If I was making a short list of iconic Italian sports cars, the 1966-1993 Alfa Romeo Spider would be in the top five of that list. While it wasn't the most powerful or outlandish vehicle to emerge from Italy, the Spider represented qualities we come to expect from Italian motoring: a sonorous exhaust note, handling that encourages spirited driving and the ability to drive al fresco.

While the Spiders of the late 1970s and 1980s might not be the most favorite for enthusiasts due to emissions equipment and larger bumpers, this particular 1987 Spider is too nice to ignore. It's black paintwork lends a monochromatic look and with less than 10,000 miles, this car is almost certainly one of the lowest mileage Spiders in the US.

1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate on eBay

West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and stunning example of this rare ultra low original 7,905 miles and original owner 1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate Fuel Injection Convertible in the highly desirable color combination of black exterior paint with matching black original soft top with a gorgeous light tan original seats interior with dark brown carpets! Obviously always garaged and covered with no rust or accident damage whatsoever; this particular example must be seen to be believed and driven to be truly appreciated! Only driven by one very meticulous and mature driver since new; this car has been babied all the way!

The original factory 'Black' paint is in exceptional condition with only very minor imperfections, if any, noticeable upon very close inspection. The car boasts its original factory canvas black soft top and original and always covered and still as new vinyl seats and the interior is quite stunning throughout with no cracks in the dashboard or noticeable imperfections!

The Graduate, named in honor of the movie 'The Graduate' where an Alfa Romeo had a starring role, is a legendary Italian roadster born in the sixties. It featured vinyl seats, steel wheels, and other amenities and the Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) was produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1993. Widely regarded as a design classic, it remained in production for almost three decades with only minor aesthetic and mechanical changes. The three first series were assembled by Pininfarina in Grugliasco and the fourth series in San Giorgio Canavese. The last Spider was produced in April 1993, it was also the last rear wheel drive Alfa Romeo produced before Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was introduced.

The series 3 spider came with a 2 liter DOHC engine with electronic Bosch fuel injection or twin Webber carburators as an option in Europe. In the United States emissions devices gave the car a significant 10 hp drop. However, thanks to variable camshaft timing the engine is still lively, especially since the car weighs little over 2500 lbs. (1000 kilos). On both country roads as well as highways, power is more than enough to drive fast. The gearbox has long throws but is very precise, remember your input goes directly to your gearbox and not some elastic band linkage found in "modern" cars. 0-100kmh (0-60mph) is approximately 9 seconds and top speed (top closed) is a real 200kmh (120 mph).

In 1986, the base-level Spider, the Graduate cost just under $14,000. All Spider models shared basic mechanical components such as the 120 cubic-inch engine, and five-speed manual gearbox. Disc brakes could be found on all four corners. Only some 4,339 cars were built in 1987.

This exceptionally well maintained and serviced example drives exactly like such a supremely low mileage example should and you will surely look long and hard to find a finer example of this increasingly desirable and collectible garage kept and rust and accident free Alfa Romeo Spider Roadster with only some 8K original miles in this very striking color combination available anywhere else!

The asking price of $16,500 is certainly the top end of what one would expect to pay for a 1987 Spider. There are always clean, original, low mileage Spiders on the market, but probably only a handful with under 10,000 miles. If I were in the market for a Spider, I'd prefer either the original Series I version made famous by the movie The Graduate (and after which our feature vehicle is named for) or the final Series 4 Spider with it's flush bumpers, clean rear styling and Bosch Motronic fuel injection. Still, there is no denying that this could possibly be one of the best Spiders currently on offer in the US.

-Paul