Description

1988 Alfa Romeo Spider

A very sharp and well-sorted example; fortune recently spent; drive and enjoy...

Alfa Romeo has been producing pretty little roadsters endowed with the Spider name since the launch of the Giulietta in 1955.

The most famous is probably the model that was launched at the Geneva Salon in 1966: the Duetto. Beautifully styled by Pininfarina and overflowing with Italian brio, the car was a huge success from the outset but was immortalised by its starring role in The Graduate in 1967, sharing the limelight with Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.

The S3 Spider, as here, was launched in 1983 with Bosch electronic fuel injection to replace the SPICA mechanical injection on the 134bhp 2-litre engine. A 5-speed gearbox was standard. It also underwent a styling revamp with black rubber front and rear bumpers for improved aerodynamics.

This exceptional S3 was imported in March 1988 as a new LHD car and Bell and Colvill converted to RHD. Details on file show it has lived in London and Scotland, the car being purchased through Brightwells back in 2017.

The last of the hand-built Spiders, it remains extremely original - even down to the unused spare wheel complete with Pirelli Cinturato tyre. A series of old MOTs show that in 2011, the odometer (which is in km) registered 38,897 and still only reads a tad over 40,000kms today. Given fewer than 5,000 miles have been covered over the last 20 years, the vendor suspects that the mileage may well be genuine, although there isn't enough paperwork to confirm this - the general condition of the car however would support his theory.

Purchased as a 'keeper', the vendor is unfortunately offering it for sale due to a knee injury which makes driving it any distance a real pain - literally. He has invested in its upkeep, adding a full Alfaholics stainless exhaust system including extractors, new discs, pads and calipers, a new clutch and hydraulics, new rear springs and shocks and four new tyres. The radiator has also been reconditioned, the carbs rebuilt and the whole car carefully gone through - it is every bit as nice as it looks in the photos.

The hood is the original, and although not perfect, completely serviceable and the rubber ducktail has been replaced with a quality aftermarket item produced by German tuner Irmscher which looks more traditional and suits the car well.

If an Alfa Spider is anywhere near your shopping list, this car is well worth close inspection.

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brighwells.com