2001 Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 Busso

Highlights

• Sought after 3-litre 24v ‘Busso’

• Excellent Meteor Silver over red leather specification

• Gorgeous Pininfarina design

• Comprehensive service record, MOT to May 2026

• Verified 49,000 miles on the clock

Overview

Certain types of car just aren’t made anymore. Pretty little Italian cabriolets certainly fall into that category, and we think the motoring world is much poorer for that.

Take this glorious 3-litre Spider as a prime example of what we’re missing. Just pause a moment and consider the gorgeous lines and perfect proportions that flow across Pininfarina’s design. That diagonal slash alone is enough to stop traffic, but the rest of the car is just as stunning, from the dainty twin headlights to the heckblende at the rear.

It’s a reminder of how much we miss the Alfa Romeo that was. They were a company that designed and built cars with exceptional soul that exemplified that most Italian of desires: to go very quickly and look absolutely fabulous while you’re doing so. Now market forces seem to have pushed them into pastures new.

Anyway. This is no place to be maudlin, because what we have here is not only a deeply lovely example of the Spider (the cabriolet companion to the GTV), but it’s the 3-litre 24v. And we all know what that means. Yes. It’s a Busso. 

For those not in the know, the Busso is legendary amongst enthusiasts for being one of the most characterful and evocative engines ever made. Naturally, it doesn’t hurt that it’s probably the most sonorous V6 ever designed. To be driving a Busso at full chat is to immerse yourself in the songs of angels. Probably. It’s definitely very, very nice.

Add to this the fact that this particular Spider has been exceptionally well cared for and maintained, has a heart-stoppingly attractive specification and just 49,000 miles on the clock. If all of that doesn’t have you furtively poring over the images and doing all kinds of creative maths to justify getting it on your driveway, then we can only assume you’re one of those militant cycling types that’s wandered on here by accident.

If that is the case, you should definitely buy this car. A Busso is a sure cure for middle-aged-man-in-Lycra syndrome.

History and documentation

• First registered on September 1st  2001

• Current owner since October 29th  2017, five former owners

• 49,000 miles on the clock, verified by the MOT and service records

• Current MOT expires May 21st 2026, excellent MOT history

• Stamped service book with services as follows: 10/03 @ 8,357; 6/05 @ 1,825; 6/07 @ 23,045; 6/08 @ 25,312; 6/09 @ 26,873; 11/15 @ 37,379; 10/17 @ 37,996; 8/18 @ 40,027; 5/24 @ c.48,000

• The history file shows that the cambelt was replaced in September 2022 (at c.45,000)

• Full document pack

• Collection of invoices for servicing and maintenance

• Two keys

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• The vendor tells us that they have only ever used the car during the summer months, and that it is kept in a dehumidified garage

Interior

• Striking ribbed red leather upholstery to the seats and door card inserts

• All of the leather looks to be in excellent condition for its age, with a little light wear and creasing to the driver’s outer bolster, but no sagging, tears or notable wear we could identify

• Deep red carpeting through the cabin, complemented with contrasting black overmats which feature red edge binding; the carpets are in very good order, with no obvious staining or threading

• Air conditioning

• Electrically operated convertible roof

• Electrically adjustable windows and door mirrors

• All of the switchgear and internal trim looks to be in fine fettle, with no significant wear and nothing missing or damaged, as far as we could tell

• Period Pioneer CD/radio – the vendor notes that the electric aerial does not work

• Chromed rollover hoops

• Removable wind deflector

• The boot is neatly trimmed out with grey carpet, which shows no signs of wear or staining

• The vendor assures us that everything in the cabin functions as it should

Exterior

• Meteor Silver paintwork, which contains a lovely hint of blue and shows off the car’s lines very well indeed

• Overall the paintwork looks in very good order, and appears to be original, with no obvious blending or areas of respray we could discern

• The only minor issues we noted were a small touched-in scuff on the lower off-side portion of the rear bumper, and a small patch of bubbling on the off-side corner of the bonnet’s leading edge

• All of the bodywork looks to be very clean and straight, with no notable dents, no misalignment and no corrosion apparent

• The black fabric roof looks to be in nice condition, with a little light wear, but no tears or significant sagging

• Early in the current ownership, the roof motors were replaced, and in August 2021 the roof mechanism was refurbished and reset by Cayman Autos of Redhill

• All of the external trim and badging presents well, with no corrosion, damage or cracking we could see

• Similarly, the light lenses and glass elements are clean and clear, free from notable cracks, chips and misting

• Underneath, the car appears to be in fantastic condition for its age, the galvanised chassis, floor pans and sills all look clean, straight and free from any damage

• There is a small amount of surface corrosion noted on the rear suspension arms, but it is quite minor

• The car rides on a lovely set of Zender Siena 17-inch split-rims, all of which have been kept in superb condition, and appear to be free from kerb damage and and signs of lacquer peel

• A brace of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres have been fitted to the front, while a pair of Cooper Zeon CS6s keep the rear axle in check – all are sized at 225/45

Mechanical

• ‘Busso’ 2,959cc 24-valve naturally-aspirated V6

• Factory performance figures: 218bhp, 196lb-ft, 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds, top speed of 145mph

• 6-speed manual transmission

• The engine bay is nice and clean, with no evidence we could see of leaks or other issues

• That Busso is as pretty as ever, the red rocker cover and plenum contrasting well with the polished intake pipes

• Front-wheel drive

• A Q2 differential has been fitted to further improve the car’s dynamics

• A Wiechers Sport front strut brace has been fitted

• A new Varta battery was fitted in May 2023

• An aftermarket stainless steel sports exhaust has been fitted, and enhances the already characterful V6

• The cambelt and driveshaft boots were replaced in September 2022 at about 45,000 miles

• We are assured the car starts, idles and drives just as it should, with no known mechanical issues or faults

Summary

Good Lord, just look at it…

Sorry, we kind of zoned out there. Okay, right, the Spider. Well, as you can see, it’s blooming tremendous. Beautifully maintained, stunningly styled and quite simply dripping with character.

For anyone who truly loves the sheer joy of driving, an Alfa roadster with a Busso up front surely has to be on the all-time garage shortlist. It’s certainly on ours. We simply cannot sing its praises highly enough. Someone is going to be walking away with an absolute honey of a car…

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Rugby, Warwickshire