Old Alfa Romeos just ooze soul, and owning one is on my list of things to do before I die. This rare Giulietta Sprint Veloce is one of around 3,000 made and looks like either an old restoration project brought to life or a stalled project that needs finishing. It’s here on craigslist for $34,000 in the upper regions of New York State near Lake Erie.

The overall feel of the car is of a good, honest survivor that’s been preserved. My feeling based on photos is that the exterior has been repainted and the interior either well-preserved or re-done many years ago. There are some details missing on the front, like the chrome bumper, turn signals and auxiliary driving lamps. The tag on the key in the ignition may indicate this car is being sold by a shop or at least a very organized owner.

Alfa became famous for extracting impressive power from small engines, and those motors were synonymous with building the brand’s racing pedigree. In Sprint Veloce form, the Giulietta turned out 90 bhp, a gain of 10 horsepower thanks to dual-sidedraft Webers and spicier cams. This car is missing various engine components, most obviously the air intake system that feeds the carbs.

The overall feeling of being a re-awakened restoration project continues to the rear, where surface rust on the wire wheels and rear bumper speak more to graceful aging than outright neglect. The paint still looks too good to be original, but then again, you can do wonders with an orbital buffer on older paint jobs. Given the lack of info in the listing, a follow-up phone call is a must – the price may seem high, but given the scarcity of Sprint Veloce models, it could be a worthwhile investment.