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1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta "a goccia" by Michelotti: A little known prototype
The 1961 Michelotti-Conrero prototype Giulietta "a goccia” (“drop”) (see Figs 1 through 4) weighed about kg 750 and its frame was not the last type produced by the Portello Alfa Romeo plants, but the 1957 version, since – in order to build the new body – a Giulietta Sprint Veloce had been undressed. After an appropriate mechanical preparation by Conrero, the engine developed 125 hp at 7400 revs/min, with a maximum torque of 13.2 kgm at 5000 revs/min. The maximum speed reached by this Giulietta was in the order of 222 km/h (recorded at Monza autodrome), despite the fact that the car was only a four speed version.
Giovanni Michelotti and Virgilio Conrero are two legendary names in the automotive landscape and not just within the Italian one. The name of Conrero is related to the preparation of many sports cars set up for important races. On the other hand, Michelotti was a designer of great talent. Disciple of Pietro Frua (an outstanding car stylist too), he designed in Italy cars for Abarth, Lancia (e.g. 1964 Lancia Flavia Convertible), Maserati (see 1961 Maserati Sebring, Fig. 5), for a panel of coachbuilders such as Allemano, Ghia, Moretti, Vignale (e.g. 1964 Fiat 1500 Coupe Vignale), Viotti and - abroad - for Auto Union, BMW (e.g. 1961 BMW 1500 Neue Klasse), Daf, Ford, Triumph (e.g. 1963 Triumph 2000 Saloon) and other car companies.
The 1961 Michelotti-Conrero prototype Giulietta "a goccia” (“drop”) (see Figs 1 through 4) weighed about kg 750 and its frame was not the last type produced by the Portello Alfa Romeo plants, but the 1957 version, since – in order to build the new body – a Giulietta Sprint Veloce had been undressed. After an appropriate mechanical preparation by Conrero, the engine developed 125 hp at 7400 revs/min, with a maximum torque of 13.2 kgm at 5000 revs/min. The maximum speed reached by this Giulietta was in the order of 222 km/h (recorded at Monza autodrome), despite the fact that the car was only a four speed version.
Giovanni Michelotti and Virgilio Conrero are two legendary names in the automotive landscape and not just within the Italian one. The name of Conrero is related to the preparation of many sports cars set up for important races. On the other hand, Michelotti was a designer of great talent. Disciple of Pietro Frua (an outstanding car stylist too), he designed in Italy cars for Abarth, Lancia (e.g. 1964 Lancia Flavia Convertible), Maserati (see 1961 Maserati Sebring, Fig. 5), for a panel of coachbuilders such as Allemano, Ghia, Moretti, Vignale (e.g. 1964 Fiat 1500 Coupe Vignale), Viotti and - abroad - for Auto Union, BMW (e.g. 1961 BMW 1500 Neue Klasse), Daf, Ford, Triumph (e.g. 1963 Triumph 2000 Saloon) and other car companies.
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