Alfa Romeo · 1966–1993

Alfa Romeo Spider

The Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) is a two-seater, front-engined, rear-drive roadster manufactured and marketed by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1994 in four distinct generations, or "series", each with modifications ranging from modest to extensive. As successor to the Giulia Spider, the Spider remained in production for almost three decades. The first three series were assembled by Pininfarina in Grugliasco and the fourth series in San Giorgio Canavese. The last Spider of that series was manufactured in April 1993—the last rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo before the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione of 2007. In 2012, FCA Italy and Mazda studied the possibility of jointly developing a new Spider for 2015 based on the Mazda MX-5 platform. Ultimately, FCA and Mazda chose to manufacture a modern interpretation of the Fiat 124 Sport Spider rather than reviving the Alfa Romeo Spider.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Alfa Romeo Giulietta Type 750/101 · Successor: Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider

All Alfa Romeo Spider data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

History

=== Development === In 1962, Alfa Romeo introduced the new 105 Series Giulia, which first complemented and then replaced the 101-series Giulietta. The sport variants of the Giulietta remained on sale for several more years, upgraded to the Giulia's 1.6-litre engine and rebadged Giulia, until analogous variants of the new models were ready. Thus, the Giulietta-based Giulia Spider 1600 and Giulia Spider Veloce were produced from 1962 to 1965 and from 1963 to 1965, respectively. The Alfa Romeo Spider was based on Giulia mechanicals, including its Alfa Romeo twin cam inline-four, independent front and solid axle rear suspension, and unibody construction, incorporating the relatively new principles of crumple zones into the front and rear. Following the evolution the other Giulia sport variants, the Spider was powered by a 1.6 L engine, later received a 1750 cc, then a 1300 cc, and finally a 2000 cc engine. Unlike any other Giulia derivative, it was upgraded and continued to sell through four decades, into the 1990s. As for its predecessor the Giulietta Spider, the Italian firm of Pininfarina was responsible for the design, manufacturing of the body, and final assembly. The 1600 Spider was the last project in which founder Battista Pininfarina was involved. Design director of Pininfarina at that time was Franco Martinengo. Giulia GT Spider. The 1963 Giulia GT Spider was intended as a replacement for the Pininfarina-designed Giulia Spider. Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and Bertone presented a proposition for a two-seater sports car that was developed between 1962 and 1963. Chassis type 105.03 was the same as the future "Duetto" Spider. The car was designed by Ernesto Cattoni and realised by Bertone. The overall style was very similar to the Giugiaro-designed, coupé version of Giuli

Production

Production of the first generation Alfa Romeo Spider spanned from 1966 to 1993, and amounted to 124,104 cars. a 190 examples produced during 1993 were sold as model year 1994 in the United States.

In popular culture

A 1966 Series 1 Spider 1600 is featured in the 1967 film The Graduate, giving the model widespread visibility. A "Graduate" trim level was subsequently marketed in the United States in the 1980s. The 2011 animated movie Cars 2 features the minor character Celine Dephare, a classic sports coupé based on the Alfa Romeo Spider, who works as a headlight vendor at the Marché Aux Pièces market in Paris, France. She is notably the only character in the Cars franchise whose eyes are located in the headlights instead of in the windscreen.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Alfa Romeo Spider
aka: Alfa Romeo "Duetto"
Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo (1966–1986), Alfa Lancia Industriale (1987–1991), Fiat Auto (1991–1993)
Assembly: Italy: Grugliasco, Turin, Italy: San Giorgio Canavese (Pininfarina)
Production: 1966–1993
Model years: 1966–1994
Class: Sports car
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Body style: 2-door roadster
Related: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Coupés
Designer: Aldo Brovarone and Battista Pininfarina at Pininfarina
Predecessor: Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
Successor: Alfa Romeo Spider (916)
sp: uk