Highlights
- Beautiful restoration took place in 2021
- Completely overhauled and restored mechanical workings
- Low mileage example
- Matching numbers
The Appeal
Two seater, front engined, rear-wheel drive, and a drop top. What more could you possibly want from a beautiful Italian classic?
The series two, manufactured from 1970 to 1982, had seen some design changes from the earlier sibling in the form of a revised grill, different door handles, a much nicer interior trim, top-hinged pedals, a more raked windscreen and the rear of the vehicle being changed from a elongated round tail to a Kamm tail, improving luggage space.
The series two, manufactured from 1970 to 1982, had seen some design changes from the earlier sibling in the form of a revised grill, different door handles, a much nicer interior trim, top-hinged pedals, a more raked windscreen and the rear of the vehicle being changed from a elongated round tail to a Kamm tail, improving luggage space.
For decades, these cars have been praised as an automotive piece of artwork, and it’s pretty easy to understand why that would be the case.
Stunning design alongside being some of the most technically advanced vehicles of their time, and manufactured by a marque which has one of the most celebrated histories in the motoring world - these sports cars were a winner from the get go.
Stunning design alongside being some of the most technically advanced vehicles of their time, and manufactured by a marque which has one of the most celebrated histories in the motoring world - these sports cars were a winner from the get go.
This particular example has been pampered to a complete and stunning restoration, inside and out, along with having the interior retrimmed to standard specifications.
This Spider is a real gem, and you’d be hard pushed to find one in better condition.
Although this features the smaller 1.3 engine, that shouldn't be off putting, the 1300 is still massively characteristic and an absolute joy, with responsive throttle input and a fantastic throaty grumble!
This Spider is a real gem, and you’d be hard pushed to find one in better condition.
Although this features the smaller 1.3 engine, that shouldn't be off putting, the 1300 is still massively characteristic and an absolute joy, with responsive throttle input and a fantastic throaty grumble!
The History and Paperwork
- Originally built in 1972
- Registered in 1973, Italy
- Original Savona licence plates
- Genuine 113,000 kilometres
- Government test valid until June 2024
- Complete restoration in April 2021 by Classiccar Milano SRL
- Complete mechanical overhaul and restoration in April 2021
The Interior
- Stunning black leather
- Recently restored throughout
- Red dashboard fascia
- All gauges, switches and lights functional
- Brightwork in lovely condition
- All carpets in fantastic condition
- Alfa floor mats present
- Door cards wonderfully presented
- Very minor signs of charming and welcome patina
You really can’t beat some Italian classics when it comes to interior design.
Where other cars let down the tactile experience with poorly laid out dashboards and cheap materials, Alfa comes in swinging with leather upholstery, dashes of colour (pun intended) and gauges that look like wristwatches, shod with eye-catching brightwork.
Where other cars let down the tactile experience with poorly laid out dashboards and cheap materials, Alfa comes in swinging with leather upholstery, dashes of colour (pun intended) and gauges that look like wristwatches, shod with eye-catching brightwork.
Opening the driver side door to the low slung roadster, you’re greeted with the magnificently restored leather interior.
Black leather seats and door cards, all of which appear in showroom conditions with no signs of any scuffs, scratches or damage. Stitching throughout remains uniform and is truly appreciated up close - these seats look absolutely brand new thanks to the recent restoration undergone.
Black leather seats and door cards, all of which appear in showroom conditions with no signs of any scuffs, scratches or damage. Stitching throughout remains uniform and is truly appreciated up close - these seats look absolutely brand new thanks to the recent restoration undergone.
Carpets remain in place and are in great shape, and the rubber Alfa Romeo embossed floor mats are also present in lovely condition too. The pedals show some signs of use as you would expect, it would be a shame to replace these with unworn pieces and remove any signs of enjoyment.
Moving up from the floor and onto those eye-catching door cards we’re presented with some nicely kept brightwork, introducing some small signs of welcome patina into the cabin on the swooping sections which fall down from the interior door handle - the rest however seems very well kept, including the door handle itself and the window winding handle.
Moving up from the floor and onto those eye-catching door cards we’re presented with some nicely kept brightwork, introducing some small signs of welcome patina into the cabin on the swooping sections which fall down from the interior door handle - the rest however seems very well kept, including the door handle itself and the window winding handle.
Sitting in the plush and comfortable drivers seat, somewhat akin to being transported back to the 70’s, you’re presented with the beautiful and original two-spoke steering wheel in lovely condition, and directly behind are the stunning black faced tachometer and speedometer, surrounded with lovely brightwork.
There are no unwelcome warning lights here and everything works as you would expect it to. Directly adjacent, sit three more gauges nested in the red dash panel - a fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, and water temperature gauge respectively.
There are no unwelcome warning lights here and everything works as you would expect it to. Directly adjacent, sit three more gauges nested in the red dash panel - a fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, and water temperature gauge respectively.
In the boot area, the rubber boot liner is still present and shows some signs of wear as you would expect, and lifting it reveals a spare wheel and a very nicely kept metal boot floor, with no signs of noteworthy corrosion.
The interior of this little roadster truly is something special. Professionally restored with hints of originality and patina really is something to admire, and is masterfully done.
We could gaze at this endlessly and never get bored of it.
We could gaze at this endlessly and never get bored of it.
The Exterior
- Restoration undergone in April of 2021
- Beautiful red paintwork
- All panels appear straight and true
- Panel gaps appear that of factory fitment
- Brand new headlights
- Lovely brightwork
- Original Alfa Romeo badges
- All original wheels in beautiful condition, shod in Hankook tyres
- Original Savona licence plates
- Functional and restored drop-top
- Corrosion free throughout
- Original mirrors present and can be fitted should the new owner choose
Enchanting, ain’t it? Not a word we’d often use to summarise a car, but it seems very fitting here, it’s a very charming little sports car - one that’s often deemed as a piece of automotive artwork by critics, and honestly, we would have to agree.
At the front of the vehicle, the brightwork is beautifully finished with just some very minor signs of age, and the Alfa Romeo sign remains to be the original one the car has worn all of its days - we think this is a fantastic touch! Indicators up front are also the originals, however the headlights themselves have been replaced with new units during the restoration process.
Paintwork up here is gorgeous, no blemishes or marks and probably with a better finish than could ever be achieved in 1972.
Paintwork up here is gorgeous, no blemishes or marks and probably with a better finish than could ever be achieved in 1972.
The side of the vehicle is equally as handsome, paintwork is in excellent condition, arches are free from any signs of corrosion and panel gaps are of factory fitment, if not better!
The standard wheels are presented in silver paint with the original Alfa polished hub caps, and all shod in fresh Hankook rubber ready to toll.
The standard wheels are presented in silver paint with the original Alfa polished hub caps, and all shod in fresh Hankook rubber ready to toll.
Moving around to the rear of the car we get a better look at the revised tailgate design known as the Kama tail, allowing for more luggage capacity then the previous generation.
The original badges are fitted and in great shape, showing small signs of charming patina, and the original rear bumper is in place too showing minor signs of age but overall in good shape. The rear exhaust sits slightly off-centre of the cut out, however it’s easy to look past this given how pretty it is!
The original badges are fitted and in great shape, showing small signs of charming patina, and the original rear bumper is in place too showing minor signs of age but overall in good shape. The rear exhaust sits slightly off-centre of the cut out, however it’s easy to look past this given how pretty it is!
The drop-top is completely functional and in great shape too - of course it has some crease lines but that’s just a common characteristic of any convertible. No rips or tears present themselves and the rear window is completely intact and retains amazing clarity!
Overall, this little Duetto is in stunning condition, worthy of anyone's collection, and ripe to be taken on a peaceful summer drive.
Really, there is nothing we would change about this example, the beautiful restoration remains just that, and the sprinkled originality is a gorgeous and appreciated touch.
Really, there is nothing we would change about this example, the beautiful restoration remains just that, and the sprinkled originality is a gorgeous and appreciated touch.
The Mechanics
- 1.3L 4-cylinder engine
- Rear wheel-drive configuration
- 5-speed manual transmission
- 86bhp and 101 lb-ft of torque
- Completely mechanically overhauled during restoration
- Government test valid until June 2024
At a time when automakers were stuck in their ways of offering drab 4-speed transmissions, steam age engines and elementary carbs, Alfa Romeo came out swinging with overhead twin cams, proper dual Weber carbs, five speed manual transmission, brake discs and an all-alloy engine.
It wasn’t until the 90’s that the Duetto saw any form of proper competition from another manufacturer, and it showed in the form of a Lotus Elan.
It wasn’t until the 90’s that the Duetto saw any form of proper competition from another manufacturer, and it showed in the form of a Lotus Elan.
Fitted with the smaller engine of the lot, there isn’t a whole lot of power difference between these and the sought after 2.0, and the driving characteristics are pretty much identical - you won’t feel yourself itching for more from this car by any means - even the more powerful drivetrain is quite leisurely.
The current owner states that mechanically this car is in top form, undergoing major mechanical overhaul during the restoration process of the car ensuring that everything functions as expected.
The current owner states that mechanically this car is in top form, undergoing major mechanical overhaul during the restoration process of the car ensuring that everything functions as expected.
The engine fires up at the turn of a key and idles happily with no signs of struggle, the power remains strong and linear, the 5-speed transmission is smooth and precise and the brakes remain powerful and do not pull to any side.
Fair to say then that this little Duetto is extremely well sorted - just jump in, fire her up and enjoy the ride.
Fair to say then that this little Duetto is extremely well sorted - just jump in, fire her up and enjoy the ride.
Driving these Alfa’s is unarguably the best bit about them.
They’re worlds ahead of their competitors such as the MGB and Triumph TR’s, feeling much more modern and providing a more visceral experience - these little roadsters are more raw than refined, and even though they may not provide you with face-melting speeds, the happy-revving engines and confident gearboxes are itching to hit the next B-road it comes across.
They’re worlds ahead of their competitors such as the MGB and Triumph TR’s, feeling much more modern and providing a more visceral experience - these little roadsters are more raw than refined, and even though they may not provide you with face-melting speeds, the happy-revving engines and confident gearboxes are itching to hit the next B-road it comes across.
Summary
Duetto’s, in the passing years, have been slowly appreciating in value - and it’s honestly pretty easy to see why, from the jaw-dropping looks to the exciting driving experience, there really isn’t anything to dislike about them.
A well sorted, beautifully restored example like this is enough to get any Alfisti excited and clawing at their wallets.
This would fit right in to any collection, or serve well as a summer toy for cruising the streets and b-roads gathering all the attention you could ever imagine!
Notice to bidders
This would fit right in to any collection, or serve well as a summer toy for cruising the streets and b-roads gathering all the attention you could ever imagine!
Notice to bidders
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