Through the years I’ve owned a large number of automobiles and, of all of these automobiles, the one which is perhaps probably the most stunning was an Alfa Romeo 105 sequence “Duetto Spider.”
The 105 sequence Spider was the primary main redesign of the Alfa Romeo Spider for the reason that 750 Giulietta Spider was launched in 1955. All of the automobiles up till the discharge of the brand new automotive have been simply revisions of the Giulietta. After a profitable 11-year run, it was time for a change, and Alfa Romeo went to Pininfarina to create a extra trendy roadster. One fascinating be aware is that the brand new roadster was the final automotive constructed below the supervision of Pininfarina founder Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina and, whereas typically panned by journalists when launched, it has come to be regarded as an absolute masterpiece.
The brand new automotive was launched on the Geneva Motorshow in March of 1966, with Alfa having a contest to provide you with a reputation by means of a write-in competitors, the prize being an instance of the brand new automotive. After 100,000 ballots have been submitted, the winner was Guidobaldo Trionfi from Brescia, Italy, who proposed the identify “Duetto”. Sadly, on account of a trademark challenge with Volvo, who owned the identify Duet, Duetto was not formally adopted and the automotive was as a substitute named Alfa Romeo Spider 1600, although Trionfi did obtain his prize.
The brand new Alfa was powered by a 122-horsepower 1570cc all-aluminum twin-cam inline four-cylinder engine backed by a five-speed gearbox. The automotive additionally featured four-wheel disk brakes and a convertible prime that is without doubt one of the best on this planet to lift and decrease.
Behind the wheel, the Duetto Spider shortly demonstrates why fans love Alfa Romeos. The engine likes to rev, the dealing with begs the automotive to be pushed arduous and the brakes are extra that enough to cease the automotive when wanted. The sound of the engine is music, with these automobiles defining the whole lot that’s good about Italian sports activities automobiles.
The Choose of the Day is one in all these automobiles, a first-year 1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 ‘Duetto’ Spider. It’s listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a seller in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)
This itemizing is an ideal instance to comply with in case you are trying to submit your automotive on ClassicCars.com because it consists of detailed data of each a part of the automotive and an in depth photograph library.
In response to the vendor, this Duetto is a rust-free instance prime to backside and options good brightwork, with the right Alfa Romeo Pink being in good situation. I did discover within the footage some chipped paint on the underside of the doorways, which one thing that you would be able to both stay with or have corrected. Flaws I seen have been overspray from a repaint on the springs and a few rougher edges on the sills—not a difficulty of being poorly repaired however somewhat not excellent.
The inside is completely right for this automotive, with vinyl seats within the right sample, the right rubber flooring coverings within the driver and passenger footwells, an accurate carpeted transmission tunnel and proper rear vinyl space that even has the right drape to its set up. As well as, this Duetto nonetheless has its right plastic steering wheel, one thing that usually is swapped for a Nardi wooden wheel or a Momo leather-wrapped one.
The engine compartment additionally seems to be to be completely right together with the air cleaner meeting, one thing that’s typically swapped out on Duettos.
The vendor provides that this Duetto drives and handles effectively, and fires proper up. The vendor provides that the brakes are a bit delicate and “requires the stress of an F1 automotive to essentially work as they need to.” This is perhaps an overstatement, however it could be one thing price seeing if they’re in truth working appropriately. He continues to explain the dealing with as on rails and cornering as glorious, as he was in a position to scrub off velocity with little braking on our lengthy curves. The vendor closes by stating that the automotive is in excellent working order.
The Duetto I had was at finest a #4-plus situation automotive, and I nonetheless beloved it. This one, which is best in each means than mine, seems to be and sounds to be a automotive in #3-plus situation that would skillfully be introduced as much as #2 situation. Personally, I would go away it alone and simply get pleasure from it.
That being stated, the asking worth of this automotive is $59,000, which is much more than mine value 19 years in the past. Based mostly on my information of the at present’s market and understanding how a lot cash it takes to make a weaker automotive as good as this one, this can be a good worth for this Alfa Romeo.
You probably have ever questioned what an Alfa Romeo is wish to drive and personal, this Duetto could be the right technique to uncover why these are so effectively beloved by their followers.
To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Choose of the Day.
