Description
Although Alfa Romeo returned to car production quite quickly after World War II, a new design did not become available until 1950. This was the 1900, a one-piece sedan with a double overhead camshaft 1.884 cc four-cylinder engine. It was the first Alfa to be built on a real production line, all previous cars were largely hand-built and also the first with left-hand drive. Until 1950, Alfa production fluctuated around 400 units per year. With the 1900 this has increased almost tenfold. A 1900C Sprint Coupe was introduced with bodywork by Touring and a Spider Cabriolet by Pinin Farina, both built in much smaller quantities.
In 1958, Alfa introduced a new sedan, called the 1.975 with its larger 2000 cc engine. the latter was introduced in 1960. Spider and Sprint production accounted for almost half of all units sold in 2000: 3.443 units of the Spider were produced and 700 units of the more expensive Sprint Coupé. The 2000 sedan had the unusual feature of a column-mounted shifter for its five-speed transmission, while the Spider and Sprint retained the more sporty-oriented floor-mounted shifter.
Built between 2000 and 1958, the 1962 Spider was much rarer than its younger counterpart, the Giulietta Spider (of which approximately 17.000 were produced). The 1975cc four-cylinder engine was tuned to deliver 131 horsepower, allowing the Touring bodied roadster to easily exceed 100 mph. The fully synchronized 5-speed transmission allowed for quite relaxed high-speed cruising, and the big Alfin drum brakes were extremely effective. Few Alfa Romeo 2000 Spiders came to the UK as new cars, this left-hand drive example was originally exported to the US. This Touring Spider was imported from the US around 1990 by its former owner, the late Robert Gharibi, and was restored by him and his friend and business partner, Harry Abrahamian.
Both Robert and Harry were experienced Alfa Romeo enthusiasts, Robert having already restored two classic Alfas to concours-winning condition prior to 2000. The restoration was carried out in his home garage, which was well equipped with Alfa tools, while all parts used were purchased through Alfa Romeo dealers or Alfa parts specialists, both in Europe and the US. This extensive restoration culminated in a class win at National Alfa Day in 1993 and a second place (by one point) in the Master Class category the following year. The immediate previous owner, Mr Lodovico Crescenzi, bought 'VvS 334' in October 1994 and left the car in the garage for the next six years without ever driving it. In June 2000 the Alfa Romeo was offered for sale at Bonhams 'Goodwood Festival of Speed' Sale (Lot 916). After six years off the road, the car was recommissioned before being sold by Laleham-based marque specialists Thorobred Cars. Since the purchase of the Spider, the car has won several awards, including at the “Auto Italia Festival Concours” and the annual competition of the Alfa Romeo Owners' Club.
'VvS 334' is considered one of the best examples of its type and was previously invited to be exhibited on the Alfa Romeo Owners' Club stand at the International Classic Motor Show. It has also been featured in Auto Italia magazine, described as a 'beautiful concours-winning 2000 Spider'. The car has been used sparingly over the past 20 years. An underrated Italian thoroughbred in competition-winning condition!
