Who can choose a favorite postwar Alfa Romeo? The Pininfarina Giulietta Spider of the 1950s and early 1960s? The Bertone Sprint from the same period? The Sprint Speciale? The 1966 “Duetto?” They’re all deserving of display as pieces of sculpture on the floor of the Met, but since this one is in front of us, being reposted as an auction here on Hemmings Marketplace in Cleveland, Ohio, I’ll choose it today. The basic design was so effective that it soldiered on with minimal changes for nearly 30 years. This car “sold” for $21,000 a few weeks ago, but the buyer backed out, so it’s up for auction again with a current high bid of $12,500. Thanks to Araknid78 for the tip!
It doesn’t matter how many times one sees an Alfa twin-cam four, literary law requires me to mention that it’s one of the most gorgeous engines ever stuffed beneath a hood. The 1600cc version seen here certainly makes all the right noises and produces 108 horsepower and 115 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine and transmission (a five-speed manual) are apparently original, and the mileage is listed at 48,309. Aside from a small oil leak, the Alfa is described as being in fine fettle.
Literary law also requires me to mention the Duetto’s star turn in The Graduate. I was 20 when I watched that film for the first time in 1997 or so, and those images of Dustin Hoffman’s Benjamin Braddock speeding across California, his Farina Red Duetto’s magnified exhaust screaming behind the strains of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” made for a formative experience. This car is being presented as mostly original, and as such it’s not perfect: there’s a torn seam on the driver’s seat and a small tear in the convertible top.
This is unrelated to the car’s condition, but I really want to hop behind the wheel of this one to see how it drives. I’ve never driven an Alfa and I’m missing out.
The undercarriage has been dry ice blasted and looks extremely and uncharacteristically solid in the pictures. The Alfa gets bonus points for its old bumper stickers: an American flag with a peace sign and a country tag for Italy. This is a good view from which to see the condition of the lower valance panel and quarters, which are often dented and laden with body filler. This picture shows us that the seller’s comment that the car has never been hit is very plausible.
I would imagine that it will take close to the original sale price to meet the reserve on this Alfa, but I hope that the sale goes through this time. If you’re in a Duetto state of mind, this one has to be on your radar.
I want to thank the author for mentioning the movie, and I realize as time slogs on, some folks may not know the reference. I also realize a link sends this to the comment center for approval, but I read he did his own driving, and in the clip, some cool spotting, I like the IH R190 mixer at the end. Some say the sound was dubbed, but sounds like an Alfa motor to me. Awesome cars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y_sjiDi_Zw
Pure fun driver and looks good too.
Recently sold my Alfa Duetto after nearly 35 +years of ownership. Shown many times with many trophies! The are a wonderful auto to view and to drive.
I had a 1300 Junior with dual Webers ……excellent exhaust sound! I miss the car enough to want this one ……the interior is in need as well as the top as noted , but the black exhaust is warranting inspection . Does the owner have the service records? In particular , the valves are noted for being neglected. This car is also tatting in the paint area which should be inspected . They are well known for having weak enamel paint from the factory.
Also had a Junior and it was the most fun car I’ve owned. Unfortunately it suffered an engine fire and then sat for too many years. I suspect this one will end up out of price range.
These boattails are on some kind of parabolic price curve. Some examples are listing at over $50k. I’m not sure that that is sustainable. These are not Ferraris, but carry many of the same upkeep challenges.
It’s is good to see one priced at some kind of sane level.
I don’t usually need an Alfa ,
but when I do , it’s a boattail !
“Headlights, monsieur, headlights?… Two for one!… I give you good price”…
Celine Dephare… Cars 2.