Alfa Romeo Duetto 1966 - 1993 - Model history

Birth of a legend

Alfa Romeo The duet was presented in 1966 at the Geneva Motor Show. It was the final look of the new Alfa Spider, the shape of which was created from Pininfarina's beautiful studio "Super Flow Disco Volante". Beneath the sheet metal, the Alfa Romeo Duetto was actually the Giulia - the same mechanical concept with a 1600 cc four-cylinder engine and as much as 125 hp. The car was named after a popular competition, but after two years the name was changed because the Duetto is the name of a famous Italian dish. Since then, only Spider has been called.

Alfa Romeo Duetto

New models

New engines and new shapes are coming soon - 1750 Veloce and Spider 1300 Junior. The 1750 Veloce had a wider wheelbase, rear roll-bar, power brake booster, wooden sports steering wheel and mirrors housed on the doors instead of on the fenders. The Alfa Romeo Spider 1300 Junior was more accessible to a wider circle of people, but it was of lower performance and did not have servo brakes or a plexiglass cover on the headlights, and the canvas roof was not a god knows what quality. But those differences did not significantly affect sales thanks to the favorable price. In 1969, Pininfarina's designers decided to "cut off" Spider's tail and increase the slope of the windshield. In addition, they increased and redesigned the Alfin "shield". The cockpit was now upholstered in a special material, and headrests became available.

In 1995, a replacement arrived

In 1971, the Spider 1750 Veloce was replaced by the Spider 2000 Veloce with a 1962 cc engine and 130 hp. For him, Alfa offered the so-called Uimited slip differential and light iron rims. In 1972, by decision of Alfa's management, engine power, consumption and top speed were reduced to standardize the engine in three house models - Spider, Berlin and Coupe. The Spider 1600 thus "fell" from 110 to 104 hp, and the Spider 2000 from 130 to 128 hp.

In 1978, production of the weakest 1300 Junior model ceased, and two years later the Duetto underwent interior rejuvenation again. In 1982, the solution of the headlight cover was definitely abandoned, and only a year later there was a restyling - face, front and rear bumpers, new mirrors, and then the famous rubber spoiler appeared at the rear end. In 1990, the Duetto went through its last face-lift. The Spider 1600 model retired in 1992, and the Spider 2000 model remained on the market until 1995, when the Milan-based model introduced the all-new Spider model. But that's a whole other story.

Graduate, 1967

Just one year after its launch, Duetto is experiencing phenomenal success where Alfa has wished it - in the US. And in what way! Namely, in the blockbuster movie "The Graduate", then-Hollywood star Dustin Hoffman raced with his red Duett, which re-actualized the forgotten madness of convertibles. The Duetto sold fantastic, and in Milan they were pleased to rub their hands. Two cars were used to make the film, which was then converted into racing models and had a solid career.

Original factory photo of the 1600 model year 1966.

Text: Luka Lukčić
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