Cars

The Alfa Romeo 2600, produced between 1962 and 1968, was the brand’s last large sedan and coupé to adopt an in-line six-cylinder engine with double camshafts, faithful to the mechanical tradition for which Alfa Romeo was renowned. Available in several versions – Berlina, Sprint and Spider – it embodied the refinement, power and elegance of the Milanese firm of the early 1960s. The second series, introduced from 1964 onwards, benefited from various improvements: engine optimization, four-wheel disc brakes, firmer suspension, as well as subtle aesthetic adjustments. Produced in limited quantities, it was aimed above all at connoisseurs, seduced by its 2,584 cm³ in-line six-cylinder engine developing 145 bhp at 5,900 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and capable of reaching 200 km/h in supreme comfort.

The example presented here belongs to this second series. Its first owner is said to have been the engineer Carlo Chiti, an emblematic figure in Italian motor sport and the architect of Alfa Romeo competition engines. It was he who replaced the original Solex carburetors with Weber units fitted with individual filters, improving the engine’s breathing and liveliness. The car was subsequently owned by Ettore Delli Carri, veterinary surgeon and host of the Italian TV wildlife show “Il Giardino Straordinario”. It was he who took steps to register the car with the ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano).

The car arrived in Belgium in November 2003, after a road journey from northern Italy. On arrival, the cylinder head gasket was replaced, as the car had been stationary for several years. The odometer showed 4,500 km, the distance covered since the previous owner had completely rebuilt the engine. Since then, some 20,000 km have been covered without the slightest problem in twenty-two years of use. Today, the engine has covered a total of 25,000 km and is running perfectly, aided by a 1-2-3 electronic ignition system for even greater reliability.

The interior was completely redone at the end of 2020, including upholstery and carpets, and remains in as-new condition. The Michelin X tires, fitted in 2023, have been used for barely 1,000 km. The complete exhaust system, made in stainless steel by Freddy Bantuelle from the manifold upwards, offers a noble yet hushed sound, in perfect harmony with the nobility of the six-cylinder. The original toolbox is still present, albeit partially incomplete and in need of restoration. This is also the example that was the subject of an article in the Italian magazine Ruote Classiche in 1988, a photocopy of which accompanies the vehicle.