Description
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Corsa was the purest and most extreme version of the legendary Giulia Sprint GTA, specifically developed by Autodelta for competition use. Introduced in 1965, the GTA Corsa was designed to dominate touring car racing, and it quickly became one of the most successful and revered race cars in Alfa Romeo’s history.
The GTA Corsa retained the lightweight aluminum Peraluman body of the standard GTA, but further weight-saving measures reduced its mass even more, bringing it down to approximately 700 kg (1,543 lbs). The interior was completely stripped out, featuring a single racing seat, a minimalist dashboard with essential instrumentation, and a roll cage for safety and rigidity. Plexiglass side windows replaced glass, and lightweight magnesium components were used extensively, including the wheels and engine parts, to reduce weight wherever possible.
Under the hood, the GTA Corsa featured an extensively modified version of Alfa Romeo’s legendary 1.6-liter (1,570 cc) twin-cam inline-four engine. Autodelta engineers fitted a twin-spark (twin-plug) ignition system, high-compression pistons, larger twin Weber 45 DCOE carburetors, more aggressive camshafts, and a competition exhaust system. Depending on the level of tuning and race regulations, power output ranged from 150 to 170 horsepower, a remarkable figure for a car of its size and weight. The close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential provided excellent power delivery and traction, making the GTA Corsa a formidable competitor on any circuit.
Chassis and suspension upgrades were key to the GTA Corsa’s racing dominance. The suspension setup was refined for precision handling, featuring adjustable dampers, reinforced components, and a lowered ride height to enhance stability. The car’s independent front suspension and live rear axle with coil springs provided outstanding grip, and large disc brakes on all four wheels ensured powerful and consistent braking performance under extreme racing conditions.
On the track, the GTA Corsa was nearly unbeatable in its class. It dominated the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, frequently outperforming more powerful competitors thanks to its lightweight construction, superior handling, and exceptional reliability. It also found success in national touring car championships and endurance racing, further cementing its reputation as one of the finest racing cars of its era.
Today, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Corsa is an icon of motorsport history, highly sought after by collectors and historic racing enthusiasts. Its combination of lightweight design, high-revving performance, and racing pedigree makes it one of the most celebrated and desirable Alfa Romeos ever built. Whether competing in vintage racing events or displayed at prestigious automotive gatherings, the GTA Corsa remains a shining example of Alfa Romeo’s engineering excellence and passion for performance.