1987 Alfa Romeo Spider 2000

Our Series 3 Spider was manufactured in 1987 and we believe spent its early years in South Africa. A genuine right-hand drive car, though fitted with a speedo that reads in kilometres.

Some six years later, the car was imported to the UK and quite soon will hit the milestone 200,000kms mark. In later years, the distances covered have been more modest, in fact just 15,000kms over the last fifteen years.

Our seller is an Alfa man through and through, who has spent the last 30 years restoring a Series 2 car. We admire his patience as we gather it is still not quite ready for the road. It will be worth the wait.

He bought the Series 3 some 19 months ago to act as a template car, to help him complete some of the tricky stages of his restoration.

We also get the feeling he was desperate to get behind the wheel of an Alfa Spider! He has enjoyed the car, maintained it properly and improved it in many areas.

Now, it is time for it to find a new home and we are delighted to be able to offer it for sale. There’s no reserve too, so it is definitely off to pastures new.

The dry climate in the car’s early years may well have helped set the car on a rust-free path, though of course we cannot rule out the fact that the car may well have had some restoration work on its journey through life.

What you need to know is that the black paint looks great but could probably do with a good machine polish to remove some of the swirls.

The chin spoiler has seen better days and is ready for a little love and attention.

The shut lines look good, the panels uncreased.

We note that there are some chips on the bonnet which the new owner may wish to address.

The rubber on the bumpers is looking somewhat tired and jaded, though the chrome sections look fine. We should also point out a small rust spot on the driver’s side door, with a vertical scratch below.

The hood, although clearly not new, looks to be in good order and our seller had a new window fitted to improve rear visibility.

The wheels look good from a distance but on closer inspection do show early signs of corrosion so are no doubt ready for refurbishment. New tyres were fitted all round by our seller, conscientious that he was.

We are also told that the nearside door mirror is a little ‘wonky’.

What to pair with a black exterior? Burgundy red always cuts a dash and the leather interior fitted to our Spider looks the part.

The seats have that lovely patina that comes with age and careful use and other than perhaps some hide food, we would leave them well alone.

The driving position is a little ‘Italian’, by that we mean it more comfortably suits those with long arms and shorter legs. No matter, for once ensconced behind the wheel, roof carefully stowed and that perky engine fired up, all cares will be forgotten, and it will be all about the drive.

Door cards are in good order as are the carpets.

The dashboard’s simple design is a delight, with just enough information available for the driver and no more.

The stubby gear lever falls easily to hand, ensuring each change is to be savoured, especially if one is perfecting a perfect heel and toe downshift.

There’s a radio/CD player fitted, its modern design looking a tad out of place. We would be tempted to source something more in period. In any case, why would you want to listen to music when the best tune is played by the twin-cam engine at full chat!

A full-size spare lurks in the boot, which looks sound, though a bit of a clean up would not go amiss to the painted areas.

A look at the pictures of the car’s underside should provide some reassurance that this a car that has been well cared for in its life. There appears to have been plenty of protection applied, keeping the dreaded rust away.

You will also spot the rorty stainless-steel exhaust fitted by our seller.

The engine compartment looks reasonably presentable considering the age of the car.

For the time our seller has owned the car, there are bills aplenty for work carried out. Amongst the highlights are:

• Refurbishment of gearbox

• New clutch

• Replace rear differential pinion seal

• New stainless-steel exhaust

• 4 new Winda tyres

• Service May 2019 (Alfaholics)

• New Yuasa battery

• Replacement steering wheel

• New sun visors

The MoT is valid until 8th July and we can report that all advisories in the past appear to have been dealt with straight away.

The seller reports that the car drives exceptionally well, has a great turn of speed, and offers thrills aplenty.

He tells us that the car uses little engine oil and does not smoke, and that the oil pressure is fine, which is excellent news. We suspect the motor has had a rebuild at some time in its life, but we cannot confirm this.

By 1987, when our Alfa Romeo Spider was produced, the small two-seater convertible sports car had almost disappeared. MGB, gone. Triumphs TR7and Spitfire, extinct. And it would be a few years before Mazda refined the concept with the MX-5.

The Spider had the market to itself, yet UK sales were modest and many of the cars sold have now quietly faded away.

Nothing could be further than the truth with ‘AMY’. She has been carefully maintained and improved over the last couple of year by our knowledgeable owner and is now ready for exciting summertime adventures.

If you like what you have read and can see from our comprehensive picture gallery, then why not put in a bid? The car is offered with no reserve and with a sale estimate of between £10,000 and £13,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’