Craftsman Truck Series… (HD) • 7:30pm
  • Media
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Check out the latest SPEED podcasts on iTunes
  • Mobile
This could be your avatar!
Username
Password
Register
speed_staff's avatar
Author:
SPEED Staff
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
SPEEDtv.com Store
Victory By Design: Ferrari DVD
Alain de Cadenet, a long-time Ferrari enthusiast and aficionado, drives some of the great sports racers and sports cars.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Red Hot Ringtone: Air Rachet Single Burst
Sound off with SPEED Ringtones!
Our Price: Only $1.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari 60 Years: The Great Moments
by Leonardo Acerbi
This lavish book dedicates a whole chapter to each of Ferrari's 60 years in existence.
Our Price: $50.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
101 Cars: Duetto Spider
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
06/28/2008 - 07:16 PM
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
In The Graduate, a fresh young actor named Dustin Hoffman drove an Alfa Romeo Duetto; both went on to lead long, successful careers. (Photo: AutoCollections.com) ยป More Photos

Even by the mid-1960s, product placement in movies was still in its relative infancy. But cars had been garnering major roles in movies since the silent era. Just three years after James Bond's use of a DB5 in Goldfinger single-handedly saved Aston Martin, cars began figuring more prominently in scripts. In The Graduate, a fresh young actor named Dustin Hoffman drove an Alfa Romeo Duetto; both went on to lead long, successful careers. The Duetto is the two-seat convertible member of Alfa's 105 platform, which spawned all manner of configurations. The best part - well, perhaps besides the shapely Pininfarina design - is the lusty Alfa twin-cam four. Although not as torquey as later 1,750-cc and 2.0-liter offerings, Duetto's 1,600 revs high and sings with perfect pitch. The five-speed shifter stuck out from the dash at an odd angle, but otherwise, the cabin was classic Alfa roadster. The Duetto's round derriere was redesigned for 1969, and the car was renamed the Spider thereafter. It remained in production through 1991, but somehow, the later cars were never as pure, or as cute, as the original.

Specifications
Engine: 1.6-liter Inline four
Horsepower: 125
0–60 mph: 9.5 seconds
Top Speed: 115-120 miles per hour
Price New: $3,950
Value Now: $15,000-$30,000
Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider Photos



Claim to Fame

Alfa Romeo ultimately marketed a later version of the Duetto called the Graduate.


Soundtrack

“Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel, of course...


Perfect Passenger

Katherine Ross, the younger love interest of Dustin Hoffman's character in The Graduate


Behind the Wheel
Easy enough. Join the Alfa Romeo club, and start shopping.


Did You Know?
Various version of the Spider remained in production for 25 years.


The Perfect Drive
The Duetto isn't picky; any smooth, picturesque mountain road will do.



Get Your Copy of 365 Cars You Must Drive

Catch 101 Cars You Must Drive on SPEED! Premiering Monday, June 23rd at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.

Check out the 101 Cars Countdown!

There’s a story for every one of these sexy, Italian cars. Tell us yours!

Commenting is not allowed in this article.
View All Comments