Alfa Romeo 2000 (Italy, 1958-1961)

The 2000, also known as the 2-Liter, was designed for luxurious long-distance touring, which can be interpreted to mean the American market. The Spider, or Roadster, received an uprated Sprint engine that had 8.5:1 compression and dual carburetors, resulting in it producing 115 horsepower at 5,900 rpm. While a Giulietta could outperform the 2,596-pound Spider in most conditions, the 2000 offers a completely different driving experience. Many drivers that were familiar with only the smaller Alfa Romeos of the era have remarked at how solidly constructed the Touring body feels. A full 10 inches of additional wheelbase opens up the cabin experience to one that resembles a Ferrari 250 Cabriolet of the same era, and indeed, there is more than a passing resemblance to the two cars overall. Production of the 2000 Spider averaged less than 1,000 annually, with only 3,443 being built between 1958 and 1962.