Alfa Romeo Spider 105/115 Series 2 (1969–1982)

The truncated-tail Spider

Series 2 is the second major body evolution of the Alfa Romeo Spider, succeeding the rounded-tail 105/115 Series 1. Its defining feature is the abruptly finished rear bodywork, reflected in the Italian nickname coda tronca, meaning truncated tail. Alfa Romeo places this series in 1969–1982 and identifies it as the longest-running of the original Spider’s four series. Alfa Romeo anniversary history.

Introduction and date boundaries

Alfa Romeo’s historical account places the revised Spider’s debut at the Turin motor show in late 1969. That calendar-year introduction anchors this record. Manufacturer retrospective.

Other references catalogue Series 2 as 1970–1982. These different starting dates should remain explicit: an introduction date, a market’s model year and an individual car’s production or registration year are different things. The 1970 convention does not invalidate the documented 1969 presentation. CLASSIC.COM series overview.

This is a generation record within the Spider model line. Junior and Veloce identify variants within it; engine capacities and individual production years belong below those variants in the hierarchy.

Design, engineering and production

The revision carried forward the Pininfarina Spider concept and its Giulia-derived mechanical layout: rear-wheel drive, a five-speed gearbox, independent front suspension and disc brakes at all four wheels. Alfa Romeo identifies Arese and Pininfarina in Turin as production locations for the original Spider programme, without allocating Series 2 output between the two sites. Alfa Romeo production and engineering history.

The cut-off rear replaced the earlier rounded luggage compartment. Alfa Romeo’s retrospective describes this as a substantial body revision, using the contemporary designation Fastback. Manufacturer account of the change.

Engine range and variant chronology

The range developed around Alfa Romeo’s four-cylinder twin-cam engine. The commercial names correspond to different actual displacements: 1300 to 1,290 cc, 1600 to 1,570 cc, 1750 to 1,779 cc and 2000 to 1,962 cc. Manufacturer engine overview.

The Alfa Romeo Owners Club’s register lists 1300 Junior and 1750 Veloce entries beginning in 1969, the 2000 Veloce from 1971 and the 1.6 Junior from 1972. It separately lists injected 2.0 cars and later revisions of existing variants. These entries describe an evolving range, rather than four engines offered everywhere throughout the generation. AROC 105-series model register.

A generation-wide power or performance figure would obscure those distinctions. Engine specification must be attached to the particular variant, market and year.

Later development and market distinctions

The specialist AlfaDuetto history identifies a 1980 unificata revision, with changes concentrated on cabin comfort, seats, upholstery and the centre console. This was an update within the truncated-tail series. AlfaDuetto chronology.

Market distinctions also predated Series 2. Alfa Romeo documents mechanical SPICA injection for American 1750 cars and twin carburettors for their European counterparts in the preceding series. That history explains why an engine badge alone cannot establish a car’s fuel system; the original market and year still need to be identified. Alfa Romeo’s account of the American-market adaptation.

Place in Spider history

The American-market Niki Lauda special edition appeared in 1978. Series 3 followed in 1983 with further aerodynamic body changes. Series 2 therefore connects the original rounded-tail Spider with its later aerodynamic evolution. Alfa Romeo series history.