Sprint Speciale history

[Sunit Ray]

I am looking for the Italian history especially competetion ( if any) of a 1600 Sprint Speciale Reg. Roma 653702 sold 3.8.63 to a Dr Antonio Bertozzi of Via Tone Clementina 144 Rome.

The car has a 121 engine AR 00121 X 00231 but wit a twinplug head and modified bodywork front and rear. It does not seem "track prepared" by modern standards but the good Doctor may have taken part in club events etc.
The only information I got from Alfa was that it was sold to Dr Bertozzi.

Any help especially from Italy would be appreciated.

Sunit

[velocedoc]

Question...what is the color of the SS? If it is the one I am thinking of, I might know of this car, then again I might not. I would like to know more of this SS for the Sprint Speciale Register...

[iicarJohn]

Dott. Antonio Bertozzi is not yet listed in my files, but I do have a similar name of a guy who raced 1951 and 1952 in Italy. Don't know if there was any relation ... or where this particular Bertozzi was from ... yet. Might be able to check.

What is the chassis number of your car? The Bertone body number would also be of interest. Probably begins 87*____ as I recall and will normally be visible (if not filled with paint) on the right side of the firewall high up near the rain gutter at the back of the hood (bonnet) opening.

Any earlier history whatsoever may also lead to some more information. I can ask a friend to research the Roma license plate (which does date from 1963) and see what that tells us. Fees/expenses might run $100 to $300 (or more) depending on what is involved. Could wind up being less, even.

There is no longer a Dott. Antonio Bertozzi listed in Roma proper, but there is an "Antonio Bertozzi" listed in the town of Fonte Nuova, nearby. We could try calling him. Parla Italiano?

Good luck,

John de Boer
The Italian Car Registry

[Sunit Ray]

Hi
I am sorry for this late reply.

I have the original Italian documents and Roma 653702 was bought new by Antonio Bertozzi born 16.04.1922 and living in Via Tone Clementina 144 Rome.

I have located the address to a suburb of Rome near the airport I think.

The car was probably raced between 63 and 70 when it came to Sweden. I have had it all along.

The chassis nr is AR 380242 and bertone nr is IGM 2677.

Anyone knows of the time in Italy would be more than welcome to contact me.

Alfa Greetings to all

Sunit

[alfa soon]

Sunit,

I'd still like to see pictures! Not many SS's around that have race history.

Matt

Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale

[iicarJohn]

Thanks Sunit for the additional information. If Bertozzi raced the car himself, we will probably find some trace. With patience.

The IGM 2677 is not the Bertone body number but is an indication that the car met certain specified norms in Italy. Some cars have both IGM code numbers and OM (Omologato) code numbers.

The Bertone number should probably read something like 87*15xx or 87*14xx or 87*16xx. "87" is Bertone's code for the Sprint Speciale, beginning with the Giulietta. The last four digits will tell you the actual body number. The number was probably used by Bertone not only to identify parts to the car, but also as a billing number to Alfa Romeo.

I too would enjoy seeing a few photos.

Again, best of luck.

John de Boer
The Italian Car Registry

[Sunit Ray]

HI again

I am not very good at this and have not got many pictures. Here is a try anyway I hope you will see something.
Once agin thanks all for your help. I will look for the Bertone number this weekend.
Cheers
Sunit

[alfa soon]

Wow, that thing looks great. I had to cut out a chunk of the bodywork around my headlight to get the shape restored and every day when I see it I think I should move the headlights back and fare them in. Now I know what it would look like.

Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale

[Stathy]

Matt, I totally agree.
This thing looks hot.
Tempting isn't it?

[rshalfa]

Greetings Sunit, you have a very interesting car. Your original post stated that it has body modifications front and rear. Would you be able to post a pic of the rear of the car?

Do you think the body was modified before or after it was first sold?

[DanW]

Guys, a bit out of my area of specific knowledge (164-land, if you can call it true knowledge) but I know a guy who claims he has the original New York Automobile Show SS -a '59, I think. I've seen the car in person about 18 mos. ago and it sure looked like an SS, but it was in the latter stages of a frame-off resto, and I am hardly an expert in these Alfas.

The car is in New Hampshire. PM me to talk further, since there are a few things not appropriate for public braodcast that relate to the owner and maybe the car.

-Dan

[velocedoc]

That is a very beautiful SS with the headlight covers. Nice informaiton on the history of the car. What is the serial number of the engine? If it holds with the history of the car it should also have a low serial number.

[iicarJohn]

I have checked "l'annata automobilistica" for 1963-64 and 1964-65 which cover 1963 and 1964 respectively albeit not as completely for 1964 as 1963. Neither is exactly complete but the 1963-64 edition does seem to show all who gained points toward the Italian national championship. I cannot say that Bertozzi did not race, but he did not gain any points in the GT1600 category during 1963 and he was not in the top five for 1964. It still could be that he raced without getting any points?

If you have the visura or estratto cronologico of the Roma plate, you may have additional names of subsequent owner(s) and perhaps an indication or lead to another plate from another location that might have been assigned later?

[Sunit Ray]

Daer Alfisti

Many thanks for the information and advise I really appreciate your help.
The car has only had the one Italian registration since after 1971 it has always been with me.

I have as advised tried to look for the Bertone number but dont seem to find it. Where is it stamped?

The rear end is normal SS now since I in a moment of bad judgement returned it to a SS back with a body section sold by German Alfa parts dealer Hein Brandt.

Engine nr 121 00231 ( I posted the details before) Twin plug head. I will post pictures later.

The car also has 4 replica GTZ wheels from him just now. I have however, saved all the parts to " preserve" the history

Besdes this alfa I aso own a stepfront in a sad state which I hope to get back to club racing with now that I am semi retired.

Best Alfa wishes

Sunit

[Alfaman75]

Is there besides the competition history, which is apparently not known, something that is known about this most interesting car.

Was it immediately build like this by Bertone? (probably not). If it was done afterwards, when was it done? And by whom, a (more) famous coachbuilder (in this case strange that the Bertone badge is still present) or somewhere in the shed of a backyard (which makes the car a lot less interesting IMO)?
I would like to know more about this car!