Alfa Romeo has a rich history in motorsports and has produced some of the most iconic and celebrated cars in automotive history. The company's success on the racetrack has not only helped to establish its reputation as a performance-oriented brand, but it has also had a significant influence on the design and engineering of its road cars. Alfa Romeo, better than almost every other mainstream automaker, has injected its motorsports DNA into virtually every road car they’ve built.

Alfa Romeo's racing heritage dates to the early 20th century when the company began competing in various motorsports events, including Grand Prix and endurance racing, with legendary drivers such as Antonio Ascari, Tazio Nuvolari, Juan Manual Fangio, and for close to 20 years, Motorsport legend Enzo Ferrari. Alfa Romeos feel alive with history, and that intangible quality and passion have endeared the Milanese firm to generations of fans.

Alfa Romeo’s understatedly pretty Duetto (Italian for Duet) was launched at the 1966 Geneva International Motor Show and immediately became popular all over the world due to both its elegant styling and its brilliant handling, which made it a true Italian sportscar icon. The Duetto even became a film star due to the long sequences in which a young Dustin Hofmann anxiously drives it against the clock in the final scenes of the 1967 film “The Graduate”. It was a basic and svelte two-seat roadster based on a shortened version of the highly successful 105-series chassis, shared with the Giulia coupe and sedan. The British dominated the sports roadster market at the time, but Alfa set to change that with its stylish and technically sophisticated Duetto. Initially offered with a 1600 cc all-alloy twin-cam four cylinder fed by a pair of Weber carburetors which produced 108 horsepower, it came standard with a 5-speed gearbox, disc brakes, and of course, the indefinable quality of Alfa-ness that made it a hit with buyers.

Rather than utilizing their more frequent design partner Bertone, the Duetto’s design came from cross-town rivals Pininfarina and bore no resemblance to its Alfa stablemates. The Duetto was the last project that the company’s founder, Battista “Pinin” Farina, had a personal hand in, and he was rightfully proud of the results. The beautiful design is characterized by minimal chrome, distinctly sculptured body sides, two-piece bumpers to emphasize the familiar Alfa badge in the middle, and the signature tapered tail treatment. To many enthusiasts, the Duetto is the purest expression of the Spider formula and the most desirable variant from the series’ 27- year production run.

This 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider is a fantastic example, combining the highly desirable 1750 twin-cam engine in the classically styled ‘round tail’ body. This car left the Milan factory as a 1600 model, but was later fitted with a punchier 1750, a fairly common upgrade. Among Alfisti, this iteration of the venerable alloy twin-cam four is considered one of the very best. Balancing the light and rev-happy character of the smaller versions with the power output of the larger 2-liter, the 1750 hits the sweet spot, particularly in the lightweight Duetto. A well-detailed but not overly fussy engine bay is home to this twin-cam, equipped with Euro-spec dual carburetors and factory correct air box and, of course, a five-speed gearbox.

This car clearly shows the benefit of consistent care and maintenance, and is a marvelous example that encourages driving at every opportunity. The white paintwork is excellent, and the body is impressively straight, exhibiting consistent, even shut lines, and brightly polished stainless bumpers and brightwork. This car also wears the stylish and protective Euro-spec Perspex headlight covers and the correct offset angled exhaust. Riding on Vredestein Sprint Classic tires mounted on period-correct steel wheels with hub caps, it sits nicely on the road with an appealing and authentic look.

Duettos are built on a robust unibody platform giving lively yet balanced handling thanks to the well-located rear axle, independent front suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. This car features uprated springs and dampers to further enhance the experience, and the undercarriage is tidy and clean, with a driver-focused, honest appeal.

The cockpit is sparse yet stylish and functional, featuring dark red vinyl on the seats along with red and contrasting black door cards. The dash top and bottom are free of cracks and shrinking and the instrument panel is correctly finished in body-color. The folding soft top is upholstered in durable black vinyl and is in fine condition. Red carpet on the transmission tunnel, proper rubber mats on the floors, wood-rimmed wheel, period-correct Blaupunkt radio, Jaeger gauges, and original switchgear are highlights of the cozy interior.

This lovely and charming Alfa Romeo is ready to carve up your favorite winding ribbons of tarmac and represents a wonderful opportunity to add Alfa’s sophisticated, stylish, and eminently enjoyable slice of La Dolce Vita to your stable.

Offers welcome and trades considered

$62,500

Stock number 7454