LHD or RHD? Spider Series 4s were only imported in LHD - but lots were converted - by a number of outfits. Seaking Automotive in Tilbury did a lot of them, and was an offshoot of the official UK importer, so they were done pretty much as well as they could be (usually upon importation, either requested by the dealer or for a customer sold order). You can usually tell a Seaking conversion - I think they used to rivet on an official conversion plate under the bonnet, and the giveaway is a dab of coloured paint on
every fastener under the bonnet which had been disturbed and re-fastened. I had a new Spider converted by a firm in Fordingbridge, New Forest (because Seaking has ceased offering the conversion by then). They did a very tidy job - but to be honest - I hated it. The driving position was a horrible compromise, with quite bad wheelarch intrusion, and the usual "Italian gorilla" steering wheel-to-pedal compromise made worse by the pedal offset. I sold the car pretty much right away, wishing I'd never bothered having it converted. I was relieved to see it go!
I was an Alfa dealer at that time, so can vouch for (as ever with an Alfa) a lovely, willing and raspy engine, with
everything else a bit of a compromise. Reckon a nice LHD (if such an example exists now) would be a lovely thing for sunny days and gentle "dolce vita" style driving. They do look lovely - unlike the ghastly Series 3's. But rust will usually have had its way by now - unless you've found an exceptional one - and bodge repairs, disguised by layers of underseal, are common. The value hasn't been high enough for anyone to spend the money to restore a poor one properly. And don't expect tight, Morgan-style handling. Just be happy to "waft" along and I'm sure you'll be fine!
