By Jim Miga

Want to know when and where your Alfa first hit the road? And what color it was painted?  Alfa Romeo provides a research service using your VIN number. There is no charge for this service and it is quick. Here is what I did:

I sent an email to centrodocumentazione@alfaromeo.com that included my VIN number (on the firewall under the hood, or behind the windshield on later cars). I asked for information on my car, and included a photo just for good measure (but not necessary).

I thought this was great until I realized that my car was built on a Friday, and it also happened to be April Fools Day! My question is: Do they celebrate this occasion in Italy?

Here is the reply that I got:

Dear Mister Miga,

With reference to your request we are informing you as follows.

According to our documentation files, the chassis number AR 660359 originally corresponds to an Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 “Duetto” (105.03), manufactured on the 1st April 1966 and sold on the 4th April 1966 to Alfa Romeo Inc., Newark, USA. The body colour is red, with black skai interiors.

Yours, Sincerely,

Marco Fazio

Tel. +39 02 444 29 115
Mob +39 334 62 95 381
Fax +39 02 444 28 152
marco.fazio@alfaromeo.com 

Alfa Romeo Automobilismo Storico
Centro Direzionale
Viale Alfa Romeo
20020 Arese (MI) Italy

Jim's '66 Duetto

The serial number located on the firewall