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Up until now, Ralf-Hendrik Steinkuehler has paid meticulous attention to originality and authenticated data. But now the classic car dealer from Hamburg is really messing up the timeline itself. Because for the Restomod Emilia GT, he and his partners bring an Alfa Bertone into the here and now.
Historical Ferrari to high gloss, patinated Porsche, a few sophisticated Maserati, casual Lamborghini, noble sports cars from Aston Martin and in between a shiny chrome Corvette - if you are looking for a potent classic car in Hamburg, you are in good hands with Ralf-Hendrik Steinkuehler. But soon there will be a new car with his own logo in his showroom near the airport. Because Steinkuehler goes under the car manufacturers and wants to lure petrolheads in the future with the Emilia GT, of which 22 copies at prices between 400.000 and 500.000 euros are to be launched this year.
Follow the others
Of course, the classic car dealer does not say goodbye to his roots completely, and the merits for the model do not belong to him and his partners alone. The Emilia GT is based on the Alfa Giulia GT, which was introduced in 1963 and rose to fame and glory as Alfa Bertone. Just like the US manufacturer Singer does with Porsche models, memminger with Mercedes and Memminger with Beetles, he wants to bring the old Alfa up to date with modern technology and follows the trend towards high-tech oldtimers, which are currently known as "restomods". are in high demand. Because they are not only restored, but also modernized at the same time - ideally with the technology of the same manufacturer.
That's why Steinkuehler is marrying an old Alfa Bertone with a new Giulia QV and, together with his development partner Velo Performance from Berlin, above all plants their powerful heart under the hood of the classic. Where previously a maximum displacement of 2,0 liters, four cylinders and 131 hp were available, now six pistons romp through 2,9 liters and hurl 510 hp and 600 Nm from the crankshaft.
Old meets new
In order for the heart transplant to be successful, the Emilia GT needs a completely new front end, so that not much remains of the old bodywork from the windshield to the front. And so that the whole thing is only halfway drivable, Steinkuehler also installs the axles and the automatic transmission from the Giulia and even takes over the shift paddles on the steering wheel.
It is still made of wood and boasts analog instruments, but there is also a lot of new technology: automatic climate control, electric windows and modern infotainment have to be there, just like the comfortable Recaros. But the back seat appears dispensable and flies out without further ado.
Lightweight
Yes, the drive is up to date, but the driving experience should still be much more archaic than Alfisti are used to today. Firstly, because Steinkuehler installs ABS and traction control, but at least refrains from ESP. And secondly, because the Emilia GT weighs only 1.250 kilos and not like the Giulia will soon weigh two tons. Where the production car already manages 310 km/h, the Emilia GT should easily tear at least the 300 mark and not drive against a wall of wind at 200 km/h as before.
“It will go a long way,” hopes Steinkuehler and can hardly wait until the digital sketches on his desk finally become a tangible car in the garage and he can start his maiden voyage.
For Steinkuehler it is only logical that his first car had to be an Alfa, even if he flirted with a Lancia in between, but rejected it again because of the small number of current models and correspondingly inadequate donor vehicles. "After all, my first car was an Alfasud," says the father of the Emilia GT, who hasn't gotten rid of this virus since then.
Just a little excitement
Unfortunately, this virulence has decreased significantly in recent years and not so many people are infected by his love for old metal. "Of course, many car fans still rave about the old forms and miss the emotions in modern cars," Steinkuehler observed from his customers. But no matter whether they come back from the test drive with a Ferrari Testarossa, with a Lancia Delta Integrale or an Alfa Bertone, Steinkuehler often sees disappointment on their faces: "The performance is no longer up to date, the comfort is not up to date, and then also without air conditioning and power steering. Not to mention the maintenance,” he summarizes the criticism that ultimately led him to the complex organ transplant.
It should remain special
Of course, Steinkuehler and his partners also took the opportunity to think about an electric motor because it is trendy, opens up new customer groups and requires even less maintenance than a modern combustion engine. But it was precisely the triumph of the Stromer that kept Steinkuehler from making the really big leap on the timeline. “Our car should be something special. Anyone who commutes electrically between home and office during the week should be able to look forward to the solid sound of a combustion engine at the weekend and be accordingly emotional on the road.”
Although Steinkuehler knows that he is upsetting some traditionalists with the project because an old car is sacred to them. Even if he speaks of 95 percent approval in the Alfisti circle. But first of all, he deliberately chose a model from the large series and not a rare Ferrari or Maserati. "After all, more than 220.000 Giulia GTs have been built in over ten years, so you can probably get over 22 conversions."
And secondly, he would never have dared to sacrifice a well-preserved classic for the Emilia, the restomodder asserts. "We deliberately looked for donor vehicles that were no longer roadworthy anyway and are even bringing a few more Alfas back onto the road."
