The Italian automaker introduced the first generation of the Giulia in 1962, and, apart from its prestigious sibling Sprint Veloce, it also made it with a four-door sedan shape.
In those times, small engines ruled the European market, and the Italians were great at doing those kinds of powerplants. Moreover, the Giulia was not just a regular sedan; it was considered a premium compact vehicle, and, in addition, its performance took the car straight into the Italian Police garages, where it served long and well against the bad guys.
Its design didn't let anyone guess that the car was able to compete against many two-door coupes and sportscars. Its four headlights, the outer ones being bigger, flanked the center-mounted Alfa-shield that dominated the grille. Even though the Italian automaker made many aerodynamic-shaped cars, this one looked like a brick. Its wedged shapes and almost vertical windshield were in total contradiction with some of its siblings. Even its predecessor, the Giulietta Berlina, looked more streamlined. But that didn't really matter. It mattered that it looked modern for those years.
The cabin was fit for four adults with front bucket seats without headrests and a bench in the back where three passengers could hardly fit. Fortunately, thanks to the vertical side panels, there was enough shoulder and headroom. Depending on the version and trim levels, the automaker provided the vehicle with wood trims on the dash or just a mundane black plastic. Inside the instrument cluster, customers could find two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, with the fuel gauge between them.
Under the hood, Alfa Romeo installed a 1.6-liter engine that produced, in its lowest-spec version, 92 PS (91 hp). Later, the automaker upgraded the powerplant with four Weber carburetors and produced 112 PS (110 hp). Also, in 1972, the automaker introduced a new base version powered by a 1.3-liter inline-four.