Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Alfa Romeo Spider Series 4

Good day All,

Any current or previous owners of an Alfa Spider Series 4? I've been eyeing one from a far for the better part of 30 years and one has come up for sales that is pulling at my heart strings.

I've read they can be temperamental but at this age it would be expected. I've also read the interior bits are quite brittle etc.

I am hoping to get some insight on what they are like to live with from a fellow Morgan owners perspective.

Thanks !

P

I had one many years ago, an absolute joy to drive, stuck to the road like it was on rails and if you wound the revs up had very good performance. The engine sound at high revs is joy to the ears.

Downside was the build quality was indifferent and body rust could be a nightmare to keep under control. Very important to service the engine at the recommended intervals as they don't like tired oil.

Would I buy another one? If the price was right and it was in good condition I would love to have another one.

Thank you for the input!

It's a 1990 that I hope to view on Saturday. 37,000 miles, complete records of all service/mot etc and recently had extensive work on all major components, re-spray and new seat covers. While I'll reserve judgement until I see it in person, on paper and the pictures gives the impression it's a very well looked after and tidy example.

Would you say it's too similar to a Morgan? The idea isn't to replace but to complement my 4/4.

Thanks again

P

I'm also considering an Alfa Spider.

Given that they are prone to corrosion it would be good to see pictures of the car before it was painted.

If it's the car I think it is, it does look decent in the pictures. The seat trim doesn't look to have been carried out to the highest standard, more like self-fitted covers. Possibly something that could be improved by a professional trimmer.

The company does have some nice cars but I looked at a Daimler they had for sale some time ago and it was rather over-described.

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!

Thank you for the the detailed input Nick. Very much appreciated.

Hi MPH, is the the place in North Yorkshire by chance?

Yes, that's the place. To be clear I've only seen the Alfa in the advert, not in the flesh. I've been to the dealers for a browse on a couple of occasions and they did have some nice stuff in, mainly Americana.

The annual Classic car show in the village is well worth going to if you're not too far away.

It is a bit of a hike for me to get there but thanks for the tip. I thought it was a tad closer but I was wrong. 300 mile round trip, YIKES!

I had a series 3, a good car however not without problems. Gearboxes are weak check for jumping out of 3rd. Electrics can be a problem particularly the rear lights clusters. The seals to the Prop shaft from the diff tend to leak and are a specialist job to replace. I think most of these items are the same on the series 4.

Following the thread with interest