Feature Cars

1987 Alfa Romeo Spider – Toybox

Delivery-mile drop-top Italian with a Royal connection

How do you define a “classic“?

Designer-styling? Movie car? Notable past ownership?

If that’s the case, the Pininfarina-bodied Alfa Romeo Spider checks all the boxes!

The Spider was unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, and was enduring to say the least; remaining in production for a staggering 28 years with just one significant restyle.

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The restyle came early in 1969, and took the initially-curvaceous tail into a more aerodynamic flat slabbed rear end, also aiding boot space in the process. This facelift also saw engine displacement swell from 1.6lts to 1.8lts, yielding a power increase from 81kW to 93kW.

Then, after the Alfa Spider withdrew from Aussie showrooms in 1976, came the ironically named “aerodynamica” in 1983; featuring enlarged rubber bumpers and a rubber boot spoiler; and Bosch electronic fuel-injection.

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But of course, classic car appeal often hinges on more than their on-paper merits.

This particular left-hand drive imported example, finished in Jet Black over tan roof and interior – looks it’s been locked away in a vault since new.

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That’s because it was… it was reportedly bought new and lived most of its life as part of the Brunei Royal Family’s personal car collection, according to Lorbek Luxury Cars of Melbourne.

The stunning Spider boasts a barely-believable odometer reading of just 1,223kms, and still wears its plastic over part of the interior.

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‘Like-new’ has never been so apt, and you can truly describe it as a ‘time-capsule’ car.

And it’s yours for $89,990.

Check out the car on our classifieds here!

 

Classic Australian Family Car Value Guide home page

Muscle Car Value Guide home page

Japanese Classic Car Value Guide home page

Recent auction results

Photography: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

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