When the hardtop is on, it sits over the folded soft top. The soft top is nearly new, and is an expensive black cloth version. The hardtop is in very good condition inside and out. Very few of these hard tops are found on 1991-1994 cars.

Here is what makes this car such a rarity and collector's item: It is one of only 180 with the specially-commissioned ZF automatic transmission. This sturdy unit is similar to the one in the BMW 318i. The console was revised to fit it. There were only about 40 1993 automatics in the final year of production (and how many of those were the classic Alfa red with black interior combo?)

Engine from the center.

Engine from the right.

When I bought the car, it had a cosmetic dent under its rear light from being tapped in a parking lot. This has since been repaired. It is the only damage this car has ever had.

I had a new catalytic converter installed in November.

The spare tire well. One of the most rust-prone spots on a Spider, but not on this Spider.

Il Gatto Nero (The Black Cat), a nice car belonging to a local Alfa owner that she sold for $3,495 early fall 2005. Driver side front top down. On a sunny October afternoon, I drove the car over to a park on the Potomac to document its clean lines and classic looks.

1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate, Il Gatto Nero. A really sweet car with about 69,000 miles. Front repainted including bumper. Rust repaired above rear wheels. Interior decent but seam splits in seat bottoms. Runs very well, new cloth top, good tires, cassette stereo with four speakers, recent maintenance, just passed state inspection! Very original and owned by one woman for 13 years. It did need to have a brake caliper replaced and the paint was due for attention other than in the front. This was the best Spider out there for the $3,495 it sold for though! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sleek-black-1987-Graduate-good-car-with-a-low-reserve_W0QQitemZ4585741478QQcategoryZ84154QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem