1964 Alfa Romeo 2600
This 1964 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider had spectacular bodywork constructed by Carrozzeria Touring. It was bought new in 1965 with a black exterior and a lavish red interior. This Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider was one of the last ever sold in the US. A resident of the Seattle, Washington area bought this Alfa as a present for his Japanese bride. This couple maintained this Alfa Spider in its original condition for over 40 years until they passed away. The Alfa was acquired from their son by a renowned Alfa specialist, who restored the car to concours condition.
The car stayed in the San Francisco Bay area and was passed along to its second owner. Currently owned and driven often by David Word, the Spider has been enjoyed in many appropriate events. This Alfa successfully participated in four Copperstate 1000 tours; the inaugural Sports Car Market 1000 tour; Keller Tour of Sonoma; as well as participation in Concours, such as the Hillsborough Concours (Class Podium finish), The Concours on the Avenue, Carmel by the Sea, and the Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance.
Introduced at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show, the Alfa Romeo 2600 was Alfa Romeo´s flagship car produced from 1962 to 1968. The 2600 was offered in three body styles, the Berlina sedan, the Sprint coupe, and the most desirable of the lineup, the drop-top spider. It has become historically significant as the last Alfa Romeo to have been fitted with an inline six-cylinder engine with twin overhead camshafts. That had been the traditional Alfa Romeo engine configuration since the 1920s, but gave way to four-cylinder engines as the factory oriented its production towards more economical mass-produced car models starting in 1950. Just 2255 spiders were produced.
Today, as classics, the 2600 Sprint and Spider are appreciated for the tasteful and opulent styling of both the bodywork and the interior, for the performance, technology and sound of the six-cylinder twin-cam engine, and perhaps ironically for their rarity compared to the more successful Alfa Romeo models of the same era. The fact that the cars are rare, and their parts are either dedicated to the 2600 range, or derive from even earlier Alfas, means that owners need to dedicate a lot of effort and resources to restoration and maintenance.
Specifications
Configuration: Front-Engine, Rear Wheel Drive
Engine: 2.6 L Inline Six
Horsepower: 145 @ 5900 RPM
Torque: 139 ft-lbs. @ 4000 RPM
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Curb Weight: 2822 lbs.
Top Speed: 123 MPH
Collection of David Word