Alfa Romeo 2600

by Pat Braden

There are collectibles that play to the crowd, leaving us all in awe of their technical and artistic mastery—and the amount of money invested in them. Other collectibles, more affordable, strike purely personal chords: a first car; the car I was married in; or the one I’ve wanted forever. Generally Alfa 2600 coupes and Spiders, as reasonably-priced classics, fall into the second category, along with Austin limousines and Lloyds. On the other hand, think of the other all-alloy twin-cam straight sixes, and the value we set on them: Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar. The disparity in value is not due to the any styling deficiency on the part of the Alfas. The 2600 coupe has a svelte Bertone body, and the famed Carrozzeria Touring was responsible for the Spider. Both had spacious, comfortable interiors, often in leather. You get a superb five-speed gearbox, full instrumentation, excellent outward vision, optional power windows and front seats that are the equal...