The Giulia TI was Alfa Romeo's flagship performance saloon in the 1960s and became a popular choice with the Italian police force of the era.
The exceptional Giulia TI pictured here not only boasts a contemporary racing pedigree, having competed in the 1964 Solitude Rally driven by Heinz Heinrich, but has achieved considerable competition success through to the modern day.
Fully rebuilt by German Alfa Romeo specialist Frank Thielert in 1994 at a cost of over $61,600, the car is prepared to FIA Appendix K specification with 150 bhp engine (rebuilt 1997), 7/41 axle ratio, 75% limited slip differential and a number of other expensive competition goodies. The car has proven highly competitive in historic events, often outpacing far more modern and more powerful rivals (such as 7-liter Ford Falcons). It placed 13th overall (out of 38 finishers) and won its class in the Paul Ricard 24hrs, and took 2nd in class in last year's Nurburgring 750-mile race. Its best lap time of 1 minute 30 seconds compares to the class average of 2 minutes 15 seconds. Finished in white with orange center stripe, this ideal historic contender comes with FIA papers, racing records and invoices totalling $62,520.
{analysis} The car shown here sold at Brooks' Nurburgring auction on August 8, 1998 for $23,254, including Brooks' buyer's commission. (The price has been converted at U.S.$0.56 per DM.) This is a figure that would be hard to imagine in the US. Here, Giulia Spider Veloces in good condition barely reach $20,000 and four-door Giulia boxes get little respect.
A TI Super would be a difficult sell in the United States, even considering its race credibility. The situation is different in Europe, where the competition success of this model is better recognized.
Considering that the auction took place in Germany, this result is reasonable. This example has been correctly prepared to FIA specs, and successfully raced in the past. Only about 501 TI Super sedans were built, and they are worth two or three times the price of an ordinary Giulia. In 1963 the Giulia TI Super replaced the TZ2 as Alfa's factory race car, and was in turn succeeded by the Giulia GTA in 1965. Even today, in vintage racing, the handling of this four-door machine could embarrass more stylish-looking automobiles.
As you might expect, Giulias have their problems with rust. Buyers may wish to inspect the area around the front frame cross member where water often collects.
Even so, the selling price of $23,254 demonstrates that the TI Super is valued overseas, even if Americans have not caught on to its appeal. {/analysis}