First introduced at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show, the new 2600 replaced the earlier 2000 series as the luxuriously exclusive flagship model of Alfa Romeo. The new line was offered in three distinct body styles: the Berlina sedan, the Sprint coupe, and the rarest and most coveted of all, the drop-top Spider.

Carrozzeria Touring hand-built the body, which was conceived with long, grand touring drives in mind. Styling was Giulietta-derived, with the 2600 adding single-piece bumpers, built-in driving lights, and a single air intake perched near the front of the elongated hood. The luxurious convertible was now presented in a two-plus-two configuration with a small rear seat. This opened more room for the driver and passenger in the opulently appointed cabin as well as adding additional luggage space to the already roomy trunk.

While the body received wonderful additions, the real change was found under the hood. Alfa Romeo debuted a brand-new 2.6-liter, all-aluminum, inline-six engine featuring a double-overhead-camshaft configuration. The Spider’s engine was fed by a trio of twin-choke, horizontally mounted Solex carburetors, which helped it produce 145 horsepower. The engine particularly excels at low revolutions, with plenty of smooth pulling power as the torque builds.

At top speed, the Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider was said to be capable of 124 miles per hour, on par with some of its top-of-the-line contemporaries, the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL and Lancia Flaminia Spider. A fully synchronized, five-speed transmission transfers the power to the rear and provides the wonderfully dynamic driving experience for which Alfa Romeos are famous.

Sadly, this would be the last of Alfa Romeo’s dual-overhead-camshaft inline-six-cylinders, marking the end of an era for a company that gained international renown in part for these wonderful engines. The engine is reported to start quickly and perform excellently at speed. Professionally Jet-Hot-coated exhaust headers keep the heat moving down the exhaust while contributing to the tidily presented engine bay.

A beautiful example of Alfa Romeo’s most luxurious flagship convertible for 1964, this stunning 2600 Spider stands ready to impress with spirited drives and turned heads.

The Ron Sturgeon Collection