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Video History
Video 2014 Giulietta Sprint
Video 2013 4C
Video 2010 Giulietta
Video 2008 MiTo
Video 2007 Alfa 8C Spider
Video 2003 147 GTA
Video 2000 147
Video 1980 Alfa GTV 6
Video 1974 Alfetta GT
Video 1972 Junior Z
Video 1972 Alfetta
Video 1972 Engine-Alfasud
Video 1972 Alfasud
Video 1970 Montreal
Video 1968 Carabo prototype
Video 1967 33 Stradale
Video 1967 T33
Video 1967 F 12
Video 1966 Duetto Spider
Video 1965 Giulia GTA
Video 1963 Giulia Sprint
Video 1962 2600 Sprint
Video 1962 Giulia Super
Video 1960 Giulietta Spri. Zagato
Video 1958 Giulietta Spr. Speziale
Video 1955 1900 Super Berlina
Video 1954 Giulietta Spider
Video 1954 Giulietta Sprint
Video 1954 Giuletta TI
Video 1951 159
Video 1950 1900
Video 1938 12 C
Video 1935 8C 2,9
Video 1931 Cabrio 8C 2,3
Video 1931 6C 1750
Video 1931 8C 2,6
Video 1930 Grand Sport Motor
Video 1930 6C Grand Sport
Video 1924 P2
Video 1924 RM Sport
Video 1920 20-30 ES
Video 1914 La Bomba
Video 1913 40/60 HP
Video 1911 15 HP
Video 1910 24 HP
Video 1908 Darracq



          A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Alfa Spider









Alfa Spider (Duetto)
EngineIn-line four-cylinder
Displacement (bore stroke)1570 cm³ (78,0 mm * 82,0 mm)
CrankshaftMounted fivefold
Compression ratio9,2 : 1
Engine controlDOHC, chain
Mixture preparation2 dual horizontal draught carburettors
CoolingPressure circulation, 7,5 litres
LubricationPressure circulation, 5 litres, main flow filter
Torque140 Nm at 2800 rpm
Performance80 kW (109 HP) at 6000 rpm
Drive trainFront engine with rear drive
TransmissionFive-speed
Wheelbase2.250 mm
Turning circle10.500 mm
Front suspensionDouble wishbone
Rear suspensionRigid axle, coil springs, a triangle and several trailing arms
Brakes f/rDiscs, servo
SteeringWorm/roll
Wheels155 HR 14
Length4.250 mm
Width1.630 mm
Height1.290 mm
DesignPininfarina
Tank capacity46 litres
PayloadApprox. 230 kg
Kerb weight dry940 kg +driver
Maximum speedApprox. 185 km/h
ManufacturedFrom 1966
Purchase price12,990 DM
Electric system12 V/ 40 Ah/ 300 W
PredecessorGiulietta Spider


Work-sharing at its best: Bertone makes the coupés and Pininfarina, the convertibles. In this case, the latter hits the bulls-eye, although in the beginning, this completely different shape wasn't liked by all. Perhaps this is how it is with all the great achievements in this field, maybe with the exception of the E-Type Jaguar. The Alfa is just a little bit similar to the E-Type, without attempting to get too near to the master.

After all, taking its lifespan into consideration, this Alfa has outlived all the other convertibles, and this, despite the fact that over the years, it has undergone some nasty surgery. The wonderful rear-end disappeared as early as 1969. The expression 'Fastback' covers up a multitude of sins. The workers on the production line gave it the nickname of 'Cuttlefish' and allegedly, the name 'Duetto' came from a competition to find a name. Honestly, this all cannot compete with the first creation of this body.

One has to wonder, how this engine, which at that time was very modern, could fit into the front-end. By the way, one of its attributes was not necessarily it's performance and willingness for high revs, which were comparatively high for a 1600 cc engine, but the elasticity was very unusual in a sports car engine. All this was possible, even though the valve-control was in no way adjustable. Mind you, Alfas are very rarely thriftily set up.

Even the boot didn't suffer from the low, down-sloping rear end, it was probably somewhat level, with the tank and the spare-wheel arranged in the flooring. The seating was good, although in Italian cars of that time, taller people nearly always had problems, in this case with the upper edge of the windscreen. The view to the extreme left and right of the rear end was also difficult, unless one had also ordered the hard-top. The impression given from the outside was continued through to the interior, e.g., with the painted dashboard.

The 80 kW (109 HP) engine only had to manage with the weight of 1050 kg (car and driver). Apart from the performance per litre, have you also calculated the performance to weight ratio of the car? On top of that, it had a five-speed gearbox, very seldom at that time and in that price range and no, it wasn't just an overdrive. It appeared to be nothing special, to overrev this engine on downhill motorways, with the speedometer showing over 200 km/h. Apparently the wind also favoured the shape of the car body.

Now, don't be deceived. The rigid axle used in this Alfa, is one of the finest in this type of construction. Much more effort was put into it than into any other random component. Certainly, a coupé with a short wheelbase must be sprung somewhat harder than e.g., a saloon, although it can also tend to oversteer when slightly inclining. What would the outcome then be, if one were to come up against a great shape like this at an adventurous incline e.g., in a tight curve? 05/15




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Translator: Don Leslie - Email: lesdon@t-online.de

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