One of the most iconic cars in cinema history is undoubtedly the Alfa Romeo Spider from 1967, featured in the cult classic The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman. The light, elegant roadster quickly became a lasting symbol of youth, freedom, and rebellion in the 1960s. Interestingly, Hoffman himself reportedly fell in love with the car (which is totally understandable — I was hooked within the first hour of the film) and continued driving it long after filming ended.
In the movie, the main character Ben Braddock (played by Hoffman) races his red-orange Spider through sunny California, trying to make sense of life after college. The car featured in the film was the Duetto Spider 1600, powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine producing around 109 horsepower. Its flowing lines, distinctive “boat-tail” front end, and classic Italian styling — courtesy of Pininfarina — made it stand out. At first, I thought the design leaned too far into yacht-like aesthetics, but over time, I completely fell for it. The final facelifted version of the Spider is also fascinating — a blend of 1990s modernity with unmistakable 1970s design DNA. It’s truly one of a kind.
The film’s release in 1967 coincided perfectly with the Spider’s U.S. market debut, and the movie’s massive success catapulted the car into American stardom. The Graduate did for Alfa Romeo what Bullitt did for the Ford Mustang — it created a legend.
Today, original Alfa Romeo Spider “Duetto” models from the late ’60s are highly sought-after classics, celebrated not only for their timeless silhouette but also for their unforgettable place in film history.
The original list price in the U.S. was about $3,950 — which, adjusted for inflation, would be around $35,000–40,000 today. That was a competitive price when compared to rivals like the Porsche 912 or Triumph TR4.
Today, you can buy an Alfa like this starting at around €10,000, but those are typically drivable examples that still require a fair amount of work to reach perfection. On the other end of the spectrum, collector-grade models can go for as much as €70,000. With a budget of €20,000–25,000, however, you can find a solid example — one you can drive down the road like Hoffman without being afraid to take it out of the garage.
For me the Alfa Romeo Spider from The Graduate isn’t just one of the most iconic movie cars — it’s a symbol of style that transcends the silver screen.
This article has been prepared for educational purposes. Excerpts from the film The Graduate (1967), accessed via the Canal+ platform, have been used in accordance with quotation rights and fair use for educational use.
