Mark Osborne
Global Director of Motorsport
LOT 123
1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider Duetto Coachwork by Pininfarina Chassis no. AR665741 Engine no. AR00536.18683
Sold for US$36,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 123
1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider Duetto
1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider Duetto
Coachwork by Pininfarina
Chassis no. AR665741
Engine no. AR00536.18683
Coachwork by Pininfarina
Chassis no. AR665741
Engine no. AR00536.18683
1,570cc DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
2 Weber Carburetors
109bhp at 5,800rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes
*A marvelous example offered from original ownership
*Sold new by Rambo Motors of Portland, Oregon
*Lovingly maintained like a member of the family since new
*Just 43,800 miles shown at cataloguing
*Retains original engine, per the accompanying invoice
*Four-spoke American Mag wheels fitted since new
*Includes original books, manuals, and documents
*Battista Pininfarina's final design
*Recently overhauled engine, ready to savor on warm summer evenings
THE SPIDER DUETTO
'A true sports car of impeccable manners and considerable performance.' – Motor Sport on the Alfa Romeo Duetto, 1967.
A modern classic by Pininfarina, the simple yet elegant open Spider bodywork that premiered on the 1966 Duetto would prove enduringly popular after a rather critical initial reception, lasting well into the 1990s. Beneath the beautiful Pininfarina-designed skin, the Duetto's mechanicals were essentially those of the 105-Series Giulia saloon, albeit on a shortened platform, with independent front suspension, coil-suspended live rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes. The power unit was the 1.6-liter version of Alfa Romeo's classic double-overhead-camshaft four as installed in the Giulia Sprint GTV. Performance fully matched the Duetto's stunning looks, with 60mph reachable in around 11 seconds and a top speed of 116mph.
Testing a Duetto in 1967, Motor magazine noted that import duties had inflated the price somewhat, commenting: 'Nevertheless, the individuality of the car, the sheer fun of driving it and the fact that it does certain things better than other sports cars will probably tempt some people into paying the extra.' The model achieved worldwide public recognition after starring alongside Dustin Hoffman in the film, The Graduate, but was produced for only two years before being superseded by the 1.8-liter '1750' Spider Veloce in 1967.
THE CAR OFFERED
On March 11, 1968, Dean and Dianna Hanson, a young couple of just 24 and 23 years old respectively, were enjoying a bit of newfound success in their budding careers and decided to indulge themselves with a new Italian sportscar. The pair headed to Rambo Motors in Portland, Oregon, putting down a deposit on a brand-new Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider. At first, this story seems on-script for many sportscar buyers during this boom period in the 1960s. However, where most sporty cars went the way of the used car lot to make way for humdrum family sedans and hulking station wagons, the Hansons held on to their little Duetto, and has remained a cherished part of their lives over the ensuing fifty-six years.
The original window sticker (in superb condition as it was never affixed to the car), and the hand-written invoice show they traded a Giulia GT against the sticker price of $4,050.45 for the Duetto. Finished in a handsome shade of Ivory over black upholstery, they specified a dealer-installed Motorola Radio, and a set of ultra-cool four-spoke American Mag wheels. The mags apparently arrived after the car, so the earliest photos of Dean with his new Alfa show it still on the factory wheels, though American Mags have been fitted since practically new, and are currently shod with superb reproduction Pirelli CN36 radials.
According to the Hansons, this Duetto was one of the last Alfas to arrive in the US for nearly a year, as deliveries were delayed due to Alfa Romeo's struggles to meet tightening emissions standards. Interestingly, the Duetto proved quite miserly on fuel for a sports car, as Dean, a chemist by profession, participated in Shell Oil's Research Laboratory Mileage Marathon in 1968 and 1969, achieving an impressive 42.62 mpg and taking the top prize in its class both times. The car was otherwise enjoyed as intended – as everyday transport in its early days, and for casual jaunts as it took on the role of the weekend toy, covering a modest 43,823 miles along the way. As described by Dianna, the Alfa Romeo is not only a single-owner car, it is practically a single-driver car, since she rarely drove it – preferring to relax in the passenger seat while Dean did the work.
Notable details include the original jack and spare wheel complete with an original, unused Pirelli Cinturato tire, original radio, original upholstery, and correct rubber floor mats. Accompanying items include the window sticker and invoice, as well as the original handbooks, factory service manuals, and a factory parts manual. Thanks to the inclusion of the engine number on the window sticker, we know this to be a numbers-matching example, making it a rare exception to the norm, as Alfa's own archives typically do not include engine serial numbers for Duettos and Spiders.
Aside from its superlative preservation, the Duetto has been lovingly and expertly maintained through the years. In 2021, the Hansons entrusted it to Dan Sommers, proprietor of Veloce Motors and a former factory mechanic and Service Manager from Ron Tonkin Alfa Romeo-Ferrari of Portland. Mr. Sommers overhauled the original engine using OE parts wherever possible, and details of the work are available in accompanying documents. Due to the health of the consignors, only a handful of miles have been added since the rebuild, and the car is fresh and ready for enjoyment.
Wonderfully honest and exceptionally well maintained, this Duetto is being offered publicly for the first time in fifty-six years, presenting a one-off opportunity for the Alfa Romeo enthusiast to acquire a cherished single-owner, highly original Spider Duetto with a most remarkable history.
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