Highlights
- Restored to a very high standard by specialist
- Little use since completion in 2016
- One of the last LHD 1600cc built
- Matching numbers car
- The car is accompanied by its Alfa Romeo 'Certificato di Origine"
The Appeal
It is hard to imagine, looking at this beautiful Duetto, but when it was new buyers weren’t much keen on the styling. Consequently these early, exquisitely styled ‘boat tails,’ are rare. The first 1600cc models, like this one, particularly so.
It is one of the last LHD 1600s built, including colour scheme and matching numbers. The condition that shines out of the photographs reflects a comprehensive 2016 restoration by a high end specialist in Spain. It has only covered around 4,000kms in the intervening years.
This really is an exceptionally good example of one of Italy’s most beautiful sports cars. A recent gearbox overhaul and clutch replacement only add to the sense of a highly maintained, sparingly used car. It is one of the best we have seen in recent times.
The History and Paperwork
- Confirmed built on 22nd June 1967
- Sold to Alfa Romeo USA in Newark on 23rd November 1967
- Imported to UK on 1st December 2022
- Two registered keepers since arriving in the UK
- Colour scheme confirmed as factory correct
- One of the last 1600cc LHD cars built - 584th from the end of production
- Resided in Spain between late 2005 and 2016
- Serviced by specialists Autostorica between 2006 and 2016
- Sold to a previous keeper by Autostorica in 2016 who arranged for them to restore the car
- Restored in Spain in 2016 by Autostorica for a previous keeper
- We are told the car has covered only 4,000kms since the restoration
- Email correspondence dated April 2022 shown in photographs
- This provides detailed information on the restoration work
- Invoices from 2016 relating to the restoration in Spain including in photographs
- Older photographs of the car in Spain
- DVLA registration documents dated 13th December 2022
- 1 set of keys
- Spanish historic vehicle registration documents
- Registered as a Historic Vehicle in UK so MOT and tax exempt
- Gearbox rebuilt and clutch replaced in November 2022
Summary of 2016 restoration:
- Retrim
- Suspension overhaul
- New exhaust system
- Engine repairs including gaskets replaced
- New hood
- Carburettors refurbished
- Bodywork resprayed
- Attention to various areas of the mechanicals and running gear
This car is one of the 5,961 LHD 1600cc models built in 1966 and 1967. It is the 584th from last car built and email correspondence in the history file confirms it was built on 22nd June 1967. It was sold to Alfa Romeo USA in Newark on 23rd November 1967. The same details confirm the red over black colour scheme that it still retains.
The car arrived in Spain in late 2005 according to documents in the history file. We are told it was serviced and maintained by specialists Autostorica from 2006 to 2016 when it was sold to a previous keeper. He arranged for the seller to restore the car, the extent of this work being recorded in emails dated April 2022 which are provided in the history file and photographs. A summary of the work is provided above but we recommend checking out the photographs of the emails for full details.
The car arrived in the UK in late 2022 and is now correctly registered here as a Historic Vehicle. On arrival the gearbox was overhauled and the clutch replaced. The car has only had two registered keepers in the UK.
The Condition
- Restored car with sparing but regular use since
- Excellent factory-correct condition
- The quality of the restoration shows in the panel gaps and fit
- Sits on later ‘teardriop’ style alloy wheels with factory steel spare.
- Quality Dunlop tyres fitted and showing good condition and tread
- Unmodified interior with black vinyl seats, vinyl-trimmed dash top and three spoke wheel
- Period radio fitted
- Interior in very good order with clear dials and trim fittings
- Underside presents very well with ‘as new’ condition and good undersealing
- Roof is well kept with only very minor marks to note on trim edges
- Chromework bright and well kept throughout
The styling of this early, original Duetto was influenced by the Riva sports boats that still transport Italy’s beautiful people between watering holes in evocative destinations like Belagio and Venice. It is quite unlike any other car design and works particularly well in classic Alfa Romeo red as here.
This car was extensively restored in 2016 by a Spanish specialist. The quality of the work is obvious from the photographs where very good panel fit and finish mixes with a high end paint job.
The quality continues inside where the retrimmed interior carefully replicates the factory specification. It is in very good condition and continues the design flair evident on the outside.
The Mechanics
- Early 1,590cc ‘Nord’ twin cam engine
- 5spd manual gearbox rebuilt in late 2022
- Matching numbers car confirmed by Alfa Romeo correspondence
- Clutch replaced in late 2022
- Mechanical overhaul during 2016 restoration covering engine, suspension and running gear
For the first two years of production, Duettos were fitted with the smaller 1,590cc version of Alfa Romeo’s revered ‘Nord’ twin cam engine. Smaller capacity variants are known for their sweet-revving nature so while later cars gained more power, this quality is one of the key reasons to seek out an early cars like this one.
Its mechanicals were extensively overhauled during the 2016 restoration and you can find more details and a raft of invoices relating to this work in the history file and photographs. More recently the gearbox was rebuilt and the clutch replaced in November 2022.
It is a matching numbers car and said to be in very good health with no issues for the buyer to consider or deal with.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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