1970 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce

Highlights

Very rare 105.58 RHD European Series 1 car
Restored by model specialists in Rosso Corsa
Engine and gearbox both rebuilt
Recently serviced by Ian Ellis
Huge history file dating back to 1993
Well kept ‘boat tail’ with rare factory hard top

The Appeal

It is hard to believe now, but contemporary buyers didn’t take to Alfa Romeo’s original ‘boat tail’ Spider. As the name suggests, the styling was influenced by the gorgeous ‘Riva’ cruisers that took sun- and style-seekers up and down the Italian Lakes and Rivieras.

Today, of course, the story is very different. Any 105 Spider is a visual treat but it is the early ones, like this lovely Rosso Corsa example, that are in highest demand. Even a cursory glance at it reveals why. This was the last car that Battista Pininfarina worked on, something you can sense from the delicate detailing and carefully proportioned lines.

This example is the one you want, a sweet-revving 1750cc Veloce with twin carburettors pushing power to 115bhp. The appeal is further dialled up because this is one of the ultra rare ‘105.58’ cars. That nomenclature denotes a factory European-market RHD Spider, of which only 601 were built (some sources quote 633). It was one of the last of these built (car number 538) and amongst the final ‘Series 1’ boat-tails, first registered in 1970.

The UK history file dates back to 1993 and is extensive. The car was comprehensively restored by specialist Chris Sweetapple of Highwood Motor Company between 1993 and 1996. In subsequent years it has received a full engine rebuild by Royston Engineering, gearbox rebuild by Ian Ellis and further work to the headgasket and camshafts by Andrew Thoroughgood Restorations. It has been regularly but sparingly used since this work was completed.

The condition reflects the enthusiasm of its handful of owners since 1993. It comes to market with a recent full service and check over by Ian Ellis and the sale included an exceptionally rare factory hard top. This is a very good example of one of Alfa Romeo’s most desirable convertibles.

The History and Paperwork

Factory built in late 1969
First registered 1970
105.58 European market, factory-built RHD car
Factory chassis plates confirm VIN number and 105.58 car type
Chassis prefix ‘147’ confirms this as a 105.58 European market RHD factory car
147 prefix cars are reported to have been built between chassis number 0001 and 0601
This is car number 538 of that run
Other records indicate 633 105.58 cars built rather than 600
Reported to have been an original UK market RHD car but we cannot confirm this
DVLA records show first UK registration on 9th December 1970
Four registered keepers since 1993
Current keeper since October 2013
MOT records show 20,000 miles covered since 1993
Regularly but sparingly used by current keeper, averaging 1,000 miles/year
Thick history file of invoices, receipts, MOTs, magazine articles and copies
Regular and significant maintenance with highlights summarised below
Restored between 1993 and 1996 by Alfa specialist Chris Sweetapple of Highwood Motor Company
Originally factory-painted Celeste Blue and changed to Rosso Corsa when restored
Still registered as blue with DVLA which the buyer may wish to change
Historic Vehicle that is MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
Last MOT to 25th May 2018 with no advisories and 18,711 miles showing on test
Now showing 19,232 miles

Notable maintenance:

Restored between 1993 and 1996 by Highwood Motor Company
This work included new panels and sills and respray in Rosso Corsa
Engine refurbished by Royston Engineering at the same time
Engine work in 2003 and 2005 by Andrew Thoroughgood Restorations
This work included camshafts and camshaft buckets
Head gasket replaced in 2012
Gearbox rebuilt by Ian Ellis in 2016
Boot lid repainted in 2023
Full service by Ian Ellis in July 2023 summarised below

Full service by Ian Ellis at 19,175 miles in July 2023:

New battery
Oil and filter change
Spark plugs replaced
Points replaced
New rotor arm
Condensor and cap renewed
Brake fluid replaced
Coolant flushed and replaced

The Condition

Refinished in Rosso Corsa to a high standard by model specialist in 1993
Careful subsequent use means the car continues to present to a high standard
Due to the passage of time and use, there are some minor marks and deterioration to note
These can be viewed in photographs and include stone chips
There is also a small area of bubbling to nearside sill
Boot lid repainted in 2023 with paint match finish to a good standard
Sits on factory 14in steel wheels with chrome hub caps, all well-kept following 2012 refurbishment
Fitted with quality Vredestein tyres all round
Black fabric roof in good condition being generally well kept with a deep colour finish
Very rare factory hard top with black vinyl trim and generally well-kept condition
3/4 inches of the stitching has come away from the vertical seam in to the rear of the driver’s door - it is not significant and doesn’t affect function
Smart black interior in very good order and appears unmodified and older restoration
Dashboard in good order with correct body colour trim fillet
Wooden steering wheel and period radio fitted
Vendor advises that the period radio does not work and the aerial is stuck in place
We are told there is a small slit in the roof tonneau to accommodate the seatbelt
Underside presents well in photographs

The Mechanics

Top specification 1,779cc ‘1750’ Veloce twin cam 115bhp engine
Twin carburettors
5 spd manual gearbox
Recent full service and checkover by Ian Ellis
Details of this work are provided above
Engine and gearbox rebuilt since 1993 by specialists
Thick history file with highlights shown in photographs
Vendor reports that the left-hand indicator does not self-cancel
No known other faults or issues to report

BEFORE YOU BUY

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