The Alfa spider ‘Duetto’ was launched at the Turin motor show in 1966, and was the last complete design by the Battista Pininfarina the founder of the famous styling house who deal that year. Although sales were initially disappointing when buyers resistant to the rounded, boat tail styling, the model went on to be highly successful and extremely long lived. The last versions of the car were produced in 1963. Bodies were built, as well as styled, by Pininfarina and were noted for their excellent hood mechanism that could be raised or lowered with one hard. The round tail styling had been changed to square tail as early as 1969. Al models used Alfa’s classic four cylinder twin cam engine, at first in 1600cc, form, then later as a 1750cc and 2 liter. There were also a 1300cc version. All models of the Spider Deutto came with a delightful five speed transmission. Drivers loved the car for its responsive engine and impressive crisp handling, and with the biggest engines the cars were flexible as well as fast offering a top speed of 124 mph (198 km/h). All the major mechanical components were shared with the Duetto in the mid 1969s.
In the sixties film ‘’The Graduate”, Dustin Hoffman can be seen driving a red 1600 Duetto to the sounds of Simon and Garfunkel’s classic sound tracks. Although the name was never used on the ‘’round tails’’ Alfa introduced a spoiler model named ‘’The Gradate’’ in the 1980s.
