The Alfa Romeo Spider had a long background in the U.S. It initially went on sale as a 1967 version called Duetto. It was relatively typical for a two-seat convertible sports car in its day with low bodywork, a four-cylinder engine, Weber carburetors, hand-operated transmission, folding top, as well as a real-time back axle. For this Cheap Wheels, we pick it up better downstream, in 1983, when Alfa facelifted the already long-running Pininfarina-designed automobile. Already it was called Spider Veloce, and also these Alfas are sometimes described as Series 3 Spiders.
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1983-1990 Alfa Romeo Spider
In advance there was a new black-plastic bumper assembly that likewise consisted of an extra prominent grille. At the back, a dark-plastic “ducktail” looter was included. We assume the spoiler resembles the system on a 1979-1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am; whether it enhanced look continues to be arguable. However we think the magnesium Campagnolo “Daytona” wheels were, and also are, good-looking.
The engine remained the 2.0-liter dohc unit that arrived back in 1972. Gradually it was updated, and also tweaks included variable valve timing in 1980 and also Bosch L-Jetronic gas shot in 1982. By ’82 the four was good for 115 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque.
In 1985, Alfa-Romeo included a less expensive Spider version with much less devices, the Graduate. The name certainly referenced the 1967 movie The Graduate that starred Dustin Hoffman and his character’s ’67 Duetto.
More modifications showed up for 1986. A top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio version was new, valued from $19,600. It included “wind resistant” lower-body skirts, natural leather interior, a detachable fiberglass hardtop, as well as cooling. It ran 15-inch alloy wheels wearing Pirelli P6 tires, while various other Spiders still rolled with 14s.
Quadrifoglio received a revised indoor shown the now-midgrade Veloce ($16,995). The seats and also console were new, in addition to a refurbished instrument cluster. A smaller-diameter leather-trimmed wheel changed the old hand-finished wood system, and the pedals were repositioned in a noticeable effort to enhance leg space. Customer Guide® suggested all interior upgrades were extended to the $13,995 Graduate; Road & & Track differed, reporting the Graduate carried on with the old seats.
R&T was happily surprised with its Quadrifoglio test automobile’s general fit and also finish, as well as amazed with the indoor modifications, however really did not like the add-on aero skirts. CG assumed body flex was excessive and also the interior was filled with squeaks. The four had not been as effective or fine-tuned as then-modern contemporaries, as well as the brakes were unsatisfactory.
For 1990, Consumer Guide® reported that– shades of the future– about 300 Chrysler-Plymouth dealers would begin offering the U.S.-spec Alfa Romeo Spider. It was little changed, however new electronic engine-control tools helped add 3 horsepower, bringing the total amount to 120. Prices varied from $16,950 for the Graduate to $23,950 for the Quadrifoglio. The editors recommended viewers interested in the Spider get a Mazda Miata instead.
That lengthy history we stated at the start had another chapter. Successive was a Series 4 car that would certainly take the Spider to its end in 1993.
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Pros:
– Handling was excellent, particularly with the 15-inch tires.
– From what we listen to, the exchangeable top was really simple to operate.
Cons:
– Almost every period testimonial points out an unpleasant driving setting with too-close pedals however a guiding wheel that needs too lengthy of a reach.
– Cheap-wheelers looking for an automatic transmission will not locate one in these Alfa Romeos.
Final Drive:
While numerous might suggest the first-generation Mazda Miata is a much better automobile by virtually any kind of action, the Alfa Romeo Spider’s wacky Italian mystique and designed-in-the-Sixties beauties produce unexpectedly exotic cheap wheels.
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1983-1990 Alfa Romeo Spider
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1983-1990 Alfa Romeo Spider