The Alfa Romeo name has been synonymous with devil-may-care toplessness since before Dustin Hoffman started eyeing up Mrs Robinson, with sylph-like Spiders effortlessly complementing free-and-easy lifestyles from the moment the Duetto slunk onto the scene back in 1966. The arachnid name has endured, sticking with the original Spider from ’66-’93, then being applied to the entirely different GTV-based convertible of the nineties and early-noughties, and then again to this – yet another entirely different car that’s badged ‘Alfa Romeo Spider’.

This Type-939 Spider, lovingly crafted by Pininfarina from 2006-10, was offered with a variety of engines, from the 1,750cc four-pots to the JTDM oil-burners, and the full-fat 3.2-litre V6. This example sports the latter, and it’s a fabulously big-hearted accompaniment to an elegant and beautifully crafted roadster. Owned by an Alfa Romeo enthusiast (with more than a few other Alfas in his collection), this is a very well presented example with a good history, that’s ready to enjoy. It’s a car that chills you out, while spurring you on to eat up endless miles. Just as an Alfa Spider should.

 

As we’ve come to expect from modern-era Alfas, slipping into the interior is like descending into a posh Turin furniture boutique, it’s all sumptuously-trimmed leather and effortless elegance. There’s plenty of room for your elbows, the wind deflectors work well, the controls are logically laid out – it’s just a really nice place to be.

The seats are in very good order with no undue wear, and they tilt forward correctly to allow access to the storage cubbies behind. The car is equipped with the optional Bose audio, and all of the switchgear and screens appear to be in correct working order. There are no warning lights illuminated on the dash. The electric windows raise and lower correctly (one has recently had a switch replaced).

The carpets are tidy, and the soft-top is in very good condition: it’s a neat hood with no holes or wear and good window glass, and fully functional motors so it raises and lowers on the button. A new set of gas struts for the tonneau will also be included in the sale.

It’s pleasing to note that the Spider’s exterior styling works so cohesively up close. Its hatchback Brera stablemate was such a well-resolved and charming piece of design that it was always going to be a risk scything off the roof and buttering on a Kardashian-esque booty implant, but the proportions of the Spider really are spot-on – quite simply there isn’t a bad angle on it, it looks pretty wherever you’re standing. This is in large part thanks to the keenly considered nature of the design: it’s all about the power of three. There are three headlights either side, neatly matched by the three side-by-side air vents in the dash, the three gauges that angle like sunflowers toward the driver, and the three circles peeping out from each tail-light cluster.

The paintwork is in very good order throughout, with a small scuff on the rear bumper (between the parking sensors on the driver’s side) being the only notable blemish. The light lenses and window glass are all good, the correct badging and trim is all present and correct, and the car wears a pretty set of 18” multispoke alloy wheels – they have no kerbing damage and are fitted with tyres that have plenty of tread.

Slot the key into the dash, thumb the starter and… woof! The V6 immediately marks its presence by rumbling at you with low-down guttural intent. It’s not an extravagant noise, simply a signal that you’re definitely not in a diesel. Which is just what you’d hope for, a bit of fireworks. The Q4 all-wheel-drive system is very smart too – generally about 60% rear-biased, it can shuffle up to 80% of the power to either axle as required, which imbues the handling with a certain limpet-like quality.

This is a car which has evidently been looked after by its former keepers (of which there haven’t been many at all), and the fully stamped service book backs this up. We can see from the records that it was last serviced in 2020 so the new keeper will want to put that on the to-do list (although it’s necessitated by years rather than mileage, as it’s only covered around 5,000 miles since then).
As you’d imagine, this Alfa drives beautifully. The ride is supple, the gearbox is slick and precise, the brakes are strong, and there are no undue rattles, knocks or squeaks. A nice tight car that feels a lot younger than it is.

Convertibles are designed to be fun, the act of driving making you feel like a winner and adding a little sparkle to every journey in your day-to-day life. And when you sprinkle that sparkle over a fresh platter of fabulous design, stir in some gloriously refined handling, and bake the recipe to perfection, you end up with a car that’s fast enough to be entertaining, comfy enough to stride across continents, and pretty enough to have you turning back for one last look every time you refuel or put it to bed. The Alfa Spider ticks every box with a sumptuous flourish, and this delightful example is sure to furnish its new owner with endless and unassailable pleasure.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.

UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.