Hiding in this garage is a vehicle that might appeal to enthusiasts seeking an Italian classic. This 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce doesn’t merely present well, because it is a rock-solid survivor with a genuine 10,000 miles showing on its odometer. It appears to need nothing beyond a new home, making it ideal for someone unable to tackle a project build. Located in Sonoma, California, the seller has listed the Spider here on eBay. Frantic action has pushed the price to $6,300, which is below the reserve.
The Alfa Romeo Spider enjoyed a long production life, gracing showrooms in various forms from 1966 until 1993. The company introduced the Series 4 onto the American market in 1991, with our feature car as a first-year example. One of the most notable styling changes on the latest model was the introduction of different bumpers which the company integrated better into the car’s iconic lines. The first owner ordered this Spider in Verde Inglese, which was Alfa’s take on British Racing Green. The seller admits that the Spider received minor touch-ups to address a few chips, but most of its paint is original. They performed this work before adding a clear “bra” to protect the paint from future damage. The panels are straight, and many enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that this dry-climate classic is rust-free. The Tan soft-top and glass are in good condition, and the 15″ alloy wheels appear perfect.
We’ve seen a recently emerging trend where sellers fail to supply engine photos, and this Alfa is no exception. There are close-up shots of various components, but nothing provides a clear overview. As the Veloce variant, this car features a typically peppy 1,962cc fuel-injected DOHC four, producing 118hp and 119 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures might be modest, but with a curb weight of a mere 2,557 lbs, that four offers sparkling performance. A five-speed manual transmission was standard equipment, as was power assistance for the steering and brakes. The seller claims that this gem has a genuine 10,400 miles showing on its odometer, and it appears that figure is documented. They recently installed an upgraded chip in the ECU to unlock a few additional ponies, fitting upgraded springs, shocks, and sway bars to improve the handling. This beauty runs and drives well, and can be considered a turnkey proposition.
Ordering the Veloce in 1991 didn’t just bring a larger engine compared to the base Spider, but the interior received a few welcome upgrades. A driver’s airbag was standard across the entire range, but this Veloce also received air conditioning, power windows, and leather trim. The Tan upholstered surfaces are in good order, but the best news is the state of the plastic. It is prone to deterioration, especially when exposed to harsh UV rays. This car has avoided that fate, and the winning bidder will feel no shame when they hit the road with the top down. The factory stereo has made way for a CD player, which appears to be the only modification.
It is sometimes challenging to gauge whether a classic has generated interest among potential buyers, but this 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce leaves no such doubts. With thirty-two bids and forty-four people placing it on their Watch List, it has undoubtedly struck a chord. Although values have dropped recently, I would expect a car of this caliber to top $18,000 before the hammer falls. However, with the odometer reading verified, that figure could climb higher. What would you be prepared to pay to park this Alfa in your garage?
At the bottom of the eBay listing, seller states:
“The car does have a lien on it.”
I’m not sure what this means (mistake, does “not” have a lien?). Why would a 30 plus year old car have a lien? But, FYI.
Lien only means that there is a loan on the vehicle which must be satisfied before the title is released.
The current owner has only had it for 2+ years, so this just means that they took a loan out in order to buy it.
I’ve always been attracted to the Veloce variant of the Alfa spider. Very attractive car. I wish you could show a picture of the convertible top up. Not just for condition but for color combination also.
Very fetching in green.
Ended at $15,761.
Reserve Not Met.
Pretty sure all USA-spec Spiders in a given model year had the same engine, going back to at least 1980.
And im continually astounded that a certain type of buyer will pay a premium for an example with so few miles. We’re not just talking occasional-use “low miles” here, but a decades-old car that’s averaged less than a mile a day! So that’s at best a round-trip or a just a few miles each way most weekdays (i.e. never getting fully warmed up—the worst thing you can do to a high-strung engine with a large oil volume) or, worse, a LOT of sitting around parked, deteriorating. Give me one of these with ~75,000 well-maintained miles over this example, any day. Donate this one to the national auto museum in Turin or something.