Giulia Ti Super

The Giulia TI Super represented Alfa Romeo’s first true homologation special touring car, developed specifically for the FIA European Touring Car Championship in 1963.

1964 Alfa Romeo

1 of only 501 produced

An incredibly important competition model in the lineage of the Tipo 105 series. Only 501 units were produced, making the TI Super equally as rare as the 1600 GTA that was born from it and which Alfa would campaign so successfully in the ETCC.

Many of the parts developed for the TI Super were so advanced, that Carlo Chiti retained them for use in his 1600 GTA programme. In the same way that the 1600 GTA was born from the regular production Giulia Sprint GT, the Giulia TI Super was evolved from the production Giulia TI.

True coach-build alfa romeos

Whilst the cars bear a close resemblance at first glance, the TI Super had its own styling with the inner headlights removed to save weight and to increase cold air to the engine bay, sand cast magnesium ‘TZ’ style wheels and Quadrifoglio stickers on the front wings and boot lid.

The TI Super was the first model to leave the production line with the infamous Quadrifoglio logos, the first of a long line of models designating the highest performance variant.

Interior

Further changes were made to the interior, with the strip instruments removed and replaced with SS type round instruments for ease of reading in competition use and front seats were swapped for lightweight bucket seats designed by Zagato (similar to those used on the infamous SZ and TZ models).

The rear seat was replaced with a lightweight version, trimmed in grey cloth with burgundy vinyl sides. Further weight savings were achieved with the removal of sound deadening, carpets replaced with vinyl mats (like the 1600 GTAs) and lightweight door cards with the beautiful lightweight woven closure straps also retained for use on the GTAs.

Engine

The engine was derived from the one used in the TZ prototype and SS, with twin Weber 45 carburettors and a lightweight tubular exhaust manifold, which would later be used on the 1600 GTA. Gearbox internals and ratios were taken from the TZ and the drum brakes of the normal TI were replaced by cutting-edge technology Dunlop disc brakes all round – a braking system also retained for the 1600 GTA.

Racing pedigree

Competing in the GT class at the 1963 Tour de France (prior to group 2 touring car homologation), the TI Super proved its speed and strength immediately by winning its category and finishing a remarkable 4th in the GT class behind three Ferraris. Further rallying success was achieved by the car winning its class at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. In touring car racing, the TI Super proved equally successful, with overall victory at the 1964 Sandown Park 6-Hour in Australia, 1965 4-hour Monza 1965 Sandown Park, 1966 1000kms Brasilia and 1966 24-hour Interlagos.

Like GTAs, the vast majority of TI Supers either raced in period or were later converted for competition use, in particular in the 1990s for the FIA Historic ETCC. As a result, most TI Supers have suffered hard lives and lack originality. Well preserved, original cars are very rare and possibly the hardest of all the significant post-war Alfa Romeos to find.