The Classic 1950s Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint by Bertone

So far as Your Humble Scribe is concerened, the Golden Age of Italian styling lasted from not long after World War 2 until 1960 or shortly thereafter.  As the title of this post suggests, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint by Bertone (Wikipedia entry here) was a fine example.

In 1953 or so when the design was under development at Bertone, the coachbuilder's designer was Franco Scaglione, a leading stylist of that era.

As noted in the Gallery below. Scaglione might have been influneced by the slightly earlier Alfa Romeo 1900C Sprint Coupé by Touring.  Though it's possible that Alfa Romeo might have required a design in somewhat the same sprit.

In turn, our subject design might well have influenced Giogetto Giugiaro's 1960s Alfa Romeo Giulia GT, another Bertone creation.

Gallery

1951c. Alfa Romeo 1900 C Sprint Coupé by Touring - factory or Touring image
A design that might influenced Bertone's Giulietta Sprint.

1954 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint by Bertone - factory or Bertone image
The Giulietta is smaller than the 1900 and its design has a cleaner fenderline and a less bulky looking passenger compartment greenhouse.

1955 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint by Bertone - for-sale images
Now for a walkaround of a 1955 Giulietta.

Fenders and greenhouse have high-points roughly above the center of the door.  Wheel openings differ slightly from those seen in the 1954 photo above -- wheel opening brows and a more rounded rear opening are on this 1955 car.

Essentially a fastback with a huge backlight window.  The trunk lid is small.

A simple composition, but with ornamentation, the license plate frame and trunk locking and opening items clustered at the center.

Rear fenders with tail light assemblies interact with the fastback to create vestigial tail fins.

The front ensemble has a thrusting feeling with the advanced point at headlight level.  This and the long rear fender zone create added visual and actual length, a fairly common mid-1950s style feature.

The grille theme is typical 1950s Alfa Romeo, as would be expected.  But the flanking openings are quite similar to 1953 Studebaker grille openings, and different from early 1950s Alfa flankers.