Highlight

• An honest example of the highly specified QV version of the Series 3 Spider
• The recipient of much work bringing it up to a reliable and useable standard
• A right-hand drive from new car, with conversion by approved firm Bell & Colville
  
  

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• The car was first registered in the UK in August 1988
• All Series 3 Spiders left the factory in left hand drive
• In the UK a small number of approved converters were appointed
• These were usually Alfa Romeo dealers, and this car was converted by Bell & Colville
• The car was used and enjoyed by eight previous owners up until 2011
• The current owner acquired the car then and continued to use it
• In 2018 he started a rolling program of improvements and repairs
• The aim was to bring it up to a good, usable and reliable standard
• This consisted of extensive mechanical work
• The car is now reported to run very well with no known mechanical issues
• The paperwork archive included the current V5 in the name of the owner
• The Spider holds an advisory free MOT valid until January 2024
• Other, earlier MOTs are on hand in hard copy
• Numerous, mainly Classic Alfa, invoices are included detailing parts sourced  
  
  

The Interior

• The QV version of the Spider came with a number of defining features
• These included bright red carpets, grey leather seats and new centre console
• This interior exhibits a great level of original charm seeming mostly complete
• The QV specific leather seats are in need of some attention
• The base of both seats have split and become unstitched
• The passenger seat appears to have some leather missing and deterioration to the foam
• Both seat backs, however, look to be in reasonably unmarked condition
• This offers the prospect of just having the bases reupholstered if required
• Alternatively, specialists like Alfaholics sell replacement seats
• The rest of the interior looks to be in good, overall shape
• The blood-red carpets are present and in seemingly good order
• The door cards are finished in black and present well
• The Series 3, instrument “monopod” is present with its full set of Jaeger Italia gauges
• These require some attention as there are reportedly a few inoperative function
• The oil pressure and fuel level gauge aren’t currently working
• The low oil pressure and low fuel level warning lights are working, however
• The odometer is also not currently working
• The wiper stalk has been snaped off with toggle switches fitted to operate the wiper functions
• The surprisingly large boot is also trimmed in the QV bright red carpet 
  
  

The Exterior

• This QV presents in its original Argento Silver livery, one of three available for the car
• This is a great colour for the QV and it looks well-presented overall
• On close inspection there are several minor blemished noted and photographed
• The large boot lid has become a little scratched and faded
• Some mismatching shades between panels are noted
• The owner states that he has allowed for this condition in his accepted sale price
• The Spider sits on its original “pepperpot” alloy wheels which have recently been repainted
• These are 15-inch items and in a good overall condition with Alfa Romeo centres
• A new black soft top from Monsoon is fitted  
• The nearside wing mirror head is missing but the base is present and straight
• The QV specific front and rear spoilers and side skirts are all present
• Light lenses and cabin glass all look original and in good condition
  
  

The Mechanics

• This QV specification left the mechanical configuration of the 2L Spider unchanged
• This means a 2L Twin-cam four-cylinder engine is fitted
• This was originally rated at around 125bhp and 131Ib-ft of torque
• A great deal of mechanical work has been undertaken by the current owner
• The highlights of this thorough work includes the following
• Engine top end rebuild including new head gasket and stem seals
• A rebuilt cooling system with new water pump, heater matrix and blower
• Clutch slave and master cylinders with hoses have been replaced
• Brakes have been rebuilt and refreshed
• Prop shafts rebuilt with new joints, bearings and mounts
• The front suspension has been rebuilt and the steering refreshed
• The ride height has been properly set, a rarely done job
• A full service has been done including filters and fluids
• The engine bay presents well and is highly original
• The underside is clean and straight with no holes or major corrosion
• This is a mechanically well sorted car with an advisory free MOT
• The owner reports it is a “very nice drive, no crunchy gearshifts, good power, no smoke”
  
  

Summary