Clean Alfa Romeo Spiders remain one of the biggest bargains of the classic sportscar world. You can find them all day long in average condition for under $10,000, but a few dollars more tends to get you a much nicer example. This 1983 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce is a low-mileage specimen with just 37,000 original miles and seemingly unaltered condition from new. The seller claims it is in showroom condition and it does look quite nice, with a very light primrose yellow exterior paired with a navy blue top and interior. The seller reports that the top itself is new and that it runs well. Find it here on craigslist in New Hampshire for $14,900. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find. 

The Spider is instantly recognizable given its shape barely changed since new. Of course, those changes were significant ones, as the earlier cars with their slimmer bumpers, boattail rear end, and covered headlamps are among some of the more sought-after Alfa Romeos, but they are priced well above what a Spider from this generation will sell for in top condition. The integrated spoiler on the rear end somewhat makes up for the loss of the boattail, but don’t kid yourself: the earlier cars are far prettier. The seller’s example appears to be completely rust-free despite residing in New Hampshire, and that combined with the low mileage makes it likely that this has been treated as a summer car only.

Alfa interiors have always been striking, and even when you find a Spider in the junkyard, it’s hard not to be smitten by it. The classic three-spoke steering wheel and wood shift knob harken back to the early days of Alfa Romeo, and I’ve always found the company’s willingness to keep its cabins somewhat vintage in style incredibly endearing. The Spider wasn’t a fast car despite what its shifter location and auxiliary gauges would seemingly suggest, but it’s likely one of those models where a limited power output is offset by low mass and a free-revving engine that feels even racier with the shifter jutting out of the dash.

The blue top and interior are a nice change of pace from the usual black, and the fresh convertible top should give the next owner years of weathertight driving provided the Alfa is parked indoors when not in use and the top is properly cared for. The engine shows evidence of some recent work, what with the clearly new ignition wires, but the seller doesn’t detail any other recent maintenance work. The asking price seems fair for a Spider in this sort of condition, but the question is always whether you buy a driver for $6K-$8K or step up to one of the best you can buy for more than $10K but under $20,000. Does this Spider represent the sweet spot, or would you hold out for a cheaper example?