those pictures two years ago now, and I haven’t gone back there to check. What am I waiting for?
Related posts:
Curbside Classic: 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV (Tipo 105) – Skipped The Light Fandango, by T87
CC Capsule: 1967 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior – Little Red Booster, by T87
Dash-Cam Outtake: Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior, by Yohai71
That’s a lovely colour and the saddle brown interior really works with it. I agree the two headlights and plain bumpers are elegant, not overcrowding the design.
What a colour! A rather unique hue and doubly so on an Italian car. Very of its era as well. The car itself looks like fine condition.
I almost bought one of these Juniors about 20 years ago quite cheaply. I passed due to a fear of complexity. I often wonder what would have happened if I would have bought it. Certainly it would have gone up in value if I had managed to hang on to it.
That is a gorgeous car. Love the styling.
A friend of mine had one of these when I was in high school. It was fitted with a supercharger in order to make up for the missing displacement, but I don’t recall if he said the final product was actually quick for the time. He replaced it with a new CRX Si, and the Alfa was soon forgotten. This GT Junior is a lovely car, but that passenger door panel fit is scary.
Agree on the door fit, but the color combination is lovely!
I always preferred the later nose to the early “step nose” and the 2 headlamps/small rear lamps is the prettiest of the lot…
I love 105’s, especially the Junior with its simple nose, and I like the color. But somehow it doesn’t work for me on this car. I dunno … but a nice find nonetheless.
The way the rear wings rise to crests and the relation of the glasshouse to the car´s body always put me in mind of the Jaguar XJ. The lights on the Alfa are neat and tidy (the Jaguar´s a lovely car but much fussier). I think enormous sensitivity to surface character is shown in this car which is why it seems so visually intriguing. The front wheel arch is gently slanted forward; the rear is symetrical and flatter. It ought not to work but does. The design is non-obvious and also not contrived. One can almost feel the presence of the clay modellers scraping micrometric slivers off the model until it is just right. The economy of the side view is startling: two main surfaces, one angled up and the other angled slightly down so as create a light-dark contrast. The feature line is gently arced – if it isn´t dropping slightly from front to rear it looks it. It´s hand-craft, analogue and really rich without having any frivolous curlicues. And, yes, this colour is way better than red.
Beautiful ! I like the quad headlights as well as the single, agree with Huey that later nose is better than “step nose”. Had a 1979 Spider with SPICA injection, would love another of any generation. OK, not fond of the black rubber spoiler generation.
” …It’s tiresome to see that lovely shape always filled in the same hue. ”
Oh, you’re so right, you’re so right! You speak from my soul.