Description
The Phase 3 (2003-2006) was the final and, arguably, most developed version of the Pininfarina-styled 916 Spider. It offered the attention grabbing revised front-end styling, improved trim and the then-new direct-injection 2.0 JTS engine replacing the trusty old Twin Sparks. Records suggest that Alfa built fewer than 2,000 Phase 3 Spiders, with only around 500 of those with the steering wheel on the right side. DVLA data indicates that under 300 of those remained taxed and in use on UK roads at the end of 2024. Measured by any yardstick, this is a rare opportunity indeed.
Made all the rarer as this one comes in the beautiful ‘Rosso Brunello’ livery – a very deep metallic red with a heavy, gem-like fleck in the sunshine. It photographs well, but looks even more impressive in the flesh. We’ve known this car since 2018, when we sold it to its current owner and have maintained it for them ever since. As such, we know it inside and out and have no qualms about recommending it is a very well sorted example of this rare model.
There’s stacks of paperwork and history in the file, stretching right back to the original bill of sale from supplying Alfa dealer, Desira Bury (sidenote for anoraks like me; the car remains on the original supplying dealer number plates it wore when it was first sold!). The cam belt has been replaced no fewer than 3 times, the most recent by us here at italicar under 4k miles ago in 2024 (this included the water pump and balance belt, of course). It has been used sparingly for coast runs on dry days by its current owner, covering less than 10k miles since she bought it back in 2018 (in fact, it covered only 800 miles in between the 2025/2026 MoT tests). However, the servicing schedule has been stuck to and anything the car needed, it got. Everything works as it should, including the all important electric roof, and it is genuinely one of the better 916’s we get to drive. The current MoT runs through until June 2027, meaning it is primed and ready to jump in and experience some Italian soft-top motoring in this rare sunshine we’re enjoying right now!
Cosmetically, the worst flaw to mention is the usual wear on the driver’s seat bolster. It’s far from the worst we’ve ever seen, and have included a close-up photo in this listing so you can see for yourself. Other than that, it presents as a very tidy 22-year-old car.
We know just how much the current owner has cherished this special little Spider, and feel confident it will bring just as much enjoyment to its next!
