Some of you may be too young to remember (or find it hard to believe), but there was a time when Alfa Romeo rolled out rear-wheel drive mainstream model, which even in their base variants, were a treat to the eyes and the hands of drivers.

The Giulia that was launched in the early 1960s is one of those cars. Weighing just 1,000 kg (2,205 pounds), it was powered by an alloy DOHC four-cylinder petrol engine in 1.3- and 1.6-liter displacements with power outputs ranging from 74 to 100HP, coupled to a four or five-speed manual gearboxes.

At the time, the trend of updating models nearly three years after launch and then releasing a replacement in another two to three years was non-existent.

Continuous minor updates were the norm – and in true Italian fashion, the Giulia’s range included the Ti, Ti Super, 1300, Super, 1300 Ti, 1600 S and Super 1300 models.

The second series model launched in 1972, rationalized the range offering only the Super 1.3 and Super 1.6 that were identical in everything except their engine size and final drive ratio.

A couple of years later, Alfa rebadged the cars as the Nuova Super and offered its first diesel engine option, which unsurprisingly, didn’t sit well with buyers who simply ignored it.

But it's time to end our history lesson and introduce you to CarScoop reader Robbert Alblas, who owns a Giulia Super 1300 that is all original, down to the wood-trimmed three-spoke wheel and audio “system”, and is kept in a pretty good shape.

A ‘70s mainstream Alfa saloon is a rare sight today; most have long been sent to the crusher or simply succumbed to terminal rust. It's no coincidence, though, that the 159 replacement will be named Giulia as the name is still fondly remembered by the Alfisti.

You can check out Robert's Giulia in action in the video that follows after the jump.

Dezastrul ala de design numit 4c poate sa ramana in sant acolo unde a ajuns, dar pe partea dreapta a drumului e ceva interesnt.

Clar.
E un QP MK6 care fost prezentat oficial acum aproape o luna si pentru ca saptamana trecuta a avut loc un mare eveniment de presa unde a fost oferit spre test drive si din cauza asta avea nevoie de genul de camuflaj care se pune pe masinile aflate in primele stadii de dezvoltare (nici macar cel light care se pune in momentul in care se apropie de varianta finala).
Suneti niste destepti.

Fratilor, tin sa va anunt ca Alfa Giulia a aparut deja. Fiu miu, aseara, m-a anuntat ca a vandut Fordul '500' care se invechise si si-a cumparat o Alfa Giulia.

PS. Sa-l anunte cineva si pe Marchione .

bai tupace, numa posturi dastea ai..wtf?

Giulia: Confirmed -- this will be the name used for the rear-wheel-drive sport sedan that will share its architecture with the SRT Barracuda. This is a smaller platform than the RWD Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger and Challenger architecture, which will suit the Giulia well, though it may be a bit bigger than the 159 sedan/wagon replacement we had expected. It has been described as an "E-segment" sedan, which means it will be closer in size to the BMW 5-series than the 3-series. It's reportedly slated for late '15 as a 2016 model. We expect the Alfa Giulia to seriously undercut the 5-series' sticker, however, with a base price likely in the $30-35,000 range.