The History of the Alfa Romeo Spider

The Alfa Romeo Spider is a storied and long-running Italian sports car. The vehicle is a two-seater, rear-wheel-drive-equipped roadster that originally appeared on the market in 1966 and ran until 1994. There were four distinct series of the Alfa Romeo Spider, and though Alfa Romeo had plans to revive the Spider with a possible 2021 Alfa Romeo Spider model, the plans were scrapped for a different vehicle.

Here’s a short history of the Alfa Romeo Spider, presented by the experts at Alfa Romeo of Omaha.

Model Beginnings

The Alfa Romeo Spider was originally based on the sport variants of the Alfa Romeo 105 Series Giulia, which was introduced in 1962. The roadster was based around the mechanicals of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, including the twin cam inline four-cylinder engine, independent front and solid axle rear suspension, and unibody construction.

The Italian firm Pininfarina was originally responsible for the design, manufacturing of the body, and the final assembly of the Alfa Romeo Spider. The first version of the Spider was brought to market in 1966 and was known as the Duetto. This model skyrocketed in popularity when it was featured in the film The Graduate.

Evolution of the Alfa Romeo Spider

Over time, the Alfa Romeo Spider underwent several upgrades and redesigns, such as the addition of a 2.0-liter engine in the 1970s and a 2.5-liter engine in the 1980s. During this era, the model also received modern updates like power steering, a retractable roof, and air conditioning.

Despite receiving all these updates, the Alfa Romeo Spider stayed true to its roots as a sports car. It was known for its zippy acceleration, responsive handling, and thrilling driving experience.

Learn More About Alfa Romeo History at Our Dealership

If you’re curious about the discontinued 2021 Alfa Romeo Spider or have other questions about the vehicles we offer, talk to a friendly dealer at Alfa Romeo of Omaha. We love helping folks learn more about these incredible vehicles!