1972 Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce

This is an original UK supplied right-hand drive Spider 2000 Veloce. It has an MoT until April 2025, although it doesn’t need one, being tax and ULEZ exempt. 

It has a Certificato Di Origine from Alfa Romeo Centro Documentazione, showing it has its original engine and was produced in December 1971 – Number 58 off the production line. This is a genuine UK car, not a converted LHD or South African import.

It presents as being bodily and mechanically excellent, and the owner reports that it drives really well, reporting that the only blemish is a crack to the dashboard. It has a virtually new soft top, has just been serviced and has always been maintained by an Alfa specialist. 

The Rosso paintwork on this Spider is unfaded and retains a deep shine. It’s also largely untroubled by faults. It’s not absolutely perfect like a concours car might be, but what marks there are are few and far between. 

We did spot a small area of bubbling just behind the driver’s side rear wheel, though. Further back, near the rear bumper is a crack in the paint finish. There’s a similar fault on the car’s snout, just above the front bumper, and some bubbling on the driver’s side front wing just behind the front wheel.

The steel rims are so nicely designed they prove you don’t need alloy to make a pretty wheel – and they won’t crack when you inevitably drive over a pothole. There are slight signs of surface blemishes on the steel, but nothing major, and they’re clad in a matching set of Goodyear tyres with excellent tread.

Thoughtful, stylish design touches jump out at you from all over this car – just look at those delicate exterior door handles. Was there ever a prettier design for something so ostensibly functional? They’re so good it’s hard to understand why all manufacturers don’t make them like this. 

The black hood is a recent new part and looks very smart, as you’d expect. 

Clever design touches abound in the Spider’s cabin. The deeply hooded speedo and rev counter sit in front of the driver, while three minor gauges gaze towards them by dint of angled mounts that place them firmly in view. This is a driver’s car and it’s not going to let you forget that fact.

The five speed gearbox’s gearstick sprouts just below these gauges (punctuated by a stereo unit) and its knob matches the wood of the lovely Alfa steering wheel. 

The seats, door cards and are all trimmed in black and look in fine fettle. The only negative point worth mentioning is a small split on the dash near the glovebox lid. The interior door controls are another delight, and brim with Italian design flair.

MGB owners can only dream of engines this pretty – Alfa’s twin cam is a sight to behold and this car’s engine bay looks very original. Two large twin-choke side draught carburettors feed the beast, and the engine starts and runs with that rasping exhaust note that lets you know something Italian is approaching.

The engine bay itself is in good condition, but a cosmetic revamp would make it even nicer, should you so desire. Or, just leave it looking like this and drive the car – that would be more fun.

Alfa’s 2-litre version of this engine was the largest capacity, so this car probably represents the peak of performance for the model, as subsequent versions got heavier as the years passed.

Inside the boot the metalwork looks sound and even when you look underneath the design touches keep coming – the alloy diff casting and finned sump being particular highlights.

The current Alfa enthusiast owner of this car bought it in 2020 having previously owned two white Spiders. He found the Rosso paintwork irresistible, and at the time was well aware that the car had been recorded as a Cat D insurance loss (equivalent to today’s Cat N) – ‘having sustained cosmetic but not structural damage’. 

He says:

‘I traced the owner and he sent a picture showing the passenger door was damaged beyond repair, and minor scrapes front and rear. He replaced the door and had the car repainted as well as other works. I bought the car satisfied that it was only minor damage and most cars that are 52 years old have had some knocks, which are not always known about.

‘I recently (April 2024) had the car inspected and passed by Autolign who are very stringent in their inspections and are HPI and insurer approved. The car now shows on the HPI register as ‘condition inspected’ and the new owner can be confident that it is in a very sound condition.

‘In my ownership I have had the driver’s side sill replaced in 2023 (photographic record) and anything mechanical attended to, as well as regular maintenance regardless of cost (around £5,000 in the past year) and of course regular driving, which is essential to keeping a good Italian classic healthy.

‘In 2022 I had the car set up by Tom Airey on a rolling road with great results, the gearbox synchro’s are good and the 4 wheel disc brakes are strong. The steering and suspension is excellent with near new Goodyear 185/70 tyres on standard rims.

‘This car gets a lot of admiring looks, but the best part is driving it. It will easily keep up with anything on the motorway and A roads and is absolutely magic on anything that has a few curves. Recent trips to Dorset and along the south coast roads have been great, the big boot carrying plenty of bags if needed, and even in the evenings with the heater on it’s a beautiful drive.

‘History prior to my ownership.

Paul Vincer

·        Head reconditioned new valves, seals and tappets.

·        Replaced door, some bodywork and repaint.

·        New Hood and small parts like mirrors.

Alan Morris

·        Ignition upgrades, timing chain, ball joints, new tyres and tracking.

My Ownership;

David Walker (from 27.06.2020)

·        Rebuild brake master cylinder

·        Rebuild front brake caliper

·        New brake servo valves and hose

·        Halfshaft bearings and seals

·        New handbrake shoes

·        New complete S2 exhaust

·        Service steering box

·        Correct suspension, ride height and alignment

·        New fuel tank sender

·        Refurb carbs

·        New speedo cable

·        New heatshield and splash panels

·        New suspension dogbone

·        New wishbone bushes and bottom ball joints

·        New heater matrix and cooling system flush

·        New fuel lines

·        New fuel pump plus electric primer

·        New engine mounts

·        123 electronic ignition fitted

·        New sills and paint to drivers side / passenger side OK

·        New carpet set fitted.

·        Rolling road set up – Airey tuning, 128bhp

·        New wiper motor, switch and wiring

·        Refurbish drag link idler to steering and suspension arm.

Regular oil changes and checks

All work by Keith Waite at K&L Autos (Alfa specialist)

A very sound looking Alfa Spider in one of the best specs, with that sonorous 2-litre engine. It needs minor tidying here and there, but nothing that can’t wait until next winter. Until then, we recommend you fill it with fuel and drive the wheels off it.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £16,000 - £22,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Highgate, North London. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.