Description
The holy grail. A genuine UK-supplied Series 1 “Boat Tail” Spider presented in Rosso (Red) with matching interior and offered in excellent useable condition. The subject of an older bodywork restoration and repaint and more recent gearbox rebuild, this stunning little car affords the opportunity to acquire one of the most desirable Alfas built at a very sensible price. The car benefits from a small history file, Alfa Romeo Certificate of Origin, current MoT Certificate and is both running well and driving beautifully.
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1966, the Series 1 Spider was, like its Giulia predecessor, designed by Pininfarina and is commonly known as the Duetto (Italian for “duet”) albeit the name could never be officially adopted owing to a chocolate snack made by Pavesi carrying the same name. As such, the car was simply called the Spider 1600 and came with a 1570cc twin-cam engine fitted with twin Weber carburettors, a 5-speed gearbox, disc brakes and 15” steel wheels. With an asking price in the UK close to that of a Jaguar E-Type, this was deemed expensive when compared with similar offerings from Lotus and MG and unsurprisingly sold to very much the elite in incredibly small numbers. In January 1968, it was replaced by the more powerful 1750 Spider Veloce with the Spider badging now being dropped in favour of just a discreet “1750” script beneath the rear Alfa Romeo badge. In 1970, a redesign of the body saw the boat tail disappear and replaced by the squarer Kamm-tail as well other other notable changes to grille, windscreen and interior. With only around 200 original RHD boat tails imported to the UK from 1966-70, these were rare in their day and an even rarer sight today.
Our car was built in June 1969 and delivered into the UK in the September as a London-bound car ultimately being registered in March 1970. Chassis number AR 1470587, it was supplied new from the factory in Bianco (White) paintwork with Skai Nero (Black) trim and whilst we know very little of it`s early life, the Spider was both restored and repainted in Rosso (Red) and retrimmed around 25 years ago. The history file documents the car residing in Hampshire around 20 years ago before moving to Gibraltar in around 2012. It became registered there and enjoyed 5 years in the sun (albeit with very few miles covered) before coming back to the UK in early 2017 being re-registered back on it`s original plate. In the ownership of a Wiltshire-based vintage and classic dealership at the time, the Alfa was sold to a gentleman in Surrey who subsequently commissioned a full strip and rebuild of the gearbox by an engineering company in Leatherhead. The car was sold again in 2019 to a classic car enthusiast in Weymouth who has retained the Spider to this day. Recent bills and receipts from Classic Alfa document various maintenance jobs including brake parts, a new pair of door mirrors, window seals and a new boot release handle. It has the benefit of a current MoT Certificate as well as considerable online history reflecting it`s move overseas and less than 2, 000 miles in the past 20 years.
Today the Alfa presents just as can be seen in the photographs. Bodywork is seemingly rust-free and gaps generally very good albeit the boot lid and driver`s door would benefit from minor adjustment to fit perfectly. Paintwork too is very good with just a few minor chips and light scratches commensurate with a car restored and repainted some 25 years ago. Hood is excellent as is all external chrome trim. Inside, the cabin presents well with Red seat covers, matching carpets and door cards, a spoked wood-rimmed steering wheel and period radio. Turn the key and with a little throttle, the twin cam soon awakes with a typical Alfa bark. On the road, the car is sublime. It`s been a while since I have sat in the cockpit of a Duetto and I`d had forgotten just how addictive these little cars are. It is motoring for the senses: the sound, the smell and the feel. Nothing else really comes close. Lively performance, positive steering, excellent brakes and superb balanced handling to possibly the best soundtrack in the business. On a warm July afternoon, I took the Alfa for a run out towards Bridport and back through Abbotsbury. With plenty of heel and toe, this is still a car that despite it`s age begs to be driven. And driven with spirit. I was only sad to come home and put it away!
The car comes with some history from the past 20 years, a Certificate of Origin documenting the build and delivery dates and original factory specification, some old MoT Certificates including a current one to September 2026, a current V5C and 2 sets of keys.
A delightfully useable example of one of my all-time favourites. Great value at this price too.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today. We are happy to take a reservation fee to hold a vehicle but as a dealership, we don`t operate a structured distance selling scheme.
