Highlights
- Family owned since 2008
- MOT to March 2024
- Professional RHD conversion
- 2-litre twin-cam, on twin Webers
- 5-speed manual transmission
The Appeal
Launched in 1982 and produced through to 1990, the third series of the Alfa Romeo Spider was aimed at the European and American market, only ever available as a left-hand drive model.
Of course, quite a number were imported, but it can be tricky to regularly drive a left-hooker on British roads. So it was that a number of outlets offered professional right-hand drive conversions. This is one such car, apparently professionally converted many years ago, stored in a garage for a number of years, now returned to the road and ready for a new owner to take it to the next level.
With a long MOT, this would be perfect for anyone seeking a rolling light restoration project, or for someone who would simply love to daily drive a pretty, classic Italian roadster – and who wouldn’t want to do that?
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in April 1988
- Professionally converted to right-hand drive some years ago
- Five owners from new
- The previous owner (from 2008) was the vendor’s mother, while the third owner was the garage from which they bought the car
- Inherited by the vendor in 2009
- The car had quite a lot of work carried out in 2010 – new brakes, suspension components etc – but was then garaged and little used
- It has remained SORN since 2011, recently returning to the road in March 2023
- Current MOT to March 2024
- Just 120,879Km (75,110 miles) on the clock
- Comes with some invoices detailing maintenance, and a hand-made Alfa Romeo branded wooden toolbox
- Only being sold as the vendor lacks the time to treat the car as it deserves
The Interior
- Original grey upholstery to the seats, with red contrast stitching
- Both headrests show some light discolouration, the passenger seat is in good overall condition, but the driver’s seat shows more wear and has a split to the squab
- Red carpets adorn the floor in the cabin and nicely complement the paintwork – they show some wear in places, but appear very serviceable
- Electric windows and door mirrors
- Period Kenwood radio/cassette player
- The controls and switchgear all look to be in fine fettle, with some charming light patination adding to the car’s character
- We’re told by the vendor that everything works just as it should, with the exception of the clock and the fuel gauge (although they have just brimmed the tank)
- At the back, the boot is a genuinely useful size and behind the seats there is some further luggage space – so going away for a tour should be no problem
- There is a full-size spare wheel, which the vendor tells us will require a new tyre as it has perished
The Exterior
- Iconic red paintwork, perfectly suited to the Spider
- The paint looks to be in reasonably good condition, with some marks, chips and blemishes as you’d expect
- All of the bodywork looks straight and tidy, with no major corrosion apparent
- We did note some microblistering to the door mirrors, off-side front wing, as well as some corrosion to the near-side rear arch and quarter panel
- All of the external trim and brightwork appears to be present and correct, with some light wear and pitting in evidence to the chrome
- The vendor notes that the black fabric hood will probably require replacement, however, the frame is in good order and the black vinyl tonneau cover is also in very good shape
- The recent MOT notes an advisory for corrosion to the inner sills and some suspension components, which will likely require addressing before the next MOT
- Wheels are the original 15-inch, flat-faced alloys, wearing a polished finish and branded centre-caps – overall they are in decent, usable condition
- The car comes with a car cover, which was purchased in March 2023
The Mechanics
- Charismatic 1,962cc twin-cam, naturally aspirated four-cylinder
- Double twin-barrel Weber 40 carburettors
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- As the invoices show, the car was mechanically recommissioned in 2009 and has covered only a few hundred miles since
- March 2023: Fresh MOT, service, new battery
- The MOT noted an advisory for a small oil leak
- Otherwise the vendor tells us that the car has been very reliable, starts well and is a joy to drive
Summary
The Spider remains a very popular choice amongst classic car enthusiasts – with a soulful engine, enjoyable handling and styling by Pininfarina, there’s much to recommend it. Cherished for many years by its current owner, this delightful roadster is the perfect basis for some light restoration, and will surely provide many more years of enjoyable, open-top driving.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.