I had to stop myself from entering this as a “sports car” on our internal category checklist. There is great temptation to place a car that looks like this in the same category as a Porsche 911 or Ford Mustang Cobra SVT, but the simple truth is this is a much different class of vehicle. The Alfa Romeo Spider is many things, and it does those things well: it is a gorgeous Pininfarina-designed convertible; it loves to be driven with the top down; it will pull 80 miles per hour on the interstate when needed; and with a hard-top like this 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider here on eBay has, it is a car for all seasons.
However, it’s hard to call this a sports car in any sense of the word. Perhaps that’s why it has never appreciated to any significant degree – it’s simply not what the exterior styling would otherwise suggest. And if you ask the uninitiated on the street if this is a sports model, they’d like say yes. But let’s set all that aside for the moment and focus on what it does well and the unique space it occupies in American culture. First and foremost, it’s likely on the most recognized movie cars of all time, to the point that it made a “cameo” appearance years after its big screen debut in the much-loved Wayne’s World. To go decades without appearing in a film, to everyone knowing what its insertion into a 90s cult classic was all about – well. that’s what we call staying power.
The DOHC engine sounds like it has all the ingredients of a marvelous powerplant, but it’s never been considered particularly special. In 1991, you got Bosch fuel injection and around 120 horsepower and almost as much torque. 0-60 happened in a tick under 10 seconds. The gearbox is likely the most enthusiast-friendly part of the car, as it’s a treat to row thanks to its unique dash-mounted location. The seats are spectacular, and the view out of the cockpit is truly special. But there are loads of scuttle shake, and handling was acceptable but not necessarily inspired like that of an NA Miata.
What most road test editors highlight with a Spider like this is the general experience of being in an Italian roadster that oozes style and gets down the road at a respectable clip. The interior is still stunning all these years later, the seats are wonderful, and the shifter is iconic. The styling was greatly improved in the later years of production, with the revised bumpers cleverly masking the ungainly proportions of the U.S.-mandated safety bumpers. This one is in spectacular condition and the matching hard top is a major bonus for the next owner. With just over 4,000 original miles, this is quite likely one of the best examples left.
Waynes world, kind of. Actually, I never saw “Waynes World 2”, but I read the appearance of the Alfa was a parody on The Graduate, where a red Alfa roadster is what most people associate with. I see a trend of not mentioning the prices, perhaps to thwart naysayers like me, but $22grand does not seem out of line for basically a new Alfa. It seems they did away with the typical Italian car tilted steering wheel, I never cared for. I can’t understand why this motor, the best made, doesn’t get used in more swaps. An Alfa Vega? Why not?
saw a T-bucket with this engine on-line. Owner loved it, except the handling was difficult on twisty road- the relatively long wheelbase. A T with a V-8 is overpowered, so he reported a fun drive.
An Alpha – Vega? Howard, Love it!!!
As for this. Its litterally brand new. Don’t know much about these Alphas but I always thought these are nice cars. The shifter being in the dash is a little different but I’m sure I’d get used to that in no time.
It’s ALFA – A,L,F,A,not Alpha,& not an Alpha Romero.
Sorry,but one of my pet peeves.
Looks like a really nice car,but the styling is a big step
backwards from the earlier cars.
Angliagt, what can I say???. I can’t even blame Google Auto correct for that one. Totally my goof up. Just a lack of caffeine before typing it.
I have to differ a little with Jeff here, personally liking the original long-tail “Duetto” design better than the square-tail cars.
Having driven a number of these cars, new and used, I agree re the cowl shake. My guess is that worn-out chassis dies and the extra weight of the late government-mandated bumpers caused most or all of this, as the early examples I drove felt more solid.
The lovely twincam engine didn’t take kindly to being de-smogged, either. Agree with Howard A that it was one of the loveliest engines ever built, for both sound and high-revving nature. The transmission, like all Alfa gearboxes, was superb. Oddly enough, in its final years, the Spider got an optional automatic. I thought it was dreadful….
Considering mileage and cosmetic condition, the 22 Large doesn’t seem out of line. No knock to this one, but I’d rather have a Tipo 750 or 101. Or even a Giulia Super.
Having owned a ’57 Tipo 750D Giulietta Spider and a ’63 Tipo 101.12 Giulia Sprint back in the day, I agree with your model preference. While the performance of the 1570 cc (and 5 speed box) of my Giulia was much appreciated, it lacked the mesmerizing song of the 1290 cc engine of the Giulietta above 4000 rpm.
This was posted here recently.
Not many 35-year-olds look as good, topless.
I really like the shape of these, beautiful design. I suspect I’d struggle with the shifter, initially. If I was chasing down a small ‘vert, I’d probably be looking at a Miata first. I dunno how they compare, performance-wise, but I have to believe Japanese engineering & manufacturing are superior to Italian, in all the ways that matter, for a daily driver.
To your first comment…. really? OH… you mean cars!
Autocheck notes potential odometer rollback. Shows as 19k miles in 1993. Still a lovely Alfa!
Located in: Fontana, California
This car has been on eBay for awhile
This appears to be a very nice Alfa, and the dash seems to be in very clean condition, it seems odd that if “all lights and gauges are fully operational” the car would be doing 15 mph @ 300 rpm with no oil pressure.
Pretty sure those gauges are at rest with the engine off, as the speedo reads ~15 mph in all the other pics where it’s visible. Maybe that’s just where it rests, no big deal really as long as it reads accurate underway.
I think the author has a very narrow definition of “sports car”. There are many cars that come nowhere near the performance of a 911 or Mustang SVT (whatever that iteration is) but which are undeniably sports cars. Nobody woiuld deny an MG TD being one, and I am sure that this Alfa can outperform them. Blinding speed is not what defines a sports car. Early vette’s would barely fit the category. This is a beautiful Alfa and I would love to own it.
My favorite Alfa was the 67 boat tail version which was used in the movie ‘The Graduate’. They were true rust buckets and not many survived. I did not like the squared off tail later version which eventually was named ‘Graduate’. This one has a tail I have never seen which to me is much more attractive and that hardtop fits in with the lines of the car! To agree with the above comments, those motors were excellent!
I missed the Wayne’s World reference. I guess it was the sequel. I didn’t much like WW. Had I seen it on TV for free rather than paying for tickets maybe I would feel different. But it wasn’t worth the price of admission
Otherwise, I have to say this is more of a Sports car than your Porsche or Mustang. Those are quasi-exotic and pony cars
I think Jeff’s idea of a “sports car” does not align with mine. My sports car career started with a Fiat X1/9 and progressed through all types to include: TR7, TR6, Fiat 124/2000, Spitfire, 240Z, 280Z, Alfa Spyder, Scorpion, etc. But I can see the point that the older inexpensive sports cars don’t compare to the modern Miata. But when I owned those cars it was during the time that they were new and they were so different from the run of the mill offerings from the Big Three. So, I understand, but please don’t disparage the cars from my youth. I’ve aged to the point that I have a 280ZX, but I purchased my grandson a Miata for his first car. I’m well aware of the differences that set them apart, but it doesn’t distract from my enjoyment of the 280ZX. Considering this Alfa listed today, I’d love to have it!
Bingo. This Alfa is a sports car. In fact, I don’t think there’s an Alfa made that doesn’t qualify to have “sport” in its name…unless its “race.”
Not a “Sports Car?”
Really?
Where in 1966 could you get a twin-cam motor, four wheel discs, and a five speed in a two-seat roadster at anything close to this price point?
Certainly, over the years bumpers and safety features added weight, but they were still nimble and fun to drive. I had an ’89, and loved it.
Alfa never had the budget to create a new model, so it soldiered on. This model benefited from Fiat’s deep pockets. The integrated bumpers restored the design’s beauty. It also got airbags, power steering, and improved fuel injection, along with an available automatic transmission.
Fun Fact: Because of Iacocca’s Italian Shopping spree, Detomaso, Lamborghini, Inocenti, Maserati, these and the Alfa 164 were sold in Chrysler’s show rooms, right next to the minivans. Chrysler’s salesmen did not know what to do with the italian cars, neither did the mechanics.
Probably Pininfarina’s most enduring design, built from 1966 to 1994. The boat-tailed Duetto driven in “The Graduate” made Alfa famous in the USA.
The twin-cam motor sings unlike any modern four, the steering is crisp, the shifter direct. It might not be quite as crisp and modern as the Miata, but it was a classic Italian sports car, and that alone is pretty special.
This makes my wallet twitch
One. more thing: I don’t remember the black seat inserts in these from the factory. Anyone else?
I did look at a green/tan one back in the day, and it was “one that got away.”