This popular generation of Alfas are fun to drive, but the possibilities for tweaking them are unlimited, says Nigel Boothman

Alfa nomenclature is like Italian politics: puzzling. We’ll get the definitions over with first. This guide can be applied not only to the familiar Giulia coupé (pictured), but in most areas, to its close relatives with the same 105-series floorpan, though parts prices and availability will vary a little. That includes the Junior Zagato, Super and Nuova Super saloons and the ubiquitous Spider. It also includes the 1750 and 2000 Berlina saloons that look very like the Giulia Super saloons, only with squarer lines.

All shared the well-located, coil-sprung live rear axle, wishbone front suspension, re-circulating ball steering, a nice five-speed gearbox and the immortal Alfa twin-cam ‘Nord’ engine. The quickest and easiest upgrade in this department to any 1300, 1600 or 1750cc is to replace it with a 2.0-litre version, which gives about 130bhp in standard twin-Weber or Dell’orto form. Find them on eBay, sometimes still in the rusted-out Alfetta GTVs they’re usually sourced from.

PRODUCED: 1962-78 (all variants)
ENGINES: 1290cc, 1570cc, 1779cc or 1962cc DOHC 4-cyl
PRICES: £1000 (rusty Spider) to £100,000 (Giulia Sprint GTA)
UPSIDE: Thoroughbred Italian motoring – all feel and sound very sporty
DOWNSIDE: Rust, high parts prices
WHY YOU WANT ONE: Amazing availability of spares and upgrades plus an ever-growing following guarantees easy ownership and solid values
CLUB: Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club (www.aroc-uk.com)

SPECIALISTS:
Jamie Porter (www.alfaworkshop.co.uk)
Richard Norris (www.classicalfa.com)
Max Banks (www.alfaholics.com)
Chris Sweetapple (www.highwoodalfa.com)
Adey Hawking (www.ahmotorsports.co.uk)
Autocomponenti (www.autocomponenti.com)
EB Spares (www.ebspares.co.uk)

PARTS PRICES: (various sources above)
Harvey-Bailey handling kit: £395
Bilstein dampers, full set: £236
Big-valve, ported cylinder head for Nord engine: £2950
15in GTA-style wheel: £195 each
14in GTA-style wheel: £125 each
Ferodo 2500 brake pads, front, set: £51
Braided hoses, set: £36
Pair of high-lift camshafts: £380
Limited-slip differential: £725

Read the full article in the February 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart - back issues are available here