What an amazing 1600 gta for sale

[Andrew M]

I know a bit about this car (as no doubt one or two others reading this do as well), and no I am not the current owner or seller.

Yes there are a few bits and pieces that may be able to be picked on. But this GTA is an original RHD Stradale that required complete restoration a number of years ago. Originally sold new in the UK and imported to Australia in the early 1970's. At one time with Ray Gulson in Canberra.

Many fittings and trim items are new/replacements, however the overall presentation is sympathetic to the correct presentation.

I can tell you that this GTA short-engine was actually sourced from Franco Angelini in Rome and has a very special crank and other internals to Corsa spec and that everything is 100% fresh.The head is believed to be original to the car. I started the restoration of this car before the project was subsequently taken over by Sam Calabro, and later sold when completed.

The headers are now tuned length and superior to standard GTA. The induction is not standard Stradale, and neither is the catch tank which is a very neat alteration of a standard air filter box (and I have seen this on a number of race cars) as the mounting is already on the car.

The different looking headlight rims are because Sam chose to fit mesh light covers to match the GTA grill mesh. He also chose to fit glass windows
for refinement (easily changed).

The GTA steering wheel is genuine and period as are the 7 x 14 inch magnesium Campagnolo wheels. The original seat frames have been retrimmed.

I don't believe that the car runs a magnesium bell housing, but many GTA's do not have them fitted these days and most GTA Juniors didn't have them anyway. The sump is magnesium and so is the rocker cover.

This information is believed to be correct and is based on my past contact with the car. Some bits may have been changed but I don't think so.

This may answer a few questions.

By the way it drives like it looks... tight and new. Would make the basis for a very good FIA historic. Unfortunately I don't have the room.

Regards

[vsharp]

This car is presented in a superb overall finish, sympathetic to original but not absolute in detail. A few things to do for those who are anal in that respect!
It would take a lot of money to buy a base car and a lot of time/money get it to this level of presentation.
While the bottom end is from Angelini, it does indeed have its original cylinder head, this item being part of my parts collection for over 20 years until being reunited with the car during restoration. The headers are a custom set that I made for the car when it had a 1840cc bottom end.
Gearbox is GTA ratios with a 1600 9/41 LSD back axle, all totally refurbished during the resto.
I guess something is worth what one is willing to pay, having weighed up the possible options......It would be on my shopping list but I'd have to sell the children.......hmm, how much..........
Vince.

[Max Banks]

Bit slow picing up this thread, spot on Andew & Vin, in general a nice car, missing a few detail parts (but how many 1600 GTAs have them all!), the price is about right for a car in such condition and missing a few bits and pieces, cars with everything on are going into lala land in this area of the world!!

[alfazagato]

The funny thing is that, whilst speaking today in fact, to an ex-Autodelta driver, he made the comment that Autodelta never gave a fig really which engine was in which car or indeed whether it was 1300 or 1600. All that really mattered to them was the strip on the side and the dragon on the bonnet for visibility. He noted they spent more time removing those items on a 1300 car when they plonked in a 1600 motor in it than they did preparing the engine. They also liked the high rear arches on the Junior.
He concluded that any car worth calling a corsa had a variety of engines, suspension set-ups and running gear and that to claim originality was to confirm a car that had done nothing and, in competition terms, worthless. A posers motor. Oh yes!

[Andrew M]

Indeed. In Australia the cars deemed to be Autodelta cars had a supply of engines (that were in various states of tune and repair at any one time). I was talking to one of the ex-team mechanics and he said they always had three engines on the go.

I am waiting to see if the 1300 GTA J's closely follow the 1600 price hike
in Europe. In reality the on track performance can be made to be fairly similar with enough $ spent. Any current information out there?

[Blue Flame]

The interior trim was done by the legendary Sydney alfisti Ron Blair-Hickman, one of the last cars he prepped before retiring.
Here's a shot of his legs, in action on the job... and a few more for the hell of it, taken in Feb 03.

[timbo]

That really is a beautiful thing. Going to get the real estae agent around today to do a valuation on the house. Might be able to do a straight swap.

Timbo

[RossoGTV4Me]

Those seats do not look factory? Hmm..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Flame The interior trim was done by the legendary Sydney alfisti Ron Blair-Hickman, one of the last cars he prepped before retiring. Here's a shot of his legs, in action on the job... and a few more for the hell of it, taken in Feb 03.

[Andrew M]

Original frames but retrimmed.

[Damo105]

I had a look at the car today. It is indeed beautifully presented! I'd say it's as near to concours as you'd want, to still be able to drive it.

[redlinewins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by italcarguy I wish I had room for another one...

[Andrew M]

On the other hand get it out on the track and belt it a little bit and it will only enhance the status as a GTA. No one ever expected them to look concours did they?

[RustyCar]

It looks like it has been sold?!?

[duckmcf]

It looks like they've "Corsa'd" it up a bit, I'm guessing to try and shift it. I'm not sure I like the blue front, but if I had the money, I'd still have it in a shot.....

[Blue Flame]

Well, the word is that the owner of the business, Jeff Dutton, bought it for himself.
Be nice eh!