The Alfa Romeo GTA was a high-performance version of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT, produced from 1965 to 1971. The “A” in GTA stood for Alleggerita, which means “lightened” in Italian. The GTA was designed to be a lightweight racing car, and Alfa Romeo took great measures to reduce its weight by using aluminum body panels, lightweight plexiglass windows, and thinner gauge steel in the body.
Under the hood, the GTA was powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine, which was based on the standard Giulia Sprint GT engine but was heavily modified for racing. The engine featured new cylinder heads with larger valves, high-compression pistons, and twin-plug ignition, which helped to increase the power output to 115 horsepower. The GTA also had a close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox, limited-slip differential, and a high-performance suspension system.
The GTA was an immediate success on the racetrack, winning numerous races and championships throughout Europe. In 1966, the GTA won the European Touring Car Championship, beating out the BMW 1800 TI and Ford Lotus Cortina. The GTA also competed in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, finishing 9th overall in 1967. In addition to its racing success, the GTA was also praised for its handling and performance on the road. The car’s lightweight construction and high-performance suspension made it a joy to drive, and it quickly became a favorite among enthusiasts.