Thread: Alfa Spider (duetto)
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Old 03-24-2008, 06:25 PM
peglegtom peglegtom is offline
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 426
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chi Si Dici View Post
Hey Tom,

Actually when the first Series Spiders came out, they were called "1600 Spider", it was shortly after that they decided to get the public involved, eventually deciding on "Duetto". I guess that shortly after having the car called "Duetto", Alfa thought the name to be overly sweet and cute and could not wait to go back to calling the later version a "1750 Spider Veloce".

It's true that in many areas in Italy, they continue to call any type of convertible, "Duetto". Moreover, how silly that many British continue to call a GTV, a "BERTONE"!
I am aware that the name "Duetto" was never officially adopted by Alfa (due to a copyright infrigement issue with a biscuit manufacturer as I recall). But unofficially (at least in the US as I recall, but not sure about Europe), only the 1966 - 1967 1600 roundtail spiders are referred to as Duetto's. the 1969 roundtails with 1750 and Spica, (there were no 1668's imported into the US) are referred to as 1750 Spiders. The later Kamm tails are never referred to as Duetto's in the US. I know that this presents a problem in differeniating roundtail and kamm tail 1750's (Series 1 and Series 2) in the US.

I will now suit up in my Nomex (even if very old) to await the flames from 1750 roundtails that would like to consider 1969 roundtails with the 1750/Spica engines to be "Duetto's" with their greater "proviance." But regarding this thread, it's more importance in hearing from our European friends that may have better insights into this issue, although their understanding may be different than the US interpretation.
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Tom

(2) 67 Duettos (currently being made into one decent driver)
97 Ford Taurus SHO (my daily driver)
99 Jeep Grand Cherokee (need something to haul the boat).
And a new Nero & tan 95 164 Quadafilorio as a second daily driver (at least in the summer!)
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