Alfa Romeo 2000

1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Touring Spider
Engine	115bhp 1,975cc double overhead camshaft solid lifter four-cylinder engine with cast iron block and light alloy heads
Transmission	Five-speed manual
Suspension	Independent front suspension Live rear axle
Brakes	Four-wheel drum brakes
Wheelbase	98.4"

Alfa Romeo 2000 is a car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturing company Alfa Romeo as a successor to the 1900.

First shown in 1957 on the Turin autosalon, the car was produced in two models, the Berlina with 105 hp and the Spider with 115 hp since 1958. In 1960, the Sprint was added. The engine was an enlarged version of the 1900 ´s four-cylinder displacing 1975 ccm.

The four-door Berlina was manufactured by Alfa Romeo itself, while the two others were designed and manufactured by the design companies Touring (Spider) and Bertone (Sprint).

From the earliest days as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobile (ALFA), the company dedicated itself to racing as a way to improve its road cars and earn a reputation among automobile enthusiasts.

A long string of superb cars followed – the 22/90 RLSS, 6C 1750 Gran Sport, Tipo B (P3), the 8C 2300 Monza and the legendary 8C 2900.

Each was available in racing trim with lightweight bodies or as luxurious grand touring cars with big, comfortable bodies. Regardless of coachwork, the chassis and engines were works of art producing effortless power, revving freely and offering precise steering and superb handling.

In the postwar period, Alfa’s racing success lead to the introduction of a new generation of road cars in 1952 – the 1900 series featuring a thoroughly modern two liter double overhead cam powerplant. Although the drivetrain remained unchanged an updated model called the 2000 appeared in 1958.

The Berlinas (sedans) carried factory coachwork, for the Spider was designed and built by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan. Accordingly, it bore a strong family resemblance to the Touring designed Giuliettas – both coupe and spider – and today is regarded as a classic sports car design.

Only 2,814 of the Berlina, 3,443 of the Spider and 704 of the Sprint were sold worldwide because of their high prices. The 2000 was replaced by the the six-cylinder Alfa Romeo 2600, produced from 1961.