Description
Born in 1966, the last work of Battista Pininfarina, the Alfa Romeo Spider has marked thirty years of motoring history, becoming the first ambassador of Italian design in the world, and then the dynamic, brilliant and stainless icon of the Italian automobile. Known the world over, and not just to car enthusiasts, the Alfa Romeo Spider was the last car designed in 1966 by Battista Pininfarina: a low, fast spider with a cuttlebone profile, rounded front and rear, a long groove on its wing, a lowered radiator grille and a two-part front bumper interrupted to highlight the Alfa Romeo badge. The first version was powered by the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce's 1, 570 cm3 twin-shaft engine with two 40 twin-barrel carburettors that produced 110 bhp. The mechanical layout changed, inheriting the same 2, 250 mm bore from the Giulietta/ Giulia Spider it was to replace: longitudinal front engine, five-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive, independent front suspension, rigid rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes. The history of this icon of Italian motoring has been marked by many curious episodes. To begin with, its nickname, 'Duetto', which originated in a public competition but was claimed by a confectionery company that forced Alfa to abandon it just one year after its presentation, but which would remain the most widely used and famous name to define it. Another memorable event was the sumptuous cruise - Genoa, Cannes, New York - on the Raffaello waterjet, with which the European jet set accompanied three Spiders - white, red and green - that disembarked in America for the official presentation in the United States. In 1967, the car became world-famous for being driven by Dustin Hoffman in the film "The Laureate", and "Graduate" (the original title of the film in English) became the name of a piece of equipment. The 1600 was joined by the 1750 Veloce and then the 1300 Junior. The first "cuttlebone" series gave way to the "coda tronca" version in 1969, when, in addition to the 1750 Veloce and 1300 Junior, the 2000 Veloce followed in the footsteps of the Giulia GT. Between 1983 and 1989 the Alfa Romeo Spider became "aerodinamica", with the adoption of a protruding bumper, a deep front spoiler painted in body colour that extended over the wings like mini-skirts and a black rubber spoiler that encircled the entire rear: it was available with 1. 6 or 2. 0 engines, also in the Quadrifoglio Verde version and catalysed for the American market. In 1990 Pininfarina redesigned the car, almost returning it to its origins, with cleaner, sleeker lines that were free of the aerodynamic infrastructure of the 1980s: this was the last Alfa Romeo Spider. The front and rear have been redesigned to make the lines lighter, more proportionate and harmonious: the striking rear spoiler has been replaced by a discreet dihedral over the boot and the end of the mudguards, while the front logo mark has been created on the bumper itself. The new rear-view mirrors are electric, and the rear lights are modelled on the styling of the brand's flagship, the 164. Under the bonnet there was still the famous Weber 1600 twin-barrel 40, of which 2, 951 units were still produced between 1990 and 1992, but most models featured the two-litre electronically injected 122 bhp engine, which fell to 117 bhp in versions with a catalytic converter. By the end of 1993, 18, 456 Alfa Romeo Spider 2. 0s had been produced, three quarters of which were exported to the United States. This example was sold new in Germany on 20/ 02/ 1992 and has a full history. It has recently been repainted in its original colour and the carpets have been changed. It is fitted with a Becker car radio. It is in exceptional condition for this model, and has only been driven just over 100, 000 km. It has its service book, production sheet and numerous invoices. The vehicle will be delivered with an updated service History: Sold new in Germany to Mr. Ulrich PLAUZ (6233 kelkheim) on 20/ 02/ 1992 by the Autohaus Gerhard Kuban garage. Alfa service book sealed on 07/ 02/ 1992 at 0 km (Autohaus Gerhard Kuban, 6096 Raunheim). Michael Wehr (97084 Würzburg) Alfa service book sealed on. 15/ 01/ 1193 at 12. 020 km (Auto Nôth, 97084 Würzburg) Alfa service book sealed on 02/ 05/ 1994 at 21. 775 km (Auto Nôth, 97084 Würzburg) Service invoice on 24/ 10/ 1994 at 24. 734 km (Auto Nôth, 97084 Würzburg) TÜV technical control on 15/ 03/ 1997 at 36. 000 km Car resold on 21/ 04/ 1998 at 37. 872 km in UK to Mr. William Blench via Auto Rosso. William Blench via Auto Rosso (Surrey) (Invoice for 9, 900 2) Serviced at Auto Rosso at 37, 900 km on 01/ 05/ 1998 Service invoice (Dave Crawford Motor Services Ltd) on 21/ 05/ 1999 at 43, 681 km MoT certificate on...
