Electing to part with a classic that you have owned for many years can be a tough decision, but it is one that has been made by the owner of this 1984 Pininfarina Azzurra Spider. It presents impressively for its age, and its fizzy little four-cylinder engine should provide a satisfying driving experience. The Spider has been meticulously maintained but will undergo one final inspection before the seller hands the keys to its new owner. This classic appears to be located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and you will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Intense bidding has pushed the price to $11,050, although it’s yet to hit the reserve.

I may be the odd one out here, but I tend not to be a fan of cars wearing Black paint. It is a matter of personal taste, but I believe there are better shades that owners could choose. However, that’s what we find gracing the panels of this Pininfarina, and it is one that the seller seems to like. They describe the combination of Black paint and Tan interior trim as the best color combination offered, and I respect their opinion on that point. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no disputing that this Italian classic presents well. The paint shines impressively, with no significant flaws or problems. The panels are straight, but the vital question with these cars revolves around the topic of rust. The seller indicates that the Spider has been garage-kept throughout its life with them, which is a promising start. There is nothing visible in the supplied photos, although their quality isn’t excellent. Anyone genuinely considering making a play for this Spider may be wise to contact the seller to see if they can negotiate an in-person inspection. My instincts tell me there are no problems, but it is worth the effort to remove any uncertainty. The trim shines as nicely as the paint, while the immaculate alloy wheels offer a striking contrast that prevents this classic from looking somber.

Powering the Spider is a beautiful little Fiat 1,995cc four-cylinder engine that should produce 102hp. With a five-speed manual transmission feeding the power to the rear wheels, this classic should cover the ¼ mile in 17.4 seconds. That figure doesn’t sound dazzling, but it only tells part of the story with this Italian sports car. While maximum power delivery occurs at 5,500rpm, the torque peaks at a mere 2,500rpm. That makes them remarkably tractable and able to hold their own in the cut-and-thrust of commuter traffic. The seller indicates that the Pininfarina has been appropriately maintained by a Fiat specialist throughout their ownership. It runs and drives exceptionally well, and the seller will subject the car to a final inspection by the specialist before handing the vehicle to its next owner. They want them to be able to enjoy the motoring experience immediately and feel that this represents the best way to ensure that this is the case. That is a reassuring approach that we rarely see in the current market.

Apart from rust issues, the other recognized weakness with the Spider is the fragility of interior trim components. Plastic can prove brittle and is susceptible to UV damage. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case here. The leather seat upholstery carries the wrinkles that are a characteristic of this type of material with a few years under its belt. It looks soft and inviting, with no signs of wear or physical damage. The same is true of the remaining upholstered surfaces, while the dash and faux woodgrain look perfect. The seller installed a Jensen radio/cassette player, but I can’t spot any other aftermarket additions.

If I had one wish, it would be that the owner of this 1984 Pininfarina Azzurra Spider had provided some better photos. As most readers will know, rust can be the greatest enemy of these little classics, and a seller can do themselves a disservice by providing low-quality shots. However, that hasn’t deterred potential buyers, with forty bids on the book at the time of writing. I won’t be surprised if the bidding soars past $15,000 before the hammer falls. Considering the intensity of the bidding to this point, that figure could climb north of $20,000 if the car is as clean and mechanically healthy as the seller suggests. If you have been searching for an Italian classic, this classic’s ownership and maintenance history make it worth serious consideration.