The roots of the Alfa Romeo Spider stretch back into the 1950s (or even before that, if you’re picky), when the Giulietta was introduced. As the Giulietta gave way to the Giulia, and finally the Spider, the unifying theme was Alfa’s jewel of an engine: an alloy twin-cam in-line four cylinder with a knack for sounding and feeling larger than its displacement implied. This beautiful two-owner 1982 Alfa Spider Veloce is for sale here on craigslist, with an asking price of $16,800. It’s located in Spring Lake, New Jersey, and we have Mitchell G to thank for the tip!

By 1982, the Spider had been in production for sixteen years, and horsepower was climbing, despite the assault of emissions, safety, and fuel efficiency regulations. The 1982 US-delivery Veloce arrived with a 2.0-liter twin-cam four cylinder, handling fuel via Bosch electronic injection. Output came to about 112 hp and top speed was 106 mph. The powerplant is backed by a five-speed manual gearbox; disc brakes are found on all four corners. This Spider’s odometer reads just 60,500 miles – believable given the car’s condition.

The interior lacks the vintage allure of earlier models, but the big, round gauges are easily read through the wood-rimmed steering wheel. Though the position of the gearshift takes a minute to find at first, it falls to hand easily in short order. The convertible top, trim, finishes, upholstery and carpets are in decent condition, though the driver’s bottom seat cover is separating very slightly on a seam. No word on the working order of electrical items or the gauges….

Two unfortunate alterations affected the Spider on its journey through the years: the loss of the Duetto’s beautiful round tail in favor of a Kammback style; and the infliction of giant rubber bumpers on its front and rear. Many an American Alfa has been altered with Euro-style bumpers, and though I am a fan of stock configurations for almost all cars, I’d be the first to line up for that change. The seller indicates that his Alfa has no rust – a minor miracle. Defying the soft car market of late, these Alfas have seen a lift in prices. Mid-70’s cars can sell for well over $20k. Meanwhile, this low-mileage 1982 project sold for just over $14k. Always garaged, well-maintained, and with a known ownership history, today’s featured Alfa Spider Veloce is a sophisticated package for a reasonable price.