A Brief History of the Alfa Romeo 2600

[@Tracersport]

First, let me compliment the the diction and articulation of your presentation, which is exceptional among KZbin videos. I graduated high school in 1973 and as a graduation gift, my dad offered to buy me a car to take to college. I first looked at a red, 1962, Alfa 2600 Spider which happened to be for sale nearby for $3,000. It was in outstanding overall condition, although it needed a clutch. It was one of the most stunning cars I'd ever seen. Thankfully, even at 18, I was sensible enough to realize that I could never afford to keep it on the road. I ended up buying a 1972 Triumph TR-6 instead and that car gave me more pleasure than any other I've ever owned. But, that Alfa has lived in my memory ever since, like a lost love that got away. In its way, the car is just as desirable as the most beautiful and highest maintenance woman I loved but chose not to marry and now thanks to you, I'm even more certain that my life has turned out immeasurably better without either one. Changing subjects entirely; my second car was a 1962 Volvo PV544 and my third car was a 1967 PV544. I have very fond memories of both..

[@DavidBello]

Thanks for sharing your story with me. I’m a volvo guy at heart, if you know my other videos, and I get so much enjoyment from my 122, even though it’s not as shapely as the Italian models. I appreciate your compliment on my diction, as well!

[@Mr2pint]

You can't beat Italian styling 👌

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear M. I have to contradict because you definitely can! Jaguar E- type for instance and Datsun/Nissan 240 to 280 ZX(T) from Graf Goertz. And what about the Mercedes 300 SL (Gullwing and other types)? Want more? Best regards, luck and health.

[@brucebeauvais1324]

I remember not buying a 2600 Sprint in about 1975. I'd never seen or even heard of one before seeing it. Unusual because it had 16" wheels- extremely rare to see that size on a passenger car until the 2000's.

[@alejandrofigueroa6268]

Pretty Alfa 👏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 , im your fan from Chile, i see your videos everyday jejee, i have Alfas and i have a Volvo 240 1990 Gl inyection! Greetings!!!

[@DavidBello]

I just bought a 1990 240 myself. Nice to be back in the club. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@alejandrofigueroa6268]

@@DavidBello thanks!!!

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear @@DavidBello Whaaaat? I'm confused! Or do you mean the red wagon? Sincerely yours.

[@FontedaPipaPortugueseFarmLife]

Nice car, my dad has 3 of these!! I bare metal restored 2 of them when i had a bodyshop in the UK, new panels hand made, including the triple chassis sills. he has 3 of them in total and 2 complete spare engines. I would suggest you do not spray the inner panels as that is fully original and will decrease its value if you. He owned Aston Martins, db 34 and 5, classic Bentleys etc etc and he wont sell these Alfas as he loves them so much. I used to pinch one off my dad when i was 17 and take my girlfriend home in it, that exhaust note is so amazing

[@roko2288]

Very good video, Dave, on this wonderful car. It's your new project then ? Can't wait to see work on progress

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Currently, Alfa Romeo, is making a comeback with the Ghiulia, Alfa Romeo SUVs, among other models, one of the popular models that you mention towards the end is the Alfa Romeo, Spyder Velocce, but I believe there were other other models, that you barely hear from now, this model pertains, to the 80s Alfa Romeo BiTurbo, or twin turbo, I believe it was discontinued it was not that popular, but that name, Alfa Romeo has made a comeback, by also selling SuVs the Ghiulia

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear fearless David Bello. Great looking car with a wonderful engine. With a modern suspension (shock absorbers, suspension springs, PU- bushings etc.) and maybe a bit weight added to the rear it could be such a sportive driver as it looks and should be originally. But it's still an Italian car. Although your surname seems Italian and means beautiful (or even war in Latin!), at the end you will have not so much fun with a car like that than you have with the well made, stable/sturdy Volvos. There is an old saying in Germany: Wer schön sein will, muss leiden! Who wants to be beautiful must suffer! ;-) Best regards, luck and health.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

For me, this is the most romantic Italian car, despite its shortcomings. I literally dream about this car; driving across Italy, a beautiful blonde companion driving the Spider. We end up at a romantic hotel on the shore of Lake Como, awaiting the dawn.... I will never own, drive or even see an Alfa 2600. But it will always be the most wanted car of my life.

[@DavidBello]

Don’t sell your dreams short

[@jlredo]

Es un modelo que esteticamente siempre me ha gustado mucho.

[@JackMoynihanOfficial]

Sad this video won't get the views a Volvo video would. Currently have a Giulia and 960 next to each other in my garage. Love to see the Alfa content

[@DavidBello]

I know I’m kinda surprised. But everyone can afford an old Volvo 😝

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@DavidBello Everyone can afford _to actually drive_ an old Volvo. The people I would know of having a 105 Series Alfa, let alone a 2600, usually have a couple other cars around those to have fun with when la Alfa is on her period, again. My Volvo friends do use their elder Volvos daily in summer and have an "under 1000 Euros" winter Volvo for the salty months - and still have hobbies for summer _and_ winter besides getting dirty fingers from an engine's underside! Edit: You are one of the rare people seeing things like the person in the serpent's gorge. That makes watching Your videos a very pleasant experience.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear @@manfredschmalbach9023 👍👌👏 Exactly what I mentioned in my comment too. Best regards, luck and health. Post Scriptum: Please kindly allow me to ask: Your name sounds German. Am I right? I'm German too. Best regards, luck and health.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@Chr.U.Cas1622 Of course You're allowed to ask. The answer is threefold: I feel Bavarian, am European and sport a German passport. So, in a way You're right. (The name isn't the one in the passport, though. It's the interweb, after all)

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

@@manfredschmalbach9023 Thanks for replying. Nanu, ich bin verwirrt. Ach, ich vergaß erneut: Einwohner/Bewohner des Königreich Bayern sehen sich ja nicht so unbedingt als Deutsche. ;-) Bin daher echt überrascht, dass Sie sich gar als Europäer sehen. ;-) Please don't get me wrong, of course I'm just kidding. Sincerely yours. Post Scriptum: Ein früherer Bekannter heisst Manfred Schmalebach. Er mag zwar BMW, ist jedoch Rheinländer. ;-)

[@pereldh5741]

Being swedish I was always baffled by the crude Volvo designs, compared to almost anything italian I’ve worked on. Sofistication is the game in northern italy! Enjoy!

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

Difference is: sixties and seventies original Volvos, despite rusting here and there, do run and drive to date, sometimes as daily summer beaters with 4-, 5-, 600.000 k on the clock (some of my petrolhead friends drive their Amazones or Ps indeed daily when there is no salt on the roads). Most Alfas of said era I would know of as really driven at least often have their third or fourth drivetrain and went through their second tin-dress already here and there wanting some welding, again .... It's like Mercedes G versus Alfa Stelvio today: The G is as boring as a car can get and You forget where You bought it one year in, while You befriend Your dealer really really well should You want to actually use Your Stelvio for driving as a commuter or long distance car.

[@Bonzoguy66]

The 262 and the 780 , had italian influence, I think ?

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@Bonzoguy66 The 262 C was *_built_* by Bertone's "Carozzeria", it was a Wilsgaard design though. Bertone did not rustproof anything coming from his Carozzeria in that era, which made the 262 C an extremely rare Volvo in Europe over time, compared to most other models. My first Bertone built cars I had in the eighties were bare metal inside of cavities and cills, not even primed, let alone painted: A wet dream of any car sales man, because You needed a new one every other MOT .... (That is why I learned welding)

[@Bonzoguy66]

@@manfredschmalbach9023 , Living in Denmark, I see your point. Had a 460 and a 855 my self, but never any Italian cars, due to the fact , that most of them were gone , if they did not get caretaking . Pity, because driving a 1500 alfasud was actually quite fun .

[@pereldh5741]

@@manfredschmalbach9023 old Volvos do run forever, like, its as plain as a piece of rock and how can you destroy a rock? Thing is, old 60’s Fiats or Ferrari’s or Alfa ’nord’ twincam’s do too. They just go on forever which in my book is more impressive.

[@randellgribben9772]

i work on 2 of those whem i worked al alfetta motors... they are so beautiful.. even the coupes..get back to me i can give you a great hint about the carbs

[@johnchurch4705]

Oliver Reed drives one of these in a movie called Ill Never Forget What’s Is’Name..

[@AlfaAlex]

Thanks for video, i have found 2600 berlina and planning to restore her :) But i think will start in next year

[@NOrlando952]

Parts of this commentary was just the Wikipedia page. 🤣🤣

[@Bonzoguy66]

To my knowledge, the 1900 , was a more modern engine, than the 2600.

[@JoostHillemans]

well, then your knowledge fails you. The 1900 was of a much older design and had a cast iron block from the early fifties, the 2600 was more or less based on the Giulietta/Giulia design which was from mid fifties and actually 2600 from beginning sixties. More or less a design based on the Giulia engine from '62.

[@kevinflannery8333]

Mostly repeating what is written in Wikipedia 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@59vovo]

put a volvo motor in it!

[@JoostHillemans]

you have NO idea. You can do that and immedeately destroy two third of its value to start with. its like putting an LS into a Ferrari....