Alfa Romeo’s presence in the American market has been sporadic, with their departure in 1995 and subsequent return in 2015. During the gap years, one notable model that was missed out on was the 2006-2010 Spider. Fortunately, during a recent trip to Sherburn Motor Spares, an Italian/French specialty breaker’s yard in England, a discarded example of the Alfa Romeo Spider was found.
Sherburn Motor Spares, located in Sherburn-in-Elmet, specializes in Italian and French cars, making it a treasure trove of vehicles that never made it to the American market. Previous articles have highlighted their collection, including a 1999 Alfa Romeo 166 and a 2009 Alfa Romeo Brera S. Now, it’s time to shine the spotlight on the Brera’s convertible sibling.
While exploring the breaker’s yard, an intriguing “International Van of the Year 2008” emblem from a Citroën Dispatch caught the author’s eye. This small purchase now adorns the door of their garage’s breaker box, a small but significant memento of their visit.
The term “Spider” has a long history, originally used to describe a horse-drawn carriage resembling an arachnid. Today, it applies to any convertible-top automobile. Alfa Romeo embraced this name for their sporty convertible built on a platform initially developed by Saab but eventually utilized solely by Alfa Romeo. Notably, Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the Brera coupe, while Pininfarina handled both the styling and assembly of the Spider.
Unsurprisingly, reviewers praised the aesthetics of both the Brera and Spider. The latter saw a production run of just over 12,000 units from 2006 to 2010.
In the UK market, the Spider was available with front- or all-wheel-drive and offered a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. Yes, a diesel-powered Alfa Spider existed. The example found at Sherburn Motor Spares is equipped with the base 2.2-liter JTS straight-four petrol engine, producing 182 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Despite some acquired body parts, it seemed to be in relatively good condition upon arrival.
Interestingly, these cars can still fetch decent prices when in good condition with a solid MOT. This is quite encouraging for an Italian car that had an original MSRP of £21,555 ($39,877 in 2008 U.S. dollars, or $59,005 in 2024 dollars).
Ultimately, stumbling upon the Alfa Romeo Spider in Sherburn Motor Spares was a thrilling experience. It serves as a reminder of the diverse and fascinating vehicles that exist outside of the American market. The author’s visit to the breaker’s yard has once again highlighted the allure of unique and lesser-known automobiles, leaving them eagerly anticipating what new discoveries await in the future.
In conclusion, exploration of Sherburn Motor Spares led to the discovery of the Alfa Romeo Spider, a model that eluded the American market during its absence. This rare find serves as a testament to the diverse range of vehicles available globally and further ignites enthusiasts’ curiosity about the hidden gems they may encounter in the future.