1960 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider

1960 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring
Registration no. 338 UYF
Chassis no. 10204 02736
Engine no. AR 002004
• Italian four-seat open-top cruising in style
• Left-hand drive
• UK resident since 2014
• Alfa Romeo Certificato di Origine

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.
Touring's semi-monocoque construction method 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 Nowadays referred to as the 'old' 2-litre, the twin-cam 2000 engine combined elements of the superseded 1900 and new Giulietta, retaining the former's cast-iron block and separate cam covers but featuring the latter's bucket-and-shim method of valve adjustment.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.
Built in October 1960, this left-hand drive Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider was delivered to Greece in 1962 (as confirmed by the factory) and imported into the UK by Brian Classic in 2014. While in Greece the Alfa had participated in the Philpa International Rally (in 1999). Restored at date unknown, the car is described by the private vendor as in generally excellent condition, while Borrani wire wheels, Weber 40 DCOE carburettors and uprated disc brakes are the only notified deviations from factory specification. Finished in blue with red leather interior, this beautiful Alfa Romeo soft-top comes complete with jack; spare wheel; owner's handbook; Alfa Romeo Certificato di Origine; FIVA passport (issued in Greece in 2012); some old MoTs; and a V5C Registration Certificate.