We’re not sure what was in the water at Alfa Romeo HQ during the 20th century, but it was clearly helping both the design and engineering department produce some utterly spectacular driver's cars. Whether you were looking for a luxurious grand tourer, a lithe and nimble roadster, or even a driver-focused hatchback, models like the 2600, Duetto Spider, and Alfasud had you covered. In recent years, these mid-century Alfas have started to climb in value, and judging by their beautiful coachwork and on-road thrills, it’s not hard to understand why. If you’ve been looking to scratch that Alfa Romeo itch, you’re in luck, because RM Sotheby’s upcoming St. Moritz sale on September 15th is bursting at the seams with desirable models from Alfa’s past, all of which hail from the Iseli Collection.
Before we get into our quintet of stunning Alfa Romeos, we have to fill you in on the Iseli Collection. Comprising 93 vehicles, the Iseli Collection is a truly eclectic mix of two- and four-wheeled wonders, including 18 different manufacturers. Among the lots, you’ll find gems like the ex-Niki Lauda 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 ‘Nürburgring’ we included in Market Finds last week, as well as some stunners from Stuttgart, such as a 1964 Porsche 356 SC and a 1970 Porsche 911 S. There’s even a selection of significant classic Mercedes busses, and a BMW Isetta to top it all off, so we highly recommend you check out the rest of the lots. So, without further ado, let’s check out our five favourite Alfa Romeos from the bunch, we’re certain you’ll find a car for any occasion!
1960 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider
The 1960s were a golden era for Alfa Romeo, and this 2000 Spider is certainly representative of that. Boasting beautiful coachwork by Touring of Milan, and featuring the carrozzeria’s characteristic lavish use of chrome, these cars seem to get prettier by the year. However, don’t let that classical exterior fool you, because this lightweight sports car’s inline four-cylinder produces 113 horsepower — about as much as a Mk 1 Golf GTI — and can reach an impressive top speed of 177 km/h. It won’t blow the socks off any modern sports cars, but this Alfa offers style and driving feel in abundance, something that’s very difficult to find today. Finished in the Ferrari shade of Grigio Mahmoud over beige leather, this is our idea of the perfect weekend cruiser.
1964 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint
The 2600 Sprint has long been a firm favourite in the Classic Driver office. While not quite as nimble as its smaller four-cylinder siblings, the 2600’s sonorous inline six-cylinder engine harks back to the great Alfas of old, and offers fantastic grand touring capability with a top speed of 200 km/h. Then there’s the design: Giorgetto Giuigaro worked wonders with the 2600’s Bertone-built coachwork, making it truly one of the most beautiful grand tourers of the 1960s, a decade that was already teeming with attractive GTs. Finished in an attractive combination of metallic silver over a tan interior, this is one Alfa Romeo we would never sell if it entered our collection.
1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Ti
If there’s ever been a better looking saloon than the Giulia, we can’t think of it right now. Long overlooked in favour of its coupe counterpart, the Giulia has now finally started to gain the attention it deserves. The Giulia isn’t just good looking, it offers sports car handling with ample room for four, which is perhaps why it was the ride of choice for the Italian Polizia’s Squadra Volante during the 1960s and 1970s. Finished in a lovely blue over tan, you won’t find many classics with better daily driver credentials than this Giulia!
1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 Duetto Spider
Car development during the 1960s was happening at a breakneck pace, and just six years after the 2000 Spider above, Alfa Romeo’s design language had evolved significantly. This gorgeous Duetto Spider is among the earliest examples of its breed, and boasts the attractive ‘boat tail’ rear. Wearing a timeless and original combination of Bianco over a Nero Skai interior, this Duetto Spider is the quintessential Italian roadster. Benefitting from a recent restoration between 2019 and 2022 with costs exceeding 150,000 Swiss francs, this is arguably the best example you’ll find anywhere on the internet.
1981 Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1.2
Fast-forward to the 1980s, and Alfa was trying to inject some flair and driving fun into the increasingly-popular hatchback segment. Despite its small engine, the Alfasud had plenty going for it: high cruising speeds, disc brakes, a great driving position and gear change, and ultra-sweet handling separated this Italian hatchback from the rest of the pack. Giugiaro’s design was certainly easy on the eyes too, especially in the case of this late facelift example. This Alfasud looks to be in fabulous condition: its Bruno Cilento paint still has a wonderful sheen, while its immaculate Velluto Castoro Operato interior almost looks untouched. If you’re tired of the usual traffic on the daily commute, why not let this lovely little Alfa spice up your life?
St Moritz, 15 Sep
