Page 113 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

In 1983, Alfa came out with the third generation Spider. The first generation was the Duetto, and we picked up the story with the second generation in 1970. The new design gave the Spider some appropriate bodywork changes to make a smoother presentation for the 1980s, and the designers put a cute little lip spoiler on the back end.
Veloces and Graduates and Quadrifoglios
For most of the Alfa Spider era, there was just one model: The Spider Veloce. That changed in 1985 when prices had risen so high that Alfa was pricing itself out of competition with the rest of the market. The Graduate was a stripped-down entry- level offering with steel wheels and vinyl upholstery, and it sold for a few thousand dollars less than a Veloce. All performance gear was the same, however. Then in 1986, Alfa added the Quadrifoglio model as a luxury trim. This Spider offered leather sport seats, air conditioning, an upgraded stereo system, and a removable hardtop.
When the fourth generation Spider debuted in 1990, the Graduate was renamed as the Spider, and the Quadrifoglio became the Spider Veloce. That nomenclature lasted to the end of the line.
Switch to Bosch and then Motronic Fuel
For the 1982 model year, the ever-tightening US emissions standards finally surpassed the abilities of the Spica system. Alfa switched over to the Bosch L-Jetronic system, but kept the underlying 2.0-liter engine effectively unchanged except for a new
TOP: Despite the add-on parts, the mid-Eighties Spider retained a classic Alfa profile.
MIDDLE: The Series Four Spider underwent another update with a different grille design, as well as side skirts.
RIGHT: The best way to Alfa, top down with a friend.
Alfa Romeo Spider
Injection
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