Have you ever dreamed of owning an exotic Italian sports car but never thought you could afford one? Besides the sticker price, the cost of ownership has scared many enthusiasts away from purchasing anything that looks remotely Italian. But what if there was a low production, Pininfarina designed Italian sports car, with less than 200 made, that won't break the bank? Thankfully there is! The 1994 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce Commemorative Edition checks all those boxes.
Otherwise, known as the "CE", Alfa Romeo only produced 190 units in the final year of the Spider's almost thirty-year run. The CE was the last affordable Italian sports car where you can drop the top and not have to worry if it will go back up again. Thanks to its reliability and classic appeal, the Spider CE is indeed a special, limited edition Italian roadster.
The Spider Veloce CE Was A Reliable Alfa Romeo Sports Car
By 1994, the Spider was already losing its luster due to a few newcomers in the roadster market such as the Mazda Miata. The Spider was essentially the same car in 1994 that it was in the 60's when Dustin Hoffman drove it in the film "The Graduate". With a few minor mechanical and cosmetic upgrades, mainly to the rear end and interior, the Alfa Spider epitomized the phrase; if it ain't broke don't fix it. According to the NHTSA, owners only reported minor issues with the Alfa Romeo Spider, but the 1991 model was recalled twice.
The Alfa Romeo lasted longer than it's Fix It Again Tony, FIAT version of the Spider, but it met its demise with the success of another foreign sports car. The outdated Alfa Spider couldn't compete with the cheaper and quicker Mazda MX-5 Miata. Although, where the Spider lacked in evolution it made up for it with its vintage charm and dependability. The Spider was once known for its ingenuity. It's four wheel disc brakes, limited slip differential and fuel injected twin cam engine was revolutionary....back in the 70's. The 4th and final generation Spider only managed to last three full model years, culminating in 1994 with the Commemorative Edition.
What made the last iteration of the Spider so special, was the fact that it looked like an instant classic. The Series 4 Spider from 1991-1994 is arguably the most reliable Spider, Alfa Romeo ever built. While Dustin Hoffman's series 1 boat-tail Spider from the 60's is without a doubt the most valuable, the Series 4 is the most refined. With Bosch Motronic fuel injection to compliment the already durable 2.0 twin cam inline-4 engine, the 91-94 Spider is unquestionably the best to own.
The Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce CE Is A Rare Italian Roadster
Based on the 105/115 series, the Spider shares a lot of its parts with the famous Giulia GT and GTV Coupes. The Spider CE added a luxurious touch to an already good handling sports car.
The 1994 Spider CE came equipped with some unique differences that you could not find on any other Spider. The soft texture of Alcantara blankets the interior of the Spider CE. The suede like material can be found on the CE's door panels and leather seat inserts. The interior is also complimented with walnut wood grain trim pieces on the doors, center console and shift knob. Each CE comes with a numbered plaque fixed on the glove box and numbered key chain that tells you where your Spider falls within the 190 made.
Exterior changes include a CE badge on the rear of the car below the Veloce nameplate. A badge on the front nose commemorates the Spider's long history and partnership with coach builder Pininfarina, as well as the Duetto - Spider's production span from 1966-1994. Lastly, the 15-inch phone dial wheels are fitted with gold enamel center caps displaying the beautiful Alfa Romeo badge.
Is Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce CE A Good Investment?
Nowadays, limited edition sports cars are already spoken for by the time they're announced to the public. Not only cars, but it's near impossible to buy a pair of new Nike sneakers these days without having connections. There's something special about owning a low production sports car because it makes you feel like you own a piece of history. The Alfa Romeo Spider certainly had an historic run and enthusiasts are beginning to catch on.
Recent auction data from Bring A Trailer indicates the Spider CE can be purchased from anywhere between $11,500 to $57,000. This wide range of value depends on mileage and vehicle condition. Values of the Spider CE are starting to see a bit of an increase, but compared to other rare Italian sports cars; the limited edition Alfa is a bargain. You will never want to relinquish a car that's vintage and the Alfa Romeo Spider CE was born to be a classic.