Alfa’s fourth series Spider was introduced in North America in 1991. The car followed on the heels of an illustrious line of vintage examples stretching back to 1966. The new car vaguely resembles its ancestors but its designers imposed a facelift including body-colored plastic bumpers, and a full-width rear taillight panel while subtracting the trunk spoiler and front valence. Meanwhile, also arriving at about the same time was Mazda’s Miata. While the Alfa sold about 9000 copies worldwide in ’91, it was rapidly eclipsed by the Miata. By 1993, only 2000 Alfas were sold, and production ceased. Here on eBay in a no-reserve auction is a 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider, bid to $7055 and located in White Marsh, Maryland. This car is a barn find with a few storage issues that we’ll explore below.
Aside from the cosmetics, other changes were in store underhood for the series four – power-assisted steering for one. The engine is a 2.0-liter twin-cam four-cylinder with about 120 hp on tap. Motronic injection handles the fuel, and a five-speed manual brings power to the wheels (though an automatic was offered for the first time as well). Zero to sixty comes up in under ten seconds and top speed is about 119 mph. Four-wheel disc brakes help bring a stop to things in a hurry. The seller doesn’t indicate if the car runs, and corrosion is evident in this shot of the engine bay. The odometer reads 14,304 which the seller claims as “low miles” – implying it’s never turned over.
The interior appears a tad more worn than I would expect of a car that’s traveled only 14k miles. The driver’s left bolster splays away from the seat surface, there’s a crack in the dash, and the carpeting on the sill is worn. Dirt is ground into the e-brake holster. Several photos of the convertible top show that it’s faded and streaked. The spare in the trunk has a dented rim.
Then there’s the front end. The listing says “no accident or damage reports” and that may be true, but something has happened to the front bumper. Underside shots carefully avoid that exact corner. The problem could be a simple matter, but I’d like to know more. Value-wise, these cars sell in a wide range depending on mileage and condition. At the top end, you’ll pay $25k for a Veloce; lesser cars can be had for $15k. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I’ll be surprised if this example sells for as much as $10k.
There is a reason the Miata sold circles around the poor old Alfa. The Miata was 10X the car. I’m an Alfa enthusiast and a former technician and I certainly don’t like hating on cars. The Spider lost its edge when it had to conform to federal crash standards. Believe it or not there were a few 1994 Alfa Spiders sold. They had their VIN numbers reassigned at the port to make the remaining 93 models into 94 models. They received some additional trim items and I believe a number plaque. Another tidbit was in 86 Alfa Spider was given variable intake valve timing. Simple relay actuated a solenoid in front of the cylinder head that pushed on the button of the cam sprocket. Was driven by oil pressure. Made a difference. Other than that adding weight and power steering just made the poor old Alfa sloppy and slow.
Alphasud, I would like to know how these drive with the shifter poking out of the face of the dash. It looks awkward, but do the ergonomics of it work?
I drove two of these for years as my every day car. A 73 and an 84. Put 200K miles on them. I loved the driving position and was 6’3″ 220 pounds at the time. I doubt I would even fit in one now 35 years later.
There have been many stick shifters coming from the front of the firewall like Graduates. Drive a Honda 2 cylinder 600cc Coupe (hatchback technically) with an even higher stick location. You not only get used to it, but it somehow feels more sporty. Or like you’re driving an older 18 wheeler tractor truck. It’s a slightly different throwing motion. I guess because you really don’t lay your arm downward, it keeps you constantly engaged. Not that any car or any manual transmission setup is better because you can tinker with your phone, you definitely wouldn’t be looking at or poking at your phone driving that style of stick ergonomics. Most would say that’s a good thing, but some folks need to check to see if anyone wants them of friended their Facebooger every 3 minutes. I actually myself like the Alfa ergonomics. 6’2″ 210 after the buffet. Trying to get back to some basketball but it just gets too hot in Texas these days. Too hot for sun beating down all summer this year. Lots of affordable convertible cars for sale in Texas this year.
A tricked out 2.0 Alfa is leaving a tricked out 2.0 Miata in the dust. You’re not wrong on Graduates gaining weight over the years due to bumper regs etc, but these are fine cars for the enthusiast …if you can contain the rust. Miata definitely came with real rust protection. Still, properly done, one can get these Alfas very light, following GT racing class mods. Ironically, my ’74 GTV Coupe was about 400 pounds LIGHTER than the convertible. Spica Injection properly dialed-in, it ate BMW’s, VW’s, MR2, and certainly Miata for breakfast. That was my best running Alfa, had some upgrades like racing cam and free flow exhaust. Stupidly sold it. Current GTV 2.0 is the hatch model with dual Del Orto carbs and will probably dress out around 1900 pounds when done. Not a convertible either but it’s the essentially same 2.0 with different attachments and a rear gearbox and inboard brakes. While Miata is good for the weekend tinkerer who takes it to the shop for engine mods, Alfa is more of an exercise in that old axiom: Garbage in, Garbage out. Most of the Alfa world is guys on a shoestring budget or… A handful of guys with big coins. I will agree that a Miata is better to get started and probably more reliable for the tinkerers. I’m not going to jet these carbs for anything but economy and reliability, because I’m not the same lead foot I once was. If I don’t like the overall performance on the racing carbs, I’ll probably take fuel injection and CDI ignition off a newer 2.0.
This overly red Alfa appears to have rolled the odometer over. I wouldn’t bid on it unless I drove it. If it runs well and doesn’t have any clutch quirks or grinding synchros, it could get $12k if it’s ready to go and the top seals and functions as it should. You can’t believe what ads say on quirky convertibles, of any makes. But I would have a little more confidence buying a Miata convertible sight unseen than the Alfa. Fiddling with bad convertible tops – be they manual, mechanical or electric: Top woes drive sales of convertibles. You get tired of leaks, noise when up, lack of security in the parking lot.They are fun 10 times a year when schedules and weather meet opportunity… if it’s a well running convertible. Long ago understood sunroof better. Hardtop no sunroof best. Removable hardtops with a garage hoist set up is the only type of convertible I’ll ever try again. The Miata hardtop fastback hatch is beautiful. One of the prettiest cars made since the Alfa GTV Coupe. I’m not a hater, even though I probably come off that way (sorry!). I just will say if you’re rolling in dough, bid and buy it. If you aren’t: Go see it in person or you may be sorry. Like literally.
One of these is for sale just a stone’s throw away from me. 91 with 100k miles and they are asking $6k OBO. Been sitting for a couple of months now.
Nice looking car but for me things aren’t adding up. 5 owners allegedly only 14k miles and now 5 different states. Definitely one to inspect in person so your not disappointed or feel scammed if you choose not to pre inspect it
I agree… It has definitely been re-painted…
I cant C anything “wrong” here (well, may B price). Kinda thing I brought back asa 16/21 y/o kid for fun (wrenchin) and when done “free” drivin. Couldnt afford them if ‘1st rate’ my self (’50’s/late 70s fiat, alfa, lancia) but a local junk yrd specialized in them. Drag 1 home, fix up (later in my hobby – w/speedy mods) drive till the nxt lill jewel caught my eye’n sell. All my bud’s had the muscle back then (442, vet, GTO, I liked these better. I DID like the stang FB, but that wuza down sized vehicle).
24 & 12 Hours of Sebring races in 1970’s, Alfa GTV ate every American muscle car every time, except Cobra. Which was a V8 as well, but very light. When fuel rules / penalties for consumption came into play, Alfas on points beat the Cobras as well, getting to the finish line on half the fuel. I never understood the fascination with big motors, except you did get more boys around. Back in the day, my #1 datemobile was an Opel Manta with a miserly 1.9 liter, not fast at all. Sporty and comfortable ride. Lost count back in college in that car. While dorky guys from high school who went to same college wrenching on muscle cars couldn’t get dates unless they hit the clubs at 2am. Back then clubs closed at 4am. Gun creepo garbage hadn’t even gotten off the ground yet. (But many of the muscle car boys became them later. Predictably.).
Ended:
Aug 20, 2023 19:00:00 PDT
Winning bid:
US $8,600.00
[ 46 bids ]