Inspired by the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider of the early 1930s, the modern-day Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote was named for the Italian car magazine Quattroruote, a monthly publication that offers news on road tests, pricing, and information on used vehicles. The prototype was debuted at the Museo Nazionale del l’Automobile of Turin in April of 1965, while the production version was unveiled a year later at the New York Auto Show.

Alfa Romeo supplied a purpose-built chassis to coachbuilder Zagato, where the retro-inspired bodies were hand-built and fitted to each chassis. The body was made of aluminum panels over a tubular framework, in the classic tradition of the Milanese coachbuilder. The top and windows were both removable, while storage for luggage and personal belongings was provided behind the seats. The chassis featured double wishbone front suspension, a solid rear axle with coil springs, and rack-and-pinion steering, inherited from the Giulia. Four-wheel drum brakes were used, as were 15-inch wire wheels with knock-offs. A 1,570–cubic centimeter twin-cam six-cylinder engine enabled a claimed top speed of 96 mph.

These cars were actually sold through the existing Alfa Romeo dealer network, with two versions available, Normale and Extra. Alfa Romeo built 12 examples in 1965, 52 in 1966, and 29 in 1967, prior to discontinuing production of the limited-edition tribute—one of the few “neoclassics” to have been built by the manufacturer of the original model!

Finished in Rosso over Nero leather, this particular car was previously owned for over a decade in Northern California; a prior owner was well-known Alfa Romeo enthusiast and California Mille founder Martin Swig, who found it in a classified ad and purchased it sight unseen. Martin’s son, David, was about 13 years old at the time and recalls embarking with his father on a long-distance road trip to Illinois to pick up the Quattroruote. In their ownership, it was repainted red, a more suitable color than the previous cream and black, and was retained for three years before being sold to Ken Fambrini of San Francisco.

The Quattroruote was then restored by Alfa Romeo expert Conrad Stevenson, during which time its engine and transmission were rebuilt, while the well-known pre-war car restorer Stu Laidlaw refinished the body. The seating surfaces were reupholstered in black leather, with the remainder of the interior trimmed in matching black vinyl. Wool carpets were fitted, along with diamond-pattern rubber floor mats, both of which are described as being in very good condition. The car is also equipped with a Nardi wooden steering wheel, befitting the throwback design.

As best said by David Swig, today an RM Sotheby’s specialist, “This was one of the first vintage Alfas I drove. I had already spent a lot of time behind the wheel of Alfa GTVs, and I remember being struck by how much more responsive and quick the Quattroruote was in comparison...it is a good deal more fun to drive than the Giulia coupe on which it is based.”