Lot 271

Monterey 2021

1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider by Touring

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$196,000 USD | Sold

United States | Monterey, California

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Chassis No.
AR10204 00849
Engine No.
AR00204 00796
Body No.
6106
Documents
US Title
  • Delivered new to Germany
  • One of just 3,443 examples produced between 1959 and 1961
  • 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual transmission
  • Benefits from a complete restoration to show standards
  • Retains its numbers matching engine per accompanying Alfa Romeo documentation
Please note that this lot is titled as a 1960.

Alfa Romeo’s 2.0-liter inline-four of the mid-1950s replaced its older 1.9-liter unit and helped bring the company back to prosperity in the years following World War II. While this engine first found its way into a four-door sedan, it also found a home in Carrozzeria Touring’s lovely Spider, truly the darling of Alfa Romeo’s lineup. Just over 3,400 examples of the 2000 Spider were produced between 1958 and 1961. The combination of low production, a knockout Touring body, and great driving dynamics make this model a highly sought-after choice for Alfa Romeo lovers today.

This exceptional 2000 Spider was completed on 18 September 1959 for immediate delivery to its first owner in southern Germany. A German chassis tag confirms this attribution, together with factory records sourced from Alfa Romeo’s Museo Storico. The current owner acquired this Spider in 2005 from a collection of European sports cars in Orange County, California. The car was complete, but in need of restoration; it is believed to have made its way to Southern California during the 1960s.

The consignor, who has a particular affinity for other Touring bodied cars (also owning an alloy Lamborghini 350GT and an Aston Martin DB6), was then in the process of restoring a Ferrari 250 Cabriolet for concours exhibition. As such, upon acquisition this Alfa was treated to an extensive, meticulous, multi-year restoration alongside the “big brother” Ferrari. Many of the same vendors were retained for body, paint and interior finishing executed to “open checkbook” quality. An additional Spider chassis was purchased in order source a bevy of nearly-impossible-to-obtain trim items for the example offered here. Simultaneous, complete restoration included mechanical components refurbished by Pat Ritz of Sports and Collector Car Service Center in Tempe, Arizona, with all brightwork entrusted to Christensen Plating of Los Angeles, California.

Unlike more common Alfa Romeo models, few pursue 2000 Spider restoration due to many unique parts unavailable new, requiring the challenging acquisition and refurbishment of original parts. From the tidy interior appointments and finishes, to the Marchal headlamps, its small yet impressive details could not be missed by the most discerning of Alfisti.

Observation of extant stampings show that this stunning 2000 Spider is powered by a numbers-matching twin-cam inline four-cylinder engine, as listed on the factory production documents.

Correct details abound, including fully restored original gauges, the correct factory steering wheel, and the numerous chrome trim details unique to Touring Spiders, all of which have been refinished to a fitting degree of elegance. This Alfa presently sits upon factory ten-hole wheels wrapped in period-correct Michelin XWX tires.

Now offered with a tool set and jack, this beautifully restored 2000 Spider would be a centerpiece of any Alfa Romeo collection—an open-air grand touring car with pedigree reminiscent of la dolce vita.