Genuine 1966 Italian Market 1600 Spider Duetto NR

1966 Alfa Romeo Duetto 1600 Description

Offered here is a genuine, Italian market (ie. never imported into the US by Alfa) 1966 1600 Spider (Osso di Sepia” “boattail” “round tail”) DUETTO. 1966 represented the very FIRST model year of the round tail Duetto Spider, build concurrently with the last of the Giulia Spiders. Curiously, many other Alfa spiders are incorrectly identified as a “Duetto” when only the pre-American market, Italian model 1600 from 1966 is the only proper model year that to hold that important designation - Alfa having abandoned the name later in the year in favor of the simplified “1600 Spider”, before its marketing efforts in the USA began in 1967. The car for sale here is a pure, VERY EARLY production number (the 229th 105 spider ever produced) genuine Italian market Duetto - all nomenclature, labeling, components, etc. are written in Italian only (no English anywhere on the car) and are original to the car, or (only where replacement was necessary over the years) NOS Italian market Alfa parts and accessories, including the original gauges, ”Roma Block” hose clamps, fuse block housing, hoses, etc. All attention has been taken to preserve as much of the original bits on this rare car. There are fewer than a dozen of this first model year cars intact in the USA - the vast majority of the 105 bodied spiders being 1967’s and 1969’s - each almost always incorrectly marketed as a “Duetto”. This car is mechanically excellent - starts easily and quickly settles to a proper idle. It shifts through its 5 speed veloce gearbox effortlessly, and its hemispherical combustion chambered, duel overhead cam engine engine (*yes, they were essentially among the FIRST “hemi’s”) pulls very strong with an extraordinary exhaust note bellowing through the beautiful all stainless steel exhaust system.
The car’s exterior shows some age but is very pretty and presentable in the correct roso, but shows some rust bubbling in the rear valance area, and some to the outer rockers (some erupting through body filler from a prior repair - however I will include a set of replacement outer rockers with the car for the easy repair as the inners are solid as a rock showing no rot from the undercarriage of the car and the door frames do not sag or show any telltale signs of structural issues - the car is solid, tracks straight and true, and is a dream to drive.
The interior is in very very nice condition other than some tearing to the original seat covers on the seat bottoms (full replacement correct seat covers come with the car). Although not pictured, I have the original to the car, correct ashtray pod that will certainly stay with the car. The dash is very clean and original (as is the lower pad) although there is a crack behind the gauge binacle. In addition to the original dash top in the car, I have a complete spare original dash top (OE - very very rare and hard to come by) ready to send out for restoration so that you can still use the car while you wait! And then you could sell the spare to cover the restoration. The original vinyl convertible top is still in place and serviceable, with the frame in very good complete and properly functioning condition, but I am also including a brand new Hartz black canvas top with the car. The original vinyl soft top boot is also in very good condition although again, a brand new one is included with the car as well. Windshield is clear and unbroken, and all bright work is in exceptional condition (in addition to the fine units on the car currently, I have a set of new door handles, headlight covers, taillight lenses, and other valuable spare OEM parts that will be included with the car as well). Easily several thousand dollars worth of spares will accompany this car, as I believe in keeping it all together with the Duetto. I will also transfer (to the extent possible) the license plate (“66 Duet”) if you purchase and intend to register this car in NJ.
One important detail distinguishing the 1966 Duetto from all of the other 105 and 115 Alfa Spiders is the wheels. This oft and easily ignored detail has not been missed here - this car rolls on a full set of original borrani 15” steel wheels (contrary to what you may think, the original design of the Duetto, and as used on the 1966 model only, had narrow 15” wheels) which allow the car to handle lightly and nimbly as originally designed by Pininfarina! They also give the car its proper stance and delicate, yet sporting aesthetic. In my opinion, particularly for this very important initial model year car, Full set of correct hubcaps adorn the wheels - and the original, unrestored 15” spare wheel wearing its original tire remain in the clean, untrusted trunk! Full beautiful set of proper Alfa rubber mats are installed in the car interior and trunk, with custom embroidered black floor mats in the passenger cabin. Nardi style wood wheel with matching shift knob installed currently and are beautiful, although the correct, original black bakelite Personal steering wheel has been hanging in my shop for years and comes with the car of course.
Undercarriage is very clean, despite the Spider’s age, but this car has been lovingly cared for and used regularly - Alfas tend to rot and die if left unused! New performance yellow springs (not the overly rigid red springs) and Koni red performance shocks have been added to the suspension, along with renewed tie rod ends, and bushes. A chassis stiffener assembly has also been installed which not only adds additional rigidity for driveability, but is a protective of the car’s structure. The car is nevertheless structurally very sound, and the stiffener is removable without damage to the car. Brakes were updated with later roundtail discs for added stopping power and brake circuit. Car was treated to new proper plug wires, hoses, belt, and alternator/generator and charging system and cooling systems function flawlessly. As an early Spider, the pedals are proper, floor mounted and not the later hung pedal design, but the car fits and is comfortable to drive - I’m 6’1, 198lbs, and I fit very comfortably, with ample legroom and seat adjustment. Front seat should be tightened when changing seat covers though it forks fine, as do both seat adjusters in the car. Proper period correct “winder” seatbelts are in the car, as the original belts disintegrated. Trunk is super clean without rust or rot of any kind, and includes correct Battani jack, and beautiful tool roll with updated (not original to the car) Alfa tools.
This car has been loved and used, and is a member of our family, but lack of space on the lift and in the garage compel that I purge some of the collection. As pictured, the Duetto has “wintered” on a car lift, covered (car cover will be included with the car as well) and protected in a heated garage together with the rest of our collection. This car is has appreciated during our stewardship, and it is time for it to pass to another family and collection - and truly, deserves a full restoration to a state of perfection as the 1966 Duetto will most certainly be a fast appreciating iconic, true sports car - conceiving an entire line of Spiders that Alfa built and shared with the world for decades thereafter.
This beautiful, historically important Alfa is offered here with no reserve, and is also for sale locally, and on relevant Alfa Romeo sites. Please feel free to ask questions, and I will take addition