Description
Introduced in 1962, Alfa Romeo’s 106-Series 2600 range was a direct replacement for the preceding 102-Series 2000 cars. The latter’s chassis design and body styles were retained, with minor revisions and improvements, but in place of the old, long-stroke, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine was a new, 2,584cc, twin-cam six clearly descended from the immensely successful Giulietta. A maximum output of 145bhp was claimed for this unit when installed in the Sprint coupé and Spider, good enough for a top speed of around 200km/h in 5th gear, and Cars Illustrated magazine reckoned this magnificent power unit “one of the smoothest, quietest running sixes, irrespective of the speed at which it is running, in our experience.” Carrozzerias Touring and Bertone were responsible for the 2600 Spider and Sprint Coupé respectively, both of which looked like their 2000 predecessors. Approximately 2,255 Spiders and 6,999 Sprint Coupés were produced between 1962 and 1966, and today these rare and under-appreciated models are becoming increasingly sought after by discerning collectors.
