by Rich Hirsch
I learned via the Internet that if you fax a car's VIN to Alfa Romeo at “Centro Documentazione Storica” attention Ms. Elvira Ruocco (fax no.: 011 392 931 5746, email: elvira.ruocco@fiat.com) you will receive info on the car, including the date of manufacture, color, and where the car was delivered.
I faxed the VIN number of my ’67 Duetto to Ms Ruocco, and although the response was prompt and courteous, it was not as useful as I’d hoped. Alfa’s response:
“The chassis number ARxxxxxx originally corresponds to an Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider “Duetto” (type 105.03) manufactured on the 4th January 1967 and sold to Alfa Romeo from Newark (USA) on the 13th January 1967. The body colour was red with interiors black in mock leather.”
Since I’m planning to repaint this car soon, I was hoping to get an original paint code or at least a more detailed description of the color than “red”. I also thought I might learn the name of the dealer that originally sold the car. Since I know the car is originally from California, I imagine all US-sold cars of this vintage are reported as sold to Newark, the US importer.
It is, however, of some benefit to know that the car was made on Jan. 4. Remember the old adage, “Never buy a car manufactured on a Monday”? Jan. 4 is a Wednesday.
Perhaps a car manufactured more recently than ’67 would yield a more detailed, useful description.
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 15:24:06 +0200
From: W Roos
Subject: Pedigree of your Alfa
Alfa Romeo Centro Documentazione has a new fax no.
If you like to know the pedigree of your Alfa, write a letter with
your chassis # (VIN) to:
Sig. Elvira Ruocco,
Centro Documentazione
Alfa Romeo
Viale Alfa Romeo
I-20020 Arese (MI)
ITALY
Fax (+39) 0 29 31 57 46
There is more to read on the web:
http://hem.passagen.se/veloce/WELCOME.HTM#duetto
Saluti Wille R
http://www.veloce.alfaromeo.org