1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

2 liter

Manual

Zarbb32n4m6004753

Clear

Gasoline

LOW RESERVE 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. Nero Black on tan leather. Clean Carfax and Auto Check. 112K documented miles. 5-speed manual. Mostly Southern car. Original window sticker and tookit included. Brand new Bridgestone Potenza Hi-Performance tires. Full rare Veloce tan factory boot cover. Clean title, in hand. This is a classic, coach built Pininfarina car, coupled with the classic Alfa drivetrain. This is the last series of the Spider, and arguably the prettiest and most refined, while also the most powerful. You will not fail to be noticed in this car – and expect to enjoy many spirited drives down your favorite twisty road with the wind in your hair, and the song of the Italian engine in your ears. I am a private seller. For the sake of a no-risk, full disclosure sale, I will exhaustively itemize every aspect of this car – even if it means I lose money. I welcome viewings, phone calls, and pre-purchase inspections before the close of the auction. Please read and re-read carefully: EXTERIOR: Condition is very good cosmetically, a solid 8 out of 10. Paint has a deep gloss and lustrous shine, and the body is straight and true. Absolutely no accidents, no dents or damage. There are a few door dings, a few light surface scratches here and there. While the paint is excellent, there is some clear coat fading on the upper portion of the hood, confined to a 6x6 inch area. There’s also the expected rock chips and touch ups on the nose of the car, and a few minor touch ups elsewhere on the car. There was a repair to a ½”x ½“ corrosion spot beneath the driver’s side tail light, and a tiny spot on the panel below the windshield wipers. Both were minor, and were ground down with minimal effort with a Dremel, treated, and painted. I’ve seen these on every Spider I’ve owned, and I don’t know why corrosion appears there (the latter panel can be removed and replaced with another panel if desired, although I suspect it too will have a tiny rust spot in that exact location!). Overall, these are very minor details and aren’t indicative of salt or dampness, nor do they detract from the overall appearance of the car, which is quite stunning. The appearance of the car reveals that it has been garaged for most of its life (as it has always been in my possession). First you will notice the rear taillights are a bright white, not your typical dull yellow you commonly see on S4 Spiders, which is the tell tale evidence of rain and sun damage. Nothing makes a Spider look old than ugly yellow lenses. It is really very, very rare to see lenses this white – and trust me, nothing can make old yellow Carello lenses look new again. I’ve tried. Replacements are no longer available, and are not needed here - these are sparkling white. The canvas top looks good outside, and is a dark black and unfaded. The rear window is clear but does have a few rubs and minor scratches. Inside, the top looks a bit tired (faded and worn with some sealant and glue patches). I don’t know how to explain the discrepancy between the fantastic outer appearance and the tired inner appearance. I’d chalk it up to poor materials on the inside. However, the top is leak free and fully functional. As mentioned, the rare full boot cover is included, which is in near mint condition, and barely even looks used. The chrome door handles show tiny pitting. The car has all of its original Alfa Romeo branded glass all around. The front windshield has a small ½“ x ½ “ star crack, right behind the rear view mirror. This must’ve just happened. I’ve had it repaired for now, and will call my insurance company to have it professionally repaired or replaced. It may have been there for years and I’d never noticed it, truly. It’s small, and you can’t see it when driving. If the windshield company can’t replace it, I have another Spider with a windshield with no blemishes. Of course, if the buyer wants the original glass, that’s fine too. INTERIOR: The interior of the car really shines, a solid 9 out of 10. New floor mats. New IAP leather shift knob and IAP leather shift boot. The power windows run fast and smooth, as do the power mirrors. Detachable face Pioneer CD player and speakers of recent vintage, new Dorman power antenna. It is gorgeous inside, with deep tan leather seats. Newer all leather and suede seat upholstery, with leather sides (so no uneven fading to be expected, as per the original leather/vinyl seats). There are no tears in the leather, although the driver’s seat shows some minor wear on the suede. The vinyl door cards and paneling show none of your uneven typical sun fading. There is a 3 inch long crack on top portion of dash, right between the defrost vents. Someone screwed the passenger side door panel in incorrectly at one time, but the screw holes have since been concealed. There is a small blemish on the driver’s side knee bolster, where the knee rests. The carpet itself is perfect. Did I mention it smells good too? Leather and just Alfa’ness. Also, I went through the fuel evaporator system, so there is no “gas in the cockpit” smell that plagues these Spiders. MECHANICAL: This is the important stuff, and the potentially expensive stuff. It’s a solid 9 out of 10 in this department as well. The engine starts right up when cold (and even when it’s been weeks since last started), idles runs and drives strong and smooth with absolutely no issues. Engine runs quiet, pulls hard through all gears. Regular oil changes, valve adjustment and head torque. The head gasket, a relatively common issue with Spiders, is perfect – ie, no cross contamination of coolant or oil. Overall, there are some very minor oil leaks (weeping might be more accurate), common to all aluminum engine blocks, and Alfa’s in general. The engine doesn’t burn oil, or smoke on acceleration or deceleration. I typically have to add a quart between oil changes, and I attribute this to the leaking while driving on hot days. The exhaust system looks recent, and Auto Check shows the car has recently passed emission. The exhaust could be secured a bit better than stock, as it does hit the car’s underside on big bumps at speed. The engine also recently had new motor mounts installed, a full tune up, oil change, fresh fuel/air filters, fresh coolant, new hoses and belts where needed. Car runs at 185, and has a fresh thermostat too. I have receipts for all the parts. The transmission is flawless. No typical 2nd gear transmission crunch, and all gears work perfectly and smoothly. I suspect it has been refreshed at some point, as Alfa’s can exhibit 2nd gear crunch at 25K miles, and this one has no perceptible issues at 112K miles. I have no records to verify that hypothesis, but I don’t know how else to explain it. The transmission recently had its fluid replaced with the specified Shell Spirax, and a new transmission mount. Driveline exhibits no noises, grumbles. Rear differential has also had a recent fluid change with Spirax as well. Both the transmission and differential have a bit of oil on them, although I would not call them leaks, but weeping. The clutch pedal operates effortlessly, thanks to a new clutch master cylinder, hose and slave. The clutch plate itself is great, and doesn’t chatter or slip. It engages properly, at a high level on the pedal, indicative of a clutch plate with no wear. Don’t let the higher mileage fool you – this car can do at least another 50K miles before any sort of engine work, and frankly, if this is a weekend car for you – that might be 25 years from now! ELECTRICAL: As far as the electrical system, every single electrical ground in the car has been cleaned, from engine to trunk. Air Bag unit has been tested, and is functioning correctly with no codes or lights flashing. Fuse box has been gone through, all fuses replaced. Every single little tiny hidden lightbulb, footwell light works. With the exception of the glovebox light, which is removed (there was a recall on these in the early 90’s due to fires, so I just removed it). The tachometer is currently not functioning. I’ve tested the wiring, and it is getting signal. The tachometer has not been opened or molested. Palo Alto Speedometer Repair can repair it for a small fee, and removal and installation is a breeze. I’ve just not had time to get to it, unfortunately. The heating system and blower work 100%. Smell your shoe leather cooking, hot heat. The AC system is intact, and all blowers and switches work, including the switch for the AC compressor. The system likely needs a recharge. Since I drive the car with the top down on the weekends, this is not something I looked into, other than to verify the system is complete, including wiring to the compressor, which spins freely and quietly. There is a product called Freeze12, available cheaply on eBay, which replaces R12. Buy a can of that and that may be all it needs, but I can’t say for sure. I will include a new receiver/dryer (a $45 part) with the sale, to make sure you are on your way to cold, fresh smelling AC, should you desire it. UNDERSIDE: The last Series Spiders had galvanized sheet metal, so rust is not a major concern like it was on early Spiders which used cheap Russian steel, to the best of my knowledge. That said, there is no appreciable rust on the underside of the car. I’ve not had it on a lift to inspect every inch and corner, but it appears there’s no issues in this department, thanks to living below the Mason-Dixon most of its life. The undercoating is all intact. There’s a tiny bit of surface rust on one of the trailing arms. And there is a bit of surface rust near the jack points, which could be dealt with a small wire brish. No rust holes or perforation anywhere. That said, there is a patch in the rear spare tire well. The old power antenna must’ve been leaking down into there, so I replaced the antenna and cut out a 4x2 inch patch in the well, and replaced it. This is a common enough Alfa issue, that complete spare tire wells are available on the aftermarket. This car definitely did not need that. A full recent Pirelli P4 spare tire, with original rim, lives there happily. OVERALL: All in all this is a very clean and meticulously sorted Alfa Spider that will make a very reliable driver for the enthusiast who will enjoy putting guilt free miles on it. While it’s not a show piece, it’s a realistic example of a 22 year old, babied car. I’ve had fun with it, but it’s time to move on. There’s at least $5000 worth of services done to this car, that will need to be done to any Alfa you buy, regardless of mileage. I am an honest seller and an Alfa guy – I'm selling because I stumbled upon a project Alfa and need to get make room, and pay off my nagging grad student loans. This Spider truly needs nothing to drive across country. If you’d like to talk on the phone, or arrange a viewing or PPO, please send me a message through Ebay. Car is located in Charleston, South Carolina. Drive it home, or have it shipped. Car will remain garaged and insured until pick up. Title is clean, in hand. Comes with 2 sets of keys (originals and spares), complete original toolkit in bag, Alfa booklet with partial records. I have described the car above and beyond the typical eBay ad, and to the best of my knowledge and abilities. More pics available upon request. LOW RESERVE. PLEASE READ: I know buying a car from a distance is nerve wracking. I know that you don’t know me, or who I am (although I hope it’s clear that I’ve been as fastidious with the maintenance and appearance of this Alfa as I have been with this description). Let me say that I am happy to answer any questions you have. I’m more than happy to assist with a pre-purchase inspection before the auction sale of the car, not after the auction ends. If you are local, come view the car before making your bid, not after. “0” Feedback bidders, or those with no transactions, must contact me before making a bid, or I may cancel your bid, due to some who do not respect eBay policies. This car is available for sale only in the lower 48 states of the USA, and Canada. There will be no renegotiations upon picking up the car. If you have questions, please contact me before the auction ends. This car has been relisted due to a local 0 feedback bidder who had no intention of purchasing the car. He gave me negative feedback anyway, my first in 15 years on eBay – and he didn’t even pay the deposit. So please ignore his comments, as eBay will be removing them as he clearly violated their policies.