Highlights
- Lightly restored following an extended period in dry storage
- Beautifully presented and in fantastic condition
- Corrosion-free Californian import
- Photographic record of the restoration / recommissioning work
- Same colour and specification as the Duetto driven by Dustin Hoffman in ‘The Graduate’
The Appeal
If you were young, trendy and affluent in Los Angeles, California during the late 1960s, the chances are you drove an open sports car, and an imported Alfa Romeo Spider was the one to have. It’s no coincidence that a little red Duetto was chosen for Dustin Hoffman to drive around LA in the 1968 film ‘The Graduate’. The Alfa epitomised ‘60s cool and drivers soon found it was as good to drive as it was to be seen in.
Here we have a particularly evocative example that was imported from the US in 2017. Believed to have originally been a promotional car in Los Angeles, it was then tucked away for the best part of three decades before it was unearthed by an enthusiast during the early noughties. Benefitting from California’s dry climate, the car was reportedly corrosion-free, so only required light restoration to get it back on the road. It’s now in fantastic condition both mechanically and cosmetically and is ready to enjoy.
The History and Paperwork
- Left-hand drive
- It is believed the car was used as a 'promo' vehicle when it first arrived in Los Angeles, it was then tucked away before being found (still in LA) in the late 90's/early 00's
- Official Alfa Romeo Certificato Di Origine
- Dry stored off the road for approximately thirty years just outside LA until the early 2000s
- Lightly restored after the car was unearthed from storage
- Imported to the UK in 2017
- We’re informed that it has been driven very sparingly since import
- In present ownership since March 2018 (one former UK owner)
- Copy of an original user manual
- Photographic record of the restoration work
- Numerous invoices for parts acquired from UK specialists including Classic Alfa Ltd
- 13,399 miles indicated, although the true mileage is unknown
- Exempt from road tax and MOT testing
The Interior
- Black vinyl upholstery with red piping
- Equipped with roof cover for when the soft top is lowered
- Period-correct Motorola radio
- OEM steering wheel, controls and switchgear
- MPH speedometer (for US market)
- Black carpeting
- Rubber matting in the footwells
- Well fitted boot carpet
- Original jack and full-size spare wheel with a Pirelli tyre
Having been retrimmed to a great standard, this Alfa’s interior looks fantastic. The seat upholstery complements the exterior with red piping and is all in fantastic order with barely any wear to be seen. The carpeting is in similarly fine fettle throughout, as are the rubber mats which protect it within the footwells.
The Jaeger instruments are a delight and we understand them all to be in fine working order. All the original controls and switchgear look great, as does the period-correct Motorola radio. There’s very little wear to be seen at all, and certainly no damage that we could discern.
The Exterior
- Fabulous Pininfarina ‘boat tail’ styling
- Handsome “Rosso” paintwork with very few blemishes
- Black soft top in great condition, with no damage to the fabric or rear window
- No obvious deterioration or damage to the chromework
- All the light lenses and badges seem in good shape
- Straight bodywork with no signs of corrosion
- Slight bubbling to the paint in front of the bonnet, although this is hardly noticeable
- Painted steel wheels complete with hubcaps and Pirelli Cinturato tyres
- All looks in good order underneath
- Not patched up like many Spiders of this vintage and the vendor comments that there’s no obvious signs of any welding every having been needed
The Duetto is widely regarded as one of the prettiest sports cars of all time and it’s easy to see why. Pininfarina’s flowing ‘boat tail’ styling makes this a very dainty machine. It’s irrefutably stylish and still commands attention wherever it goes.
Having spent most of its life in an arid climate, this Spider has likely never been subjected to any structural repairs and a glance underneath confirms that it hasn’t been patched up like many Spiders of this vintage have. The bodywork is in excellent condition, with straight panels, great door fit and no evidence of serious corrosion.
Red always looks good on Alfas and this one is no exception. Upon closer inspection, there are a few paint imperfections, but certainly nothing you notice from most angles and it’s holding up well considering it was last repainted around twenty years ago. We understand that there were some small dents and other imperfections which is why the bodywork was refinished, in spite of there being no perforating corrosion.
The Mechanics
- 1600 cc Nord four-cylinder twin-cam
- Five-speed manual gearbox - rather advanced for the period
- Running well and reportedly driving as it should
- The vendor suggests that since the car is used sparingly, a thorough service would be advisable
- Beautifully presented engine compartment
The Duetto spawned three subsequent generations of 105 Series Spider, and the key to its success was that it was as wonderful to drive as it was to look at. We’re assured that this one lives up to expectations and drives brilliantly, with ample power and great handling.
The much celebrated Nord twin-cam is justifiably lauded and in 1600 cc form it’s a real gem of an engine. It thrives on revs and coupled to a five-speed gearbox, produces more than enough performance to be very competitive in period. We’re advised that while this example runs and drives well, it has not been used a great deal in recent years and so would benefit from a thorough service.
Summary
This achingly beautiful Duetto is a really fine example. It has clearly benefited from the dry climate of Los Angeles and all subsequent restoration work has evidently been carried out to a great standard.
If you’re seeking fun summer transport, this Alfa Romeo would be the perfect choice.
