Seventy years ago, on April 20, 1955, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Berlina was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show, a car that would indelibly shape the Italian automotive landscape and capture the hearts of enthusiasts globally, including in South Africa.
This elegant, technologically advanced, affordable and sporty saloon swiftly symbolised Italy’s post-war resurgence, inspiring a generation of Alfa Romeo devotees. In 2025, Stellantis Heritage and Alfa Romeo commemorate this significant milestone, acknowledging the Giulietta’s crucial role in transitioning the brand from artisanal production to industrial manufacturing, a legacy admired by classic car enthusiasts in SA.
Roberto Giolito, head of Stellantis Heritage, aptly stated: “The Giulietta Berlina brought Alfa Romeo’s sporty DNA into the everyday lives of Italians, making fine engineering and aspirations accessible to an emerging middle class. This model seamlessly blended the prestige of Alfa Romeo’s sports cars with the practicality of a family vehicle, establishing itself as a powerful symbol of progress and rebirth in post-war Italy.” This blend of sportiness and practicality continues to resonate with SA classic car aficionados.
In the early 1950s, buoyed by Formula One victories with the Alfetta driven by Farina and Fangio, Alfa Romeo aimed to broaden its appeal without sacrificing its distinctive style, advanced technology, and high-performance ethos. The Giulietta was conceived as a compact, modern and relatively affordable car that would retain the competitive spirit of the Biscione marque. Intriguingly, the Giulietta Sprint coupé, penned by Franco Scaglione for Bertone, debuted at the 1954 Turin Motor Show, preceding the saloon and generating considerable anticipation.
Alfa Romeo strategically used the Sprint’s sporty allure to build excitement for the Giulietta Berlina, initially intended for limited production. However, the Sprint’s overwhelming popularity compelled Alfa Romeo to accelerate the saloon’s development.
Consequently, the Giulietta Berlina debuted on April 20, 1955, marking the first instance of such a potent compact model being offered as a family car. Building on the foundation of 1900, Alfa Romeo refined its concept of a sporty, yet practical saloon, marketed as “the family car which wins races,” capable of achieving success in the hands of both amateur and professional drivers, with the memorable tagline “mum also drives it.” This marked the beginning of Alfa Romeo’s pioneering role in making sporty driving accessible to a wider audience, a concept appreciated by UK drivers seeking character and performance.
The Giulietta arguably established a new benchmark for 1300cc vehicles in Europe. Remarkably, no other mass-produced saloons of the era could rival the Giulietta’s sophisticated mechanics and impressive performance, solidifying its status as a true innovator.
Technologically advanced for its time, the Giulietta incorporated cutting-edge features. Its 1290cc, twin-camshaft engine produced 40kW and achieved a top speed of 140km/h, impressive figures for its weight of 870kg. The engine featured an aluminium block (a first for a mass-produced car), along with aluminium gearbox and differential casings. The cylinder liners were made of press-fitted cast iron, and the valve system employed a twin overhead camshaft configuration – unique for a small engine at the time – supported by a five-bearing crankshaft.
The rear-wheel-drive Giulietta also featured a distinctive steering column-mounted gear shift (a floor-mounted option became available in 1957) and a pull-on handbrake beneath the dashboard.
The production of the Giulietta Berlina marked a significant industrial evolution for Alfa Romeo. While mass production began in the 1900s, the Giulietta was the catalyst for transforming the Portello plant into a modern, efficient manufacturing facility.
The Giulietta transcended its role as mere transportation, becoming ingrained in the Italian cultural consciousness and an enduring icon of style and progress, a status that resonates with classic car enthusiasts in the SA who appreciate Italian automotive design. It appeared in films and was celebrated by cultural figures, further cementing its connection to Italy’s identity. The name “Giulietta” carries its own intriguing origin stories, adding to its legendary status.
The Giulietta range expanded to include various body styles (1954-1965), such as the Pininfarina-designed Spider (aimed at the US market), the Bertone-styled Sprint Speciale, and the Zagato-bodied Giulietta SZ. Even a station wagon version, the Promiscua, was produced. In total, 177 690 Giulietta vehicles across all variants were manufactured, with over 130 000 being the beloved Berlina.
Its legacy paved the way for equally iconic successors like the Giulia, which further refined the Giulietta’s characteristics in terms of performance and innovation, carrying forward Alfa Romeo’s tradition of crafting compelling compact cars for a discerning market.
Source: QuickPic
