The 1966 Geneva Motor Show saw the debut of the Alfa Romeo Duetto, which replaced the existing 101 series Giulia Spyder. The Duetto's Pininfarina designed body was inspired by a styling exercise on a 3.0-liter Disco Volante chassis seen at Geneva in 1959, and sported an attractive and individual line. The mechanical components were largely unaltered from those of the Giulia, providing the new model with excellent reliability and superb performance for a car of its size. The traditional Alfa Qualities of lightness, agility and fine handling remained, ensuring that the Duetto was a popular and sought-after as its predecessor had been.
Real worldwide success came though, as is often the case, when a Duetto was featured as Dustin Hoffman's transport in the cult classic The Graduate. Although the model soon began an inevitable evolution which kept it with us in recognizable form until recently, it is the 'boat tail' cars, with their unmistakably clean and simple shape, which are today the most cherished by aficionados of the marque.
The Duetto pictured here is of 1969 vintage and thus benefits from the more powerful 1,750 cc engine. Upon its return from the US in 1988 the car underwent an extensive refurbishment which included a respray and a complete engine overhaul.
The car looks very smart in Rosso Alfa with contrasting biscuit colored upholstery and is sure to provide its new owner with many miles of open-air enjoyment.
{analysis} The 1600 Duetto and 1750 Spider round tail are two of the most underpriced sports cars available today. Selling a round tail can tax the most patient owner's patience, with months of advertising and difficult bargaining ending up with a sale price at or under the $10,000 mark.
For those of you who live in California-type emissions-regulated states, your '69 Spider will have to live with its archaic and frustrating Spica injection system (perhaps injection-guru Wes Ingram of Seattle will offer you a maintenance contract!). In other parts of the world, the Spica can go away and be replaced with 40 or even better 45 DCOE Webers, creating the ideal round tail combination.
The car described here had aftermarket mags and an incorrect interior color, but was in good order otherwise. Despite its recent cosmetic restoration, it brought only $8,044 when it was offered and sold at the Coys 29 July 1995 Silverstone auction. - ED.
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