GT Am
Hi Olaf, just to return to the topic. I was thinking about the part of your analyses where is indicated the possibility that “only three engines were produced it this configuration”. Well, though I didn’t understand the meaning of “this configuration” (1.5 l. displacement ? or 16V ? or 1.5 l. with 16V?) there are some questions about that engine and its later use in Autodelta. Having in mind the fact that majority of 3 Point racing boats were Alfa Romeo powered (about 80%) and that year production was ca.30 units from all builders (in the ‘70ties) remain the number of approximately 10-15 for 1.5 l. class using AR Giulia 1600 minored to 1500. As certainly more than three declared 1500 GTA engine (Abbate, Celli, Molinari, Lucini & Frigerio,Telaroli…), seems that number of 3 produced engines remain restrictive and only if particular engine in our topic was different from others in its architecture, that number could be considered. Few engines for boat racing were described as 4V for cylinder so it was not rarity. Who produced them if not Autodelta? Was it AR Centro Sperimentazioni of other private tuners as Monzeglio or Conrero? As those engines were requested it is logic that Autodelta got its interest in producing them. In those years I was pretty often in Chiti’s company but he never talk about business or professional quests and sincerely, I have never heard about nautical version of Giulia engine then. Anyhow, I think that we should reconsider the possible number of produced engines with 1.5 l. with or without 16V head.
About 603xxx. I have no reason to doubt the GTV6SA story about that car, and though I have never seen old material used in experimental vehicles, I accept his version (or the one that previous owner told to him). For me it is strange that large fenders (welded!) on a steel body were used before the idea of widened body matured in Autodelta. The story of stronger body is out of question as SA engine was put in peraluman 1300 body without serious problems (if not space). If it was later, than 1750-2000 engine was reality and 1500 on FIA 13 wheels, remain strange experiment (with 16V?!). But everything is possible. And for the end the question of name. It is clear that only the 105.51 injection version for US market, deriving from EU 105.44 could be called GT Am(erica), and so, any previous experimental model should be called in different way. The first two 2000 engine cars were present in Tour De Corse, (1970, with Lucas and not SPICA injection in that occasion), build on 1300 bodies with fenders but different from later models. So, even this part of the story is unusual, as 603xxx presents already mature form of fenders and 13’’ wheels (those on Tour De Corse were 14’’). Again, if we accept the 603xxx as Autodelta experimental machine, we must find another name for it. As for the history, only 105.51 with few 105.44 are considered GT Am. The rest are accepted cars that match the standards for homologation. I do agree that GT Am is just a convenience and not a specific model, but at least, we have to remain fair to its origins.
