Highlights
- Very rare 105.58 RHD European Series 1 car
- Restored by model specialists in Rosso Corsa
- Engine and gearbox both rebuilt
- Recently serviced by Ian Ellis
- Huge history file dating back to 1993
- Well kept ‘boat tail’ with rare factory hard top
The Appeal
It is hard to believe now, but contemporary buyers didn’t take to Alfa Romeo’s original ‘boat tail’ Spider. As the name suggests, the styling was influenced by the gorgeous ‘Riva’ cruisers that took sun- and style-seekers up and down the Italian Lakes and Rivieras.
Today, of course, the story is very different. Any 105 Spider is a visual treat but it is the early ones, like this lovely Rosso Corsa example, that are in highest demand. Even a cursory glance at it reveals why. This was the last car that Battista Pininfarina worked on, something you can sense from the delicate detailing and carefully proportioned lines.
This example is the one you want, a sweet-revving 1750cc Veloce with twin carburettors pushing power to 115bhp. The appeal is further dialled up because this is one of the ultra rare ‘105.58’ cars. That nomenclature denotes a factory European-market RHD Spider, of which only 601 were built (some sources quote 633). It was one of the last of these built (car number 538) and amongst the final ‘Series 1’ boat-tails, first registered in 1970.
The UK history file dates back to 1993 and is extensive. The car was comprehensively restored by specialist Chris Sweetapple of Highwood Motor Company between 1993 and 1996. In subsequent years it has received a full engine rebuild by Royston Engineering, gearbox rebuild by Ian Ellis and further work to the headgasket and camshafts by Andrew Thoroughgood Restorations. It has been regularly but sparingly used since this work was completed.
The condition reflects the enthusiasm of its handful of owners since 1993. It comes to market with a recent full service and check over by Ian Ellis and the sale included an exceptionally rare factory hard top. This is a very good example of one of Alfa Romeo’s most desirable convertibles.
The History and Paperwork
- Factory built in late 1969
- First registered 1970
- 105.58 European market, factory-built RHD car
- Factory chassis plates confirm VIN number and 105.58 car type
- Chassis prefix ‘147’ confirms this as a 105.58 European market RHD factory car
- 147 prefix cars are reported to have been built between chassis number 0001 and 0601
- This is car number 538 of that run
- Other records indicate 633 105.58 cars built rather than 600
- Reported to have been an original UK market RHD car but we cannot confirm this
- DVLA records show first UK registration on 9th December 1970
- Four registered keepers since 1993
- Current keeper since October 2013
- MOT records show 20,000 miles covered since 1993
- Regularly but sparingly used by current keeper, averaging 1,000 miles/year
- Thick history file of invoices, receipts, MOTs, magazine articles and copies
- Regular and significant maintenance with highlights summarised below
- Restored between 1993 and 1996 by Alfa specialist Chris Sweetapple of Highwood Motor Company
- Originally factory-painted Celeste Blue and changed to Rosso Corsa when restored
- Still registered as blue with DVLA which the buyer may wish to change
- Historic Vehicle that is MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
- Last MOT to 25th May 2018 with no advisories and 18,711 miles showing on test
- Now showing 19,232 miles
Notable maintenance:
- Restored between 1993 and 1996 by Highwood Motor Company
- This work included new panels and sills and respray in Rosso Corsa
- Engine refurbished by Royston Engineering at the same time
- Engine work in 2003 and 2005 by Andrew Thoroughgood Restorations
- This work included camshafts and camshaft buckets
- Head gasket replaced in 2012
- Gearbox rebuilt by Ian Ellis in 2016
- Boot lid repainted in 2023
- Full service by Ian Ellis in July 2023 summarised below
Full service by Ian Ellis at 19,175 miles in July 2023:
- New battery
- Oil and filter change
- Spark plugs replaced
- Points replaced
- New rotor arm
- Condensor and cap renewed
- Brake fluid replaced
- Coolant flushed and replaced
The Condition
- Refinished in Rosso Corsa to a high standard by model specialist in 1993
- Careful subsequent use means the car continues to present to a high standard
- Due to the passage of time and use, there are some minor marks and deterioration to note
- These can be viewed in photographs and include stone chips
- There is also a small area of bubbling to nearside sill
- Boot lid repainted in 2023 with paint match finish to a good standard
- Sits on factory 14in steel wheels with chrome hub caps, all well-kept following 2012 refurbishment
- Fitted with quality Vredestein tyres all round
- Black fabric roof in good condition being generally well kept with a deep colour finish
- Very rare factory hard top with black vinyl trim and generally well-kept condition
- 3/4 inches of the stitching has come away from the vertical seam in to the rear of the driver’s door - it is not significant and doesn’t affect function
- Smart black interior in very good order and appears unmodified and older restoration
- Dashboard in good order with correct body colour trim fillet
- Wooden steering wheel and period radio fitted
- Vendor advises that the period radio does not work and the aerial is stuck in place
- We are told there is a small slit in the roof tonneau to accommodate the seatbelt
- Underside presents well in photographs
The Mechanics
- Top specification 1,779cc ‘1750’ Veloce twin cam 115bhp engine
- Twin carburettors
- 5 spd manual gearbox
- Recent full service and checkover by Ian Ellis
- Details of this work are provided above
- Engine and gearbox rebuilt since 1993 by specialists
- Thick history file with highlights shown in photographs
- Vendor reports that the left-hand indicator does not self-cancel
- No known other faults or issues to report
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