This elegant and sylph-like roadster is little short of an icon; indeed, over in Italy it’s considered a national treasure. With its zingy twin-cam engine, light weight and RWD platform, there’s a simplicity to the Spider that makes it an utter joy to drive. The Alfa Romeo name has been synonymous with devil-may-care toplessness since before Dustin Hoffman started eyeing up Mrs Robinson, with delectable Spiders effortlessly complementing free-and-easy lifestyles from the moment the Duetto slunk onto the scene back in 1966.

 The ’67 model we have here represents a very attractive proposition indeed. It’s recently arrived in the UK from South Africa, and Johannesburg cars are generally considered to be synonymous with being rust-free and dry. The Duetto was restored by Gigi and Nico at Auto Sprint Alfa Romeo Service Centre in Johannesburg, and painted by Booysens Reserve Panelbeaters – reputedly one of the best in Johannesburg at the time.

The quality of the restoration proved its worth by netting some impressive silverware: in 2010, this car was entered into the concours at the Alfa Romeo Club Centenary Festival at Arnold Chatz Alfas (the most respected Alfa dealer on Jo’burg), and it came away with a 1st-place trophy. Achievement indeed, as there would have been hundreds of other Alfa Romeos competing!

 The owner, a serious Alfa collector, kept the car for a number of years after that alongside his GTV6 and GTV 2000 Bertone – and he’s keen to highlight that the restoration work was really more of a refurbishment than a full-blown resto; after all, the car is in remarkable original specification, right down to the original-spec steel wheels.

 An unmolested example that drives superbly and still has that tightness of a low-mileage Alfa, it’s clear to see that this car has been cherished over its lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to live out that Mrs Robinson fantasy…

 

 

 

The condition of this boat-tail Duetto is pleasingly top-tier throughout, as you’d hope of a former concours winner. The bodywork is impressive with straight panel gaps and quality paintwork; all of the correct chrome trim and badging is in place and in tidy condition, and there’s no haziness to the headlamp covers. The car wears its original-spec steel wheels which are all in great order, and has a matching set of Michelin tyres with plenty of tread. The light lenses and window glass are all good. And if you look at the photos of the underside of the car, you’ll see that it’s as impressively straight and corrosion-free as the bodywork is.

The cabin is equally pleasing. These cars are supremely elegant in their simplicity, so this is a no-nonsense layout that’s free of excess fripperies and has had its fat succinctly trimmed: there’s a dished wood-rim steering wheel, a simple dash, two slender seats, and that’s just about all you need. Everything’s in original specification and tastefully presented; the dials work and there’s no sun damage to the dash-top. Just as you’d want it to be.
 
 

 

The mechanical package of the Duetto is surprisingly sophisticated: at the core of it all is that jewel-like 1600 twin-cam, fuelled by juicy Weber DCOEs, which makes heavenly noises and is always eager to rev. This is joined by a 5-speed manual transmission with very well-judged ratios for spirited touring, along with disc brakes behind those 14” wheels. The footprint makes it reassuringly sure-footed, thanks to the meaty 185-section tyres.

This is evidently a car in fine fettle – the engine fires willingly and settles into a steady idle, and it pulls keenly through the revs. The car rides well on its suspension and the brakes pull it up firmly, straight and true. It really is a delightful little thing to drive.
 
 

 

 
Convertibles are designed to be fun, the act of driving making you feel like a winner and adding a little sparkle to every journey in your day-to-day life. And when you sprinkle that sparkle over a platter of fabulous design, stir in some playful handling, and bake the recipe to perfection, you end up with a car that’s quick enough to be entertaining, comfy enough for touring, and pretty enough to have you turning back for one last look every time you refuel or put it to bed. The Duetto ticks every box with a sumptuous flourish – and the bonus here is that if you want to scoop up some concours trophies, that’s well within its scope too.
 
BEFORE YOU BUY

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