Sweet 1987 Spider Graduate, recent major services, new top & tires, sun ready!

Spring is here and it's time to head down the road in this shiny, peppy 1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate! The classic Alfa Romeo Spider was introduced in 1966 and had several updates during its long life. In 1983 the exterior was updated with front and rear spoilers integrated into the classic Pininfarina design. Then in 1986 the interior was updated with fresh instruments and console. This model is called the Graduate, commemorating the classic movie in which Dustin Hoffman drove an Alfa Spider.

This particular car is in the desirable triple-black combination, which looks especially attractive with the rubber trim and spoilers on this Series III car. The top is new and is an expensive and attractive cloth version with a clear rear window. Alfa tops are a breeze to put up and down. The tires are also new, Pirellis P4s with about 1,500 miles on them. The wheels, including the spare, are upgraded five-spoke alloy wheels, which were the higher-line Veloce spec in 1987.

This car has been owned for several years by a terrific factory-trained Alfa mechanic who has worked on my cars for the past 20 years. As his winter project he rebuilt the engine, and rebuilt the transmission, which shifts smoothly and has no synchro problems. He also put in both new fuel pumps and front brake calipers and pads. A lot of fresh value has been invested in this car.

The car's exterior looks great and is very straight and rust-free. Look at the reflections on the hood! The interior is in good shape for the age, with a little fading on the seats and light wear – the patina that reminds one it’s a true vintage sports car. The dashboards of these cars are vinyl on top of metal and thus built to crack, and this one has only a little cracking, reflecting that it has been a garaged vehicle.
While you are driving you'll enjoy the modern CD stereo with rear speakers added. A/C was not standard on the Graduate model; this car once had it, but it has been removed. It could be re-added but the nature of the Spider minimizes its value.

This 1987 Spider Graduate is in very attractive condition and is suitable for daily or occasional use. I've owned a number of Spiders from this era and can vouch that a car like this, with work recently done, will be as easy to live with as it is affordable. There are excellent on-line sources for parts of every kind, and valuable support from the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (AROC-USA). Spiders can get 30 MPG highway and in the mid-20s around town. There are precious few cars that have this much style and offer this kind of fun that you can still buy for under $10,000. And with Alfa Romeo back in the U.S.A. now and dealers nationwide, interest in the marque is surging and prices won’t stay affordable forever. (Remember 20 years ago when you could buy a 1967 Alfa Spider for $5,000? That will be five times that now please, and the driving experience is quite similar to this ‘80s Spider.. other than the newer cars being much better rust-proofed and more reliable.)

Thank you for looking at this auction. The car has a clear Maryland title. It is currently at my house in Alexandria, VA, where you are welcome to come see it and take a test drive. Delivery may be possible to certain locations. I am near three major airports (BWI, IAD and DCA) if you wish to fly here and drive home (the car is ready for a road trip!) If you send a shipper I am glad to meet them and ensure the car goes off in good order. I welcome any questions you may have.


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