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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'.Elizabeth Johnson
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'.Elizabeth Johnson
1985 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce |
|
| Year | 1985 |
| Make | Alfa Romeo |
| Model | Spider Veloce |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Steel unibody |
| Production Years for Series | 1979 - 1995 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Solid valve lifters | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 1962.00 cc | 119.7 cu in. | 2 L. |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Horsepower | 115.00 @ 5500.00 RPM |
| Torque | 119.00 Ft-Lbs (161.4 NM) @ 2750.00 RPM |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Main Bearings | 5 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Fuel Injected |
| Bosch electronic port fuel injection | |
| Block | Aluminum |
| Head | Aluminum |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 5 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Final Drive | 4.10:1 |
| View Specifications |
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