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Rory’s Blog: Alfas at Auction

Rory Jurnecka

This past week, an SCMer sent me a link to an online estate auction in Sewanee, TN. Among the tools, clocks, furniture and chandeliers are dozens of cars, including around 31 Alfa Romeos.

“Fright pig” is a popular term here at SCM to describe cars that time hasn’t been kind to. Unfortunately, it describes just about all of the derelict cars in this auction. None appear to have moved in many years. Most were kept outdoors, where nature has been slowly reclaiming them.

One exception may be Lot #1, the 1967 Giulia Sprint GT Veloce, a desirable car especially with its less common “stepnose” design. There’s almost nothing by the way of a written description for the car, just “Manual. Two door. VIN: AR250632.” That VIN checks out as a real Veloce.

The car wears Georgia plates that appear to have expired in 1992, but this Alfa was obviously more loved than the many of the others, occupying one of the bays inside a three-car garage. Its paintwork looks serviceable and the interior is clean, save for a degrading headliner. Predictably, there are no undercarriage photos. The odometer shows 67,754 miles.

Mostly, the GTV looks like it was parked after a drive 30-odd years ago (an entry form for the 1995 Festa Alfa di Atlanta show is photographed) and left to sit ever since.

Would you be tempted to save this GTV, or any of the Alfas at this auction? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Rory Jurnecka Avatar
Rory Jurnecka
Rory Jurnecka has been an SCMer since high school. He spent 14 years at Motor Trend, Motor Trend Classic and Automobile before joining the SCM staff in 2020. Rory was the Classic and Features Editor at Automobile, penning auction reports and market features, and writing about some of the world’s greatest cars. Born into an enthusiast family, he has attended Monterey Car Week since childhood. After abandoning a business degree to sell classics at a specialty dealership in Monterey, CA, he returned to college to study journalism at Cal State Fullerton. Rory owns a 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata and a 2010 Porsche Cayman, and he recently acquired a 2017 Ford Fiesta ST.

5 responses to “Rory’s Blog: Alfas at Auction”

  1. Glenn Krasner Avatar
    Glenn Krasner

    Rory,

    If I was incredibly independently wealthy and retired, I might tackle the Alfa that was garaged. Alfas have a finicky reputation even when they are well-kept, so otherwise, I would stay away from any and all of these cars. This just looks like a huge money pit waiting to happen.

    Glenn in Brooklyn, NY.

    Reply
  2. Jim Walker Avatar
    Jim Walker

    Rory, When is the auction? I might be interested in the AR GT. Although I an not wealthy, I am retired and I have restored a 64 AR spider that was run down (my fault) life got in the way,

    Reply
  3. Andrew Stevens Avatar
    Andrew Stevens

    I have no idea where the finicky reputation comes from! I’ve done 140,000+ miles in my 1750GTV over 37 years and NEVER failed to get home or get to a workshop! Regular maintenance, good quality oil/coolant and some mechanical understanding and sympathy help, but regardless, they are in reality quite straightforward to maintain. I would recommend to go for it!

    Reply
  4. Bob Abhalter Avatar
    Bob Abhalter

    The white GT Veloce is likely the only Alfa in this accumulation worth saving and even it has issues. The interior has been redone in a nonstandard trim but might be livable as a driver if it can be bought for the right money. Assuming it was actually stored indoors, things might work out. The rest of the Alfas were photographed outdoors. Long term outdoor storage is the kiss of death for most cars and collectable Alfas especially. There may be some good parts here and there, but I wouldn’t bid on any of them as rescue candidates unless I could see them in person. I see a tempting Giulietta Sprint, a GTV6, and a couple of Giulia sedans that might attract an Alfista’s interest, but in my opinion, there is NO financial upside lurking here and any attempted rehab project would be based solely on a passion for “that certain car.” Buyers, prepare to empty your wallets.

    Reply
  5. Darin Roberge Avatar
    Darin Roberge

    This auction might be the most dangerous thing ever posted to the internet

    Reply

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