Single-Owner 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate

Description

The automobiles of Italian design house Pininfarina are known for displaying a certain timelessness, and the Alfa Romeo Spider certainly carried on that tradition.   Officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966 as simply the Alfa Romeo Spider 1600, the open two-seater would undergo numerous changes over its nearly 30 years in production while retaining its original charm. By 1986, the Spider had undergone several updates, but it retained its distinctive Pininfarina-designed body. The Graduate model was part of the Series 3 Spider, which was produced from 1982 to 1989. The Series 3 brought further aesthetic tweaks, including rubber bumpers, a new rear spoiler, and Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, among other refinements. This series featured Alfa Romeo’s famed 2.0-liter DOHC inline-four engine, producing 115 horsepower, driving a five-speed manual transmission. The Graduate model, named after its appearance in the 1967 film “The Graduate,” starring Dustin Hoffman, was a nod to the car’s cultural significance.    The Graduate’s charm lay in its timeless design, responsive handling, and the pure joy of open-top driving. Of the 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Britain’s MotorSport magazine noted, “For summer days the Alfa Spider remains one of the most attractive convertibles on the market.”     Highlights 

• Single owner 1986 Spider Graduate 

• Finished in Rosso Alfa over a Black vinyl interior   

• Black canvas soft top  

• Powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine rated at 115 hp   

• Five-speed manual transmission 

• Factory air conditioning 

• Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report 

Features 

• Recent maintenance includes:  

  • Clutch 

  • Left rear wheel bearing  

  • Ignition switch 

  • In-tank fuel pump with filter 

Known Imperfections 

• A few minor dents and scratches in the original paint 

• Original exterior emblems and badges are somewhat deteriorated 

• Door and trunk gaskets need replacement  

• Trunk lid does not stay open 

• Two minor chips in windshield 

• Driver’s seat is ripped 

• Noticeable stain on the console heater controls placard  

• The interior rear-view mirror is in poor condition  

• Turn signal indicator light in driver’s console does not work   

• Side view mirrors mounting gaskets need replacement 

• Minor surface rust on the gray painted steel rims 

Included 

• Keys 

• Owner’s manual 

• Workshop Manual 

• Assorted spare parts 

• Service and maintenance receipts 

 Ownership History 

The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report places this single owner 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate in Arkansas. It currently shows 115,266 original miles. 

The consignor states, “I am the one and only owner. Except when parked outdoors at my work, the vehicle was in a garage or in the dry since purchase. Purchased from Alfa Romeo dealership, Little Rock, Arkansas. Driven as a work commuter car for the first ten years and, roughly, 112,000 miles. One of the engine exhaust valves burned at about 80,000 miles and was repaired at the Alfa Romeo dealership. At 112,000 miles the vehicle was covered with a tarp and positioned, in the dry, below an elevated porch. Stayed there for around ten years. I eventually towed the car to a local foreign car service garage for significant repairs to make it road ready. This includes replacing the brake pads, rotors, clutch cylinder, tires, soft top, radiator hoses, thermostat, engine mounts and transmission mounts. The fuel tank was removed and cleaned. The last twenty years, or so, the car has been used only on occasion. Over the life of the car, parts and components have been repaired or replaced only on an as-needed basis. No customization upgrades, all stock. No frame or sheet metal body rust that I know of. I expect this is due to the car never leaving the State of Arkansas where snow and salt are at a minimum.”