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dot1750Veloce

 Via Veloce by Wille R.  www.veloce.se     On the Internet since November 1995 and still here.

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Next First published 2 February 1996

Some of the Alfa Romeo Spider 1966 to 1994 details over the years.
Points of significance.

1750 Spider Veloce   (May 1967-70) Part #1

Debut Brussels 1968. Production started May 1967 with 125 pre-series cars.

Much of the Giulia range was treated to a new (type 00548) 1779cc version of the twin-cam engine for 1968, and that naturally included the Spider. Considering the engine size would normally indicate a badge of ‘1800’ the new range might seem somewhat incongruously dubbed the 1750 to the non-Alfa enthusiast, but the 1750 badge clearly re-evoked the passions of Alfa’s glory years in the pre-war period. At the new range’s debut at the Brussels Motor Show on 17th January 1968, the new 1750 was displayed alongside a 1932 1750 to bring the point home. Despite the 1968 launch date, production records show that several hundred of the new 1750 Spider Veloces were actually made in 1967.

The main motivation behind fitting the larger engine was extra horsepower and, equally importantly, more torque. Despite its longer stroke, the new engine was still capable of revving very freely – a prerequisite of any Alfa Romeo engine – and many people regard the 1750 engine as the sweetest of any fitted to the Spider.

With the new engine came another change: the half-heartedly applied name Duetto was dropped and the classic ‘Spider’ name reinstated. The new model was officially called the 1750 Spider Veloce. While the 1600 engine was kept in production for the Giulia saloon, it was entirely replaced in the Spider by the 1779cc engine – but only temporarily, since the 1590cc engine would be reinstated in the 1600 Junior in the 1970s.

However a new engine was also offered from early June 1968, the near-square 1290cc engine (type 00530). This new base model was dubbed the 1300 Junior, and aimed at entry-level buyers – a job it pulled off very successfully as initially the majority of Spider sales, in Italy at least, were of the 1300 Junior. The new model was priced at 1,698,000 lire, a significant 22.5 per cent less than the 1750 Veloce. Mechanically the 1300 Junior mirrored the GT Junior coupe. Like the 1750, the 1300 was replaced by a Kamm-tail version
  1. The 1750 Veloce was the same car as the Duetto and had the same designed items. The headlamp cowls, lights and lenses, the tailpipe, bumpers etc. were the same. Some re-designed exterior parts made it possible to tell the difference.
  2. Wheels were now smaller and wider 14 x 5.5in with clip-over hubcaps.
  3. Wider tyres (165/14 instead of 155/15) - choice = Pirelli Cinturato HR/Kleber Colombes/Michelin XAS
  4. Rear-view mirror moved from wing to door. Very early Spiders (150?) had rear-view mirror on left wing like Duetto.
  5. Wheel arches changed in profile.
  6. 1750 badge on boot-lid and the Alfa Romeo with the snake and the serpent. This is in fact the weapon of the city of Milan. The red cross was used among the crusaders.
  7. Tear drop side indicators between front wheel and door. Later the indicators were moved forward and re-designed.
  8. Optional hardtop reverse angle r/window on later cars. Early ones had the same as the Duetto.
  9. Engine - incl different carbs + lubrication circuits. Later engines had electric fan.
  10. First series of engines had non-offset piston pins. Changed mid 1968 to offset due to engine noise from pistons.
  11. New engine mountings.
  12. Alternator replaces dynamo.
  13. Larger sump.
  14. Higher capacity battery.
  15. Brake discs (larger 10.5in rear versus old 9.7in) by ATE.
  16. Pressure regulating valve for rear brakes.
  17. Twin brake servos (front and rear) - left of engine bay. Very early cars (150?) had single brake servo by Dunlop or ATE.
  18. Hydraulic clutch.
  19. Higher final drive (4.3:1 instead of 4.555:1) - achieved by more teeth on pinion and crown wheel. Early cars had 4.1:1.
  20. Optional ZF LSD.
  21. Wider rear track.
  22. Rear transverse anti-roll bar.
  23. Softer (lower frequency) rear springs + rear anti-roll bar + redesigned transverse links.
  24. Front suspension: higher roll centre + softer springs.
  25. Recirculating ball steering (new)
  26. Wood-rim steering wheel (three-spoke).
  27. Ashtray (different type).
  28. Gear lever gaiter.
  29. Seats (very slightly different?)
  30. Fan switch (to left of main dials).
  31. Warning lights repositioned to centre console by minor gauges - NO! but extra central warning light
  32. Warning light in rev counter has 'GENERAT' legend instead of 'DINAMO'
  33. Glove box has different lock and small handle made of leather
  34. Only one toggle switch to left of radio cover panel. Scandinavian cars had one switch to the right of radio cover panel to operate the wind-screen flusher.


  35. 1300 Spider Junior Early June 1968-70
  36. Headlamps (uncowled and set back)
  37. Front side indicators moved forward of the front wheels
  38. Rear side indicators (new)
  39. Lower front bumpers painted black
  40. Fixed quarter-lights
  41. Hubcaps (same as early 1300GT Junior)
  42. (nb. 15in wheels and 155 tyres standard, 14in and 165 tyres optional)
  43. Bootlid badge
  44. No door mirror ?
  45. Steering wheel (two-spoke)
  46. Ashtray with no cigar lighter
  47. Seats (with no tilt knob)
  48. Rev counter red-lined at 5750rpm (rather than 6300 rpm)
  49. Door strike plate/catch is different in 1970 brochure (v 1968 1750 brochure)
  50. Engine - basically same as GT Junior. Nb. Choice of Dellorto DHLA40/Solex C40 DDH-4/Weber 40DCOE-28 carbs) + different choice of air cleaner/filter
  51. Single-plate hydraulic clutch
  52. Dual-circuit servo-assisted braking system (from Jan 1969) Nb. 1300 w/Kamm tail (1970 on) retains old door handles + painted dash; it also has 1300 badging on the boot to distinguish from 1750 model -

 

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