1964 Alfa Romeo 2600

The Alfa Romeo 106-series was introduced in 1962 at the Geneva Salon and was available in Berlina, Sprint, and Spider guises. It combined its predecessor's (102-series) basic floorpan with a fresh 2584cc dual overhead camshaft engine. The previous long-stroke, 2.0-liter four was displaced by a new six-cylinder unit. The all-alloy, twin-cam engine was designed specifically for the car and was quoted as developing 145 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque. The 2600 models would be the last inline six-cylinder Alfa Romeos to feature dual overhead camshafts. Power from the engine was sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed gearbox and was kept in check by all-round coil-sprung suspension and servo-assisted discs in the front and drums at the rear. Later 2600s were upgraded with disc brakes at the rear.

The styling of the flagship 2600 Series was similar to the previous 2000 range, albeit with the updated engine. Due to the lack of resources, Alfa Romeo focused most of their development resources on the mid-sized Giulia which was introduced around the same time. The running gear of the 2600 was similar to that of the Series 1900 from 1950, as its predecessor, the 2000, was basically a 1958 restyling of the 1900. In 1968, the 2600 model was replaced by the range-topping 1750 which came equipped with a refined version of the 1600cc Giulia (thus, the 1750 continued the tradition of being the top-of-the-line model with minor restyling and an upgraded motor).

The Spider variant was designed and built by Carrozzeria Touring and incorporated overtones of the Aston Martin DB4 convertible. Its top speed of 125 mph and spirited acceleration made the 2+2 Spider a spirited and stylish tourer. During its three-year production lifespan, a total of 2,255 Spiders were constructed.

Like the spider, the coachbuilt Sprint by Bertone (designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro) was expensive and rare when new due to being constructed by hand. The sharp-edged Berlina sedan was styled in-house. A few of the bodies were outfitted by Italian coachbuilder Zagato and were sold as the 2600 SZ. A total of 2,038 Berlinas, 6,999 Sprints, and 105 Sprint Zagatos. An additional 54 examples were 2600 De Luxe models, available with either the two- or three-carburetor setup. The Sprint Zagato used the three-carb setup which offered 165 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

Sprint Coupe by Bertone

Giorgetto Giugiaro's First Design to Reach Production

Italian automaker Alfa Romeo gained fame in the early 1930's for their line of twin cam, six-cylinder powered Grand Touring cars. Following World War II, the company became known mostly for their lightweight, small displacement four-cylinder sports cars.

The 2600 Sprint marked a return to building the '6C' Grand Touring cars that made the company famous. The engine is a direct derivation of the dual cam motor of old, now displacing 2590cc. The Sprint body, first penned in 1959 as the 2000 Sprint, marked the first-ever design to meet production from a young Giorgetto Giugiaro. Total production of the model was 6,402 cars, built between 1962 and 1966.

The car displayed is held in a private collection and this, the 2007 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, is its first exhibition in the Eastern US.

Roadster by Touring
Chassis number: AR*192790
Engine number: AR00601*06686

The successor to Alfa Romeo's top-of-the-line 2000-series was introduced at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show. The new 2600 Series had a powerful, new all-alloy, 2.6-liter six-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts. Bodystyles included a four-door Berlina, two-door Sprint and Sprint Zagato, and open Spider models. The Spider models had hand-built bodywork by Carrozzeria Touring.

The Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider had a top speed reaching 125 mph, with its five-speed manual gearbox and triple-carbureted engine offering 145 horsepower. Touring's 2600 Spider had good luggage space, luxurious appointments, and 2+2 seating.

Up to 1968, there were 2,255 Spiders produced.

This particular 2600 Spider is an original export model, manufactured on March 17th of 1964. It was factory-equipped with front disc brakes. The car was delivered precisely two weeks later on March 31st of 1964, to Alfa Romeo Inc. of Newark, New Jersey.

The car was restored to a high standard when it was acquired around the year 2000 by Alfredo Brener. Around 2006, Mr. Brener sold the Spider to John Kotts, his neighbor. The current owner acquired the car from Mr. Kotts.

The car is finish in black paintwork complemented by tan upholstery and a matching convertible top. In the front are large recessed Carello driving lamps. The car rides on a period-correct set of Michelin X radial tires mounted on Borrani wire wheels with earned knocks-off.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster by Touring
Chassis number: AR192802
Engine number: AR00601*06445

Alfa Romeo's outgoing 2000 Series was given a larger six-cylinder engine which resulted in the 2600 Series. The new twin-cam, 2.6-liter engine was fitted into an improved chassis and was clothed in a variety of body styles by Touring, Bertone, and Zagato. Approximately 2,255 Touring-bodied 2600 Spiders were built through 1965.

This particular example is a Spider that was completed on March 18th of 1964 and left the factory finished in red. A month later, it was sent to Alfa Romeo's Newark, New Jersey-based importer and into the care of its first unknown owner. It is believed to have moved to California by 1967.

By 1972, the car was in the care of Dr. Raymond Giraud of Stanford University. It remained with Dr. Giraud for 34 years. After his passing in 2006, the car was offered for sale by his estate.

The car's next owner was Hervé Labesse of nearby Benicia, California. It was given a five-year restoration which included a complete rebuild of the engine, transmission, and chassis. The exterior was refinished in the factory color of Grigio Medio (Medium Gray).

After the restoration, the car was shown at Concorso Italiano in August 2013, where the2600 Spider tallied a score of 100.6 points at the Concorso d'Alfa California, winning a Certificate d'Oro Award.

This Alfa Romeo has Borrani wire wheels, a factory hardtop, original owner's manuals, tool kit, a five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, and an inline 6-cylinder engine.

by Dan Vaughan

The Alfa Romeo 2600 was introduced in March of 1962 at the Geneva Motorshow. The 2600 was the replacement for the 2000. The Sprint was a four-seater coupe, easily recognizable by the hood ducts, powered by a six-cylinder engine, and based on the 2600 Spider and Saloon. A few of the bodies were outfitted by Italian coachbuilder Zagato and were sold as the 2600 SZ.

For the Spider and Sprint models, a 2584 cc straight six-cylinder, alloy dual overhead cam engine with triple carburetors was capable of producing 145 horsepower. The Berlina models had 130 horsepower. Placed in the front and powering the rear wheels, it could propel from zero to sixty in 10.4 seconds and had a top speed of 125 mph. Disc brakes were placed on the front and drum brakes were in the rear. A five-speed manual gearbox was standard.

The Sprint series continued in production until 1966. Production of the 2600 continued until 1969. During its lifespan, 105 Sprint Zagatos, 54 De Luxe, 2,038 Berlina, 2,255 Spider, and 6,999 Sprint models were produced.

by Dan Vaughan

Debuting at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show, the classic 2600 series was introduced by Alfa Romeo. Replacing the popular 2000 series, the 2600 range was offered as a two-door Sprint coupe, a four-door Berlina sedan, and an open Touring two-door Spider. Sprints were designed by Bertone and constructed by OSI, Spiders were designed and built by Touring of Milan, and Berlinas were designed and built in-house by Alfa. Also called the Series 106, the 2600 Series was Alfa Romeo's six-cylinder flagship and was produced from 1961 through 1968.

A departure from the iron-block four-cylinders, which had been an industry standard with post-war Alfas, the 2600 used a new 2,584 cc aluminum inline-six-cylinder engine with cast-iron liners, a cross-flow head, and hemispherical combustion chambers. The engine inside the Berlina was fitted with two Solex carburetors that produced 130 hp. The Sprints and Spiders featured three twin-choke horizontal carburetors and pumped out 145 hp. The Berlinas engine was mated to a column-shift manual while Sprints and Spiders featured a five-speed synchromesh floor unit. The OSI De Luxe was offered with the two-carb or the three-carb setup.

The Sprint and the Spider had a top speed of 124 mph, with the Berlina coming in slightly lower at 112 mph. Discs were eventually made standard all around, but early on the 2600 models had front Girling disc brakes and rear drums. The suspension came from front double A-arms with coil springs and a sway bar, along with a solid rear axle with longitudinal radius arms and coil springs.

The Sprint, Berlina, and Spider were based on corresponding models in the 2000 range and all three models retained the previous body styles but with minor renovations.

In the marque's history, Romeo Berlinas normally outsold most specialized sporting models from the same range, but in this instance, the 2600 Berlina didn't outsell the 2600 Sprint and Spider. Many considered the Berlinas styling to not be very appealing and especially poor sales reflected this.

The styling of the Spider seemed to have been inspired by the Giulietta Spider, and though attractive enough, was not enough to win the hearts of the current automotive market. The Spider was constructed of steel instead of the standard aluminum and was technically considered a 2+2 roadster though the rear left much to be desired for an adult passenger.

The Sprint offered available leather seating, two-speed wipers, electric windows, and a rear demister. The Sprint was met with much more favorable appeal than the other two models. A large grand touring coupe, there was plenty of room for four adults to comfortably enjoy a long road trip. The Sprint became the best seller of the 2600 range, possibly due to its fresh, modern styling and smooth handling. The design of the Sprint was Giorgetto Giugiaro's first large project as head designer for Carrozeria Bertone and considered by many to be a great success.

Numerous 2600 Sprint models were bought by the Italian government and modified and specially equipped to be used as Police and Carabinieri patrol vehicles. These models were nicknamed 'Pantera' (panther) and 'Gazzella' (gazelle) and their speed made them a veritable force to be reckoned with when chasing offenders.

In 1965 at the Frankfurt Motor Show Alfa Romeo introduced the fastback coupe 2600 SZ (Sprint Zagato) with bodywork by Zagato, and the limited edition 2600 De five-window sedan Luxe with bodywork by OSI (Officine Stampaggi Industriali).

Though Alfa had expected much higher numbers, especially due to the excellent engine, the total production of the Sprint was around 6,999 cars and a total of 2,255 Spider models. Though the 2600 had plenty of power, the six-cylinder was heavy and cumbersome over the front wheels, which took away from the handling. Many didn't consider this range to be as sleek or elegant as previous Alfa models and sales were reflected accordingly. Poor sales could also be chalked up to higher prices for the 2600 models compared to other Alfa cars. Since the 2600 was basically a minor facelift from the 2000 range with a new engine, and the 2000 was a 1958 restyling of the 1950 1900, the 2600 was considered dated. Once the new Giulia appeared on the scene with brand new running gear, the 2600 was sadly forgotten.

In 1968 the much more sophisticated 1750 replaced the 2600 range. The 2600 Sprint and Spider are considered by many today to be a worthy classic collectible. In comparison to other more successful Alfa Romeo models of the same era, the 2600's are quite rare. Owners need to carefully research their parts since they are either dedicated to the 2600 range or derive from even earlier Alfa models. Only 105 2600 SZ's were ever created and as such are extremely rare and are designated the most valuable model in the range. Very few of the 2600 Berlinas have survived since the discontinuation of the model.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_2600

http://www.hagerty.com/price-guide/1965-Alfa_Romeo-2600

by Jessican Donaldson