Motoring: Italian stallion races back to renewed life once more

I recently wrote about emerging Classics or ‘Sleepers’ as they are known and one such example has just come my way.

It is a 24-year-old Alfa Romeo 2.0 Twin Spark Spider in top of the range Lusso specification, which was not to be missed.

I have previously mentioned that there is a distinct correlation between price surges and the passage of time, whereby at around 25-years-old, certain cars begin an upward climb in value as they become scarce but also recognised for their usefulness and desirability as future classics.

There is a tendency for values to peak at around 35 years then drop off after around 45 years as they become less well known or remembered by the buyers of the day.

Typically, these buyers are purchasing their childhood dream cars now that in middle age, they can afford the investment opportunities and fancy a bit of fun.

Of course, this does not apply to all cars, so a 25-year-old mass produced Mondeo is unlikely to make the grade, but limited production Italian sports cars with a thoroughbred sporting heritage are going to be contenders for future elevated status.

This particular Alfa was placed on blocks in storage more than 14 years ago and has only covered 48,000 miles. The one and only owner stopped using it but could not bear to part with it until now.

Needing recommissioning with new exhaust, brakes, tyres and a full cambelt service, but with perfectly preserved and original paintwork, this is a piece of art well worth the investment of time and money.

The metallic green bodywork was galvanised from new and Alfa wisely fitted aluminium sub frames to minimise any corrosion. Tan leather and air conditioning complete the finishing touches.

At half of MGB money, these are highly useable future classics well worth considering if you have garage space and a love of open top Italian flair.

Bringing this beauty home from Surrey on a trailer was the easy bit and well worth the trouble. The only difficulty I envisage ahead is convincing my wife that she cannot keep it.