Description
The Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior Autodelta was a high-performance racing version of the Giulia GT Junior, developed by Alfa Romeo’s competition arm, Autodelta. Introduced in the late 1960s, the car was designed to compete in the under 1.3-liter class of European touring car racing, where it quickly established itself as a dominant force on the track.
At its core, the GTA 1300 Junior was based on the standard Giulia GT Junior but underwent extensive modifications to enhance performance. The most significant change was the use of an aluminum body, making it significantly lighter than its road-going counterpart. This weight reduction, combined with improved aerodynamics, gave the car exceptional agility and responsiveness. The suspension was tuned for racing, featuring stiffer springs, upgraded shock absorbers, and a reinforced chassis to handle the rigors of high-speed competition.
The engine was a masterpiece of engineering, derived from Alfa Romeo’s famous twin-cam design but refined by Autodelta for maximum performance. Although it retained the 1,290 cc displacement to comply with racing regulations, extensive modifications, including a twin-plug cylinder head, high-performance camshafts, and larger carburetors, allowed it to produce over 150 horsepower in race trim. The combination of a lightweight body and a powerful, high-revving engine made the GTA 1300 Junior an incredibly fast and competitive car.
On the racetrack, the GTA 1300 Junior quickly proved its worth, winning multiple championships and becoming a favorite among privateer racers. It was particularly successful in the European Touring Car Championship, where its superior handling and power-to-weight ratio often gave it an edge over larger-displacement rivals. Autodelta continued to refine the car throughout its racing career, introducing improvements in aerodynamics, braking, and overall reliability.
Inside, the car was stripped of all unnecessary features, with a spartan cockpit designed purely for racing. Lightweight bucket seats, a simple dashboard with essential gauges, and a roll cage reinforced its purpose-built nature. Everything about the interior was optimized for performance, ensuring that drivers could extract the maximum potential from the car.
Today, the Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior Autodelta is a highly sought-after collector’s item, admired for its racing heritage, stunning design, and thrilling driving dynamics. Its legacy as one of Alfa Romeo’s most successful competition cars remains intact, and it continues to be celebrated at historic racing events and classic car gatherings worldwide.