ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 1966-94

THE SHAPE introduced at Turin's 1966 Motor Show survived 28 turbulent years with just one significant restyle. Appropriately for a twin-cam, two-seat car it was called 'Duetto', and the man who won the competition to choose its name was rewarded with one of the first-built examples.

- WORDS CLIFF CHAMBERS * PHOTO ALFA ROMEO

Early Duettos shared their 1.6-litre engine with the GTV coupe; 81kW propelling 998kg for a top speed of 178km/h. With a five-speed gearbox and all-wheel disc brakes, the open-top Alfa was more sophisticated in its day than TR Triumphs or the disc-front drum-rear Datsun 240Z.

For 1969 the engine was enlarged to 1779cc and power reached 100kW. The Duetto name was dropped in favour of '1750 Spider Veloce' which, while not precisely reflecting the car's engine size, paid tribute to Alfa's famous 1750 Super Sport from the early 1930s.

A restyle that lopped the original car's curved tail in to a flat but more aero-friendly slab came in 1969, then during 1971 a larger 1962cc engine arrived.