Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider S4

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Launched in 1966 with Alfa’s wonderful twin-cam 1,600cc engine, the Pininfarina-styled Giulia Sprint Spider was destined for greatness from the outset, its success being hastened when it shot to fame in the 1967 film ‘The Graduate’ starring Dustin Hoffman.

The original 'boat-tail' design of the Duetto was dropped in 1970 in favour of a more aerodynamically efficient Kamm tail which also greatly improved luggage space. The underpinnings were effectively the same as the superb Giulia saloon, so beloved of the Italian Carabinieri, comprising independent front suspension, coil-suspended live rear axle, servo-assisted disc brakes all round and the most communicative steering you could ever wish to experience.

More engines were added to the list of options, the most powerful being the torquey 132bhp 2-litre unit found in the Spider Veloce, giving it a top speed of 119mph and a 0-60mph time of less than 10 seconds. “It is difficult to put into words the sheer charm of this open sports Alfa Romeo,” wrote John Bolster in an Autocar road test. “It is the kind of car that even an experienced test driver will take out for the sheer fun of handling it… yet it is just as easy to drive as the most unexciting family hack.”

The model continued in production for over 27 years with only detail changes to the original Pininfarina design before production finally ceased in 1993.

The S4 was the last and most refined of all Spiders and was only available from the factory in left-hand drive. In production from 1990 until 1993, it got better brakes, suspension, steering, a LSD and wider tyres than its S3 predecessor, the new fuel injected engine delivering greater refinement, increased fuel economy and lower emissions.

All factory supplied cars sold in the UK were converted from LHD to RHD through an approved conversion undertaken by the firm ‘Sea King’ who were part of the TKM group, the official Alfa Romeo importers at the time. The conversion was checked and approved by head office in Milan, the cars being sold with the usual Alfa Romeo warranty through the UK dealer network.

This Alfa Romeo GB supplied S4 is finished in Rosso with tan leather and comes with its original body colour hardtop and Mohair hood. Sold through RH Breeze & Son in Staffordshire, it was first registered in August 1990 and has had four owners from new.

Great efforts have been made to establish whether the mileage can be warranted, but unfortunately there are some gaps early in the car’s service history so it is not possible to do so. It should be noted that in August 2003 the speedometer was replaced with a new unit which indicates speed in mph but the odometer reads in kilometres, the mileages combining to approximately 40,000 miles from new.

Annual servicing has been carried out by Alfa Romeo specialists WA Dicks of Wolverhampton since 2011, the most recent taking place in April 2015. The history file contains 13 old MOTs, its current test expiring in August 2016.

Remaining in super, original condition, it retains the original dealer stickers, dealer branded number plates and Alfa Romeo book-pack. The correct Blaupunkt Granada radio cassette is still in place as is the original ‘Alfa Romeo soft cloth’ which was provided to ensure damage-free stowage of the hood. An original brochure and factory workshop manual are also included in the sale.

Smart, original and correct, this late model Spider was fitted with a set of four new Pirelli Cinturatos prior to making a trouble-free 3,000 mile touring trip to Northern Italy in May of last year. It is now looking for a new owner to take it away on its next adventure.