1964 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider

Lot details
Registration No: 183 HLE
Chassis No: AR852016
Mot Expiry: Sept 2009

Introduced at the 1962 Geneva Salon, the Alfa Romeo 106-series was available in Berlina, Sprint and Spider guises. Intended as something of a gentleman's express, the newcomer married an evolution of its 102-series predecessor's basic floorpan to a fresh 2584cc DOHC straight-six engine. Designed specifically for the car, this all-alloy unit's imposing architecture harked back to the powerplants of Alfa's illustrious Grand Prix past. Quoted as developing some 145bhp and 156lbft of torque, it drove the rear wheels via a five-speed gearbox and was kept in check by all-round coil-sprung suspension and servo-assisted disc / drum brakes (though, later 2600s were upgraded to rear discs). Designed and built by the legendary Carrozzeria Touring, the Spider variant was unquestionably the best-looking. Despite a reputed top speed of 125mph and spirited acceleration to match, the 2+2 drop-top was judged (in keeping with its market aspirations) more of fast tourer than an out and out sports car. Only in production for three years, just 2,255 Spiders are thought to have been made of which a mere 105 were to right-hand drive specification.

Finished in Dubonnet Rosso with black leatherette upholstery and a buff hood, this particular right-hand drive Spider is variously described by the vendor as being in "very good" (interior trim, electrical equipment, manual gearbox) or "excellent" (engine, bodywork, paintwork) condition. While, he adds that: "Since February 2008 the car has covered approximately 1,700 miles performing flawlessly (it has twice been driven from London to Devon and back, on each occasion without any problems being encountered). It was thoroughly examined in June 2008 by the Alfa Romeo 2600 specialists Thames Motor Company of Dorchester who undertook a lubrication service and various minor repairs and adjustments both then and in August 2008 including the fitting of a new cam cover gasket and direction indicator cancelling mechanism. Present for the Alfa 2600/2000 International Club meeting at Broughton Castle on 29th June 2008, '183 HLE' was deemed to have probably the best livery combination of these extraordinarily pretty Touring bodied convertibles. The car is in remarkably good overall condition retaining its originality whilst being dependable, an excellent drive and a sorted specimen of what is now thought to be less than perhaps ten RHD examples extant". As well as being treated to new carpets in 2002 and a brake system refurbishment the following year, the Alfa is further understood to have benefited from an extensive engine overhaul last November. Entrusted to Andy Watson of Blues Autos (London), the latter work was carried out at an indicated odometer reading of 47,288 miles (the instrument presently shows over 49,000 miles) and cost some £4,535.70. Further notable for having been owned by former Secretary of the Alfa 2600/2000 International Club, Roger Monk between November 1976 and July 2000, '183 HLE' is offered for sale with a full tonneau cover, original green registration logbook, original driver's handbook, various workshop manuals, assorted old MOTs / receipts and MOT certificate valid until September 2009.