Alfa Romeo 1600 'Duetto' Spider, 1966

Location: Santa Monica, California

$28,875 USD | Sold

Like many of the greats, Alfa-Romeo’s Duetto appeared before the public for the first time at the Geneva Auto Show. The March 1966 debut was an instant success for Alfa. This beautiful car actually launched without a name and picked up its name as the result of a contest where the famous Duetto moniker rose above 140,000 other applicants. Though production of Alfa’s Spider family continued for many years, only the early round-tail cars from 1966 and 1967 are known as Duettos.

To this day, the Pininfarina-built bodywork remains an instantly recognizable classic. Duetto construction was complex with Pininfarina building the bodies in Turin before shipping them via road to the Alfa factory in Milan. Dustin Hoffman liked the Duetto and his uncle was a major U.S. Alfa importer. It was only natural that the Duetto joined Hoffman in The Graduate. The result was one of the most enduring product placements of the 1960s.

This Duetto is presented in outstanding restored condition and is reported as one of the earliest production survivors and only the 54th car produced. With provenance as a California black plate car, this is truly one of the most desirable Duettos. Dual Weber carburetors feed a 109-hp twin-cam four that is mated to one of the finest five-speed all-synchro transmissions of the era. With disc brakes and independent front suspension, the lightweight Alfa made a tractable and fast sports car.

In 2008, this car won “Best Italian Sports Car 1950-1969” honors at the prestigious Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. This car comes complete with convertible top cover, tool roll and service manuals. Recently, its owner has upgraded the interior with beautiful beige leather and red piping; combined with a wooden steering wheel and the new soft-top, the result is stunning.

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/ca15/lots/r0062-1966-alfa-romeo-1600-duetto-spider/