1985 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate Convertible 2-Door 2.0L

1985 Alfa Romeo Spider Description

At one time or another I've owned each of the 4 series of the Alfa Spiders. While the 1st series with it's rounded tail is the most iconic and the 4th series has the most resolved styling, it's the 3rd series, particularly the Graduate model, that I've found the easiest to own. After you learn a little about it the Bosch fuelinjection they use is a doodle to maintain and there's lots of help on the web if it's new to you. The Graduate lacks the electronicwindows and mirrors of the other later cars and isgenerally easier tomaintain, given 30 year old electronic parts. The Graduate came with hard wearing vinyl upholstery. If you look at pictures of the more up scale Alfa models, you'll see that the leather didn't always wear that well. The car for sale here is a 1985 model Graduate. It's the last model to have the iconic twin podinstruments and the beautifulHellebore wooden steering wheel.
This car has had 4 owners since new, I am the fourth. It was first sold by Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1984. The next year it was sold to it's second owner who kept it until 2005. Iacquired the car in 2012 and it has been in California and later Colorado since then. Throughout it's history the car has been lightly used and has undergone periods of non-use. From a cosmetic point of view that was great. The body is true and straight with perfect shut lines. The paint is nearly all original and shines like new. The only repaint was the silver on the bumper tops and a small area under the front spoiler, about where the radiator is, that was damaged from gravel being thrown up and starting to get some surface rust. I did repaint the shock mounts inside the trunk where friendly rodents had damaged the paint. Along the way there have been small paint chips but they've all been professionally touched up and don't photograph well. The largest is perhaps the size of a pea and is on the hood. There are no dents or dings and of course no accidents. Even the Graduate pin striping is still perfect. The interior is all original and in excellent shape. All the electronics work (even the original radio makes noise), there are no cracks in the dash nor are there any rips or tears in theupholstery. The glove box door has the typical "Alfa" fit. The carpet is excellent as well, having been protected since new with the rare Alfa sisal mats. The rubber door seals are as new. The convertible top is a nearly new Harrtz Stayfast fabric top with a zip down window. We backdated the car just a bit. Gone are the large flat black side mirrors, replaced with theslender flag units from previous years. Gone as well are the black windshield wipers, again replaced with chrome units from earlier models. The black cowl vent was painted body color similar to the other Veloce models. The car hasreproduction Cromadora alloy wheels and 5 185/70 x 14 Michelin tires with less than 1000 miles on them. Overall I think the little spider looks pretty good!
The spider comes with both the owner's manual and the service book which provides service history for the first several years. Also included is the original window sticker and bill of sale as well as additional ownership transfer documents. I have receipts for all work performed under my ownership.
The downside of the non-use periods was of course the mechanical side. After I purchased the car it was shipped to Alfa Italia in Burbank for a mechanical refurbishment that took nearly a year and cost over $7,000. The full list of work is extensive and includes: 4 new Koni shocks, rebuilt front and rear brake calipers, new master cylinders for both brakes and clutch, repack wheel bearings and replaced the seals, replaced rear axel seals, newexhaust system, new motor mounts, all new hoses and filters, all fluids were changed, replaced drive shaft support and u joints, a engine gasket set, and a valve job with new valve guides, head gasket and water pump. The fuel tank was removed and cleaned. The car now starts with the turn of a key, idles smoothly, and breezes through smog tests. I treat the second gearsynchro with respect, especially when the transmission oil is cold. It doesn't "crunch" for me, but I'm sure it would if one tried to force it. It steers, rides and stops perfectly. There is no smoke.
Unfortunately I am responsible for a period of non-use. In the fall of 2013, while the Alfa was still being serviced, my wife and I retired and moved to a small town in Colorado and into the middle of a rough winter. Our house and garage weren't finished and we didn't get the Alfa until the spring of 2014. There are few if any vintage Alfa service facilities in the state, certainly none locally, and it took me the rest of 2014 to learn how to adjust the fuel injection properly so it could pass smog. We drove it some this summer and last, but combined with our long winters we've not driven it enough and some oil drips have started. One from the differential, the other from somewhere in the engine.
Our plan was to build a dream garage and fool with our old cars through retirement. But we didn't consider how short the driving season can be, the lack of resources in a small town and how health declines with age. So it's time to sell the Alfa to someone who will actually use it and has the ability to deal with the small "Alfa details" that will pop up now and again.
In preparing the car for sale I did see that a few of the spot welds on the underside of the front and rear valences are starting to get a bit of very light surface rust, the front turn signals under the bumper are starting to show some age as are the headlight trim rings. All of this can be taken care of in a weekend.
I'm a long time Alfa owner and a member of the Alfa Club, but I'm not a mechanic. I've tried my best to exactly describe the car, but I may have missed something. Nothing is better than a personal inspection.
Now for the purchasedetails:
The Sale is FOB Loveland, Colorado. Buyers with no or negative feedback must contact me prior to bidding
Payment - I require a $500 non-refundable deposit within 24 hours of auction close, PayPal is recommended. The balance is due within 7 days ofauction close and must be either cash or bank wire transfer. All title and document transfers will be completed within 72 hours of receipt of full payment. The sale is final. This auction may be terminated early for local sale.
Shipping - Buyer will arrange and pay for all shipping costs. Seller will assist in the coordination of transport pickup. Car is to be picked up within 15 days of auction close unless prior arrangements are made.
Warranty - This car is being sold on an "as is" basis. No warranty is expressed or implied. Some vehicle information may be unintentionally inaccurate. The vehicle description may include statements of opinion that should not be relied upon as facts. Before concluding a purchase it is advised to have a vehicle data check carried out in order to provide details of the vehicle's history.