Calling all 1962 105s !!!

lance105 · February 22, 2012, 10:36:50 AM

Hi there. Apologies – this is a bit of a cross post for Auto-Italia in Canberra this year (Sunday 15 April)

The theme model this year is the 105 (50th Anniversary). SO, we really need to make sure there are some '62 model 105s there. Does anyone have, or know of anyone, with a 62 model who might be able to visit Canberra for Auto Italia??? It would be a pity to have no 50th anniversary cars there ....

I'm paying a brokerage fee of a few beers to anyone who can help out.

Cheers Lance

massiveluvbuddy67 · February 24, 2012, 05:05:21 PM

I am no where near an expert on this topic, but, were the first 105s delivered here in 1964? It may be a hard ask. I have not seen any in Australia to my knowledge.

1750GTV · February 25, 2012, 02:33:31 PM

According to Fusi, the first of the 105s (#105.14.400001) was the LHD Giulia TI of 1962. 6854 were built that year with a further 172 ?RHD (CKD) models (105.09) assembled outside Europe (? South Africa). I'm not sure how many would have made it out to Australia either then or now.
The first Italian assembled RHD 105s were built in 1963 and they were all 105.09 TIs.
In 1964, RHD TIs (105.09) and Sprint GTs (105.04) were built with the RHD Supers (105.28), GTAs (105.34) and GTCs (105.29) following in 1965. RHD Duetto (105.37) production began in 1966.

David Wright's books suggest that official Australian importation of 105 models started in mid 1964 through Harold Lightburn with the 1600 Sprint selling for 2500 pounds. The median house price in Oz in 1964 was 3360 pounds, so these little cars were not cheap. On the back of poor sales of his other vehicles, notably the 2-stroke Zeta, Lightburn declared bankruptcy shortly after and importation was suspended until Alec Mildren was appointed official importer and distributor in late 1965. Thus began the golden years for the postwar Alfa in Australia.

Hope this helps,
Chris

massiveluvbuddy67 · February 27, 2012, 09:42:06 PM

Quote from: 1750GTV on February 25, 2012, 02:33:31 PM
According to Fusi, the first of the 105s (#105.14.400001) was the LHD Giulia TI of 1962. 6854 were built that year with a further 172 ?RHD (CKD) models (105.09) assembled outside Europe (? South Africa). I'm not sure how many would have made it out to Australia either then or now.
The first Italian assembled RHD 105s were built in 1963 and they were all 105.09 TIs.
In 1964, RHD TIs (105.09) and Sprint GTs (105.04) were built with the RHD Supers (105.28), GTAs (105.34) and GTCs (105.29) following in 1965. RHD Duetto (105.37) production began in 1966.

David Wright's books suggest that official Australian importation of 105 models started in mid 1964 through Harold Lightburn with the 1600 Sprint selling for 2500 pounds. The median house price in Oz in 1964 was 3360 pounds, so these little cars were not cheap. On the back of poor sales of his other vehicles, notably the 2-stroke Zeta, Lightburn declared bankruptcy shortly after and importation was suspended until Alec Mildren was appointed official importer and distributor in late 1965. Thus began the golden years for the postwar Alfa in Australia.

Hope this helps,
Chris

Thanks Chris,
That is a fantastic overview!
As an aside, I have the 1600 Giulia Spider imported new into SA as a trial vehicle for Lightburn industries in 1963 (along with a 2600 or two). It was LHD. Bought by one of the Lightburn Directors and owned till 1970. It was then sold to a SA enthusiast who converted the car to Veloce spec (twin webers. The original solex is still with the car as is the hard-top). Gavan Sanford-Morgan bought the car in 2000 and undertook a full rotiserie restoration which included RHD conversion. It has the original engine.
It is a great car to drive and I took it to Auto Italia last year.
Cheers
Phil

1750GTV · February 28, 2012, 09:01:53 AM

Quote from: Phil Nash on February 27, 2012, 09:42:06 PM
Thanks Chris,
That is a fantastic overview!
As an aside, I have the 1600 Giulia Spider imported new into SA as a trial vehicle for Lightburn industries in 1963 (along with a 2600 or two). It was LHD. Bought by one of the Lightburn Directors and owned till 1970. It was then sold to a SA enthusiast who converted the car to Veloce spec (twin webers. The original solex is still with the car as is the hard-top). Gavan Sanford-Morgan bought the car in 2000 and undertook a full rotiserie restoration which included RHD conversion. It has the original engine.
It is a great car to drive and I took it to Auto Italia last year.
Cheers
Phil

Thanks Phil.

It was a quiet, wet weekend and a good one for reading. So I dug in to the Alfa library and thought 'Who can I pester today?'

Your cars look very nice. I've always wanted either a 750 or 101 series Alfa. Guess I'll just have to keep buying lottery tickets ....

Chris

lance105 · March 01, 2012, 09:41:16 PM

Chris thanks so much for that info - I didn't realise there were so few '62 105 RHD made - do you know of any in Aust? In fact, I wonder how many are left - anywhere ...

Phil I love that '63 Guila of yours - I was loitering around it for some time at Auto Italia. Will you be back again this year? Would be great to see it once again....

Cheers Lance

massiveluvbuddy67 · March 02, 2012, 06:39:11 PM

Quote from: lance105 on March 01, 2012, 09:41:16 PM
Chris thanks so much for that info - I didn't realise there were so few '62 105 RHD made - do you know of any in Aust? In fact, I wonder how many are left - anywhere ...

Phil I love that '63 Guila of yours - I was loitering around it for some time at Auto Italia. Will you be back again this year? Would be great to see it once again....

Cheers Lance

Hi Lance,
I am trying to convince Hugh to put the TZ1 on a trailer and come up to Auto Italia with me

. Sorry, I forgot to mention the Giulia is a 62 not a 63. (Gee, they made great cars back then!)
I had a great time last year at Auto Italia. I particulary enjoyed chatting with the ladies who came down from Qld in a convoy with their husbands in their Fiat 2300s. Those cars are way cool, the ladies really know how to crochet and extol the virtues of their hubbies 2300!
Best Regards
Phil

Davidm1600 · March 02, 2012, 07:13:41 PM

Hey Phil I know what u mean re those 2300s. The coupe is so beautiful. The Sedan so under rated. I nearly bought a sedan as my 1st car, but wanted something more sporting. Doug Blain former editor/founder of Car magazine has a red 2300 coupe down here in tassie. Talking to him previously re this car he rated it very highly today as a classic but remembered testing it when it was new on the roads in europe. Doug has a very tasty range of cars both here and in London where he mostly lives. One day I would like to get to auto Italia