40 classics found
€12,900
-14.1%
117
High
Alfa Romeo Spider 916
The Alfa Romeo Spider is one of the great endurance stories in automotive design. When Pininfarina's Battista Farina penned the original Duetto in 1966, he created a shape so right - so perfectly proportioned, so timelessly elegant - that Alfa Romeo kept it in production for 27 consecutive years, across four series, without ever fundamentally altering the design. That is not a car. That is a testament.
The Spider's cultural reach extends far beyond Italy. Its appearance in Mike Nichols' "The Graduate" (1967) - Dustin Hoffman driving a red Duetto through the California sunshine - cemented the car in global popular culture. But for European collectors, the Spider's significance is more personal. It was the car that young Italian architects drove along the Costiera Amalfitana. The car that British enthusiasts imported through the Dover-Calais ferry as a more soulful alternative to the MGB. The car that proved you did not need a Ferrari badge to experience the joy of Italian open-air motoring.
The Duetto (Series 1, 1966–1969) is the original and the most valuable. Named through an Alfa Romeo public competition (the winning entry, submitted by a Brescia engineering student, beat 140,000 others), the Duetto's distinctive boat-tail rear end is the most recognisable feature in the Spider's lineage. Engines: 1.6-litre twin-cam (1600 Duetto) and later 1.75-litre (1750 Spider Veloce). Values: €40,000–70,000+ for well-preserved examples, with exceptional cars exceeding €80,000. Only around 6,400 true Duettos were produced, underpinning the premium.
The Series 2 "Coda Tronca" or "Kamm tail" (1970–1982) replaced the boat-tail with a chopped-off rear end - more aerodynamically efficient, and preferred by many enthusiasts for its cleaner proportions. Available with 1.3, 1.6, 1.75, and 2.0-litre engines, the Series 2 spans a wide range of specifications. The 2000 Veloce is the driver's
The Duetto (Series 1) ranges from €40,000–70,000+ for well-preserved examples. The Series 2 'Kamm tail' ranges from €18,000–35,000. Series 3 models sit at €15,000–25,000. The Series 4 is the most affordable at €12,000–20,000. Condition, originality, and rust history are the primary value determinants.
Yes. Rust is the single most important factor when assessing any Alfa Romeo Spider. Sills, floors, A-pillars, jacking points, and the area around the rear spring mounts are the critical inspection areas. A car that looks presentable externally may have structural rust underneath. Always inspect on a ramp.
The Duetto (Series 1) is the most collectible and valuable. The Series 2 offers the best balance of driving quality, aesthetics, and value - particularly the 2000 Veloce. The Series 3 is the most practical for everyday use (fuel injection, improved starting). The Series 4 is the best value entry point.
The twin-cam engine is fundamentally strong and will deliver high mileage with proper maintenance. It uses a timing chain rather than a belt, reducing a common failure point. The main reliability concern is not mechanical but structural: rust can compromise the bodyshell if not addressed. A well-maintained Spider with sound bodywork is a reliable and rewarding car.
