Few convertibles capture the 1960s Italian lifestyle, like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider. The sleek two-seater was named the "Golden Classic of the Year 2022" in the "Convertibles and Roadsters"* competition category by AUTO BILD KLASSIK readers.
AUTO BILD KLASSIK offered readers a selection of 50 vintage and youngsters in five categories, all of which will be celebrating milestone birthdays in 2022. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider received the majority of votes in the "Convertibles and Roadsters" segment, beating out two tough challengers from the United Kingdom and the United States.
"As a brand with a lengthy history, Alfa Romeo is especially popular among German classic car enthusiasts." We are honored to have won a winner's trophy for the Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider in the AUTO BILD KLASSIK readers' competition yet again. "This is a fantastic 60th birthday present for one of the most beautiful Italian roadsters of all time," said Niccol Biagioli, Brand Country Director at Alfa Romeo.
In the AUTO BILD KLASSIK polls, Alfa Romeo's historical and current models are consistently among the winners. Readers had previously named the 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider "Classic of the Year" and the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which has been in production since 2016, "Future Classic."
Fans of Italian roadsters may thank Hoffman for the Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Max. The native Austrian significantly influenced the model policy of the companies he was responsible for in the 1950s as one of the top US importers of European cars. Hoffman desired a tiny, maneuverable Alfa Romeo roadster for the sunny areas of California and Florida. Hoffman reasoned that this market could not be left to British manufacturers and dispatched a contingent of 600 vehicles to investigate.
Alfa Romeo was persuaded. The previous Alfa Romeo Giulietta model served as the technical foundation for the project. The Pininfarina design team designed the body. In the autumn of 1955, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show and the Frankfurt IAA. The tremendous response rapidly demonstrated that Hoffman did not only have his finger on the pulse in the United States. Until 1962, approximately 17,000 Giulietta Spiders were produced, all with 1.3-liter four-cylinder engines.
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was superseded by the entirely redesigned Giulia model in 1962, albeit initially only in the sedan variant. The Spider was constructed with virtually identical technology and a name change from Giulietta to Giulia. The most significant alteration was the introduction of the 1.6-liter four-cylinder Giulia as the engine. A bulge on the hood provides additional space for the taller engine while also optimizing cooling airflow. It is the distinguishing feature between the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider.
The engine of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which is 300 cubic centimeters smaller than its predecessor, also reflects racing technology in its purest form. Aluminum is used for the block and cylinder head. Two overhead camshafts control the valves, and the combustion chambers are designed hemispherical. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Veloce with 112 hp is available in addition to the standard version with 92 hp. The high-revving four-cylinder impresses in both models with the brand's signature, powerful sound.
The chassis also gives testament to the roadster's racing genes. Double triangular wishbones, spring struts, and an anti-roll bar guide the front axle. Trailing arms and a central reaction triangle are used on the stiff rear axle.
Between 1962 and 1965, Alfa Romeo and Pininfarina collaborated to create around 10,300 Giulia Spiders. The Alfa Romeo Spider, which was also easy to spot because of its round-back end, did well without the Giulia name and kept making waves.
