Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider
Production period:	1966-2010
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Roadster
Previous model:	Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider

The Alfa Romeo Spider is a roadster from the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo . The first four generations, designated as series 105 and 115, were produced from spring 1966 to the end of 1993. This makes the Alfa Romeo Spider of the 105 and 115 series one of the longest largely unchanged convertibles . The fifth (1994–2005) and sixth generation (2006–2010) are each independent new developments.

Spider 105/115 (1966-1993)

Spider (1966-1969)

1st generation ( Duetto )
Alfa Romeo Spider (1967)
Production period:	1966-1969
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.3-1.8 liters (64-83 kW)
Length:	4250 mm
Width:	1630 mm
Height:	1290 mm
Wheelbase :	2250 mm
Empty weight :	990 kg

Cockpit (1967)

Alfa Romeo Spider round tail (1968)

When the Spider was unveiled in the spring of 1966, public opinion was divided. Most Alfisti would have wished for another successor to the slightly baroque-looking Giulia Spider. The workers on the line gave it the nickname Osso di Seppia (back shell of the squid) in reference to the shape of the stern. As part of a competition - with a new Spider as the main prize - a new name for the car was finally to be determined. Ultimately, Arese received over 120,000 suggestions ; the spectrum ranged from the typical “Giuliana” to “Pizza” and “Sputnik” to “Lollobrigida”. The Spider made a media-effective appearance in the 1967 film The Maturity Exam.

• Alfa Romeo Spider 1300 Junior, 64 kW (87 hp), 1966–1969
• Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 (Duetto), 80 kW (109 PS), 1966–1968
• Alfa Romeo Spider 1750 Veloce, 83 kW (113 hp), 1967–1969

Ultimately, Duetto prevailed, which was not very original - for example, there was already a Volvo station wagon called Duett - but served its purpose, if not for long and not everywhere.

The name disappeared back in early 1967 with the appearance of the 1750 Veloce , whereas in Germany the car was always marketed as the Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider, never as the Duetto. In the same year, the Spider 1300 Junior was launched to round off the model range. In this respect, the current use of the term Duetto for all round-tail models is, strictly speaking, incorrect, but very popular.

Spider "Coda Tronca" (1969–1983)

2nd generation
Alfa Romeo Spider (1981)
Production period:	1969-1983
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.3-2.0 liters (64-96 kW)
Length:	4120 mm
Width:	1630 mm
Height:	1290 mm
Wheelbase :	2250 mm
Empty weight :	990-1040 kg

The second series from the beginning of 1969 was called coda tronca and is known as Fastback . Here, compared to the round stern, the rear has been completely redesigned (shortened by around ten centimeters and just "cut off"). The windshield was now flatter and the bumpers were more robust. In contrast to the first series, the new model had a dual-circuit brake system , the brake and clutch pedals were no longer standing, but hanging. From spring 1971 there was the Spider 2000 Veloce, which led its displacement class with its 131 hp and a top speed of almost 200 km / h. After the 1750 Veloce was phased out at the beginning of 1972, the range included the Spider 1300 Junior, Spider 1600 Junior and Spider 2000 Veloce models until the end of 1977.

1976 was a decisive year: due to new emissions regulations, the 1600 model only had 102 hp, the 2000 model 126. The 1300 model was not affected because this version was discontinued in 1977.

Alfa Romeo Spider (US version, 1981)

The version built for the American market with little extras, including electrically adjustable plastic exterior mirrors and power window regulators, differed from the European models mainly through the side marker lights in the fenders and the spring-loaded plastic bumpers. The typically triangular Alfa Romeo radiator grille, the so-called "Alfa heart", had to be attached in two parts above and below the bumper because of the bumpers that stretch across the entire width of the vehicle. The engine with mechanical intake manifold injection from SPICA ( Società Pompe Iniezione Cassani & Affini ), suitable for unleaded fuel , had an exhaust gas recirculation system .

• Alfa Romeo Spider 1300 Junior, 64 kW (87 hp), 1969–1977
• Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Junior, 76 kW (103 hp), 1976–1980
• Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Junior, 80 kW (109 hp), 1972-1976
• Alfa Romeo Spider 1750 Veloce, 83 kW (113 hp), 1969–1972
• Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce, 93 kW (126 hp), 1976–1983
• Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce, 96 kW (131 PS), 1971–1976

Spider "Aerodinamica" (1983–1989)

3rd generation
Alfa Romeo Spider
Production period:	1983-1989
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.6–2.0 liters (76–97 kW)
Length:	4270 mm
Width:	1630 mm
Height:	1290 mm
Wheelbase :	2250 mm
Empty weight :	1020-1070 kg

Rear view

In the summer of 1983, the Spider Aerodinamica was presented, corresponding to the style of the 1980s with a lush front and rear spoiler. This version had already been shown as a prototype in the 1970s, but with Pininfarina's assurance that the concept vehicle would not be built in this way. This time, too, the public found a nickname for the model: "rubber lip". This generation developed into the most successful in the history of the Spider, which says less about the car than about the time in which it was built. Most manufacturers had taken open cars out of their ranges, so convertible fans bought what was on the market.

Similar to the plastic style of the time, the interior was also modified; the classic "ice cream cone design" was retained until the summer of 1986. Then the semicircular plastic carrier was used, which was also retained in the successor model.

From autumn 1988 the 2000 series was also available with a regulated catalytic converter , which cost the car 11 hp and somewhat contained the typical Alfa sound. In addition, some 2-liter models with the Bosch L-Jetronic and compared with the series end motronic - intake manifold provided by Bosch.

• Alfa Romeo Spider 1600, 76 kW (103 PS), 1983–1986
• Alfa Romeo Spider 1.6, 76 kW (103 PS), 1986–1989
• Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 Kat., 85 kW (115 PS), 1987–1989
• Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0, 92 kW (125 PS), 1986–1989
• Alfa Romeo Spider 2000, 93 kW (126 hp), 1983–1986

Modifications of the Spider "Aerodinamica"

There are some modification variants of the "rubber lip" because some owners could not get used to the new design. There were simple conversion kits from Zender, in which the rubber lip was replaced by a more discreet spoiler in the vehicle color, but also conversions with sheet metal parts from the fastback model. Zender also offered a GRP bumper and sill kit and 5-star aluminum rims.

• 

  Alfa Romeo Zender Spider

• 

  Side view

The Alfa Romeo agency ATT, based in Nuremberg, carried out the most consistent conversion. ATT replaced the front and rear panels on the new vehicle with panels from the Fastback , then the entire vehicle was painted and the cavity sealed. The conversion cost around 10,000 DM surcharge on the new car price.

• 

  ATT Spider Classico

• 

  Rear view

Spider (1989-1993)

4th generation
Alfa Romeo Spider
Production period:	1989-1993
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.6-2.0 (79-93 kW)
Length:	4258 mm
Width:	1630 mm
Height:	1290 mm
Wheelbase :	2250 mm
Empty weight :	1110 kg

From autumn 1989 to the end of 1993 Alfa Romeo offered the last version of the classic spider - the Series 4. The spoiler on the tailgate disappeared, the Alfa shield, which was still made of plastic, was painted in the body color together with the bumpers and integrated into the front . At the rear, a continuous strip of light should ensure that the 164 is family-like .

At the end of 1993 the model was discontinued after 27 years of construction.

Rear view

• Alfa Romeo Spider 1.6, four-cylinder in-line design with 79 kW (107 hp), 1990–1993
• Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 cat., Four-cylinder in-line design with 88 kW (120 PS), 1990–1993
• Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0, four-cylinder in-line design with 93 kW (126 hp), 1990–1993

Engines

2.0 engine of the Veloce Spider

For the entire construction period, the engines of the Spider were based on the same unit, which was offered with displacements from 1300 cm³ to 2000 cm³ - the north engine (since the opening of the Alfasud production facility in Pomigliano d'Arco near Naples in 1972, all products from the main plant have been supplied in Arese with the addition of "Nord"). When it was introduced in 1954, this engine was made entirely of light metal and had two overhead camshafts . Together with the two double carburetors , which took care of the mixture preparation until late in the 1980s, the result was the distinctive and typical engine noise that characterized Alfa Romeos. Later, in the wake of the stricter emissions regulations, the engine was initially equipped with an intake manifold injection (type Spica , mechanical) in the USA , and later with an electronic intake manifold injection from Bosch . A variable camshaft adjustment was installed in the Series 4 Spider .

Todays situation

The price level for well-preserved specimens has increased slowly but steadily in recent years, especially for the round-tail and fastback versions.

It is often not easy for collectors to determine whether a certain equipment detail or component fits exactly to the Spider in which it is installed. Alfa Romeo has often already incorporated parts of the new model into the discontinued series in the transition phase between a facelift.

Many Alfa Romeo Spiders have now fallen victim to rust, especially if they were moved in winter. Otherwise, if handled and cared for correctly, the technology is durable and easy to maintain thanks to the economical use of electronics. Essential spare parts are still available either as original or replica parts.

The number of Alfa Romeo Spiders registered in Germany with an H mark is listed according to the Association of the Automotive Industry . In the ranking of models with an H license plate , the Alfa Romeo Spider was the best-placed model from a foreign brand in every evaluation.

Deadline	December 31, 2010	December 31, 2011	1.1.2013	1.1.2014	1.1.2015
number	1,618	2,027	2,368	2,610	2,640
change		+ 25.3%	+ 16.8%	+ 10.2%	+ 1.1%
rank	15th	15th	14th	14th	15th

Spider 916 (1994-2005)

5th generation
Alfa Romeo Spider (1998-2003)
Production period:	1994-2005
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8–3.2 liters (106–176 kW)
Length:	4285 mm
Width:	1780 mm
Height:	1315 mm
Wheelbase :	2540 mm
Empty weight :	1460-1545 kg

Alfa Romeo Spider (2003-2005)

Alfa Romeo Spider V6 open

Stern of the Spider

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1994, the new Spider was presented together with the 2 + 2-seater Coupé Alfa Romeo GTV ( GTV stands for G ran T urismo V eloce). Production started in September 1994.

After 27 years of production of the "original version", this completely newly developed Spider of the 916 series came onto the market. The difference to the predecessor was clear. The pronounced wedge shape, the row with small front lights and the unusual body width gave the Spider an independent and unmistakable appearance. As has been customary with new Alfa Romeo models since the early 1990s, the car was fitted with a transverse front-wheel drive engine. The design comes from Pininfarina . A strip of lights that stretched across the entire rear of the vehicle made it similar to other Alfa models. An elaborate chassis together with powerful engines ensured the necessary sportiness. The equipment consisted of ABS and air conditioning , among other things . During the construction period, ASR and an electro-hydraulic roof were added.

At the same time as the Spider, the closed coupé version was launched under the name Alfa Romeo GTV . Both models are essentially identical.

In the course of the construction period, measures were taken to update the model . In the summer of 1998, the dashboard was given an aluminum look and the Scudetto a chrome frame. In 2000, production was relocated from the Alfa Romeo factory in Arese to Pininfarina in Turin.

In spring 2003 the Spider and the GTV received a facelift. These models can be recognized by the new front. They were adapted to the Alfa Romeo appearance of the time and have a larger chrome grille. On the inside, a lower seating position was made possible by adjusting the seat rails.

At the end of 2005 the production of Spider and GTV was stopped.

Engines

The transversely installed engine was available in six versions, with displacements from 1800 to 3200 cm³. The most powerful 3.2-liter V6 24V engine with 177 kW (241 hp) accelerated the Spider 916 from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.3 seconds.

The 1800 cc and 2000 cc engines were four-cylinder engines from the Fiat modular system with gray cast iron blocks. Only the cylinder heads were made of an aluminum alloy and came from Alfa with the twin spark technology (two spark plugs per cylinder), which had been used for years . They were available as the 1.8 T.Spark with 106 kW (144 PS) and as the 2.0 T.Spark with 16 valves, which initially produced 110 kW (150 PS). The output of this engine could be increased in 1998 with the conversion of the emission standard from Euro 2 to D3 to 114 kW (155 PS). Due to the emissions change in 2000 to Euro 3, the output of the 2.0 T.Spark was reduced again to 110 kW (150 PS) and from 2003 there was the 2.0 liter with direct injection (JTS) engine with an output of 122 kW (166 PS) .

The V6 engines had wet cylinder liners for the pistons. They were available as 2959 cm³ (12 valves) with 141 kW (192 PS), as 2959 cm³ (24 valves) with 160 kW (218 PS) and in the last stage with 3179 cm³ (24 valves) and 176 kW (240 PS) ). In Italy, the Spider was also offered with the 2.0 Turbo V6 already installed in the 164, 166 and GTV, which developed 148 kW (202 PS).

model	cylinder	Displacement	power	Torque	construction time
1.8 TS	4th	1747 cc	106 kW (144 PS) at 6500 rpm	169 Nm at 3500 rpm	05.1998-09.2000
2.0 TS 16V	4th	1970 cc	110 kW (150 PS) at 6300 rpm	181 Nm at 3800 rpm	09.1994–05.1998 10.2000–12.2004
2.0 TS 16V	4th	1970 cc	114 kW (155 PS) at 6400 rpm	187 Nm at 3500 rpm	05.1998-09.2000
2.0 JTS	4th	1970 cc	122 kW (166 hp) at 6400 rpm	206 Nm at 3250 rpm	04.2003-10.2005
2.0 V6 T B *	6th	1996 cc	148 kW (202 hp) at 6000 rpm	271 Nm at 2400 rpm	05.1995-09.2001
3.0 V6 12V	6th	2959 cc	141 kW (192 hp) at 5600 rpm	260 Nm at 4400 rpm	05.1995-09.2000
3.0 V6 24V	6th	2959 cc	160 kW (218 hp) at 6300 rpm	265 Nm at 5000 rpm	10.2000-04.2003
3.2 V6 24V	6th	3179 cc	176 kW (240 hp) at 6200 rpm	289 Nm at 4800 rpm	04.2003-10.2005

* not on the German market.

Spider 939 (2006-2010)

6th generation
Alfa Romeo Spider (2006-2010)
Production period:	2006-2010
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8-3.2 liters (136-191 kW) Diesel engines : 2.0-2.4 liters (125-147 kW)
Length:	4396 mm
Width:	1830 mm
Height:	1367 mm
Wheelbase :	2528 mm
Empty weight :	1605-1844 kg

cockpit

Rear view

In spring 2006, a new Alfa Romeo Spider was presented at the Geneva Motor Show and voted Convertible of the Year 2006 at the event . Twelve years after the presentation of the Spider in the spring of 1994, Alfa Romeo presented a completely new version of the most famous car in the model range. The basis is the platform of the Alfa 159 .

Formally, the 939 series Spider is the open version of the Alfa Romeo Brera . This Spider was also given the typical front of the brand with 2 × 3 headlights and an aggressive view of the way. Critics see the uniqueness of a real spider suffer in this.

Model variants

Initially, the Spider was offered with two equipment variants and two different gasoline engines. A 2.2 liter JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) engine with 136 kW (185 hp) and a 3.2 liter JTS engine with 191 kW (260 hp). Both are available with a six-speed gearbox or the V6 with a six-speed automatic and the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with an automated Selespeed six-speed manual gearbox. In the powerful engine version, the Spider is optionally available with four-wheel drive (Q4). The 6-cylinder of the 3.2 JTS V6 Q4 enables acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 7 seconds and a top speed of 240 km / h. Despite the 15 kW higher engine output compared to the 916, the model needed 0.7 seconds longer to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h, which was due to the higher curb weight of the 939 Spider.

Facelift

At the beginning of 2008 the Alfa Romeo Spider was revised in detail. The criticized excessive weight was reduced by 25 kilograms, mainly through modifications to the chassis. New integral sports seats with improved lateral support were also used. The basic version has been upgraded with Brembo brakes and the Q2 electronic limited slip differential on the front-wheel drive models. The 3.2-liter V6 petrol engine was also available with front-wheel drive. There was also a new four-year guarantee, the maintenance intervals extended from 30,000 to 35,000 kilometers, and the six-speed Q-Tronic automatic transmission for the diesel engine.

In addition, the trunk of the revised Spider could now be opened by pressing the brand logo on the rear, which was previously only possible from the interior.

End of production

In July 2010 the production of the Spider and the Brera was stopped. A successor to the Spider is currently not in prospect.

Engines

Petrol engines

• 1.8 TBi 16V, four-cylinder in-line design, turbocharging, with 1742 cm³ displacement and 147 kW (200 PS), 05.2009–07.2010
• 2.2 JTS 16V, four-cylinder in-line design with 2198 cm³ displacement and 136 kW (185 PS), 03.2006-07.2010
• 3.2 JTS V6 24V (Q4), six-cylinder with 3195 cm³ displacement in V-design and 191 kW (260 PS), (Q4 all-wheel drive) 03.2006-07.2010

Diesel engines

• 2.0 JTDM 16V, four-cylinder in-line design, turbocharging, with 1956 cm³ displacement and 125 kW (170 PS), 05.2009–07.2010
• 2.4 JTDM 20V, five-cylinder in-line design, turbocharging, with 2387 cm³ displacement and 147 kW (200 PS), with Q-Tronic (automatic) 04.2007-07.2010
• 2.4 JTDM 20V, five-cylinder in-line design, turbocharging, with 2387 cm³ displacement and 154 kW (210 PS), 03.2008–07.2010

Planning a new spider

At the beginning of 2013, Mazda and Fiat sealed the plan, announced in May 2012, to jointly develop two rear-wheel drive roadster models for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands. They should be based on the next generation of the MX-5 , which came on the market in 2014, but be visually independent. Each manufacturer would use their own engines. The Mazda plant in Hiroshima (Japan) was planned as the production site. In 2014, however, the decision was changed and the vehicle developed together with Mazda came onto the market in 2016 as the Fiat 124 Spider .

A new Alfa Spider, if there was one, would be based on a stand-alone platform.

literature

• Alessandro Sannia: Alfa Romeo . 1st edition. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2010, ISBN 978-3-613-03237-8 , pp. 184 .

Web links

Commons : Alfa Romeo Spider  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} More than 230,000 cars with H license plates on German roads. German Association of the Automotive Industry, May 4, 2012, archived from the original on October 29, 2013 ; Retrieved April 24, 2015 . 
2. ↑ The number of oldtimers with H license plates will also increase in 2012. Association of the Automotive Industry, May 13, 2013, archived from the original on March 31, 2014 ; Retrieved April 24, 2015 . 
3. ↑ The number of oldtimers with H-plates increases by almost 10 percent. German Association of the Automotive Industry, April 22, 2014, archived from the original on August 6, 2014 ; Retrieved April 24, 2015 . 
4. ↑ Now more than 300,000 classic cars on Germany's roads. German Association of the Automotive Industry, April 15, 2015, accessed April 24, 2015 . 
5. ↑ Alfa Romeo Brera and Alfa Spider have been discontinued ( memento of the original from August 29, 2013 on WebCite ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on Alfavisione.net (accessed August 2, 2010) 
6. ^ Ruben Danisch: New Alfa Spider: "Cabrio of the Year 2006" ( Memento from April 22, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) In: ATZonline , March 6, 2006.
7. ↑ Stefan Leichsenring: Alfa 159, Brera and Spider: Weight reduced, seats improved. In: auto-news.de , May 29, 2008.
8. ↑ The classic - the comeback of the Spider. In: Auto Bild , August 2, 2015.
9. ↑ Mazda press release ( Memento of the original from March 16, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. dated May 23, 2012 
10. ↑ Alfa Spider successor in Die Welt on January 18, 2013, accessed on January 23, 2013
11. ↑ Alfa Romeo MX-5 is no more: confirmed as Fiat-Abarth instead

Timeline of Alfa Romeo models from 1945 to today
Type	Independent until 1933, then state-owned																																									from 1986 part of Fiat
	1940s					1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s										2020s
	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0
Small car																																																																MiTo (955)
Compact class																																							Arna
																												Alfasud											33											145 , 146 (930)							147 (937)									Giulietta (940)
Middle class											Giulietta Berlina							Giulia																Giulietta (type 116)							75							155					156 (932)								159 (939)										Giulia (952)
upper middle class																												Alfetta												90				164										166 (936)
	...	6C 2500				1900 Berlina								2000 Berlina				2600 Berlina							1750/2000 Berlina										Alfa 6
Coupe										Giulietta Sprint								Giulia Sprint GT														Alfasud Sprint																												GT (937)
							1900C sprint / super sprint									2000 sprint		2600 sprint					1750/2000 GT Veloce							Alfetta GT / GTV																			GTV (916)												Brera (939)
Cabriolet											Giulietta Spider							Giulia Spider				Spider ("Duetto")																												Spider (916)												Spider (939)
														2000 spider			2600 spider
Sports car								Disco Volante															Tipo 33			Montreal																			SZ / RZ																		8C Competizione						4C
Off-road vehicle and SUV								Matta																																																																	Stelvio (949)
Vans										Romeo												F12 / A12																			AR6
																																		AR8
of joint venture with Nissan Cooperation between Fiat and Saab: identical parts with Fiat, Lancia and Saab models Identical to Fiat or Iveco