We are nearing spring, and for many in climates with four real seasons, this means a return to some automotive activities that weren't possible over the winter. Track days and autocrosses will be starting up soon, unheated garages will become tolerable to finish projects in, and roadsters will once again be tempting those browsing the online classifieds.
For those who might prioritize that garage work on a roadster over the autocrossing and track driving, this copper Alfa Romeo Spider might fit the bill. We often see these in North America with either the 2.0L turbo V6 or 2.0L Twin Spark 4-cylinder. The 24V 3.0L Busso V6 - similar to that found in the 164 LS and 164 Q - is more uncommon, and we like that it's paired with a 6-speed manual on the Spider.
We are highly entertained by the impetus for the Niki Lauda Edition Alfa Romeo Spider. It isn't the result of a Constructers' Championship win or a Drivers' Championship win from Alfa or Lauda, which would be pretty reasonable. No, it's just a nod to Lauda, who joined the Brabham Alfa Romeo F1 team in 1978. A nice gesture, and a pretty comically low bar for slapping a name on a car.
According to the internet, 350 Niki Lauda Spiders were sold. Sure, that's pretty rare, but when Ferrari wins a Constructors' Championship, they just tack a plaque on the dash of all of their cars that year. We fail to see the significance of the Niki Lauda Edition to Alfa Romeo's brand history, and it seems to us that collectors are running out of special edition cars to prop up.
The Alfa Romeo Spider was getting long in the tooth even before the Mazda Miata crashed the scene in 1989. While the Miata offered a glimpse into the world of 1990s automotive styling, the Series 3 Spider was moored to its mid-60s origins, with little more than bumpers, taillights, and minor bodywork to distinguish it from earlier models. Little surprise, then, that the Miata glided right past the Spider and replaced it in North America.
Today's example comes from the makers of Corsa steel wheels, another fitting ode to the past. In the past 15 years, the clean look of a well-proportioned steel wheel has become just as acceptable to many enthusiasts as the alloy wheels that were offered as upgrades from the factory. A good example of this is the use of Volkswagen Corrado steelies on many MK1 and MK2 Volkswagens. Corsa seems to have decided that this trend will stick around, and offer what seem to be thoughtfully sized steel wheels for a number of cool enthusiast cars. We have no affiliation with the brand whatsoever, but thought that the anochronistic steel wheels fit the throwback Spider theme pretty well.
The Alfa Romeo Spider launched in 1966 to modest sales success and never really recovered throughout its nearly 30-year run. Purists might appreciate the fact that Alfa never strayed far from the original concept, but those outside of the Alfista circle weren't won over by the numerous updates to the 1960s platform.
When the Miata launched just before the 1990s, it experienced sales roughly ten times those of the Spider, and still manages to sell in numbers that the Spider could never manage. It, too, has seen four generations, but with appreciable improvements with each new model and a sense of progress that the Spider never managed. And still, we see the appeal of the Spider range. It cedes victory to the Miata in nearly every objective category, but look at those headlights and that low belt line. Even in its awkward update for the 1990s, we can't help but prefer how comfortable the Spider is in its own skin.
For sale is a 1993 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. With 81,770 miles
This vehicle is shown in yellow with a black leather interior.
Top Veloce trim which includes the aluminum wheels, leather interior, air conditioning and cloth top
US spec 2 liter 4 cylinder engine.
The 1993 is the last year of the Alfa Spider which has been produced in different generations since the 60s. The final body style has smoothed painted bumpers giving a much sleeker look then the previous series from the 80s.
The steering wheel has been changed to a wood Nardi steering wheel invoking the earlier models.
The top was professionally replaced last year with a top of the line Full cloth top and plastic window by premier upholstery in Rogers MN (better then new)
Complete Veloce spec spare wheel and tire.
Black Leather removable tonneau cover
This vehicle has always been stored in a heated garage on a battery tender. https://ebay.to/3bkhtMu Vin # ZARBB32N4P7006288
NO warranty expressed or implied
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The series 4 Spider makes use of a Bosch engine management system, so gone is the romance and inconvenience of the Weber carbs of yore. To some, this is demerit, but many can appreciate the OBD 1 diagnostics and ease of operation. We enjoy working on our cars, though we realize that a majority of folks just want something that works day-after-day. Either way, availability of repair parts and replacements is outstanding for the Spiders, and aftermarket and performance parts are easily obtained.
Yesterday's Maserati Spyder will likely sell for twice the cash that this Alfa Spider will fetch. Is the Maserati twice as fun? We'd wager no. Both have A/C, power steering, and fuel-injection, so they aren't very disparate in ease of ownership either. Miatas drive like the absolute business, but Miatas aren't very Italian, are they? This Spider appeals to those looking for a long-gone driving experience without most of the inconveniences associated with those times - we can get behind that.
Sometimes we come across an example of a car that we might normally overlook modified in just the right way to catch our eye. Take, for example, last month's Bertone X-1/9 Corsa, or any lowered Ferrari Mondial on 17" wheels. The right set of wheels or subtle cosmetic touch can transform our perception of a nice, but perhaps not-quite-enticing car.
This is exactly why we've chosen today's Alfa Spider. Sure, the Bosch cars are reliable, and any Spider has plenty of appeal in its own right, but they aren't the most unique choice among Italian sports cars. Why, then, do we find ourselves so drawn to this particular example? First, the BWA wheels are a great for a red Spider like this one. Add to that the faded red vinyl wrap with the black hood section, and the sort of garish but simultaneously cool Quadrifoglios behind the front wheels, and we have to say that the overall effect is pretty scrappy and appealing.
GR Auto Gallery is pleased to present this 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce for your consideration. This Alfa is finished in a Red and Black custom Vinyl Wrap over the Black vinyl interior. It features a set of Alfa BWA 14x6 alloy wheels and Ereminas chassis stiffeners which are both rare and desirable options. There are currently speakers in the kick panels but there is no radio installed, the factory radio delete plate is in excellent condition. All gauges, lights, switches and factory controls function as they should. According to the current owner, this Alfa was recently serviced and features a new head gasket along with new front sway bar links, a new heater blower motor, new fuel injection hoses and new motor mounts. This Spider Veloce is a looker and gives a very comfortable ride going down the road. Please call or email us today for more information.
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We are not quite sure why the seller has listed this particular Spider as a Veloce. It shows a Graduate badge on the decklid, and the seats sure seem to be Graduate-spec vinyl. Crank windows adhere to the Graduate spec as well. The top is a cloth unit, most likely as a result of a top replacement, though a graduate would be optioned with a vinyl top from the factory. We're not familiar with Spider HVAC controls, although there is a chance that this unit has A/C, as was an option on Graduates. There appears to be a knob for cool air in the cabin, but the engine bay photos don't allow us to see if there is a compressor mounted to the engine.
We are not in love with the price on this car, but that is not to say that the car is not worth the asking price. The interior is most certainly clean and mostly complete, the underside doesn't show any signs of rust, and the seller claims that everything is functional. We recommend this example to anyone in the market for a Series 3 Spider with some cool cosmetic upgrades.
