Blue Wall Beauty: 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate – SOLD!

October 22, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Despite being produced for nearly thirty years, Alfa Romeo Spiders remain one of the best-looking sports cars ever produced with a timeless design that continues to age well. The entry-level Graduate version is a no-frills entry point that provides a classic analog experience you simply can’t find in today’s cars.  Our latest example of an Alfa Spider is this all-black 1986 S3 Graduate originally listed in October 2021 on Craigslist in Williamsburg, Kentucky that featuring a working optional factory A/C system.   Currently offered at $8,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $7,800 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $11,900.

Alfa Romeo produced the two-seat, front-engine, rear-drive Spider sports car for nearly thirty years from 1966 to 1994 in four distinct series. The Spider featured here is a Series 3 example produced in the middle of the production from 1983 through 1989.  Power for all North American Spiders came from a 2.0 liter double overhead cam inline-four featuring Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection that produced 126 brake horsepower at 5,400 RPM and 131 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 RPM. Power from this engine is transferred to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission with a distinctive shifter that appears to protrude from the middle of the dashboard.  The example presented here is the base “Graduate” model. This model acknowledged the original Series One’s appearance in the 1967 film, The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman. Alfa Romeo marketed this version as a less expensive “entry-level” Alfa. While it had the same engine and transmission as the Quadrifoglio and Veloce, it lacked the alloy wheels and other features. The Graduate model had manual windows, basic vinyl seats, a vinyl top, and steel wheels as standard. Air conditioning and a dealer-installed radio were the only options. This example features the former which the seller proudly states is ice cold.

We found this 1990 vintage Alfa Romeo S3 Spider commercial posted on YouTube:

While the seller doesn’t mention it, we believe the blue wall tires (which even extends to the spare tire) hint at the car featuring brand new rubber rather than the actual color of the wall’s accent stripe. Finding a Graduate model with factory A/C, let alone one with a working system is a treat.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Very nice 1986 Alpha Romeo Spider Graduate with a
strong running engine and smooth-shifting manual transmission.

Cold a/c and all of the lights, turn signals, and gauges work as they
should. Very nice original black interior with a nice convertible top.

Very nice shiny black paint and rust-free car. Car is located in Williamsburg,
Kentucky near the TN/KY State Line at exit 11 on I-75 N/S.“

Show or go: what would you do with this 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate?  Comment below and let us know!