1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider (Boat-Tail)

Only in the UK for the past three years, this wonderful Alfa Romeo Spider was originally supplied new to Johannesburg in South Africa. One of just 601 original right-hand-drive models ever built, this S1 model is finished in cream over black, which might be an unusual colour scheme but is now one of our favourites.

With just the one previous UK keeper, it had a bare metal respray when it first arrived here, work that’s left it looking stunning. Fitted with the rare and unusual hardtop, this 1750cc example now looks as good as it drives – and it drives very well indeed!

Said to be a ‘matching numbers’ example, this stunning Veloce Spider may well be one of the most desirable cars for sale in the UK today. Thought to be one of just 428 left on the roads in this specification, it is sure to draw an awful lot of interest.

Simple, clean, and unadorned, this cream Spider shows why the early cars are so sought after. With very good shutlines, ripple- and dent-free panels, and an above average finish to the paint, its quality is every bit as impressive as its shape.

Especially from the rear. With slim, chromed quarter bumpers, a single central exhaust pipe (no faux quad exhaust here…), and uncluttered rear lamps units, it is truly one of the great rear ends of our time.

But then it doesn’t really have a bad angle, either. New Perspex headlamp fairings help freshen up that classic shape, as does the recent bare-metal respray (please see the restoration album for details). It really is a lovely old thing and needs nothing other than continued love and the odd spot of wax.

The alloy wheels are so clean and straight that they must have been refurbished in the car’s recent past too. They’re fitted with matching 185/70R14 tyres as well, all of which look to be fairly new and so still have good tread on them.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The folding black roof is also in great shape. Taut and weather-tight when it is raised, it lowers easily and stows neatly underneath the tonneau cover. The frame is in good shape too but could probably do with a lick of paint to bring it up to the same high standard of the rest of the car.

Unusually, there is a matching hardtop with the car, which isn’t something you’ll see every day. It fits well and is the same shade as the rest of the coachwork, so may be the original it was supplied with. The headlining is a little stained and loose but neither is enough of an issue to worry about.

Of course, as you’d expect of a car that’ll never see fifty again, it’s not perfect. Aside from the usual minor stonechips (#11) and marks (#12, #14, and #33) that any car will accumulate over time, the chrome is a little scratched in places (#38 and #45, for example), and the offside rear lamp cover is cracked (#27).

If you liked the outside then you’re going to love the cockpit. Fresh and almost completely undamaged, it’s an utterly delightful place to be. The black vinyl seats, for example, were refurbished as part of its UK commissioning and so are in a fine condition and as firm and supportive and as comfortable as they’ve ever been.

The trademark dials, with two huge gauges sitting in front of the driver and three smaller ones, for oil pressure, water temperature and fuel, are angled towards the offside for clarity and in similarly great shape.

The huge, three-spoke steering wheel also looks terrific, as does the heavily cranked gear lever. It’s all utterly wonderful and weirdly familiar; whether that’s as a result of great design or due to our exposure to it over the years via films and magazines, you feel instantly at home.

A modern set of Alfa Romeo-branded overmats protect the carpets. These are in good shape having been recently replaced and there’s extra soundproofing under them, which makes the Alfa and unusually civilised example on the road.

The boot, which is home to the jack and the steel spare wheel, is very clean and solid. It also contains the car’s South African number plates and is lined with a very good rubber mat.

Problems are few. Sadly, the dashboard top is cracked. This is almost inevitable when a car has lived the best part of half-a-century in the hot African sun.

But that this, and the need for a deep clean, is the extent of the issues we’d feel the need to sort out should be deeply reassuring.

With a recent water pump (replaced here at The Market HQ after the vendor noticed a small leak when he dropped it off but then that’s the sort of guy he is…) the Alfa runs and drives as it should.

He tells us that it was recommissioned by its previous owner when it first arrived on these shores, and believes that the work included fresh suspension and brake components.

It can be a little reluctant to start (heh, can’t we all?) but, after a year of being locked-down, we think that a service and the traditional Italian tune-up might sort that out - and, because Sussex Sportscars refurbished the carburettor, that’s one job you don’t have to worry about.

The engine bay is in good shape without being prissy. That said, it’s in good order so if you needed an excuse to escape the family next winter, this would make a fine weekend project.

The underside is as strong and solid as you’d expect of a car that’s lived its life in the salt-free South African climate. In much the same sort of condition as the engine bay, it’s neatly undersealed and could either be left as it is or brought up to a better finish as and when time and motivation collide.

The Alfa doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have the car re-MoT’d at the earliest. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

Mind you, given its two previous MoTs were gained without a single advisory point – and the last only expired last month – we can’t see popping a new one on would be unduly onerous.

As with so many imported cars, it might not have the depth of paperwork that we’d all like to see with our classics but the South African registration documents are backed up by a current V5 and a couple of invoices plus an old MoT certificate.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing to see this paperwork.

If you’re able to travel and would like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

The early Alfa Romeo Spiders are rightly revered. With a Hepburnesque delicacy to its looks alongside sparkling performance, their one shortcoming is their propensity to rust.

Which is why cars like this South African example are so popular. With right-hand-drive and no rust, they remove the only obstacle to ownership, making this a car you can buy with your head and your heart.

With a guide price of somewhere between £30,000 and £40,000, it isn’t going to be the cheapest Spider on sale at the moment but then quality never is, and while it might be easy to shave a few quid off your budget elsewhere, cars like this are always going to command a premium – and that’s a premium you should get back when you come to sell it.

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.