Fantasy Junction

Description

1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto

Chassis No. – AR663846
Engine No. – AR00536*11939*
Exterior Color – Red
Interior Color – Black
Engine – 1.6 Liter DOHC Inline-Four
Transmission – 5-speed manual
Current Miles – 27,615 (TMU)
Current Owner – Purchased in 2020 on BaT
Miles driven under current ownership – Approximately 500 miles

General History

Enjoying increased success in the new line of Alfa Romeo cars that evolved in the early 60s, Alfa Romeo released the first series spider at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. Originally named via customer competition, the winning entrant “Duetto” had to be delayed due to trademark issues, releasing it officially as the Spider 1600. Well-appointed, beautifully finished, and successful in competition venues, Duettos have since offered new generations of enthusiasts exciting motoring experiences at nominal cost.

The series 1 cars (1966-1969) outfitted with 1570cc twin-cam engines, featured disc brakes and a 5-speed manual transmission. By 1969 the engine was updated to the 1750 adding SPICA mechanical fuel injection to all cars destined for North America. Among the most unique features of the series 1 is the beautifully tapered “round tail”, directly carried over from the Alfa Romeo S3000 Superflow show car. This distinctive feature was later changed in series 2 cars, making series 1 cars even desirable today. The basic design of the Duetto Spider would continue largely unchanged for three decades, including fame in the critically acclaimed movie “The Graduate”.

General Overview

This car was previously featured on BaT in August 2019 https://bringatrailer.com/list... and again in August 2020 https://bringatrailer.com/list...

According to the seller who had previously offered the car on BaT in 2019, the car was purchased by the father of the former owner on or around 1994. Subsequently, the car was moved to Texas and driven approximately 1000 miles, at that time indicating 27,000 miles in August 2019. In August 2020, the car appeared again on BaT, offered for sale after the unfortunate passing of the former BaT buyer, consigned by the widow.

Documentation offered with the former sale included a statement from Centro Documentazione Museo Alfa Romeo indicating this car was produced June 19, 1967 with destination Newark (USA), painted red and trimmed with black interior.

Records included with the car include work performed under prior ownership. In August 2019 the car was serviced with an oil and filter change. A set of GTA 6” x 14” alloy wheels with steel wheel nuts were also installed at that time. In July 2020, with 27,141 miles showing, the left and right rear brake cylinders were replaced, the left front brake caliper was replaced, a steel caliper line fitted, the brake fluid flushed, and fluids topped off.

Under current ownership the car has benefited from significant mechanical services and updates including a new battery (October 2020), new Pirelli Cinturato 185/70VR14 radial tires (March 2021) and detailed mechanical work performed by Oliveria Engineering, Berkeley, CA. Work performed by Oliviera (March 2021 with 27,283 miles) includes the installation of a new electric fuel pump, new battery switch and hold down, new handbrake cable, exhaust system adjustment, new caster arms (ball joints, bushings, rod), new tie rod end, new sway bar bushings, and new Koni front shock absorbers. The clutch linkage was repaired, new heater hoses were installed, carbs adjusted with new idle jets, fuses installed, timing checked, and Simpson seat belts installed. Other repairs and adjustments included repairing lighting, turn signal and hazard lights, adjusting hood cable, new spark plugs, coolant, and various hose clamps.

A compression check was performed (warm) returning 176, 180, 183, 185

General Condition

Today with 27,600 miles showing (TMU), this Alfa Romeo offers very nice cosmetics including glossy paint that has been very well maintained and showing only minor evidence of road use. The trim is in excellent condition overall including a very nice central grille and flanking front bumpers tucked into the side openings. A set of plastic headlight covers have been installed echoing the Alfa Superflow concept car the Duetto is based on. The lenses, lighting, bumpers, and various trim and script are in excellent condition contributing to the overall cohesive visual presentation of a very nicely sorted high quality driver’s car. The panel gaps are consistent showing good closures and tight fit, including both doors which show good part lines. The windshield and side glass are in very good condition. Outfitted with painted silver GTA alloy wheels, purchased new in 2019, the rims are in excellent condition, shod with a set of contemporary Pirelli tires installed in 2020.

The black bucket seats have been previously recovered and have an excellent look and feel to the material and pleating accented by a pair of racing style Simpson lap seatbelts. The overall interior presents as a handsome combination of properly restored items and well-preserved original features. The door panels and side panels have a very good quality feel to the finishes and the carpeting is nicely presented. The rear seating area appears to be original material. The dashboard is quite nice, featuring clean and nicely detailed instruments with excellent color and contrast. The black dash padding is in very good condition and an aftermarket AM/FM cassette deck radio unit is installed The convertible top is in excellent condition appearing to have been recently replaced with good fit and finish overall, good rubber, and a clear rear window. The trunk is clean and well-maintained, retaining a matching alloy wheel, matching red finish, rubber floor mat, and newer replacement trunk weatherstrip.

Under the hood, the engine bay delivers a correct presentation reflective of original specifications. Nicely detailed and worthy of local show presentation, the engine appears quite correct with twin dual throat 40DCOE Weber carburetors, correct period airbox, correctly finished cam cover, and various details. The engine compartment displays a generally nice finish overall which appears clean, tidy and consistent with original details/features for the period. The undercarriage is representative of a generally sound example with areas of rust repair and selected metal panel replacement. Koni shock absorbers at front, coil over Koni shocks at the rear, correct aluminum casting pans and casings are all present and in good visual condition.

The car starts, stops, runs, and drives capably as evidenced in the driving video accompanying the photos in the gallery.

Items Included with the Car

A handful of used spare parts, including a spare side view mirror, interior door handle, and a dashboard vent are included with the car. A car cover and Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 instruction book are also included.

Duetto Walkaround video: https://youtu.be/w4wUWRrvmDM

Duetto Drive video: https://youtu.be/FPmbt7QEFdQ

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.

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