The GTA 1300 Junior was part of an exciting range of road and race cars built by Alfa Romeo between 1965 and 1971 that allowed the manufacturer to compete in various racing series around the globe. The GTA 1300 was fitted with a modified 1,3-liter inline-four motor that produced 95hp at a time when most similar capacity engines made barely half that figure. Combined with a lightweight bodyshell and a finely-balanced chassis, the GTA 1300 Junior and its more powerful stablemates went on to achieve great success in the European Touring car Championships as well as tough endurance races.
This particular car, chassis number AR 776142, was completed in 1973 and delivered to a German dealership soon after but remained in the dealer network for ten years before being registered to its first private owner in 1983, who exported it to Japan. It then remained in the same hands until last year when it was purchased by the current owner, who had the vehicle restored to factory Stradale (road going) specification.
With a mere 52,000km (32,500 miles) showing on the odometer this 1973 Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior Stradale is in pristine shape and a fine example of this extremely rare GTA variant, of which only 193 were built. Thanks to their on-track abilities many of these little sports cars were raced to their death, which makes this unscathed example even more special. This GTA 1300 Junior will be one of the highlights on offer by RM Sotheby’s at the upcoming Villa Erba Auction on 25 May and it is estimated to fetch between €225,000 ($252,000) and €265,000 ($297,000).
Images courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
