Alfa Romeo 2000

Alfa Romeo 2000
Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Touring
Overview
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	1958–1962
Assembly	Portello, Milan, Italy (Berlina)
Designer	Sprint: Giorgetto Giugiaro (Bertone) Spider: Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni (Touring)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon (Berlina) 2-door convertible (Spider) 2-door coupé (Sprint)
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related	Alfa Romeo 2600
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in) (Berlina) 2,500 mm (98.4 in) (Spider)
Length	4,710 mm (185.4 in) 4,496 mm (177.0 in)
Width	1,700 mm (66.9 in) 1,650 mm (65.0 in)
Height	1,430 mm (56.3 in) 1,320 mm (52.0 in)
Kerb weight	1,178–1,337 kg (2,597–2,948 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Alfa Romeo 1900
Successor	Alfa Romeo 2600

The Alfa Romeo 2000 (officially known as Tipo 102, Italian for Type 102) is a luxury car produced by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1958 and 1962, as a successor to the 1900 Super. It was replaced in 1962 by the Alfa Romeo 2600.

History

The 2000 was presented in 1957 at the Turin Motor Show, with 4-door, 6-seater saloon Berlina body.^[1] Production started in 1958, and the car was available as Berlina or Spider convertible. In 1960, the Sprint coupé was added. The 2000 Berlina had gearbox operated via column-mounted shifter making space for three people in front. The two grand touring versions had the gear lever located in floor, and a higher output engine. Until 1961, when 2+2-seater became available, the Spider was a pure two-seater. The last 2000s were built in 1962, when the improved six-cylinder Alfa Romeo 2600 was phased in.

Specifications

The 2000 used unibody construction and a conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The engine was an enlarged version of the 1900´s inline-four displacing 1975 cc. The cast iron block and aluminium head engine produced 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 5300 rpm in Berlina using a single downdraft Solex carburettor, while the version on the Sprint and Spider produced 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 5700 rpm with two Solex sidedraft carburettors and a higher compression ratio. Two chain-driven overhead camshafts operated two poppet valves per cylinder. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed gearbox, with synchromesh on all forward speeds.

Front wheel suspension was independent, with double wishbones, the rear used a solid axle. On all four wheels there were coil springs and telescopic dampers. Brakes were drums, with an hydraulic system.

Engines

Model	Displacement	Compr. ratio	Power	Top speed
Berlina	1,975 cc	8.25:1	105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 5300 rpm	160 km/h (100 mph)[2]
Spider/Sprint		8.5:1	115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 5700 rpm	180 km/h (110 mph)[3]

Production

The four-door Berlina was manufactured by Alfa Romeo itself, while the Spider and Sprint were designed and bodied by independent coachbuilders, respectively Touring and Bertone.

Between 1958 and 1961, Vignale built a series of coupés, penned by Giovanni Michelotti. All bore chassis type of 102.02, different from a serial cars. Around 15 cars were made.

Model	Years	Prod. no.[4]
Berlina	1958–1962	2799
Spider	1958–1961	3443
Sprint	1960–1962	704
Chassis		15
Total 1958–1962		6961

2000 Berlina front side.

2000 Berlina rear side.

2000 Sprint "Pantera" (Polizia di Stato).

FNM 2000

1971 (facelifted) FNM Alfa Romeo 2150

The Brazilian variant of the 2000 was produced from 1960 to 1968 by Fábrica Nacional de Motores. It had the same 1975 cc engine with 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp). The car used the name FNM "JK", JK standing for the president of Brazil Juscelino Kubitschek, the name was later changed to FNM 2000.^[5]

In 1966 two other models were introduced, the "Onça" coupe and the "2000 TiMB" (Turismo Internazionale Modello Brasile), which produced up to 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp).^[5] The TiMB had a flat bonnet, coupled with a divided front bumper necessary to accommodate the now lower-mounted Alfa Romeo centre grille.

The FNM 2000 was replaced with FNM 2150 in 1969, it had a bigger engine and revised styling, using the smooth bonnet of the TiMB. For 1971 the 2150 was facelifted, with a more squat version of the traditional Alfa Romeo grille which also allowed for a single-piece front bumper. By 1974 the Alfa Romeo Alfetta-lookalike FNM Alfa Romeo 2300 "Rio" replaced the 2150. This version was still based on the older Alfa Romeo 1900, despite looking like the more modern Alfetta.^[6]

References

1. "Diciannove automobili presentate in prima mondiale al Valentino" [Nineteen car world premieres at Valentino]. La Stampa (in Italian). 29 October 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
2. "Alfa Romeo 2000". motorbase.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
3. "Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider". motorbase.com/. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
4. Fusi, Luigi (1978). Alfa Romeo—Tutte le vetture dal 1910—All cars from 1910 (3rd ed.). Milan: Emmeti Grafica editrice. pp. 539–548.
5. "FNM". cuorialfisti.com (in Italian). Archived from the original on 6 June 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
6. "The Alfa Romeo Rio, or Alfa Romeo 2300". xs4all.nl. Retrieved 28 June 2008.

External links

• 2600/2000 International Register
• alfa-romeo-club-2000-2600.de