Wednesday 19 January 2011

Purring Panther - Alfa Romeo Giulia Super



The Alfa Romeo Giulia also known as the 105 series was in production from 1962 - 1978, I first heard the distinctive sound of the twin cam Super model in Cyprus in the mid 1960's.



This 1971 vehicle is powered by a 97 hp twin carburettor 1,570cc / 95 cui engine that gave the car sports car performance in a saloon car shell. In 1965 the Giulia Super received much of the technology from the 1963 Giulia Ti Super racing programme.



This crest featuring a serpent eating or regurgitating a human known as a Biscione has been an emblem of the Visconti family for a thousand years and used in the crest belonging to the ruling Sforza family of Milan for over 600 years. It's exact origins are unknown but thought to be either from the legends of Theoderic the Great or alternatively from the biblical story of the Leviathan and Jonah.



Film buffs will remember that a number of Italian Police Giulia's, known as Panthers, were out run in the original version of 'The Italian Job'.

Hope you have enjoyed today's Biscione edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me tomorrow for a look at two Alfa Romeo's with bodywork that exudes all the hallmarks and subtlety of a back street speed shop. Don't forget to come back now !