Overview
The heart of a Veloce is its engine: a special block with bigger main caps, milled head for higher compression (on 750’s), longer duration and higher lift cams, 9.7 to 1 forged pistons (some early 750 Veloces use standard compression ratio forged pistons), forged rods that are polished and shot peened, stronger rod bolts, two-piece cast aluminum sump, high volume oil pump, Bosch distributor with a more advanced timing curve (750 Veloces use a Marelli distributor with more advance), larger crank pulley, two twin throat Weber carbs (DCO3 on 750 Veloces and DCOE 2 on both 1300 and 1600 101 Veloces), and steel tube headers. However, the most important consideration for a collector is the Veloce chassis. Aside from its serial number, a Veloce has unique features in the sheet metal that cannot be duplicated. Adding all the Veloce pieces to a Normale chassis produces a nice car (we call it an Abnormale), but not one commanding the prices collectors are willing to pay for a genuine Veloce. Following is a brief list of some significant differences between Veloce and Normale chassis.
Chassis Serial Number
Chassis serial numbers can always be a confusing issue with early Alfas. However, the way to tell a 1300 Veloce serial number is fairly easy.
On 750 and early 101 chassis the serial number is stamped on the fire wall. An “F” is stamped either above or next to the fourth digit of the serial number (i.e., 1495 F xxxxx) on Spider Veloces; an “E” is used on Sprint Veloces. On late 101 1300 Veloces the serial number begins with “AR” and an “F” (Spider) or “E” (Sprint) stamped next to or above the “AR.” Late 101 1300 Veloces are also identified by a small plate pop-riveted to the firewall on the driver’s side. The plate has TIPO 101.07 stamped on it for Giulietta Spider Veloces and TIPO 101.06 for Giulietta Sprint Veloces.
The chassis serial number on all Giulia Spider Veloces begins with “AR39”; Giulia Normales begin with “AR37.” The 101 Giulia Sprint was not offered as a Veloce.
Fresh Air Scoop
On Veloces a fresh air scoop is welded into the grill opening on the driver’s side. This scoop provides a mild ram effect and directs more air to the carburetors. Sometimes, due to improper repair after an accident, the scoop has been removed.
Because it can be made by simply folding and welding sheet metal, it is sometimes added to Normales. Both Veloces and Normales have an air scoop for the passenger compartment. The Veloce uses a split scoop with two hoses, one for the carbs and one for the driver.
Duct Holes
Some 750 and all 101 Spiders and Sprints have two holes for air ducting on the driver’s side fender well; however, only the Veloces use both holes. (Those 750 chassis that started with only one duct hole had a second hole cut into the fender well when the factory built them as Veloces.) On Normales the front hole is covered by a sheet metal plate fastened on by screws. On Veloces the front hole provides air from the front air scoop to the air cleaner. On both Normales and Veloces the rear hole provides air to the passenger compartment.
Torque Limit Bumper
On both Spider and Sprint Veloces a torque limit bumper is mounted to the left frame rail directly below the left motor mount. The torque limit bumper consists of a welded section with a rubber stopper screwed into it. Sometimes this bumper will be part of the left engine mount. The bumper keeps the engine from moving too much under hard acceleration.
Trunk Floor
Sprint Veloces have larger fuel tanks than Normales (21 gallons vs. 12 to 13 gallons). To accommodate the larger fuel tank in the 750 and 101 Sprint Veloces, a ridge was added to the trunk floor to provide clearance for the overflow tube on the tanks. The ridge runs from the filler hole forward to the front of the trunk. Spiders all use the same fuel tank.