De Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint. In the never-ending list of fab Alfa Romeo's is this beautiful coupe, which was built from 1962 to 1968, a lesser known phenomenon. It was an extra reason for us to put this characteristic Bertone in the spotlight.
In 1962 the 2600 Sprint replaces its predecessor. That's the 2000 Sprint. This is part of the series '2000' models. Of which the Berlina and the Spider have already been succeeded by the six-cylinder version, which is called '2600'. It is no surprise that the Sprint is also mainly getting a motor upgrade. The carriage of the 4.50 meter long 2 + 2 remains virtually unchanged. The long bonnet now gets an extra air slot. The biggest change also takes place under the same hood.
2.584 cc, three carburetors
As with the Berlina and the Spider mounts Alfa Romeo also in the Sprint a six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 2.584 cc. The engine's slanted valves are actuated by two overhead camshafts. The power source of the Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint greets -as well as the Spider- three two-stage Solex PHH 44 carburetors. The engine generates a power of 145 HP.
The privileged driver shifts with a fully synchronized five-speed gearbox. The gear lever is not located on the steering wheel as with the Berlina, but on the floor. The top speed of the Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint is around 200 kilometers per hour. To curb the (high) speeds mounts Alfa Romeo hydraulically actuated disc brakes at the front and 'propeller ventilated' drum brakes at the rear. Speaking of the rear: the driving forces were transferred from the drive shaft to the rigid rear axle via a conical hypoid construction.
In the service of government agencies
The beautiful sixties coupé is not only to the taste of the wealthy private individual. The Italian Ministry of Defense and the Italian Ministry of the Interior are also placing orders for the 2600 Sprint. The ministries have special versions made for the police and the Carabinieri.
Commendable
De Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint is praised in various circles for its sporty touring characteristics. Its design, the understated equipment on the outside and the beautiful equipment on the inside are also appreciated. Speaking of the interior: it offers a pleasant place for four people.
Inspiration source
Bertone's masterpiece - originally designed as a 2000 Sprint by the then employed Giorgetto Giugiaro - was a source of inspiration for the Sprint models that were produced on the basis of the Giulia. Rightly so, because this coupé in 2000 and 2600 trim is an exceptionally representative example of Italian design art and automotive experience. Alfa Romeo produces the 2600 Sprint a total of 6.999 times.
Delicious, delicious, what beauty!
My grandson recently asked me why such beautiful cars are no longer made today as they were back then.
My answer, because the drawing boards are all AI controlled these days, they don't dare to do anything anymore.
Ideas are no longer sketched on a napkin or beer mat.
What a nice piece about a beautiful Italian.
@John:
-I suspect that your comments on Erik's language use are sufficient as a basis for an application as a written linguist at AMK. Give it a try I would write.
-If you think it's bad that there is a legendary brand like Alfa Romeo is written positively, then in my eyes you are not sincere Citroën lover.
Good morning Erik van Putten. If I omit the mistakes in Dutch, it is too positive a story. If Citroën – rider I want to read as little good as possible about Alfa-Romeo. As a reader, I have trouble following the technical descriptions. But rereading already helps. Still, I would like to ask you to hire someone to correct sentence constructions on logic and such. Especially 2x the word “was” in 1 sentence has to be adjusted (before it is printed). I am very satisfied with the magazine AUTO MOTOR KLASSIEK.
Dear Jan,
so you want 'if Citroëndriver read as little as possible about Alfa Romeo'? What a tough life you must have then, because as you will have experienced by now, people are generally quite positive (and moreover quite regularly) about Alfa Romeo written.
I'm curious what your opinion is based on. . . .
“The drive forces were transferred from the drive axle to the rigid rear axle via a conical hypoid construction” Okay, so a differential, special!
A few years ago we were on vacation in Tuscany. Wife and children wanted to go to a terrace, but Dad stood breathlessly looking at a 2600 compartment. While the family already ordered, I walked around the beautiful compartment. Suddenly a male of mine was standing next to me grinning for almost 80 years. I mumbled something like “que bella machina!”, And in abracadabra got all the history of this car all over me, which I really only understood was a car from the carabinieri that had been saved by this old boss, restored . He used the car every day to do his shopping on the square. I watched breathlessly as the old boss got in and disappeared with a final greeting ...
Our 'uncle' had one. I had to drag him out of the mud one more time with our Cormick 324. He got stuck on the muddy Yellow Dyke. I can still hear the roar of the six cylinder in my memory. A beautiful car.
it then cost 900 guilders and I bought it from a piano shop on the rijswijkseweg in the hague
Superb car. I used to try to swap my 1600 GT Sprint from '66 with a 2600 convertible. Unfortunately it didn't work out, just as later with a Montreal. Oh well, good times, nowadays everything is unfortunately far over-the-top.
45 years ago I had one, a blue pity that they also rust, so it ended up being scrapped
Unfortunately, people used to throw everything away, just like now, (pollution?;)). If only it had kept van Dijk!
Showcase of Italian design art ...
Pure beauty
incredibly beautiful
Too bad that nothing is said about the driving characteristics.