Celebrate 60 years of the Alfa Romeo GTA

When reflecting on Alfa Romeo’s motorsport legacy, much is made of its pre-war achievements, having played a key role in fostering Enzo Ferrari’s early career. Yet, for modern audiences, it is the brand’s touring car successes that truly resonate. The Giulia GTA, which is set to mark its 60th anniversary in 2025, remains an icon—celebrate 60 years of the Alfa Romeo GTA and its enduring impact on lightweight performance and touring car racing. GTA—short for Gran Turismo Alleggerita, or “lightweight grand tourer”—has adorned various Alfa Romeos over the years, though not all have lived up to the "lightweight" promise.

In 1962, ex-Ferrari engineer Carlo Chiti joined Delta Automobili, soon to become Autodelta, Alfa Romeo’s official race team from 1964. The 105-series Giulia, particularly in its coupe form, with a truncated saloon chassis and front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup, proved an ideal GT racing foundation.

Debuting at the 1965 Amsterdam Motor Show, the Giulia GTA featured aluminium panels, plexiglass windows, and magnesium components. Unique early features included plastic dashboards. Its 1570cc engine offered a modest official increase—113–115bhp in street form versus 109bhp—thanks to a twin-plug cylinder head, Marelli distributor, Weber carbs, and higher compression. A lightened, close-ratio gearbox helped the racing version reach 170bhp at 7800rpm.

To counter Lotus Cortina and BMW competition, Autodelta created the GTA-SA, enlarging displacement to 2.2 litres and adding two oil-driven superchargers, resulting in 220–250bhp. Designed for FIA Group 5, it won at Hockenheim in 1967, but regulatory changes and the challenge of homologation limited production to just 10 units.

In 1968 came the GTA Junior, targeting the 1300cc class with a 1290cc twin-plug engine and fuel injection—trading low-end torque for a screaming redline. Road versions produced 95–110hp, whereas competition cars made up to 163hp at 9300rpm.

The last major evolution, the GTAm, arrived in 1970. Built on the heavier US-market 1750 GTV (steel body, select aluminium/plastic parts, 920–940kg), buyers could select racing upgrades individually, sidestepping homologation requirements. Some European 1750 GTVs also served as the basis. Its engine, originally 1779cc, was bored out, strengthened, and ultimately rechristened the 2000 GTAm after further enlargement. Only about 40 full GTAms were produced.

GTAm cars won the Touring Car Championship in 1970 and 1971 and battled BMWs through 1973. The GTA family remains beloved for its expressive driving character and enduring motorsport impact.

Celebrate this storied legacy with our Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Art Print — a stunning tribute to one of racing’s most charismatic icons. Beautifully illustrated and rich in period detail, it captures the poise, power, and elegance that made the GTA a motorsport legend. Printed on premium archival paper and available in multiple sizes, this piece is perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate both design and heritage.

Whether displayed in a home, office, or garage, it’s a timeless reminder of Alfa Romeo’s pursuit of performance and beauty.