Single-Owner 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

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 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 

• Noteworthy repairs include: 

  • Item that occurred at 77,123 miles: 

    • Although the car had received required maintenance, one of the engine exhaust valves burned. This valve was repaired at the Alfa dealership and is described on the dealer’s original service receipt as “rebuild head, replace one exhaust valve, replace exhaust valve guides and replace bypass hose.”  

  • Items that occurred at 112,612 miles: 

    • Replace clutch slave cylinder, flush and bleed 

    • Replace clutch master cylinder 

    • Replace front rotors, front brake calipers and pads 

    • Replace rear brake calipers, pads. Re-surface rear rotors. 

    • Replaced four tires 

    • Secure muffler heat shield and replace rear exhaust hanger 

    • Repair and clean radiator, replace thermostat, new coolant 

    • Replace A/C drive belt and alternator belt 

    • Replace soft top and tensioning cables 

    • Remove, clean, prime and paint fuel tank 

    • Replace intake boot and airflow meter hose 

    • Replace intake runner boots 

    • Replace primary fuel pump, filter, fuel lines and clamps. 

    • Replace supply, vent and return lines related to fuel tank 

    • Replace in-tank fuel pump, float assembly 

    • Replace fuel pump run relay 

    • Cleaned fuel injectors 

    • Replace four spark plugs 

    • Replace right, left engine mounts and transmission mount 

  • Items that occurred since 112,612 miles: 

    • Replace two Italian electric horns 

    • Replace brake master cylinder 

    • Front and rear alignment 

    • Replace distributor assembly 

    • Replace clutch  

    • Replace left rear wheel bearing 

    • Replace in-tank fuel pump, sender, and intake filter 

    • Replace ignition switch 

    • Added gas struts to keep trunk lid open 

    • Replace side view mirrors mounting gaskets 

    • Replace broken 25 tooth gear on odometer 

    • Replace all bulbs within driver’s instrument cluster 

    • Replace holder assembly for the three lights over the rear license plate 

    • Replace four tires 

    • Repair door and trunk gaskets 

    • Repair interior upholstery 

Known Imperfections 

• Odometer was replaced

• Minor dents and scratches in the original paint 

• Original exterior emblems and badges are somewhat deteriorated 

• Three small chips in windshield 

• Noticeable stain on the console heater controls placard  

• The day/night lever on interior rear-view mirror is inoperative  

• Turn signal indicator light in driver’s instrument cluster does not work though the turn indicators work 

• Minor surface rust on the gray painted steel rims 

• Cigarette lighter device is not usable; the lighter port is now used for phone charger 

Included 

• Keys 

• Owner’s manual 

• Workshop Manual 

• Assorted parts 

• Most service and maintenance receipts 

 Ownership History 

This 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate was offered on Hagerty Marketplace April 2025. You can view the previous listing here. While the auction was running the consignor noticed the odometer was not working; the consignor has since repaired the odometer which now shows 115,289 miles. The consignor reports, “Just recently I discovered the vehicle’s odometer had stopped working. The odometer is now repaired and functioning; however, it does not show the vehicle’s actual mileage. I estimate that 5,000 miles are unregistered. The evidence is in the tire tread depth. The new tires, installed at 112,612 miles had 11/32-inch tread depth, as per Michelin new tire specifications. These same tires currently have 10/32-inch tread depth. Only 1/32-inch of tread has been worn. This is a reliable indication that the car has not been driven extensively. Despite there being plenty of tread left, the tires have now been replaced because they are over 10 years old.” Documentation for the repairs are included. 

The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report places this single owner 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate in Arkansas. 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 the Alfa Romeo dealership, Little Rock, Arkansas. Driven as a work commuter car for the first ten years and, roughly, 112,000 miles. The vehicle was covered with a fitted cover and positioned, in the dry, below my residence’s 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. The last 18 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 on an as-needed basis. No customization work. 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.”