Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider

Chassis No. - AR*192669
Engine No. - AR*00601 *06569*
Touring Body No. 14979
Ivory with Green Leather Interior
Current Mileage – 63,298 miles

Historic Overview

Since their establishment more than a century ago, Alfa Romeo has repeatedly proved their merits as leaders in automobile design and engineering. This reputation prevailed in both competition cars and road cars powered by twin-cam engines with superb chassis engineering and stunning coachwork. Following World War II, Alfa Romeo transitioned to more nimble, small displacement four-cylinder cars, but preference for the six-cylinder engine was greatly favored in their Gran Turismo cars. The 2600 engine, a direct descendant of the pre-war dual overhead camshaft design, offered increased displacement to 2584cc, producing 145hp. The exotic alloy motor was both durable and reliable, famously serving the Italian Carbinieri's "Squadra Volante" as high-speed police pursuit vehicles. In the spirit of the great 6C cars, the 2600 series offered beautifully designed spider coachwork from Touring, Italy, which blended perfectly with Alfa Romeo engineering and superlative performance.

Unlike the many higher volume production cars of the era, the 2600 featured handmade construction using patented Touring coachwork. Ideally suited for long distance driving, given the larger displacement, wider torque band, standard 5 speed transmission, and spacious storage, the 2600 Spider became popular among driving enthusiasts who appreciated the comfort, performance, and ample storage – traits that continue to be sought after by vintage enthusiasts seeking ideal cars for driving events and weekend concours club activities.
History and Recent Services for this Alfa Romeo

According to the original owner’s manual, dealer window sticker, and letter from Alfa Romeo addressed to the first owner, this car was sold to the first owner through Marquis Motors, Laguna Beach, CA on June 25, 1965. Though currently ivory, this Alfa is believed to have been originally finished in red and trimmed with a black interior. The original owner, Norman J. Brown, a resident of Santa Ana, CA documented Marquis Motors service entries in 1965 in the service booklet accompanying the car, covering 7,595 miles by December 1965, spanning 6 months of ownership. After periods of ownership in Oregon and Kansas, the car was located in Western Washington when the engine was comprehensively rebuilt in 2013 including new pistons, main and rod bearings, component balancing, and a valve job. Cosmetic work included interior enhancements along with the purchase and installation of a new black canvas top.

By 2019, the car was located in Northern California where it was serviced at Antique Auto Restorations, Seaside, CA including rebuilding the front calipers with stainless-steel pistons, Apple Hydraulics rebuild for the brake booster, replacement for one brake line, and carburetor adjustments. Later in 2019, the current owner also a Northern California resident, purchased the car and continued services at Antique Auto Restorations that same year including machining the intake manifold, cleaning the carburetors, new carb donuts, a new battery, refining the throttle linkage, installing a new tank sender, and repairing the original under dash wiring. Services continued in 2020 with a starter rebuild, new plug wires and spark plugs, and a new rotor. In 2021, watts linkage bushings were replaced, and the temperature gauge and sender were serviced.
Current Condition and Features

Today this beautiful Alfa 2600 presents in excellent condition throughout. Smooth and glossy ivory paint is consistent and very well suited to the design. The body panels and gaps are very nice with hood and trunk easily opened and closed and excellent fit for both doors, which have exceptionally nice, crisp closures. The front and rear bumpers exhibit consistent finishes and correct contours. The door handles, side trim, and headlight trim are visually quite nice including the thin windshield trim, lenses, and side view mirror. The grille work and lighting are both unique and impressive particularly on this low-slung Touring design. A set of painted ventilated steel wheels, shod with period correct Michelin X 165 R 400 radial tires, and small polished wheel covers are ideal for this configuration. The delicate trim and Touring badges are delightful touches of jewelry, beautifully but subtly identifying the coachwork, manufacturer, and engine designation.

The green leather interior is very nice throughout including properly trimmed leather seats, beautifully finished door panels, and a correctly contoured leather rear seating area. The soft green and black interior are handsome contrasts to the ivory finish. The seats offer excellent support and correct pleating and piping as along with a set of black lap belts. The dashboard is very nicely finished and a delight to the eye. The instruments have clear lenses with contrasting color and consistent but light mellowing to the numeric indication indicative or originality. The numeric indication in the instrument faces, chrome bezels, and other details are beautifully finished. The steering wheel and horn emblem are handsome accents to the interior as are the various accessories, switches, and control knobs, all of which appear original to the car. The convertible top, headliner, and clear plastic window are all in excellent condition. Of note, the rear bulkhead is finished with ample insulation which reduces interior noise and heat. The trunk is finished with black carpet, houses a 12V battery, under floor mounted spare Michelin tire, and a set of tools.

The matching number engine and engine compartment is correctly finished, well-detailed, and reflective of proper care and maintenance. The engine is equipped with the correct cast alloy intake plenum and air filter feeding three dual throat 45DCOE Weber carburetors. The finishes are very nicely presented including the silver cam cover, correct hardware, proper fasteners, and a correct hood insulation pad. The engine compartment and assorted components are all very well presented, retaining the original black finish to the firewall, correct and original fluid reservoirs, correct stampings, Touring body tag, and other factory details. Though not detailed for show, the underside of the car is very nice. The finned alloy oil pan casting is in very good condition with no major chips or sections missing and the leather rear axle limit straps have been recently replaced. There is no evidence of structural damage or compromise to any of the major suspension mounting points. Even the structural frame trunnions, often found to be warped, damaged, or compromised by unfriendly road salts, remain in excellent condition.

The car starts easily, settling into a smooth and gentle idle. The 5-speed synchromesh gearbox shifts without hesitation, and the front disc brakes and independent coil spring front suspension work in harmony with the chassis. The driving experience is a tribute to Alfa Romeo’s brilliant post war engineering further enhanced by the added confidence exhibited in recent care and services performed by vintage car experts. A superb open Italian coachbuilt car with similar characteristics found in a Ferrari PF Cabriolet or Maserati Vignale at a fraction of the price, this Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider is ready to please the next fortunate Italian sports car enthusiast with the very best in open sports car motoring.

Items Accompanying this Alfa Romeo

The car is accompanied by an original toolbox and tools, the dealer window sticker, a letter from Alfa Romeo addressed to the first owner, a car cover, assorted dealership literature, an Alfa Romeo History Highlights pamphlet, ventilation instruction placard, service coupon book, and copies of selected parts and service receipts dating back to 1999.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608