ALFA Romeo’s Giulia GTA of the mid-1960s to early ’70s remains one of the most gorgeous cars ever made — and two companies, one in Italy, the other in England, are now in the process of producing ‘reimagined’ versions of the classic car.
The Italian one was poised to be shown at Goodwood until it all got stopped by the damned Corona virus.
It’s the work of Venice-based Totem Automobili, which has turned it into a super-hot performer with an electric powertrain and a carbon-fibre body.
The other is by UK-based Alfaholics, and their GTA-R program also has a full carbon-fibre body conversion, but with a more conventional drivetrain.
“Old cars recall fascination, elegance and nostalgia,” the Totem people say.
“hus, we have reinvented the restoration approach using new technologies and new materials to make state-of-the-art cars.
“Starting with a Giulia GTA, we have created one of the most advanced restmods in the world, producing the fastest ever Alfa Romeo.
“The GTA was presented in 1965 and in the following seven years obtained a series of successes and prizes which led this car to be considered a legend.
“Our goal is to rebuild a car which could remember in spirit and shape the victorious Alfa of the ’60s, emerging as a reference for sportsmanship and craftmanship.”
Totem Autobili use 10 per cent of the original chassis, to which they couple a new full aluminium chassis, add a roll-cage and substitute the classic fuel engine with an electric motor, ‘able to grant an unparalleled power, a longer duration and a green vision.’
“We changed all: we revised, redesigned, updated each single component; also the pillars shape has been redesigned,” the Italians say.
“Our GT shows new styling mostly in the front and in the rear, to give a specific identity in comparison with the original car.
“The interiors are highly accurate, every part is handmade by our skilled craftsmen, who use the best Italian leathers to create an iconic car, still able to give emotion after 50 years.”
Totem's re-imagined electric GTA.
Totem's re-imagined electric GTA.
Totem's re-imagined electric GTA.
Totem's re-imagined electric GTA.
Totem's re-imagined electric GTA.
The Totem drivetrain offers no less than 387kW and a neck=snapping 940Nm of torque and they claim it is capable of 0-to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds.
A 50.4 kWh battery pack provides a range of about 320km.
Rather than a direct copy the original Alfa design, Totem gave it four headlights instead of the original two, the C-pillar design is different, and the Alfa grille-badge has no horizontal bars while the underside is flat and enclosed to improve aerodynamics.
The original double-wishbone front suspension is gone, in favour of a McPherson strut setup with two-way adjustable Bilstein Clubsport coilovers.
At the rear, a multi-link independent suspension attaches to a new subframe, which holds the electric motor.
Totem also plans to offer an air suspension option.
The car rides on Totem-designed 17-inch wheels fitted with Continental ContiSport Contact tyres. The brakes are by Brembo.
Gone too are the gauges. Instead, Totem uses a pair of 3.5-inch screens.
With the Goodwood event cancelled, it’s not known where and when the car will be unveiled now.
Or how much it will cost.
Customers will be able to tailor their cars to their liking, with Totem setting up the driving position to the exact measurements of the driver.
Alfaholics take on the classic.
Alfaholics take on the classic.
Alfaholics take on the classic.
Alfaholics take on the classic.
Alfaholics take on the classic.
Over in the UK, Bristol-based Alfaholics is building its GTA-R, said to be the Alfa Romeo equivalent of a Singer 911, a fully reimagined and re-engineered version of the classic Italian sports car.
A Singer 911?
It has no connection with the famed little Brit car that started life in 1901 and was snapped up by the Rootes Group in 1955, only to die about 15 years later.
No the Singer 911 pays homage to Norbert Singer, the German engineer who was very much involved in the development of the Porsche 911.
The company is based in the US and its cars are all re-manufactured using the most exquisite materials.
They still look like Porsche 911s, but cost from around a $1 million to way upwards.
The Alfaholics new GTA-R 300 will have the company’s latest Ultraleggera billet titanium suspension and its Twin Spark four-cylinder has been enlarged to 2.3 litres to produce some 180kW at 7000 rpm.
It, too, comes with all the bits and build precision that makes engineers and car enthusiasts clutch at their Pacemakers as their specs fog with emotion.
There’s no info yet on the pricing, but it’s likely to be upwards of $600,000.
Still a hell of a lot cheaper than a Singer 911, and certainly just as appealing.
The original Alfa Giulia GTA.
The original Alfa Giulia GTA.
The original Alfa Giulia GTA.
The original Alfa Giulia GTA.
The original Alfa Giulia GTA.
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