1972 Alfa Romeo 1600 GT Junior

Supplied new to an Italian gentleman by S. Andrews & Son Ltd of Cardiff, ‘AKG 9K’ is a UK-spec Alfa Romeo 1600 GT Junior that has not only been restored but also benefits from a number of well-judged modifications to help it meet the rigours of 21st century driving.  

It’s been in the care of its owner for the past 17 years and is only being sold because his age means it’s not getting driven as much as it was - but then the bar is high because he took it to Goodwood and Le Mans in previous years, as well as across Italy as part of Alfa Romeo’s centenary celebrations. 

Now being offered with a very sensible guide price, this ever-popular Italian sportscar is so well sorted it could be shown or driven long and hard – or both!

The bodywork was restored between 2005 and 2007, and the bill for labour alone came to well over £4,000. As for the cost of the new panels, we gave up trying to calculate that but if you fancy having a go, please set aside plenty of time…

They clearly did a cracking job because the panels not only align well, but the fit ‘n’ finish has withstood the passage of almost two decades with impressive aplomb.

But then seventeen of those years have been in the seller’s hands – and he’s a chap who insists on things being done properly. The sills for example, weren’t quite to his standard so he had them redone, followed by a hefty dose of Waxoyl.

It shows in other areas, too. Like the wheels, which aren’t only in a fine condition – and are painted steel, for the win – but are shod with good and matching tubed Michelin XAS tyres that he sourced from Longstone Tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

However, while the tyres do have plenty of tread left on them they are date-stamped 2011 and were purchased in 2012, so they are getting on a bit now and it may be prudent to replace them if you’re planning on making full use of the Alfa’s performance potential.

The chromework is pretty good too with only light pitting and corrosion, most notably on the mirrors and rear bumper. (The latter also has a small dent in it.)

The window glazing and the badges are also good, and while the lamp lenses are largely free of cracks and damage the offside indicator has a small crack in it from one screw being overtightened. 

Also, while headlamps aren’t in a bad condition they aren’t to quite the same high standard as everything else, so we can see the winning bidder will probably want to change them.

As for other problems, there is the tiniest spot of rust starting at the base of the windscreen near the nearside wiper blade. It is only small at the moment, but it would be sensible to get this sorted out as soon as possible to prevent bigger problems later.

There is also some small bubbling on the upper section of the nearside door, likely trapped moisture when repainted many years ago, and some corrosion starting on the offside rear wheelarch. 

The interior is simple and elegant and in a wonderful condition. Take the black vinyl front seats, for example which are undamaged and free of fripperies such as headrests which allows their simplicity to shine.

Their condition is excellent but it is, nonetheless, outshone by deeply sculpted rear seats that are even better. 

The vinyl theme extends to the transmission tunnel, which is covered by an attractive and practical quilted cover. Simple rubber mats protect the footwells, and these are in turn protected by a set of CocoMats sisal floor mats that were imported from the USA and are utterly in keeping with the Junior’s period cabin. 

Other nice touches include a beautiful wooden Nardi steering wheel, a St Christopher medal on the dashboard that looks like it has been there from new, and the original dealer stickers in the windows. 

Oh, and the umbrella you see on the parcel shelf came from the Hotel de France, which enthusiasts will know is where the British drivers stayed when they were racing at Le Mans.

The headlining is slightly grubby in places but it’s taut and undamaged, so valeting it should bring it back.  The door cards are pretty good too, with only the one small tear on the lower edge of the driver’s side.

More of a problem is the top of the dashboard, which has cracked. 

The underdash area could do with being tidied up too as the soundproofing has drooped and the wiring for the coolant temperature and fuel gauges would benefit from being tucked away more neatly.

Lifting the rubber mat in the boot reveals a spare wheel and a solid floor. An Alfaholics tool kit sits in there too, along with the factory tools.

In addition to the rebuilt engine you’ll find the receipts for online, the Alfa benefits from having been judiciously modified with the addition of an Alfaholics stainless-steel exhaust and exhaust manifold, a 123 electronic ignition system, a high-power coil, Lumenition HT leads, a Pipercross air cleaner, and Alfaholics alloy carburettor mounts.

The chassis has been uprated with the Harvey-Bailey fast road suspension kit and Koni dampers, while braking duties have been delegated to stainless-steel brake lines and front ventilated Classic Alfa disc brakes and Ferodo fast road /track disc pads.

The gearbox was rebuilt at around 40,000 miles by Charlie Skinner in Cumbria.

As for the service history, if we start at 2010, it’s recorded as follows:

• 17.06.2010 and 54,528 miles – replacement engine block and engine rebuild by I.K. Classics and Racing Services at a cost of more than £4,000
• 15.07.2010 and 57,391 miles – post-engine rebuild service plus misc. fettling by I.K. Classics and Racing Services
• 25.01.2012 and 58,348 miles – extensive brake work and the correct sills fitted plus Waxoyl treatment by I.K. Classics and Racing Services
• 09.08.2012 and 59,576 miles – service by I.K. Classics Garage Services including fresh gearbox oil
• 01.05.2013 and 60,438 miles – pre-MoT work by I.K. Classics Garage Services
• 04.04.2014 and 61,088 miles – service by I.K. Classics Garage Services
• 15.04.2015 and 61,566 miles – oil service and misc. fettling by I.K. Classics Garage Services

Servicing thereafter was undertaken by a professional mechanic friend of the seller, and he clearly did a cracking job because the online MoT record doesn’t show a single advisory from 2010 onwards.

As you can see in the video, the 1600cc engine starts immediately and shows good oil pressure as it’s being revved, all to the accompaniment of a very attractive exhaust note. 

However, the seller is honest enough to point out that despite the brake servo having been overhauled only recently, the Alfa would benefit from a service and, perhaps, the carburettors balanced to enable it to fulfill its performance potential as he hasn’t really driven it for a few years. Currently the car struggles to idle when cold but once warms holds it fine.

As for the underside, the front valence looks crusty. We can’t tell if that’s peeling underseal that’s been overpainted in red or the actual metalwork. We suspect a combination of the two, but it really needs to be stripped back, treated, and refinished.

The rest of the underside is well protected by underseal but this finish is coming away in places and could do with being wire-brushed and then re-treated. 

The Alfa doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

The history file includes two books on the model, CDs containing photographs of its restoration, and a large quantity of invoices dating back to 1974.

We’re huge fans of the 105-series Alfas and while everyone used to insist on buying the full-fat GTV, we find ourselves being increasingly impressed by the simpler Junior. 

Neat and understated, the more basic model offers the classic enthusiast a beguiling combination of the likelihood of greater future appreciation as well as the prospect of being under-estimated by all but the cognoscenti.

And yet, the fear of rust (understandably) puts many off buying what it almost certainly one of the best sporting saloons of the era – but even that is less of a problem here as the car looks pretty solid with an impressively robust previous MoT history.

As for its value, while the price of the GTV has now risen to what is frankly silly money, this Junior is likely to go for between £19,000 and £25,000, which doesn’t seem like a lot to get your hands on a well-sorted, sensibly modified example that could probably take you around Italy, too.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.