The Alfa Romeo Duetto, also known as the Alfa Romeo Spider 1600, was introduced in 1966 as a successor to the popular Giulia Spider. The design of the Duetto was inspired by the styling of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, with its rounded lines and tapering tail.
Under the hood, the Duetto was powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that produced 109 horsepower and was paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The Duetto had a top speed of 118 miles per hour and could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 11 seconds.
One of the most distinctive features of the Duetto was its “boat tail” rear end, which was achieved by tapering the bodywork towards the rear of the car. This design feature not only gave the Duetto a unique look but also improved the car’s aerodynamics.
The Duetto was well-received by both critics and the public, and it quickly became a popular choice among sports car enthusiasts. In 1967, the Duetto gained international fame when it was featured in the film “The Graduate”. In 1969, the Duetto was updated with a new 1.8-liter engine that produced 118 horsepower, and the model was renamed the Alfa Romeo Spider 1750. The updated model featured a few other changes as well, including a new dashboard and revised rear suspension.
Over the years, the Duetto/Spider went through several updates and revisions, with new engines, updated styling, and improved performance. However, the distinctive boat tail design remained a defining feature of the Spider until it was eventually replaced by the Alfa Romeo Spider Series 4 in 1990.