Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 Veloce Coda Tronca
Alfa Romeo Spider, the very embodiment of la dolce vita.
The Alfa Romeo Spider in its classic form stood, from 1966 to 1993, as the symbol of the perfect Italian roadster. A car that is simple in concept, yet all the more pleasant and pure to drive because of it. One of the most endearing cars of its generation.
I believe that in the world of cars there are genuine myths. Images and ideas that prove themselves time and again. Every car has its own character. Sometimes those are charming quirks, sometimes less flattering traits. Some cars you remember for their performance or their success in motorsport, others for the way they look. And still others because you once saw one and instantly felt something, without quite knowing why.
There are cars that impress through speed and sheer force. But the car in question does something else. Something quieter, yet every bit as special. A car that stands out without shouting. One that makes you look back as it passes by.
The shape of the Spider is recognisable from every angle. Flowing, in balance, and with a presence that is hard to put into words but instantly understood the moment you see it. The design, penned by Pininfarina, is elegant without being overdone. It feels natural, as though it could never have been any other way.
The Spider came about in a period when Alfa Romeo had a clear vision: to build an open car that was accessible, yet still had character. A car for people who wanted to drive, to enjoy, and to be seen, without any of it feeling forced.
This is a car meant to be used and enjoyed, not one merely cherished and left standing still. The 2.0 litre twin-cam engine fires up at once and idles beautifully, with a short blip of the throttle to bring the twin Dell'Orto carburettors to life.
The seating position is relaxed and comfortable, with a wonderful view over the long bonnet. Behind the wooden three-spoke steering wheel sit the distinctive Jaeger dials, with a rev counter that runs to 8000 rpm and makes it immediately clear just how eager this classic Italian sports car is. As with so many Italian classics, the gauges too have a character of their own.
The needles sometimes move just as lively as the car itself and do not always take things too precisely: downhill the tank is full, uphill the tank is empty. Something enthusiasts will call charm rather than a shortcoming.
The foundation of this Spider lies in the successful 105 Series, introduced in 1966 as the elegant Duetto. The design, led by Aldo Brovarone at Pininfarina, was based on the Superflow concept car from the 1950s and grew into one of the most recognisable Alfa designs ever made.
Over the years the Spider developed further, with various engine variants, the later 2.0 version being known for its perfect balance. Not only ample torque, but also that typical high-revving character for which Alfa Romeo is renowned.
Open the throttle and the car comes beautifully to life. The rear settles slightly and the characteristic rasp of the two-litre delivers a surprisingly brisk driving experience.
The typical mild oversteer at the rear, characteristic of the 105 Series, is present too. The chassis is comfortably tuned and takes bumps in the road surface in its stride, which makes driving all the more relaxed.
What makes this car special is not to be found in numbers. It lies in the feeling it gives. The driving, the sound, the experience. The awareness that nothing is perfect, and that this is precisely where the charm lies.
Driving a Spider is simple. Roof down, the road ahead of you and nothing more. That is enough.
Perhaps that is exactly what it is all about.
This particular example is an Alfa Romeo Spider Coda Tronca from 1978.
An originally Dutch-delivered car, which, given the earlier susceptibility to corrosion, you do not often come across. Supplied with the original Alfa Romeo brochures and even the Dutch price list from 1978.
Finished in Nero paintwork and fitted with a Rosso Amaranto leather interior, a combination that suits the character of the car perfectly.
The car comes from the second owner, who bought it in 2017 from the first owner. It has always been maintained by classic car specialist Caresance. The rear axle has recently been overhauled.
An honest Spider just as it was meant to be. For someone who wants not only to own it, but to truly enjoy it too.
I do not say this often, but some cars deserve an owner who understands them. This is one of them.
Special features
- Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 Veloce Coda Tronca, built in 1978
- Entirely Dutch-delivered car, never exported
- Black paintwork with red skai interior
- Black mohair soft top in good condition
- Original Cromodora Campanatura alloy wheels, 14 inch
- Extensive maintenance history documented
Alfa Romeo Spider — traded by us and in the collection
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