Vehicle Description
It has been said that any true sports car enthusiast should own at
least one Alfa Romeo in their life. Of course some might strongly
disagree with that sentiment � but others in the know will
certainly nod in agreement. Alfa Romeos have a certain quality, a
certain excitement about them that can be difficult to explain, but
once you get behind the wheel, it all becomes clear. Lively
handling, jewel-like twin-cam engines and bodies designed by the
greatest Italian Carrozzeria all add up to create cars that are
unmatched for sheer driving joy � from the most basic four-door
sedan up to a two-seat sports car � Alfas share that same spirit.
The Duetto spider was based on the highly successful 105-series
chassis that served as the basis of the Giulia and Giulietta coupes
and sedans, but with completely different styling. The Duetto took
all that was great about the Giulia coupe and boiled it down to the
bare essentials of a two seat, open top sports car.� While fairly
conventional, the chassis was very well sorted thanks to the
well-located rear axle and independent front suspension. The Duetto
was built on a strong unibody platform, and came standard with disc
brakes, a sweet shifting 5-speed manual transmission, and a 1600cc
version of the famous twin cam. The beautiful bodywork was penned
at Pininfarina and represented a drastic departure from the
Bertone-bodied coupes and sedans. The Duetto was the last project
that the company�s founder, Battista �Pinin� Farina had a personal
hand in. The beautiful design is characterized by minimal chrome,
distinctly sculptured body sides and that signature tapering,
rounded tail. This is the original expression of the long-running
Alfa Spider, and is considered by many to be the purest and most
desirable of all models in the 27 year production run. This 1967
example is from the second year of Duetto production and features
the famous twin cam engine with dual side draught weber
carburetors. This is an extremely nice and very well presented
Duetto, a fantastic driver. Bright red paint work is in excellent
condition and the color suits the Pininfarina body brilliantly. It
is correctly fitted with painted steel wheels, original wheel
covers and black-wall Michelin radial tires, and sits proudly on
the suspension as it did from new. Panel fit is excellent and the
minimal bright work is in very good condition all around, with most
pieces appearing to be in fine original condition. Engine bay
detailing is very nice, with the correct air filter still in place
� a rare find. The underhood accessories are correctly finished,
and the engine bay as a whole is tidy and extremely well presented.
The engine runs strong, emitting an intoxicating, throaty
soundtrack � sucking air in through the big Webers and emitting an
addictive exhaust note out the back. These engines beg to be revved
and it is truly one of the great small engines of all time. The
basic black interior is highly correct and original. New carpets
have been fitted as well as a black canvas top which fits nicely
with good rubber weatherstrip. The original steering wheel and
instruments are in excellent condition, and the view from behind
the wheel is refreshingly clean and simple. The sleek painted dash
is simple and clean with auxiliary instruments angled toward the
driver, a thin rim three spoke wheel and the 5-speed gearshift that
falls easily to hand. An Alfa Duetto is about the pure, simple joy
of driving, enjoying the telepathic steering feel and happily
rowing through the gears to keep the jewel of an engine on the
boil. This gorgeous, high quality example is certain to please any
Alfa Romeo enthusiast or anyone who is simply looking to get in on
the Alfa cult � and experience why these are considered among the
finest drivers cars of all time.