1964 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider by Touring

The Alfa Romeo 2600 (designated 106 series) was Alfa Romeo's six-cylinder flagship model produced from 1962 through to 1968. It was the successor to the Alfa Romeo 2000 and has become historically significant as the last Alfa Romeo to have been fitted with an inline six-cylinder engine with twin overhead camshafts which had been the traditional Alfa Romeo engine configuration since the 1920s. The 2600 models were first introduced in 1962 in Berlinetta (saloon), Sprint (coupé) and the Spider (convertible) forms. The 2,584 cc engine produced 145bhp which was certainly enough to let you drive like an Italian. Alfa Romeo only produced 2,255 of the 2600 Spiders between 1962 and 1965, and even rarer are the right-hand drive models manufactured in 1964; an example of which is offered here today.

With elegant Rosso Alfa coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, this elegant, right-hand drive, Spider also benefits from having a rare and highly-prized factory hardtop finished in Black. The addition of a full-width bonnet scoop together with distinctive headlight positioning creates a more formidable appearance than the earlier models. Just five lucky owners are recorded, and as well as the old green logbook, this example comes with a good history file with well-documented expenditure over the years. Most recently, the car has been the subject of extensive recommissioning by marque specialists and has formed part of a private collection. Designated a 2+2, the rear seats can be described as occasional (if you have legs); however long distance, high-speed cruising can be achieved in comfort for two people. The bodywork on this example presents beautifully with the red paintwork retaining a lovely finish. Fitted with new carpets the interior is in good order, as is the soft-top and hardtop. The engine, gearbox, and brakes have been rebuilt over the years and all the electrics work as they should. This is a stylish, red, sixties Alfa Spider, quintessentially Italian and not to be missed.

Imagine it's a balmy, late July, Sunday evening in central Rome and you pull up in this sparkling Alfa right outside the Doney Café on the Via Veneto, hoping to enjoy some of Maria Foglieni's famous Cantuccini Biscotti and a glass of Vin Santo. The Alfa ticks and pings as it cools, and the yellow street lights are reflected in its gleaming Rosso coachwork, much to the delight of the laughing and chattering beautiful people as they pass on the way up the Via Vittorio making the most of the last hours of their Roman weekend. Well, the Café is still there and the Alfa is here!