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1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Roadster Coachwork: Touring |
There were approximately 3,000 2 Liter roadsters built over a five year period.
The Cast Iron 2 Liter moniker is due to the car having an iron block instead of aluminum as used in other Alfa models. The engine is a 4-cylinder, chain driven double overhead cam, hemispherical combustion chambers and utilizing two side-draft carburetors.
The transmission was a 5-speed, suspension was also typical Alfa with A-arms in the front and a live alxe.
This car underwent a complete ground up restoration during the early 1990's and was done as close to original as possible.
The 2-door convertible Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce was introduced in 1971 and was the replacement to the 1750 Spider. The original Spider Duetto, was released in 1966, was only produced for one year before being replaced by the 1750 Spider Veloce. The 1750 was launched in 1967 with both the body and the monocoque construction was designed by Pininfarina. The successor to the Giulia Spider Veloce and the Duetto, the Spider was not as much a sports vehicle as a competitive convertible touring car with a very unique shape. The Alfa Romeo Spider is best known as 'Duetto' or as 'Osso di Seppia' (round-tail) nicknames that were both dubbed by the Italian.
In 1968, a new Spider 1300 'Junior' was introduced to the automobile market and featured a 1290cc engine that was capable of producing 89 hp. The Junior didn't have the same features as the 1750, including the brake servo, hubcaps, opening quarterlight or plastic headlight fairings. In 1972 a visually identical Spider to the 1300, the 1600 Junior was launched. The 1300 was eventually discontinued in 1977 and in 1983 the 'Junior' name was dropped from the 1600 name.
Production of the 1750 Spider ended in 1971 to make room for the larger engined 2000 Spider. Enhanced with a new 2.0 liter engine that produced 132bhp, the 2000 shared many similarities with the 2000 though it now carried a 1962cc, four cylinder twin cam engine.
Until the mid-1990's, the Veloce continued to be produced. Becoming larger during the 1970's, bumpers that were energy absorbing became part of the additional features. Sales were allowed to continue in the US after the replacement of the earlier chrome items.
Modified in 1974 and 1975, both the 1300 and 2000 Spiders were modified for the addition of two small seats placed behind the front seats. The Spider was now a 'two plus two' four seater. In 1983, a major modification to the Spider was the introduction of black rubber front and rear bumpers. Now incorporating a grille, the front bumper modification considerably altered the exterior appearance of the car. A small spoiler was also added to the trunk lid.
Introduced in 1985, the Quadrifoglio Verde (Green Cloverleaf) model, a nearly identical prototype of the standard Spider Veloce model was introduced. Slight modifications such as new sideskirts, front and rear spoilers, optional removable hardtop and mirrors were included on this modified version. The Verde carried a 1962 cc double overhead cam, five speed manual transmission and four-cylinder engine. In the U.S., the model released was dubbed the 'Graduate'.
Achieving worldwide acclaimed celebrity to the 'Spider', the 1967 film 'The Graduate' which starred Dustin Hoffman, brought unbelievable attention to the Alfa Romeo line. A less expensive ‘entry level' Alfa vehicle, the Graduate shared the same engine as the Spider Veloce and Quadrifoglio Verde though it lacked the alloy wheels and luxury options that both of the other models featured. The Graduate remained on the market until 1990 and had a vinyl top, basic vinyl seats, manual windows and standard steel wheels.
In 1990 the most major and final update was made to the European Spider model in the addition of the North American's Bosch electronic fuel injection. Also, the front under-bumper spoiler and rear trunk-lid spoiler were taken off the Spider, and 164-style rear lights that stretched across the width of the vehicle. These updates did not appear on the North American models until 1991. North American Spiders also featured power steeling and a driver-side airbag.
An all-new Alfa Spider was showcased in 1994. Also a 1994 model, a limited edition Spider Commemorative Edition was produced for the North American market. Only a total of 190 models were created of the Commemorative Edition and all of them had a small plaque affixed to the dashboard with the identification of which vehicle it was. The CE's also had additional features that included a special badge on the nose, unique gold center caps on the 'phonedial' 15' wheels, along with burled wood interior trim.
To modernize the Alfa Spider, the front end was remodeled in 2003 by the original designer Pininfarina. Much like the Alfa 156 and 147, the model was redesigned to make the iconic badge more prominent, along with the four six bar chrome grill. The engine was updated to a new 165 bhp, and a V6 unit that achieved 20 bhp at 6200 rpm and able reach a top speed of 158 mph. The Alfa Spider was the fastest Alfa Romeo ever produced.
Regarded as a design classic, the Spider remained in production for nearly three decades with only slight design enhancements and mechanical updates throughout the years. Various models of Alfa Romeo's have become cultural symbols over the decades, this is no doubt influenced by the numerous prolific Alfa Romeo owners clubs and Alfa Romeo Model Registers. The prestigious owner of an Alfa Romeo is called an 'Alfista' in Italian, while an entire group of them is called 'Alfisti'.By Jessica Donaldson
In 1968, a new Spider 1300 'Junior' was introduced to the automobile market and featured a 1290cc engine that was capable of producing 89 hp. The Junior didn't have the same features as the 1750, including the brake servo, hubcaps, opening quarterlight or plastic headlight fairings. In 1972 a visually identical Spider to the 1300, the 1600 Junior was launched. The 1300 was eventually discontinued in 1977 and in 1983 the 'Junior' name was dropped from the 1600 name.
Production of the 1750 Spider ended in 1971 to make room for the larger engined 2000 Spider. Enhanced with a new 2.0 liter engine that produced 132bhp, the 2000 shared many similarities with the 2000 though it now carried a 1962cc, four cylinder twin cam engine.
Until the mid-1990's, the Veloce continued to be produced. Becoming larger during the 1970's, bumpers that were energy absorbing became part of the additional features. Sales were allowed to continue in the US after the replacement of the earlier chrome items.
Modified in 1974 and 1975, both the 1300 and 2000 Spiders were modified for the addition of two small seats placed behind the front seats. The Spider was now a 'two plus two' four seater. In 1983, a major modification to the Spider was the introduction of black rubber front and rear bumpers. Now incorporating a grille, the front bumper modification considerably altered the exterior appearance of the car. A small spoiler was also added to the trunk lid.
Introduced in 1985, the Quadrifoglio Verde (Green Cloverleaf) model, a nearly identical prototype of the standard Spider Veloce model was introduced. Slight modifications such as new sideskirts, front and rear spoilers, optional removable hardtop and mirrors were included on this modified version. The Verde carried a 1962 cc double overhead cam, five speed manual transmission and four-cylinder engine. In the U.S., the model released was dubbed the 'Graduate'.
Achieving worldwide acclaimed celebrity to the 'Spider', the 1967 film 'The Graduate' which starred Dustin Hoffman, brought unbelievable attention to the Alfa Romeo line. A less expensive ‘entry level' Alfa vehicle, the Graduate shared the same engine as the Spider Veloce and Quadrifoglio Verde though it lacked the alloy wheels and luxury options that both of the other models featured. The Graduate remained on the market until 1990 and had a vinyl top, basic vinyl seats, manual windows and standard steel wheels.
In 1990 the most major and final update was made to the European Spider model in the addition of the North American's Bosch electronic fuel injection. Also, the front under-bumper spoiler and rear trunk-lid spoiler were taken off the Spider, and 164-style rear lights that stretched across the width of the vehicle. These updates did not appear on the North American models until 1991. North American Spiders also featured power steeling and a driver-side airbag.
An all-new Alfa Spider was showcased in 1994. Also a 1994 model, a limited edition Spider Commemorative Edition was produced for the North American market. Only a total of 190 models were created of the Commemorative Edition and all of them had a small plaque affixed to the dashboard with the identification of which vehicle it was. The CE's also had additional features that included a special badge on the nose, unique gold center caps on the 'phonedial' 15' wheels, along with burled wood interior trim.
To modernize the Alfa Spider, the front end was remodeled in 2003 by the original designer Pininfarina. Much like the Alfa 156 and 147, the model was redesigned to make the iconic badge more prominent, along with the four six bar chrome grill. The engine was updated to a new 165 bhp, and a V6 unit that achieved 20 bhp at 6200 rpm and able reach a top speed of 158 mph. The Alfa Spider was the fastest Alfa Romeo ever produced.
Regarded as a design classic, the Spider remained in production for nearly three decades with only slight design enhancements and mechanical updates throughout the years. Various models of Alfa Romeo's have become cultural symbols over the decades, this is no doubt influenced by the numerous prolific Alfa Romeo owners clubs and Alfa Romeo Model Registers. The prestigious owner of an Alfa Romeo is called an 'Alfista' in Italian, while an entire group of them is called 'Alfisti'.By Jessica Donaldson
After World War II, Alfa Romeo shifted its philosophy of car building. All prewar Alfas had been body-on-frame cars with lavish bodies, low production numbers, and high prices. They had become legendary for their excellent styling and engineering. Fast and luxurious, Alfa Romeos were fine cars in the best Italian tradition.
Postwar Alfas took on a decidedly different feel. The first all-new Alfa to be introduced after the war was the 1900. First appearing in 1950, it was a great departure from prior Alfas. Its unit-body construction, a first for the Italian car maker, hinted at Alfa Romeo's desire to create a more modern vehicle to carry the company through the postwar years. Trim dimensions and a four-cylinder engine revealed another new feature on an Alfa—price consciousness! The 1900 was its maker's first attempt at a mass-production vehicle, and for perhaps the first time in the company's history Alfa recognized the need to check costs for the new cars to succeed.
The 1900 was still not a cheap car. It came well-styled by the factory, and could be tailored by many of the famous Italian coachbuilders despite its lack of a separate frame. The painfully gorgeous Disco Volante was based on the 1900, as were the radical Bertone BAT cars that experimented with advanced aerodynamics. The 1900 was built carefully and performed well. It sold in high numbers and was relatively affordable, but the 1900 was an Alfa through and through.
The successor of the 1900 came in 1958 and was called the 2000. Named for its displacement, the 2000 had a 1,975cc four compared to the 1900's 1,884cc unit. As Alfa would also produce a more modern, all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine, the motor used in the 1958-1962 2000 cars is now referred to as the 'cast-iron 2-liter' or 'old 2-liter.' The former nickname referenced the engine's cast-iron block, a design which it shared with the 1900. In addition to the upped displacement, the cast-iron 2-liter also featured a more modern valvetrain than the 1900. The valves were actuated through a bucket and tappet system, which shed some of the weight and inertia of the 1900's clumsier, shim-adjust design.
With separate covers for its twin camshafts, the 2000 engine was similar in outward appearance to the 1900. It breathed through twin Solex carburetors that didn't match the rest of the engine's reputation for durability and trouble-free motoring. Power output was 105hp at 5,300rpm for the sedan, and 115hp at 5,900rpm for the coupe and convertible versions. This was a good amount of power coming from such a small engine, but the large bodies of the 2000 series (with wheelbases up to 107 inches) were too much for the engines to handle with enthusiasm. Performance was adequate, but not sporty.
The three standard body styles—sedan, coupe, and convertible—were given the names Berlina, Sprint, and Spider, respectively. The Berlina's in-house styling, like its performance, was too bland for an Alfa. The Sprint and Spider, though, were styled by reputable design houses and offered much better looks combined with at least decent performance.
Bertone was contracted to style the 2000 Sprint. Giorgetto Giugiaro, then at Bertone, was responsible for the shape of the Sprint. A clean design that invoked thoughts of grand touring through the backcountry, the Sprint was a much prettier car than the Berlina. Its styling offered similar proportions to the later Alfa Sprint GT and GTV, though on a larger scale. Its taught lines helped define a generation of Alfas.
The Spider was styled by Touring, a design house with a rich history of creating beautiful Alfas. The Spider's appearance was conservative, but undeniably handsome. With a traditional upside-down triangle grille poking down beneath a split front bumper, the Spider's maker was immediately evident. Twin hood scoops and decorative vents along the bottoms of the front fenders were the only signs of extravagance. The rest of the design was clean and staid, with a lithe look and the perfect dimensions for a California cruiser. The interior, likewise, was clean and well-suited to comfortable cruising.
A synchronized 5-speed was attached to the 2000 engine, driving a solid rear axle suspended by coil springs. Front suspension used double A-arms and coil springs. Large Alfin drum brakes were fitted at all wheels. The conventional suspension design, along with the extra gear on the transmission for relaxed driving, emphasized that the 2000 was a grand touring car and not a sports car.
There were 7,089 2000 series cars produced. Convertibles made up an unusually high percentage of total production, with 3,443 Spiders accounting for nearly half of all cars built. In 1962 a replacement for the series came as the 2600. The 2600 cars were produced until 1968 and featured styling that resembled the 2000 series but used all-aluminum straight six engines. Often eclipsed by the revolutionary 1900 before it and the faster 2600 that replaced it, the 2000 was not seen as a particularly special Alfa until recently. The cars are now respected for their durability and smoothness, as well as for the clean lines of the Sprint and Spider.
Sources:
Benson, Joe. Illustrated Alfa Romeo Buyer's Guide. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing Company, 1992. Print.
Braden, Pat. '1959 2000 Spider.' Keith Martin on Collecting Alfa Romeo 2006: PrintBy Evan Acuña
For more information and related vehicles, click herePostwar Alfas took on a decidedly different feel. The first all-new Alfa to be introduced after the war was the 1900. First appearing in 1950, it was a great departure from prior Alfas. Its unit-body construction, a first for the Italian car maker, hinted at Alfa Romeo's desire to create a more modern vehicle to carry the company through the postwar years. Trim dimensions and a four-cylinder engine revealed another new feature on an Alfa—price consciousness! The 1900 was its maker's first attempt at a mass-production vehicle, and for perhaps the first time in the company's history Alfa recognized the need to check costs for the new cars to succeed.
The 1900 was still not a cheap car. It came well-styled by the factory, and could be tailored by many of the famous Italian coachbuilders despite its lack of a separate frame. The painfully gorgeous Disco Volante was based on the 1900, as were the radical Bertone BAT cars that experimented with advanced aerodynamics. The 1900 was built carefully and performed well. It sold in high numbers and was relatively affordable, but the 1900 was an Alfa through and through.
The successor of the 1900 came in 1958 and was called the 2000. Named for its displacement, the 2000 had a 1,975cc four compared to the 1900's 1,884cc unit. As Alfa would also produce a more modern, all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine, the motor used in the 1958-1962 2000 cars is now referred to as the 'cast-iron 2-liter' or 'old 2-liter.' The former nickname referenced the engine's cast-iron block, a design which it shared with the 1900. In addition to the upped displacement, the cast-iron 2-liter also featured a more modern valvetrain than the 1900. The valves were actuated through a bucket and tappet system, which shed some of the weight and inertia of the 1900's clumsier, shim-adjust design.
With separate covers for its twin camshafts, the 2000 engine was similar in outward appearance to the 1900. It breathed through twin Solex carburetors that didn't match the rest of the engine's reputation for durability and trouble-free motoring. Power output was 105hp at 5,300rpm for the sedan, and 115hp at 5,900rpm for the coupe and convertible versions. This was a good amount of power coming from such a small engine, but the large bodies of the 2000 series (with wheelbases up to 107 inches) were too much for the engines to handle with enthusiasm. Performance was adequate, but not sporty.
The three standard body styles—sedan, coupe, and convertible—were given the names Berlina, Sprint, and Spider, respectively. The Berlina's in-house styling, like its performance, was too bland for an Alfa. The Sprint and Spider, though, were styled by reputable design houses and offered much better looks combined with at least decent performance.
Bertone was contracted to style the 2000 Sprint. Giorgetto Giugiaro, then at Bertone, was responsible for the shape of the Sprint. A clean design that invoked thoughts of grand touring through the backcountry, the Sprint was a much prettier car than the Berlina. Its styling offered similar proportions to the later Alfa Sprint GT and GTV, though on a larger scale. Its taught lines helped define a generation of Alfas.
The Spider was styled by Touring, a design house with a rich history of creating beautiful Alfas. The Spider's appearance was conservative, but undeniably handsome. With a traditional upside-down triangle grille poking down beneath a split front bumper, the Spider's maker was immediately evident. Twin hood scoops and decorative vents along the bottoms of the front fenders were the only signs of extravagance. The rest of the design was clean and staid, with a lithe look and the perfect dimensions for a California cruiser. The interior, likewise, was clean and well-suited to comfortable cruising.
A synchronized 5-speed was attached to the 2000 engine, driving a solid rear axle suspended by coil springs. Front suspension used double A-arms and coil springs. Large Alfin drum brakes were fitted at all wheels. The conventional suspension design, along with the extra gear on the transmission for relaxed driving, emphasized that the 2000 was a grand touring car and not a sports car.
There were 7,089 2000 series cars produced. Convertibles made up an unusually high percentage of total production, with 3,443 Spiders accounting for nearly half of all cars built. In 1962 a replacement for the series came as the 2600. The 2600 cars were produced until 1968 and featured styling that resembled the 2000 series but used all-aluminum straight six engines. Often eclipsed by the revolutionary 1900 before it and the faster 2600 that replaced it, the 2000 was not seen as a particularly special Alfa until recently. The cars are now respected for their durability and smoothness, as well as for the clean lines of the Sprint and Spider.
Sources:
Benson, Joe. Illustrated Alfa Romeo Buyer's Guide. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing Company, 1992. Print.
Braden, Pat. '1959 2000 Spider.' Keith Martin on Collecting Alfa Romeo 2006: PrintBy Evan Acuña
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 1959
Alfa Romeo
models |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce |
| Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale |
| Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato |
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| 1958 2000 | 1960 2000 |
