Update 8/23/12: Sold for $72,450 including premium.

Update later the same morning:

I got this picture taken at Road Atlanta circa 1983 from Michael McClure, then owner of the brown Giulietta racer and wearing the gold race suit talking to Martin Krilanovich (in green sleeves). The red car is Sophia with Phil Mason in white racing suit leaning over it talking to his crew chief Jerry.  Time flies. 

Giulietta Spider 750D 1495*03083, 1315*41849.  The late Al Leake Jr. raced Sophia to much success on the west coast.  I can remember seeing them many times at Sear’s Point and Laguna Seca -always out front or nearly so -even against cars that on paper ought to have gotten around the track faster -even if driven by lesser drivers.  I don’t remember where I heard/read it, but I seem to recall that Sophia is one of the winning-est race cars in history.  Lineage includes prior ownership by Phil Mason and connection to H. B. Luginbuhl, who some say had a lot to do with development early on.  Anyway, Sophia is being auctioned by Bonhams this coming Monterey weekend.  Estimate is $65,000 – $85,000.  It’s too bad the seller chickened out and omitted the rubber chicken that used to be seen dangling from the trunk -oh well, maybe that rubber chicken is a stuffed trophy over someones mantle now next to a 12 point buck or buffalo head.

Tasteful for a dedicated race car.  Development started in the mid-70′s and by the late 80′s Sophia was a potent machine.  Fiberglass grill and trim?

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Update later the same day:  Sold for $19,800.  A bargain?

Spider 750D 1495*02031.  This car is on eBay right now out of Denver Colorado.  Racing set up is as purposeful as they come, with lots of refinements that probably make it highly competitive.  These cars tend to be a bargain to buy compared to the expense of the development represented in the final product.  I’d have to tone it back a bit so it could be used on the street too.

Between the sun and the saturation of the red, the lines of the car are almost lost.  Widened steels look very tough.  I like the cut down windshield -reminds me of Conrad’s Spider Veloce.

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Giulietta Spider 750D 1495*04899.  I get the occasional email asking to feature a car and I’m always torn.  I’m doing a favor while doing what some might regard as business and then expected to be objective.  Some have been difficult, but this one, being a purpose built racer, is easy -especially easy since it was restored/racer built in the mid-1980′s.  From what can be seen in the photos the fit and finish is excellent.  Hopefully the racing groups it was built for haven’t changed their tune.

I’m thinking those are widened steel wheels.  A good way to go as they tend to be lighter than alloys -especially what was available in the 80′s.  Paint still looks excellent.  Many a Spider racer has been number 57 methinks.  Stance is tough looking without being too low.  Suspension would have to be very stiff to avoid tire rubs.

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