LOT 357

1960 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring Registration no. 403 XVK Chassis no. AR 10204 03097 Engine no. AR 00204

Sold for £101,200 inc. premium

Previous Lot

Next Lot

Lot 357

1960 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|17 September 2022, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1960 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring
Registration no. 403 XVK
Chassis no. AR 10204 03097
Engine no. AR 00204

• Italian four-seat open-top cruising in style
• Professionally restored in Holland 15-20 years ago
• Electric power steering and other upgrades
• Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificato di Origine on file
• European market car with more attractive bumper design

Footnotes

"The 2000 Roadster, made for high-speed touring, was fitted with an engine having remarkable reserves of power and torque in order to offer the sport customer the possibility of making fast journeys with the maximum safety." – Luigi Fusi, Alfa Romeo, All Cars From 1910.

The famous Carrozzeria Touring's associations with Alfa Romeo reached back to the late 1920s and this liaison was perpetuated into the post-war era. Replacement for the 1900 line, the 102-Series 2000 cars first appeared in 1958 and were unusual in so far as production of the stylish Touring-bodied Spider version outstripped that of the Berlina, with 3,443 examples of the soft-top produced compared with only 2,804 of the saloon. As Anderloni and Anselmi remark in their book, 'Touring Superleggera': 'An order which was important to Touring in quantitative terms was that for... supplying the Alfa Romeo 2000 convertible.'

Touring's renowned Superleggera (Superlight) method of body construction was employed, though now the panels were machine-pressed rather than hand-beaten, greatly speeding up production. This departure marked a turning point for Touring, enabling them to manufacture bodies in greatly increased volume, though this was still far from mass production.

Beneath the skin the 2000 remained much as the last of the 1900s, with independent front suspension, live rear axle, five-speed gearbox, and drum brakes all round. Nowadays referred to as the 'old' 2-litre, the twin-cam 2000 engine combined elements of the superseded 1900 and new Giulietta, retaining the former's cast-iron block and separate cam covers but featuring the latter's bucket-and-shim method of valve adjustment. Spider and Sprint versions came with 115bhp on tap, good enough for a top speed in excess of 177km/h (110mph). Despite a relaxed high-speed cruising ability and excellent smoothness, the 2000 in its day tended to be overshadowed by the smaller and cheaper Giulietta, and only now is the model beginning to receive the attention it deserves.

Classic Alfa (the UK's largest Alfa Romeo parts specialist) purchased this 2000 Spider in 2016 from VSOC in Holland. They wanted a very original example to study and learn from as they were about to start supplying parts for this era of Alfas. With a lack of specialists focussing on the 2000 Touring model, it was important for Classic Alfa to be able to provide quality parts on the back of their own first-hand experience. When searching for the correct base car, only the best would do. This meant finding a European example. A key point being that these were fitted with simpler and more desirable bumpers without rubber over-riders.

A very rust free and original car, it was stripped back to bare metal and repainted in around 2005. Dutch Alfa specialist Jan Steutel rebuilt the engine and went through the mechanicals around 12 years ago. It was then sent to Caresance Classic Cars in Holland who prepared it for touring around Europe. The interior was stripped and the floors rust-proofed; a new soft top fitted, and the seats were retrimmed. A 123 electronic distributor was also added alongside the dynamo being rebuilt. As any Alfa enthusiast will know, this greatly improves the drivability and reliably of these Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engines. To further increase the cars ability to be a comfortable and usable grand tourer, a retro/modern radio with Bluetooth was installed along with extra 12V sockets beneath the dashboard. Related invoices totalling €12,000 for the period January 2014 to September 2015 are on file (this excludes the trimming work).
On arrival in the UK, electric power steering was fitted (which transforms these Touring Spiders) and the braking system was completely rebuilt including the master cylinder along with all new wheel cylinders, the were drums re-machined and new brake linings were added all round.

According to the vendor, this is a lovely original example in superb order which runs and drives very well and the indicated mileage of just over 54,000 miles (87,000km) is likely to be correct. Offered with an Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificato di Origine.

When compared to the Maserati 3500GT and Aston DB4 convertible (also both by Carrozzeria Touring in the same era) – these beautiful, stylish Alfas seem remarkable value.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE "BUYER'S PREMIUM" AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
27.5% on the first £20,000 of the hammer price;
26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20,000 up to and including £700,000;
20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £500,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £500,000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Collection Notices
As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Goodwood will be closed on Monday 19 September, a Bank Holiday, for the State Funeral.
Collection of Motor Cars will be postponed to Tuesday 20 September from 0900 until 1200, after which any uncollected Lots will be removed to store at Buyer / Vendor expense, as the case may be.
Automobilia Lots will be removed on the evening of Sunday 18 September.
It will not be possible to collect Motor Car Lots until Tuesday 20 September.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
Please Note the Automobilia department do not ship out purchased lots, please contact them to be advised of recommended shippers.
All lots not collected at the sale will be charged an Uplift fee as the lots are taken back to storage in Guildford.
All lots marks with 3 diamonds that remain uncollected after the sale are taken to a storage facility in Guildford, separate to the Bonhams Guildford office.
Lot Symbols
•
EXEMPT FROM VAT
Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.
IMPORT LOW RATE
VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
AR
ARTISTS RESALE RIGHT
Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.
N
NOVA DECLARATION
MOTORCYCLES If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £125 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.CARSIf purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.
Ω
IMPORT HIGH RATE
VAT on imported items at the prevailing rate on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium.
AUTOMOBILIA
All lots will be charged £10 + VAT Uplift and storage at £1 + VAT per day per lot.
◊
UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£25 + VAT uplift and storage at £5 + VAT per lot per day.
◊◊
UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£50 + VAT uplift and storage at £10 + VAT per lot per day
◊◊◊
SPECIALIST SHIPPING AND STORAGE
All lots marked with 3 diamonds will require specific shipping and storage arrangements, as they are either extremely heavy or large items, they will be removed by Autofreight Ltd, who provide independent uplift and storage services for larger lots. There are charges for this service and for storage in their warehouse in Guildford, Surrey, at the buyers expense.
Please contact John Wood, Autofreight Ltd, by phone 01483 222256, or email [email protected] for further information, details of costs and charges or to arrange collection from GU3 3HD.
Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at Buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.
- Automobilia
- Cars