Launched in 1966, the Alfa Romeo Spider managed to cement its cult status following its appearance in the 1967 movie “The Graduate.” This 1967 model is a tidy looking car, and it might make a really interesting project car. If someone does choose to take it on, then they could very well be rewarded for their efforts by owning a car that is acknowledged as one of the most enjoyable and engaging sports cars ever built. It is located in Flanders, New Jersey, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the Alfa has reached $7,700 in what is a No Reserve auction.

The White Spider generally looks quite good, with no obvious signs of external rust. The panels are straight, and the owner states that the doors open and shut easily. This is usually a pretty good sign, as it is a reasonable indication that the Alfa’s integrity hasn’t been compromised by structural rust. The soft-top looks to be in really nice condition, although I don’t think that I am alone in believing that a Spider looks significantly better with the top down rather than up. I did notice that the lens for the driver’s side tail-light is missing, while it does look like the paint could use some sort of a refresh. It might respond to a buff and polish, and that would potentially be my starting point with the car. Now we get to the “however” moment with the little Alfa. The underside of the car appears to have recently received a coating of paint or sealer, and this is not enough to disguise the rust that is present in the floors. There is some visible in the front floor on the passenger side, as well as some visible in the spare wheel well. That’s what can be seen in the photos, so it would be interesting to see whether there were any other obvious signs that will need addressing.

The interior of the Spider presents fairly well, but there are a few issues that would need to be addressed. The carpet looks pretty awful, and that is going to need to be replaced. I’ve also noticed some minor damage to the tops of both door trims, so this would need to be fixed. I’ve left the big one until last. I do find it disconcerting that not only is the shroud missing off the steering column, but it appears that the ignition switch has been left to swing in the breeze. Not a good look there, and something that would definitely need fixing. On the positive side, the dash and seats appear to be in good condition, and I think that they would be fine left as they are.

Peering into the engine bay of the Spider brings both good and bad news. The peppy little 1,570cc twin-cam engine is said to run well, while the clutch works perfectly, the 5-speed transmission shift smoothly, and the car is said to drive nicely. The brakes are apparently a bit sticky, so they will need some attention. Now I get to the part that makes me nervous. Many of the alloy engine components demonstrate the sort of corrosion that is indicative of a car that has spent some reasonable time in a damp environment. Couple this with the amount of corrosion visible on the firewall, especially around the brake master cylinder, and this is a car that is beginning to demand a personal inspection. There are also some significant coolant stains on the radiator, which would make me want to ask a few questions about the car’s mechanical history.

I want this Alfa Romeo Spider to be a good car because good examples are both attractive to look at, and incredibly enjoyable to drive. This one has enough obvious issues to warrant a personal inspection because they can be prone to rust problems. Having said that, the bidding has been extremely strong to this point, suggesting that there are people who are willing to take a punt on this little Italian classic. Would you be willing to join the bidding party?