1991 Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 *Sold £7,000*

Description

• Very solid rust-free body 
• Low mileage 
• H7 WAM number plate with the car 
• Driven 16k kms in last 17 years 
• Comes with Hardtop 
• Well maintained
• MOT’d to August 2024  

The Alfa Spider was originally made famous by its appearance in the film The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman. The Spider was a huge success for Alfa Romeo with production spanning almost 30 years. With its distinctive Italian good looks and a four-cylinder twin cam engine that everybody loves, it’s easy to see why the Spider has become such a desirable classic. 

This particular series four Alfa Spider came to our vendors attention whilst working as a Joiner some seventeen years ago. Working at a doctor’s house, he spotted a rather lovely red Alfa Spider S4 on the drive and at his first opportunity mentioned it to the Doctor. To his surprise, the Doctor shared that he had fallen out of love with it and was due to replace it. Within minutes a deal was done, and it became our vendors pride and joy. 

And a joy it was, cleaning it for six weeks instead of driving it, due to a slight accident that left him with a broken hip. Slightly tongue in cheek our vendor shared that he didn’t actually enjoy the wait before he could drive the Spider but, in the end, it was well worth it. 

For anyone that has not driven a twin cam Alfa, you really do need to experience the thrill before it is too late.  We know, it’s a massive cliché, but there is a serious truth in that. 

Used often initially and then with a view to preserve the Spider it became a “special occasion” car that was used sparingly. In fact, our vendor has only added sixteen thousand kilometres to the odometer, which is currently showing 128k which equates to a mere 80k in UK miles. 

Supplied with two keys, a workshop manual, a brand-new MOT, the V5 in our vendors name plus a handful of old MOTs and invoices.  The H7 WAM number plate is believed to be transferrable and worth around £1k but please make your own enquiries. It will also be staying with the car.  Bonus! 

Exterior 

Alfa Romeo Spiders are incredibly pretty cars whether that be the early “Boattail” or a series 4 like this one. The Series 4, launched in 1990, came with a couple of styling updates from its S3 predecessor, including the new body-coloured front and rear bumpers and new redesigned taillights. Is it the prettiest? Maybe. Maybe you prefer the earlier versions, but you do have to agree that it is still a very pretty thing indeed. 

Walking around the car you will notice it is not perfect, but it is in very good condition indeed. On close inspection you will see a small dent on the bonnet where a stray tile has hit it, there is also a dig in the near side door where it is believed an unscrupulous toe-rag has tried to gain entry and lastly there is some very light bubbling in the paintwork over the wheel arch. Our vendor explained it is only superficial and in the paintwork. He has checked the inside of the arch; in fact, he makes a concerted effort to always keep the inner arches clean such is the reputation of Alfa Romeos when it comes to the dreaded rust.   

Either way, our vendor shared that it is very, very solid everywhere. With the only evidence of rust coming through some years back. This was welded immediately (we’ll come back to that) and has left the underneath as solid as just mentioned. Garaged since ownership and never being used in the rain has probably helped keep it this way.   

The driver door rubber is looking a little tired and could do with being replaced. 

The original wheels including the matching spare present fantastically with only minor marks and no evidence of kerbing, all wrapped in 195/60 15s that are showing plenty of tread. 

The driver’s mirror is a little wobbly due to a “You’ve been Framed” moment with our vendor and a hazardous hose pipe sending him into it at a speed. This ended in him having to repair it and then secure it back in place. While noticeable visually, it does have a tell-tale wobble since it was refitted. 

The mohair roof is in fine fettle with only some minor shrinkage and rubber wear showing. The hardtop is in spectacular condition, predominantly due to its lack of use. When it does get used it complements the car immensely and always draws lots of conversation about how well it looks fitted. Great to have for long trips but at the same time better in the garage when the sun is out. As far as our vendor is aware neither roof leaks but as it doesn’t go out in the rain he really doesn’t know for sure. 

Interior 

With the steering wheel in the correct position but with the odometer reading in kilometres you will be aware that it was converted from LHD at some point in its life. The two main converters were Bell and Colville and Sea King, the plaque on this reads Sea King – which will be a relief to many and confirms that it was done correctly back in the day. 

The lovely deep leather seats were retrimmed by the previous owner and are still in great condition and present very well. The door pads, although in fair condition, could do with having new clips so they can be refitted nice and snug to the doors. Those in the know will be aware that the plastic push clips tend to wear and start to slip out easily. A very easy and cheap fix that our vendor just hasn’t got around to doing. 

The three spoke wooden steering wheel is in lovely condition and presents well with the deep lacquer delivering such a wonderful period feel. 

The dash has been converted very well and shows no evidence of being a conversion apart from the previously mentioned odometer. A radio cd player is present but unfortunately does not work. The nearside passenger window is not operating, and the cigarette lighter will need sorting. Other than those unessential items everything else, such as the odometer, speedo, heaters and so on, work as they should. 

The contrasting red carpets will need replacing as the welder – we said we would come back to it – who plated the drivers footwell had a moment and set the carpet alight. The offending section has been cut out and has not been replaced unfortunately. 

An original wind deflector has been fitted and works extremely well at keeping your hair nice and tidy when the roof is down.  

Engine and Mechanicals 

The controllability of the RWD Alfa, with that twin cam bellowing out such happy tunes is an experience that one should have at least once in their life. The suspension is set up on the comfortable side of sporting; being softly sprung but well damped. 

The gearbox is delightfully mated to the jewel in the crown. Don’t get me wrong, any of the smaller displacement twin cam engines are a pleasure but the 2.0 litre version is what made Alfa the driver’s car that every petrol head refers to. 

Our vendor shared that this little S4 Spider starts on the button and has not wanted for anything in his ownership. In fact, during this time our vendor shared that it has had fitted: 

• New Rear Shocks 
• New Battery, always been on a battery optimiser 
• New Starter motor 
• New Clutch 
• New Brake Master Cylinder 
• New Brake calipers 
• New Stainless-Steel Exhaust. 

As mentioned earlier, this Alfa Spider has not wanted for anything over the years. Even though the car has been used sparingly, it was still looked after and drives as sweet as you would expect from one of the best driving cars from this era. The only thing of note is a slight clunk into first gear when it’s cold. Our vendors mechanic advised that it is nothing to be concerned about. 

Our View 

It was through its Spiders that Alfa Romeo, and to a certain extent Italy itself, exported la dolce vita to the rest of the world. Styled exclusively by Pininfarina and powered by perhaps the finest in-line four-cylinder engine of the classic era, the Alfa Spider certainly left its mark. 

Finding an Alfa Spider that has not succumbed to the dreaded oxidisation is becoming increasingly rare, so it is refreshing to find this super series 4 in just that condition. Being garaged and dry for the last 17 years has helped. With that impressive hardtop and cream contrasting interior it really presents quite nicely.  Sort the carpet and some minor bits and you have got a wonderful example in your possession should you win the bidding.