Alfa Spider S4: Unsung Hero

Chris Rees believes the S4 Spider is better than the Mk1 MX-5. Here's why

So we now know what the new MX-5 looks like. And maybe, just maybe, there will be an Alfa Romeo Spider on the back of it.

There's plenty of irony in the new Mazda MX-5/Alfa Spider marriage. In 1989, when the MX-5 first launched, pretty much the only other cheap open-topped two-seater sports car was Alfa's Spider (which had graduated to Series 4 guise in 1989). And at the time, the Spider certainly was great value: at under £16,000, it ran the MX-5's £14,250 surprisingly close.

Alfas must have an offset numberplate. Fact

But within five years - apart from marginal anachronisms like the Morgan and Caterham - there was only one cheap sports car in town: the MX-5. You could say the Alfa Spider was an anachronism, too, but it was so brilliantly right that it really didn't need changing. If Mazda brilliantly distilled the sports car formula to conjure up the MX-5, the Spider was the archetype from which it drew its soul.

Original is best
We all know the MX-5 is brilliant. But does the phrase 'original is best' apply here? Is the Alfa Spider S4, in fact, better than an MX-5? I'm going to say it: yes it is.

By all logic, the Spider should be a laughable antique. It's almost as old as the Alps that frame Alfa's old Arese factory, soldiering on for almost 30 years on essentially the same 1962 Giulia 105 platform. Its live rear axle already felt anachronistic in the 1960s, but its clever location engenders handling that certainly isn't embarrassed by the independently-sprung MX-5. There's much more body roll than in an MX-5, but the handling is just as predictable: hit your apex, stab the throttle and dialling in opposite lock is totally intuitive.

It's just pretty, isn't it?

The S4's ZF power steering has a much more connected feel than you might expect, although whether you have worm-and-roller or recirculating ball steering you'll probably never know: Alfa fitted both at the factory in a seemingly random manner - all part of the Alfa charisma!

Charm and a killer shape
Speaking of which, the 1,962cc twin-cam engine is charm personified. Revvy and mellifluous, its broad spread of torque and 120hp output beat the 1.6 MX-5's 115hp. At 1,110kg, the Spider is 150kg portlier than the Mazda but it's still just as perky: 118mph and 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds are about what you can expect from an MX-5.

Here's the killer, though: the Alfa looks amazing. I reckon it's the best-looking Spider Alfa ever made: Pininfarina's clean, simple lines are a high point of sports car design. That low, narrow shape begs you to leap in and graduate to chasing down your very own Mrs Robinson. Alfa's soft-top is also the very model of simplicity from which Mazda drew its inspiration.

Design is old, the style timeless

Weaving its web
If you want a Spider S4 - and believe me, you do - you're likely to have to deal with rust, but then early MX-5s rust too. Prices are very tempting: this tidy S4 looks great value at £4,995. And this red one has had a restoration, justifying its £9,995 price tag.

Of course, for these prices you can get a very tasty MX-5: even the most expensive Mk1s are under £5K, with the majority hovering around the £1,500 mark. This £4,500 Eunos 1.8 VR-Limited import looks desirable with its leather, 133hp, low final drive and LSD.

But come on. MX-5s are everywhere - we're now getting close to a production tally of one million - while the Spider is both rare (just 21,407 S4s were sold) and exquisite. Go on - buy a Spider.

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garypotter

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