Highlights
- One of just 380 right hand drive examples made
- Rare and now very desirable 'Boat Tail'
- Owned by the Seller for an incredible 27 years
- 109bhp 1600cc engine and 5 speed gearbox
- Very nice and original example with a recent top end engine rebuild
The Appeal
Originally named the Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 the Duetto was manufactured for just two years, 1966 and 1967. The name 'Duetto' was winning entry in a competition held by Alfa Romeo to distinguish the car from its Giulia 105 series.
The Duetto name only applied to the 1600 model as the two later variants were the 1750 Velocé and 1300 Junior. All of these desirable and very early models are more commonly referred to today as 'Boat Tail' spiders. The Spiders were pretty advanced for the period, boasting twin cam engines, five-speed gearboxes and disc brakes on all four wheels. Although a total of 6,341 Alfa 1600 Duettos were produced over the two years of production, just 380 were built in right hand drive form, so this is a rare car indeed!
The Duetto name only applied to the 1600 model as the two later variants were the 1750 Velocé and 1300 Junior. All of these desirable and very early models are more commonly referred to today as 'Boat Tail' spiders. The Spiders were pretty advanced for the period, boasting twin cam engines, five-speed gearboxes and disc brakes on all four wheels. Although a total of 6,341 Alfa 1600 Duettos were produced over the two years of production, just 380 were built in right hand drive form, so this is a rare car indeed!
Purchased by the Seller in 1997 he has lovingly maintained the Spider, and enjoyed driving over 25,000 miles in the past 27 years. There is plenty of MoT history that documents the mileage, a full 6 page Work History report and plenty of old invoices on file. There is a current MoT and recent work carried out so the new owner will be able to enjoy the Spider straight away.
History and Paperwork
- Built in right hand drive for the UK market in 1967
- First registered in May 1967
- Purchased by the Seller in 1997
- Driven regularly, he has covered 25,000 miles in past 27 years
- V5c in Owner’s name
- Current MoT valid until July 2023
- Printed history of all work completed since 1999 stretching to six pages
- Parts and maintenance invoices back to 1997
- Old MoT certificates, earliest is from 1995 @ 76,946 miles
- DVLA MoT history back to 2006 @ 89,667 miles
- Recent work includes new head gasket, engine mount and carburettor tune in February 2023
- Three Alfa Romeo workshop manuals
- Full lever file parts catalogue
- Black indoor car cover
- A selection of spare parts (see photos)
The Interior
- Nero trim with black carpets
- Original seats in good condition
- Older soft top with minor damage
The interior is in good overall condition although there are some areas that the new owner may choose to improve. The black carpets were replaced some time ago, but they remain clean and smart. They could do with some adjustment and refitting in places but perfectly acceptable as they are. The seats are the originals and are in nice condition with a little age related wear. There is a small 2 inch tear on the passenger side but no other damage.
The instruments and gauges are all correct, and all appear to function properly with good oil pressure showing on tick over. The dash fascia should be painted red to match the body but it appears to be covered with some faded red vinyl type material. There is a period Roadstar AM/FM radio Cassette player fitted (ready for your Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs Robinson” tape) with a speaker mounted below the dash top.
The instruments and gauges are all correct, and all appear to function properly with good oil pressure showing on tick over. The dash fascia should be painted red to match the body but it appears to be covered with some faded red vinyl type material. There is a period Roadstar AM/FM radio Cassette player fitted (ready for your Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs Robinson” tape) with a speaker mounted below the dash top.
In the boot we find a correct rubber mat covering the spare wheel, with jack and tools. Lifting the at reveals some cream coloured paint that perhaps may have been the Spider’s original paint colour.
The black soft top roof erects and stows correctly. It was replaced when the Seller first purchased the Spider, but at some stage the material got caught in the hinge mechanism when folding and that resulted in a couple of holes above the passenger side window. These are sealed with rubber patches.
There are a few other areas where the material has worn thin, but the Seller has never driven the Spider in wet weather so leaks have never been an issue.
There are a few other areas where the material has worn thin, but the Seller has never driven the Spider in wet weather so leaks have never been an issue.
In general the interior is acceptable “as is” but there are areas which could be improved with a little time and effort.
The Exterior
- Rosso Red paintwork in good condition
- Correct 15 inch GTA style wheels with Alfa Romeo centre caps
- Good chrome, glass and trim
The Rosso Red exterior of the Spider is in tidy condition with just the odd small chip and blemish here and there. The glass areas appear to be undamaged with no misting or delamination.
The headlights, mounted behind their Perspex fairings, appear to be missing their chrome trims. One of the tail lights, unique to the boat tail model, may have become excessively hot at some stage as the plastic has melted a little and become discoloured. But in general the body appears straight with consistent panel gaps. The doors open without dropping and close well.
The headlights, mounted behind their Perspex fairings, appear to be missing their chrome trims. One of the tail lights, unique to the boat tail model, may have become excessively hot at some stage as the plastic has melted a little and become discoloured. But in general the body appears straight with consistent panel gaps. The doors open without dropping and close well.
Wheels are 15 inch 105 GTA style silver painted steels with the correct centre caps, all of which nice condition. All the tyres have plenty of remaining life, with Toyos on the front, and Ovation EcoVision on the rear.
The Mechanics
- 109bhp Alfa Romeo twin cam with dual Weber carbs- recently tuned and sounds great
- New fuel tank
- Clean and tidy engine bay
Lifting the bonnet uncovers a tidy and clean engine bay. The twin cam 1600 engine appears to be drip free with signs of recent attention in the form of new leads and distributor cap.
The Owner tells us that the Alfa recently had a new head gasket fitted and the carburettors were tuned when the head was reassembled and now the engine is running better than ever. He has always taken the Alfa to a local garage, Apolo Motor Services in Fareham, and they know the car inside out having cared for it for so long.
There is a full itemised history of work completed from 1999 to June 2022 when it also passed an MoT test.
The Owner tells us that the Alfa recently had a new head gasket fitted and the carburettors were tuned when the head was reassembled and now the engine is running better than ever. He has always taken the Alfa to a local garage, Apolo Motor Services in Fareham, and they know the car inside out having cared for it for so long.
There is a full itemised history of work completed from 1999 to June 2022 when it also passed an MoT test.
Summary
Original UK supplied Alfas of this era are understandably thin on the ground given our climate. The fact that this lovely Duetto is still going strong is mainly due to the care lavished upon it by its Owner over the past 27 years.
The most desirable of all the Spider series, this pretty Duetto is looking for a new caring owner. If they keep it for as long it will be 2050 before it’s offered for sale again!
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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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