If I said there was a mid-engine Alfa Romeo sporting a motorsports livery for sale, you’d no doubt jump at the opportunity to buy it. However, you almost certainly would not expect it to be a van, like this 1973 F12 Furgone.
For North American readers, the name Alfa Romeo normally elicits images of Duettos, Giulias, and other exquisite, sporty classics. However, the company has a history of making various kinds of vehicles, like its Autotuotto line of “all-purpose” light trucks, to which this van belongs.
The F12 Furgone made its debut in 1967, and this example is from 1973. Its early career saw operating as a support vehicle for the Moto Villa motorcycle racing team that dominated the 250 cc motocross racing class in the ’70s, and was the Italian champion in 1975, 1976, and 1977.
Read: Dodge B100 Tradesman Reborn As A Groovy V8 Party Wagon By Legacy Classic Trucks
After its services were no longer needed, the van went into storage until 2016, when it was purchased by Ed Seymour, a noted Alfa Romeo restorer. He gave it a full nut-and-bolt restoration, and it was later refined when it became part of a noted Southern California collection.
Now sporting an Autodelta livery, that is a reference to Alfa Romeo’s legendary competition department. Established in 1961, it was behind some of the brand’s most legendary vehicles, like the T33/3 that competed at the Targa Florio in 1971.
Restored to show standards, power for the F12 Furgone comes from a 1,290 cc DOHC inline four with a single Solex downdraft carburetor that produced a whopping 52 hp (39 kW/53 PS). In addition, it also comes with a 1.3-liter 750-Series Alfa Romeo display engine from 1958, to complete the utilitarian fantasy of this van.
Set to be sold at Gooding & Company’s August 18-19 Pebble Beach Auction, the Alfa Romeo F12 is expected to go for a pretty penny. Estimate suggest that it will sell for $100,000 to $130,000, but it is being offered without reserve.