1968 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV

Alfa Romeo Tipo 105.44 1750 GT Veloce A Timeless Italian Classic

 

This Alfa Romeo Tipo 105.44 1750 GT Veloce is a masterpiece of engineering and design, embodying the passion and innovation of Italian automotive craftsmanship. Officially launched on January 17, 1968, at the 47th Brussels Motor Show, it is one of the finest examples of Alfa Romeos ability to blend cutting-edge technology with timeless style.

 

Technical Highlights:

• Engine: 1779cc inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 132 hp (SAE) at 5500 rpm or 113 hp (DIN).
• Carburetors: Twin Weber 40 DCOE 32 carburetors ensure precise fuel delivery.
• Dimensions and Weight:
  • Bore: 80mm
  • Stroke: 88.5mm
  • Wheelbase: 2350mm
  • Length: 4080mm
  • Width: 1580mm
  • Weight: 1040kg
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox with a 5th gear ratio of 0.79.
• Differential Ratio: 10/41 for optimal power delivery and efficiency.
• Brakes: Larger front brakes with improved brake calipers and a brake force limiter for the rear.

The engine and drivetrain represent a significant evolution over the previous Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (Tipo 105.36). Increased bore and stroke allowed the displacement to grow from 1570cc to 1779cc. This upgrade, combined with meticulous engineering, gave the car outstanding performance for its time.

 

Body and Exterior Features:

The body underwent numerous enhancements for improved style and functionality:

• Front Redesign:
  • Four headlights instead of two, with the outer lights for dipped beams and the inner lights for full beams.
  • A new grille and repositioned indicator and side light clusters integrated into the horizontal design of the front panel.
  • The bonnet is now flush with the front panel, removing the distinctive “lip” of the earlier models.
• Rear Updates:
  • Modified back lights positioned below the Alfa Romeo crest.
  • 1750 badge in gold on a cream background.
  • Redesigned rear side panels with higher wheel arches to accommodate wider tires.
• Additional Updates:
  • New car front, engine bonnet, scudetto (shield emblem), and radiator grille.
  • Gold four-leaf clover emblem on the C-pillar.

 

Interior Features:

The 1750 GT Veloce introduced a completely redesigned interior focused on comfort, convenience, and aesthetics:

• Dashboard and Instruments:
  • New dashboard incorporating a speedometer, tachometer, and integrated oil pressure gauge.
  • Separate instruments for water temperature and fuel level.
  • A new center console featuring switches for the heater, windshield wipers, and instrument illumination.
  • A relocated fuse box now placed under the dashboard for easier access.
• Seats:
  • New front seats with ergonomic side cushions for added support.
  • Adjustable headrests for the front passenger seat.
  • Redesigned rear bench seat for improved passenger comfort.
• Steering and Safety:
  • Wooden steering wheel with a lock integrated into the steering column cover.
  • Improved safety features include better positioning of critical controls and a relocated ignition coil.

Mechanical Innovations:

• Cooling System:
  • A newly designed intake manifold with a thermostat mounting ensures effective temperature management.
  • A closed coolant circuit with a compensation reservoir for consistent cooling performance.
• Transmission Improvements:
  • The re-engineered manual gearbox no longer requires the clutch pedal to be depressed when engaging reverse gear.
• Winter-Ready Features:
  • New air filter box with a switchable air inlet for summer and winter driving.
  • Pre-heating panel on the exhaust manifold side to improve cold-weather performance.
• Enhanced Brakes and Suspension:
  • Larger front brakes and an upgraded brake servo.
  • Hydraulic clutch for smoother operation.
  • Optional limited-slip differential.
  • Redesigned front stub axles to accommodate the larger brakes.

 

Updates from Winter 1968/69:

Several enhancements were introduced starting in late 1968, ensuring the car remained competitive and adaptable:

• New camshaft cover without indentation for the air filter box.
• Rubber mats in the boot, now in light grey instead of black.
• Windscreen washer reservoir relocated to the passenger side of the engine compartment.
• Pre-formed rubber water drainage hose under the windscreen for improved durability.
• New back lights in the style of the earlier Tipo 105.36 Giulia Sprint GT Veloce.

 

Historical Significance:

The 1750 GT Veloce was named to honor Alfa Romeos legendary pre-war 6C 1750 models, known for their racing success and design excellence. Although initially intended to be called the “1800 GT Veloce,” Alfa Romeo chose the name 1750 to create a stronger connection to its heritage.

The production model retained many of its racing-inspired characteristics while offering the comfort and style expected of a grand tourer. Its bodywork, designed by Bertone, was further enhanced with the “Disegno di Bertone” badge in black, placed on the passenger side wing.

 

Summary:

This Alfa Romeo Tipo 105.44 1750 GT Veloce is a testament to the golden age of automotive design and engineering. With its re-engineered engine, advanced features, and timeless styling, it is a rare and desirable collector’s car. From its striking four-headlight front design to its refined interior and race-inspired mechanicals, this car is a dream for any Alfa Romeo enthusiast.

Dont miss the opportunity to own one of the most iconic and well-engineered vehicles of its eraa true masterpiece of Italian motoring history.

About the Listed Car & Vespa for Sale (In English):

This early 1750 MK1 was produced on January 12, 1968, and originally delivered to Germany on January 18, 1968. It has undergone an extensive two-year restoration, totaling more than 2,000 hours of meticulous work.

The bodywork was completed by the renowned Gaetano Di Donna of Automaster in Winnenden, Germany, a master craftsman specializing in aluminum GTA restorations and Touring models both considered the pinnacle of restoration expertise. All welding was carried out using original Alfa Romeo welding tongs, ensuring authenticity. The exceptional craftsmanship is evident in the workshop photos. In my experience, I have rarely seen an Alfa Bertone restoration executed with such precision and dedication.

For more insight into Gaetano Di Donnas expertise, please refer to this article:
Classic Driver – Gaetano Di Donna’s Ultimate Alfa Romeos

 

Specifications & Features:

• Matching Numbers: Every specification aligns with its original records.
• Exterior Color: Giallo Cora (original factory shade)
• Interior: Skai Nero (original)
• Authenticity Focus: The goal was to restore the car to its 1968 factory condition, with subtle improvements for reliability and longevity.

 

Thoughtful Enhancements:

• Double Dip Stripping Instead of Sandblasting:
  The car was stripped using a two-stage dip bath process rather than sandblasting. The first dip was done after disassembly, and the second was performed after all welding work was completed. This ensures a thorough and uniform cleaning while preserving the integrity of the body panels.
• Electric Ignition: For modern reliability.
• KTL-Coated Body: Protects against rust for long-term durability.
• Door Handle Rubber Seals: Not available in 1968 but added to prevent water intrusion.
• Engine Bay Restoration: Faithfully recreated to match original Alfa Romeo press photos from 1967.
• Pirelli CN36 Tires: Including the spare, maintaining period-correct authenticity.

 

Wherever possible, original components in excellent condition were retained. Parts with rust or excessive patina were either re-chromed or replaced.

 

The engine has already been broken in and has completed approximately 900 miles without any issues. We take pride in selling vehicles that are ready to drive and enjoy immediately.

 

This Alfa 1750 MK1 is undoubtedly one of the best examples available on the market today.

The vehicle description is provided to the best of the seller’s knowledge and belief. We at Getyourclassic use our experience to work with the seller to provide a correct and accurate vehicle description. However, the bidder must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description and make all necessary enquiries before placing a bid. Our General Terms and Conditions apply exclusively.

All brands, trademarks and protected designations mentioned are the property of the respective legal owners and are only mentioned because they are either part of the article or represent an unmistakable quality feature of the article.

Additional Note:

A Getyourclassic Car Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner for this vehicle.

Contact: Michael Gross

Phone: +49 176 624 33453

mail: michael@getyourclassic.com

Year	1968
Make	Alfa Romeo
Engine	1750 GTV
Location	Berlin