1985 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER S3

This 1985 Alfa Romeo Spider is a smart two-seater convertible, which has been kept in good mechanical order and remains incredibly original and unrestored. Under the bonnet sits the 2.0-litre twin-cam inline-four, fed by twin Weber carburettors, coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer currently indicates 50,687 miles from new.

First registered in February 1986, this Spider was supplied new via Bell and Colvill in Leatherhead with the factory-option hard top, and still retains its original dealer labelling. It has now been in the possession of its current keeper for eight months, and has always benefited from indoor storage. A post-facelift Series 3, this example features the black rubber bumpers, a revised grille and a small rubber rear spoiler.

The stylish bodywork of this Spider is in very good shape, having never been restored, and the vendor states that it retains all of its original Rosso paintwork – making it a very rare find. A few small stone chips can be seen around the front end, but in general the vendor describes the finish as excellent. The body trims are also in good order, though there is some scratching on the black wing mirrors, while a long scrape is present on the offside rear bumper section. The soft-top roof has some slight discolouration and a few breaks in the stitching, and the vehicle rides on a set of 14-inch alloy wheels, which feature some light stone chips.

Inside, the Nero leatherette is in superb condition for its age, and remains free of any notable creasing or discolouration. It boasts a handsome original appearance, which is shared with the door cards and dashboard top, though a few light marks can be seen around the air vents and interior lights. The wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel is in excellent shape, and though one or two light blemishes are visible on the switchgear, all of the electrics are believed to work as they should.

During the vendor’s ownership, the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder have been replaced, and they also report that the car comes with an extensive history file.

The most recent test took place on 1 November 2017 at 50,651 miles, which resulted in a pass with one advisory to monitor slight play in the nearside front inner track rod end ball joint. It will require a fresh 12-month certificate before taking to the road again in the UK. The wheels are shod in Goodyear items on the rear axle and BFGoodrich tyres at the front, and all are reported to be in good condition.

This Alfa Romeo Spider S3 is a charming and low-mileage contemporary classic, which remains exceptionally original, having never been restored or painted. Reported to be a well-maintained example, this Italian roadster’s Weber-fed twin-cam engine is a delight to rev out, and the car is ready to be fully exploited in the warmer spring and summer months.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.