Classic Alfa Romeos are renowned for two things. They are generally equipped with fizzy little engines that deliver surprising performance from a modest capacity. They are also prone to developing significant rust problems if not treated with care. It seems that this 1982 Spider Veloce has plenty of the former and none of the latter. It is a solid little survivor with a freshly rebuilt engine hiding under that low nose. It is ready for some relaxing top-down touring, and if that sounds like an enticing proposition, you will find the Spider listed for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and could be yours for a mere $5,500. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Matt H for spotting this little gem for us.

When the original Spider broke cover in 1966, the Pininfarina-designed classic captured the hearts of the motoring public. It went through numerous changes between its introduction and the end of production in 1993. Some of these changes were required to comply with legislative requirements, while others improved space efficiency. The original cars featured delicate blade bumpers, and some people believe that the larger bumpers that first appeared in 1974 destroyed the car’s purity. However, considering how the changes impacted other American offerings from that era, the Spider got off pretty lightly by comparison. Our feature car is finished in the shade called Avorio, and its overall presentation is pretty respectable for an original survivor. The paint shines well, but I have noted a few scrapes and imperfections. If I were considering parking this classic in my garage, I’d probably jump on these issues quickly. If bare metal is exposed, that leaves the path open for rust to get its teeth into this Italian classic. The panels themselves look straight and true, while the panel gaps look okay for a car of this type and age. The owner doesn’t mention any rust problems, and I can’t spot any in the supplied photos. The soft-top has a single repair, but the owner says that it remains presentable and weatherproof. As usual, I would recommend an in-person inspection for this Alfa, but potential buyers could be onto a winner if it is rust-free.

If rust and panel deterioration can be an issue with classic Alfas, crumbling interior trim doesn’t lag far behind. It doesn’t take much for these interiors to look tired and dog-eared, but the interior of this Spider looks impressive. The owner has recently installed new seat upholstery, but that and a radio/cassette player are the only non-original items. The remaining upholstered surfaces and carpet are in excellent condition, while there is no evidence of cracking or brittle plastic. Possibly the high point is the state of the dash. UV rays can cause cracks to develop, but there are none of those problems here. While it appears that the exterior might benefit from some light restoration work, the buyer shouldn’t need to touch the interior.

The owner supplies no engine photos, but it appears that what is happening below the hood is nothing but good news. The Alfa features a 1,962cc 4-cylinder engine that is backed by a 5-speed manual transmission. With 111hp on tap, the Spider is not the fastest car on the planet. However, its ¼-mile ET of 17.6 seconds is still not that bad. This is especially true when you consider how close the vehicle occupants are sitting to Planet Earth. That figure would feel considerably faster, as would the top speed of 109 mph. This Alfa has led a charmed life because the owner has recently treated its motor to a complete rebuild. He holds receipts to verify this, along with plenty of service records. He says that the car runs and drives well and features a relatively new clutch and slave cylinder.

If I were in the market for a classic sports car, I would be tempted to contact the seller to arrange an in-person inspection of this 1982 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. Values have ridden a rollercoaster over the past two years, but they are definitely on the way back up. It is common for them to fetch figures beyond $15,000 in today’s market in good condition, but figures north of $30,000 are possible if the vehicle is pristine. This car isn’t pristine, but it could be a bargain if it is as good as the photos and listing tend to suggest. Would you consider pursuing this one further?